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Old 13-01-2015, 08:33   #1
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Need reliable inverter

I need a very reliable true sine-wave, 2000 watt to 3000 watt inverter. It does not necessarily need to charge but it would be preferable if it does. A 3000 watt inverter would be most preferable but a 2500 watt or 2000 watt inverter would still work. Price matters but it is not a limitation on what I purchase. I have four 8D, standard wet cell lead-acid batteries and a 12 volt system.

I would especially value the opinions of people who have the inverter on their boat and have had it for some time. I welcome all opinions though.

Edit: In looking around the internet I am seeing Xantrex, Go Power, Mastervolt, Victron, Aims and Power Bright brands.

Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 120V VE.Bus Inverter/Charger...opinions?
http://www.victronenergy.com/inverte...8v-800va-3kva/

Mastervolt?....http://www.starmarinedepot.com/maste...x4jBoC8Fvw_wcB
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Old 13-01-2015, 08:43   #2
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Re: Need reliable inverter

Magnum ms 2812
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Old 13-01-2015, 08:58   #3
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Re: Need reliable inverter

From a features perspective Victron Multiplus charger/inverters seems to always be at the top of the heap. The problem is that, anecdotally, they don't seem to always fare well from a reliability standpoint. I have had their arch rival, Mastervolt, aboard for a while now. I have a Mass Sine 12/2000 which does not have a charger built in. It has been very reliable although I don't work it particularly hard. The worst it really sees is to provide 1.5kw for a hair dryer or 1kw for the microwave.

You might consider their Mass Combi series which has a similar set of features to the Victron product line. Personally, I like an inverter/charger that handles the AC switching internally like these do.
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Old 13-01-2015, 09:03   #4
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Re: Need reliable inverter

Most skippers will advise against the X brand these days, bought out some years ago by a BIG company that cares little about quality (except for their echo charger which they haven't changed so it astill works although the manual is sadly lacking).

Magnum & Mastervolt have been rated highly by users on this and other boating forums.

A search, Google either/or/and on individual boating forums should get you lots of responses.
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Old 13-01-2015, 09:13   #5
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Re: Need reliable inverter

My personal experience with Xantrex, both with a charger and an inverter has not been good. Others may have had better experiences. The problem is not so much that they failed, it's that Xantrex doesn't offer repairs.
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Old 13-01-2015, 09:25   #6
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Re: Need reliable inverter

We have owned Xantrex (ProSine model), Outback and Victron. Outback and Victron are excellent - the ProSine awful.

I have some experience with Magnum and think they are good too. Magnum and Outback are companies started by engineers from the original Trace company, who left when Xantrex bought Trace. Trace was high quality then.

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Old 19-01-2015, 09:39   #7
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Re: Need reliable inverter

Thanks everyone. I am going with the MasterVolt.
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Old 22-01-2015, 07:45   #8
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Re: Need reliable inverter

Quote:
Originally Posted by David M View Post
Thanks everyone. I am going with the MasterVolt.
Details man, we need details! Are you getting a MassCombi?
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Old 22-01-2015, 09:57   #9
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Re: Need reliable inverter

I have master volt, never had a unit fail. 2k was on the boat for 5 years plus.

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Old 27-01-2015, 13:51   #10
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Re: Need reliable inverter

This might be something for you. Got an offer today for it. 15 000 SEK, but is a dutch gear.http://www.victronenergy.com/upload/...sySolar-EN.pdf


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Old 28-01-2015, 12:31   #11
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Re: Need reliable inverter

I have had a Victron fail and a Xantrex do the same , I am going with an off marine brand made in the USA.... Vanner.... , big heavy bulky, not fancy , no switching or charging . Just a basic inverter . I have seen these thing fall out of moving trucks on highways and still keep working . Not cheap but bullet proof , I hope . Charles inverters are re-branded Vanners and get rave reviews.

On more thing , they answer there phone and emails , and parts and service is readily available.

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Old 28-01-2015, 12:56   #12
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Re: Need reliable inverter

Or for the price of one 2000W Mastervolt you can get four or five Xantrex PROwatt SW. Install one and keep others as backups. I installed one 4 years ago and it still runs perfect. Mastervolt does fail too, occasionally, make sure you have a backup if it is critical equipment...
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Old 28-01-2015, 13:37   #13
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Re: Need reliable inverter

I have a factory refurbished Magnum Energy MS 2812 pure sine wave inverter for sale. Send me a PM if interested.


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Old 28-01-2015, 13:43   #14
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Re: Need reliable inverter

My 14 year boat old has a Xantrex Freedom 2000 on it that has worked just fine.

But then again my last boat was a 1988 model that had some inverter with big ass capacitors in it and it was still working 23 years later.
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Old 28-01-2015, 14:08   #15
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Re: Need reliable inverter

I have had Victron inverter/charger, battery monitor and isolation transformers for about 5 years. All perfect but I think our friend Dockhead has had a very different experience with his Victron gear.
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