inverter

I have to stay away from kijiji. A trucking company was replacing their inverters with the latest and greatest, so they wanted their old inverters gone and they listed them at 50.00 dollars. I couldn't get to the big city for a few days and by the time I did, I got the last one (they were still unbolting it). I would have bought them all at that price....Never used this brand before, I thought I was buying a mod sine inverter as that's what the seller said but that data sheet says "sine wave output"...bonus!
This is what I got https://www.tripplite.com/2000w-powerverter-plus-industrial-strength-inverter-2-outlets~PV2000FC/

I normally wouldn't be interested in this kind, as its not a high freq unit, instead it has a big heavy transformer in it, and I have always found these type inverters, while good units, to have too much idle current (to much imho) but for 50 bucks I cant say no. I will just set it aside and play with it this winter when I have time.

The Transformer in this thing weighs 50 pounds, likely 30 pounds of that is copper...scrap price of copper is something like 2 dollars a pound or more....my momma didn't raise a dummy

Bloody hell, I just cant stop myself...kijiji again...there is way to many good deals out there right now...this one is from Calgary, I bought it sight unseen as the price was just to good, I wont say as no one would believe me.A friend is picking it up Monday and I should have it in my grubby little hands by Tuesday. https://www.wholesalesolar.com/2920120/magnum-energy/inverters/magnum-energy-me2012-inverter

I believe these retail in Canada for 1600-1800 and that's without the control panel, that costs over 230.00 or so. I do like that wide voltage input range 9 to 16 volts!

So there is another one I want to buy but its in Lloyd. Its nothing special, a 3000 watt mod sine HF unit made by Tripp-lite, in mint condition. You can find it on Kijiji right now, listed in Lloyd....if anyone is up that way and wants a good deal, the guy is just asking 80.00 dollars for it. You would be crazy not to have one for that price....but if you are a crazy person and live in Lloyd but don't want it for yourself, if you buy it and plan on coming to Edmonton (Leduc, Millet Ponoka)anytime soon I will give you 120.00 for it and buy you lunch, hey it will pay for your gas if your coming this way anyway.....

And to the bugger in Calgary that sniped one of my favorite models that I was working a deal on...yes I know (ok, Suspect) it was someone from here....I have the last laugh, you paid to much, if you were a little less eager you could have saved yourself 50-60 dollars easy.

Got it in my hands

This is a combination inverter and charger, sounds great doesn't it...not!

This unit has the mark of the beast so is approved for home installation, not that I care.

I will just set it aside and play with it this winter

I took a quick peak inside,
Just one big iron core transformer in these, and that's why they have higher standby or idle losses. It takes a good bit of power to always keep this big hunk of iron energised.

This unit is also a charger and the charger control portion is the board in the top right hand side. Like the high freq units not much in these really.
I got this unit for next to nothing because it has a problem, The inverter part works just fine, but he would go to use the charger, it would work sometimes but other times it would randomly quit charging and throw up a error code, when it did that, then it would shut down the inverter section and he was without power until he came over to it and manually reset the unit. He cant have that, and he was smart enough to know that if he shipped it away to be fixed, he would be without power for how ever long it took, plus his cost for repair would likely be around 600- to 900 dollars. Half or a little less than half the price of a new one, so he just bought a new one.
When I heard this was the problem I knew I could fix it as it was just the Charging transfer relay on the board, a 20 dollar part. I will solder on a new one and be good to go. Just for your info that's why I hate combo units, a problem in one section can shut down the whole unit for no good reason. Give me a separate charger and separate inverter any day. In case your wondering why it costs me 20 to fix but for him it would be 600-900?
First no labour charge, but most importantly, you don't really think they would just replace the relay do you? hell no, that relay is soldered onto the board, they will replace the entire section, entire circuit board!

I just cant help it, the deals are so good, I spent more in gas to pick it up than it cost...

Looks like a friend is going to be heading to lloyd, so that inverter will be coming my way too.
And I had left my number with that trucking company just in case they had any more inverters and I got a call that they have one more to sell, so it looks like its back to Edmonton to pick up another one this week. I wont ever be caught short again.

This model is the replacement for the original 3000 model that I liked. The manufacturer claims that this model has the same specs and performance, Lets just say I am suspicious of that claim, I notice it feels about 4 pounds lighter, and unlike the other one the case is not as well constructed....but we will see....I will put it to the test this winter.

Hey I was just thinking, there should be a thread called "show your inverters"

Always a good read. Long one but haven't been on much. But tons ofgood info peppercorn alway like reading the information you go into.

I had to take a peak inside, this model was actually the model I was going to buy when I went to Penhold, but it sold before I got there. I haven't used this model before but I have it on good authority from a friend who has used it that it, that it performs as advertised,though I am still partial to the previous model.
anyway lets get to the centerfold..

One single board now has everything, and its a lot more crowded on the board!! even with SMD parts its crowded. Here is a pic of the power section, boost transformers now are double! 6 of them since this is a 3000 watt unit its reasonable to assume each is 500 watts. It looks like these are the same transformers that are in my 5000 watt unit. These are a lot smaller transformers than the old model, I suspect these are being driven at a higher frequency, than the previous model.

I notice that they have done away with the display board that would show the amperage being drawn from the battery, the battery voltage and the wattage of power (AC) that's being used. That info is really handy to have displayed....its especially handy for people not all that familiar with using inverters. just on that fact I don't recommend this unit unless you are experienced using inverters. Now I haven't tested this unit yet but I cant see buying this unit new... it sells for 600.00 kanucistanien dollars new but the 5000 watt unit is 800.00 new and you get much more power, and all the display info. If your buying new I would spend the extra, get the 5000 watt unit and by pass this unit. In fact from what I see here (remember I haven't tested it yet) I would prefer the old model.
I really think that old model for the guys and gals in the know is going to become a cult classic...infact as I peer into my crystal ball I can see people
Pimping out that model like they do classic cars. My crystal ball may be wrong though.

When I look at this unit I see bean counters everywhere, when I look at the old unit I see good engineering. Whats the difference? 20 years. Remember the question I asked...
Do note that by just changing the internal layout they have reduced the capacitors in the boost section by one third per 1000 watts of output power. They are getting there.. How did they do that you wonder? that answer is in the picture...

And I just noticed that this unit does not have the mark of the beast, like the old 3000 watt model did...strange...I just checked my 5000 watt unit and it does...hmmm something to investigate...but not now.

I am like that Syrian guy who just seems to be unable to stop himself from using poison gas 🙄
another one...

Now I got this one for nothing, friend of friend heard I was collecting spare units and some guy had this one that quit working a few years back, he just bought another one at the time, and was going to toss this one, but now I have it, no time right now, will have to check it out this winter

I just totaled up what I spent on the last 4 inverters just on this page and it was 275.00 dollars, ofcourse the last one was unexpectedly a freebee and who knows maybe I wont be able to fix it ( ya right) , but I think that's pretty good to have some spares kicking around. Now I still have a couple more inbound so I am good for life or a couple life times now. Other than the last one all bought right off kijiji in a little more than 3 months time. So what am saying is its sure not hard or expensive to have to have something for back up power or full time power for your house if you wish!
I also let a lot of deals go by as I am a cheap bastard, I could have had many more if I wasn't so cheap, and still got a good deal.
in my time looking the last 3 months, I think I only seen 2 24volt inverters for sale, at higher prices and 1 48volt unit at a even higher price. Not that I am advocating 12 volts, but I can sure defend using it for power, its proven cost effect for me, and for those who say it only works on small systems, well let me finish this weld and you can tell me all about it...

Ok I think a intervention is needed...I went to the big city to pick up that inverter from the trucking company, and when I checked kijiji before leaving, there was another 3000 watt unit that a guy had just put up for 50.00 dollars...so quess what? yes that unit came home with me too.

Here is a little help for you guys in Calgary, Im not going for this one myself so if someone wants a good powerful model for backup here it is...this is A Triplitt model 3000 watt cont, 6000 surge it even has a couple 20 amp 120 volt receptacles on it ...he is just asking 40.00 dollars... if I was in Calgary I would be all over that.... http://www.kijiji.ca/v-car-audio-gps/calgary/truck-inverter-tripp-lite/1279162050?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
40.00 dollars wont even buy me a good bottle of rum, yet here you can have something to get you by in a power failure! 40.00 dollars must be what? 2 or 3 packs of smokes?

And here is another one, this was the model I first thought I was going to buy, to replace my sine wave unit, but by the time I figured in exchange, shipping, I was going well north in to the 4 figures, its just a couple months old, he is asking 999.00, but I bet 700-750 would take it....The specs on this unit are outstanding, I would love to take one of these apart to see how they met the specs... http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-other/calgary/3000w-12v-120v-pure-sine-wave-inverter/1279062985?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

(july 7th) Just back to add that the top unit is already sold....you have to act fast at that price.

For Calgary again... I would not pay this guys price (275), but because of the condition of this unit, if I was in a position where I didn't have a back up inverter, and I needed one, if I could get it for 150-175, I would....take it from someone with experience buying and selling inverters, this one is in immaculate condition. Note that this unit has the boots to cover the input terminals (most used units have these lost). Not a scratch on it, from the pics that I blew up, I can tell you it looks like this unit has seen very light use! Perfect condition for those who care about such things. Maybe the best looking one I have seen (of this model).. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tool-other/calgary/motomaster-3000w-power-inverter/1280217185?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
even the black anodizing on the aluminium case is even in colour throughout , so its seen little sunshine or weathering..

This is the same unit as above but it was the first generation that had the bar graph display, and single outlet, (newer units had the digital display and dual outlets) otherwise exact same unit. Their asking 150 for it, way to much...I would offer 50... http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1279607202

as you can see here is the same unit for sale in Edmonton and the guy is much more reasonable, just asking 80.00, but I still would only offer 50.00
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-other/edmonton/3000w-inverter-needs-new-fuse/1265443712?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Off to Red deer Monday to pick up another inverter, not for me, a friend, this one is brand new in the box, 24 volt DC inverter rated at 2400 watts cont, but will do 3600 watts for a solid hour, and surge to 4800 watts for 10 seconds, sign wave unit. My friend is going to be building a shipping container home and this will run it. 250 dollars, it would list in the 4 figures if bought new through a retailer. I love kijiji, craigslist, backpage, you can find anything.

Now I have just built a all steel, portable ground mount array for my place, something I can move around to where ever I need it, from a mix of old panels kicking around. You get the idea by the pic.

Now I need a inverter that I can just hook up to this array, and get 120 volts ac to be able to use tools anywhere in the yard. Things like water pumps, electric chain saws, drills etc...in other words a inverter like a grid tie inverter that doesn't need batteries, something that you can just hook your panels directly up to and have it work (so long as the sun is out)...So remember that model I like, yep, with a few internal changes it will do the job just fine, and run right off panels ( and or batts too) just fine. It occurred to me that since I have been recommending that model so much, not just in this thread, but I remember recommending this unit to people here a few years back. So if you were someone who actually listened to me and maybe bought one over the last few years on my recommendation and if you would like this feature added to your unit. Then just PM me a picture of your inverter unit (front face of inverter) and when I place my order for parts, I will order extra parts for those who bought this model, and we will plan a day where you can come over and we will sit down and modify our units and test them. Im placing my parts order this week.
Oh and while Im inside I will be "hardening" my unit. If this is something you want done too, say so in your PM. Cost in parts for upgrading this unit to run off panels= 25.00 dollars (est), cost in parts if you want the hardening done I estimate at 30 to 40 dollars in parts, but that's because lets just say, I am "extremely hardening" my unit, a 4 stage, progressive TVS array for input and output. Since this might be left outside at the panels, with long cords laying around, running to tools, I want to make sure, or I should say , I would like to make more "reasonably sure" it could survive a nearby lightening strike, or "anomaly", so I am putting lots of attention (parts) to this aspect.

I already have one of these, so I am not buying it, but its not a bad deal as the date code indicates it was manufactured in feb of 2016, so it likely doesn't even have a years use. These sell new 2800-3000 dollars. This guy is asking 1000.00. Its a pure sine wave 2800 watt cont. unit. It of course has the mark of the beast, so approved for use.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-trailer-parts-accessories/st-albert/used-magnum-energy-ms2810-2800-watt-inverter/1282636557?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

From my post at the top of the page, second link down....that inverter that was for sale at 999...and I said he would likely take 700-750, well he has relisted it at 800.... He says that it cost him 1300 and I believe him, when I worked out the exchange, the tax, the duties you will get hit with, and shipping, that's about what I thought it would cost me.
That's a really good price for a inverter with that performance (specs) even if you don't have a 12 volt system...if you have a 24 or 48 volt often the higher voltage inverters cost more, a 12 volt inverter can still be handy as it may be cost prohibitive to keep a spare 48 volt inverter around for back up. If your main inverter fails a 12 volt one can still be hooked up (just to fewer batteries) to keep the lights on while you get parts coming for main one.
Anyway, here is the link for the new listing.... https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/cal ... nFlag=true
Please...somebody buy it....I don't know how much longer I can resist! and I have spent enough money...

Oh his story about why he is selling it is BS in my opinion, He admits it runs everything including his AC in his motor home, but he says he is buying a bigger one...BS, I don't believe him. He is not buying a bigger one, I suspect he is buying a low freq unit (with the big heavy transformer in it).
Someone has been yapping in his ear.....what happens is there was a time, often in the early development of a semiconductor, where the first few generations (fets, mosfets, igbts etc) have reliability issues...its to be expected...30 years ago that was the case, and way back then the low feq transformer units had a better reputation, especially with motor loads for reliability. Not so since about 2000, some devices 1995. So for roughly 20 years, there is no advantage,in fact greater costs in idle current with low freq units, but people who have no real world experience with inverters keep yapping away about the non existent advantage of low freq units. So someone like this guy who bought a unit that's working just fine for him is at a camp site talking to another camper who repeats what some sales man said to him when he bought his rig, that his inverter is the more reliable low freq/transformer style, so now this guy, who was happy with his high freq unit starts to wonder if he has a unit that will soon fail on him.....so he decides to sell it....I have heard this story so many times...... I predict that in 5 years you wont even be able to buy a low freq iron core transformer unit ( due to cost as they are more expensive) ....Don't listen to someone who tells you different, they are either a salesman, making more money on the low freq units or someone with no real world experience with inverters, and if you think I am wrong, just try and buy a industrial 3 phase variable freq motor drive that doesn't have semi conductors...you cant....every single one is fet, mosfet, igbt output....no if ands or buts about it. If its good enough for industry its good enough for your home.
How do I know this? am I a slide rule guy?...No!! I wish I was, but I have used inverters back when they were rotary, I can still remember the first electronic one I seen, I think it was(1980s) a 300 watt pure sine unit driven by two, NPN 2n3055 transistors ( I think) that would get hot enough to keep my hands warm! and if my memory is still good I think if was from radio shack.