Cheapo Inverters vs. Expensive Ones

[inetdog]

Thanks for the reminder. UL lists devices, they don't rate them, correct?

Yup.

The also "recognize" components that can be used inside a device which will in turn be tested to some UL standard.
The recognized component mark is the backwards RU.
And it means nothing for the consumer or average electrician who cannot assert any kind of UL listing for an assembly that contains RU components just based on the RU mark.

[PNjunction]

Would a cheapo inverter like this work for those of us who must cut every conceivable corner to build something on a shoestring budget?

That only makes you a target / sucker for junk, and solar is not really for you. To do it right, you don't cut every conceivable corner, or else you end up buying things twice or more, or replacing with quality you should have done in the first place. Penny wise / pound foolish.

[lkruper]

UL listing (not approval, not rating, not "built to UL standards") is absent. It cost enough that if they have it they will display it!

Note that CE rating, being a self-certification by the manufacturer with no independent testing, is only as good as the honesty and competence (one without the other is no good either) of the company. In this case that seems to be zero.

Thanks for the reminder. UL lists devices, they don't rate them, correct?

[inetdog]

Where is the UL rating? 5000w / 48v = 104 amps is a fire waiting to happen. Also the warranty is only 1 year.

UL listing (not approval, not rating, not "built to UL standards") is absent. It cost enough that if they have it they will display it!

Note that CE rating, being a self-certification by the manufacturer with no independent testing, is only as good as the honesty and competence (one without the other is no good either) of the company. In this case that seems to be zero.

[lkruper]

I know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Often that's true but sometimes it isn't. Sometimes all you get for your extra money is a name.

I'm brand new to all this stuff, so have mercy. I went looking for off-grid kits and found several featuring a Magnum MS4448PAE 4400 W 48 VDC pure sine wave inverter at a cost of around $2200. I've found a number of vendors selling seemingly equivalent inverters (same specs, at least) for $500-700, such as this one...

http://www.dhgate.com/product/12v-24v-48v-5000w-5kw-cheap-price-pure-sine/183300617.html#s1-0-1a|3060163214

Would a cheapo inverter like this work for those of us who must cut every conceivable corner to build something on a shoestring budget? Heck, I could buy two of them and just keep one as a standby and still save $1000.

What am I missing here?

Where is the UL rating? 5000w / 48v = 104 amps is a fire waiting to happen. Also the warranty is only 1 year.

Also, I don't like their terms:

We provide 1 year warranty. If the item is defective, please notify us within 3 days of delivery.
All items must be returned in their original condition, in order to qualify for a refund or exchange of goods.
But shipping fee and insurance is not refundable.
Items returned after 7 days of delivery are only eligible for repair.
The buyer is responsible for all shipping costs incurred.

You can make sure the item is ok in just three days? And after 7 it cannot be replaced? And you have to pay shipping?

The web site is amateurish and contains grammatical errors.

[jflorey2]

What am I missing here?

Well, one obvious thing is that the inverter can't possibly work at those power levels. 10,000 watts/12 volts at 90% efficiency is 925 amps. There is no way the terminals on that inverter - or even the internal wiring - will handle that current. Even at 5000 watts you are at 462 amps, which nothing sane will handle.

What you will likely get is an inverter that will give you about a thousand watts of modified sine wave power - if your battery can support it.

Would a cheapo inverter like this work for those of us who must cut every conceivable corner to build something on a shoestring budget?

If you are really looking for a "cheapo" inverter, try something like a Prosine 1800. It will give you 1800 watts (for real) of real sine wave and you can pick one up for about $300 used on Ebay.

[eric@psmnv]

I know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Often that's true but sometimes it isn't. Sometimes all you get for your extra money is a name.

I'm brand new to all this stuff, so have mercy. I went looking for off-grid kits and found several featuring a Magnum MS4448PAE 4400 W 48 VDC pure sine wave inverter at a cost of around $2200. I've found a number of vendors selling seemingly equivalent inverters (same specs, at least) for $500-700, such as this one...

http://www.dhgate.com/product/12v-24v-48v-5000w-5kw-cheap-price-pure-sine/183300617.html#s1-0-1a|3060163214

Would a cheapo inverter like this work for those of us who must cut every conceivable corner to build something on a shoestring budget? Heck, I could buy two of them and just keep one as a standby and still save $1000.

What am I missing here?