Looking for a high quality pure sine wave 2000 watt inverter (without charger)

[Paul Cossman]

My 28-year old Heart Interface EMS 1800-12 inverter is finally dying. I live primarily "off the grid" and only need an inverter, not a battery charger. (My boat lives in New Zealand, and I have a little charger that I can plug into the 240-volt NZ electrical system when necessary. I'll never be able to use a 120 volt charger again).

The best inverter units, like Magnum, generally include a charger. If necessary, I'm prepared to buy such a unit for the high quality inverter I seek. I've researched Victron and Magnum, and haven't seen (or negligently missed) any high quality 12 volt 2000 watt marine inverters that come without a charger. A subsidiary issue is that it appears that the 2000 watt inverters generally indicate a 1.6 amp DC stand-by power draw, which is pretty high for someone living primarily off the grid. So that is part of the issue in "high quality": something reliable, preferably pure sine wave, and stand-by power consumption of .5-to-1.0 amp DC. And I don't want to buy a new Xantrex due to all the problems folks are reporting.

Question: Can anybody steer me to a 12 volt 2000 watt high quality inverter-only unit built for marine use?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[sail sfbay]

Would a 2000 watt 12 volt pure sine wave inverter from Magnum Energy, Mastervolt, Newmar, Outback or Pro Mariner work?

Informative article on inverters: Marine Inverter Basics | Fisheries Supply
2000 watt mass sine wave inverter 12 v 230 v AC inverter from MasterVolt: MasterVolt 24012000 | Fisheries Supply

 

[SG]

Al the true sine wave units I’ve looked at have a standby load that is much higher than the “old” inverters that approximated a sine wave.

I don’t think you can get “modified” sine wave units for any significant size anymore.

 

[Paul Cossman]

Thanks, SailSFBay, for the suggestions, but unfortunately the MasterVolt unit won't work since my boat is 120VAC rather than 230VAC. The article you linked did lead to a good selection offered by Fisheries Supply, but none of them quite fit the bill. The Magnum 2000W CSW series gets close, but it is not configured for a hard-wired AC outlet; it's just an ordinary three-prong GFCI outlet. Connecting that to a switching station inserts just one more potential failure point, and it doesn't appear to be as heavy duty as I'd like. I'd rather pay for the combination unit (inverter/charger) than settle for a less heavy-duty alternative. I'm now getting pretty much resolved to doing just that with the Magnum MS 2012, which appears to be an excellent unit.

And thanks, SG, for the comment about the standby load. I may as well just get used to the concept of higher standby power consumption.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[SG]

Mastervolt makes chargers which take 110 V inputs?

 

[Paul Cossman]

Mastervolt makes chargers which take 110 V inputs?

I was just commenting on the link itself. Yes, Mastervolt makes a 120/2000 inverter-only unit, but at $2,400 the Magnum combination units are $1,000 cheaper than that.

 

[sail sfbay]

2000 watt 120 v Xantrex for $530 from West Marine: XANTREX PROwatt SW Inverters | West Marine
2000 watt 120 v Promariner for $720 from West Marine: PROMARINER TruePower Plus Series Inverter, 2000PS | West Marine
2000 watt 120 volt Mastervolt for $898 from Megadepot: Buy Mastervolt 28512000, AC Master 12/2000 US Inverter, 120 V - MegaDepot
Lots of inverter options here but pricey: Mastervolt Inverters and Chargers

 

[Paul Cossman]

Thanks, Sail SFBay!!

 

[Benny17441]

The word "Marine" in an inverter comes pricey. Xantrex sells a 2000W for use in automobiles at $350 through Amazon, the marine version at West Marine is $530. Could not find the design data difference among the two. having for years used an inverter marketed for road vehicles, I really would not consider paying the higher tag. I figure both of them have to be kept dry anyways.

 

[artboas]

The word "Marine" in an inverter comes pricey. Xantrex sells a 2000W for use in automobiles at $350 through Amazon, the marine version at West Marine is $530. Could not find the design data difference among the two. having for years used an inverter marketed for road vehicles, I really would not consider paying the higher tag. I figure both of them have to be kept dry anyways.

If you want a reliable well/engineered unit, buy the Magnum Energy 2812.
Yes, it has a charger. But the cost of this unit is totally reasonable, and it works.
A stand alone cheap marine sine wave inverter isn’t in demand, so nobody makes this. The price and reliability of the magnum is your best option

 

[Paul Cossman]

If you want a reliable well/engineered unit, buy the Magnum Energy 2812.
Yes, it has a charger. But the cost of this unit is totally reasonable, and it works.
A stand alone cheap marine sine wave inverter isn’t in demand, so nobody makes this. The price and reliability of the magnum is your best option

I've come around to a complete agreement with what you're saying. Having an unnecessary charger on board is meaningless to me. Having a solid, reliable, and heavy duty inverter is paramount, and the cost is a wholly secondary consideration. However, my AC energy needs are minimal, and the only thing I ever energize that consumes more than 10 amps is the rare use of my 15 amp reciprocal saw. That being the case, I'm looking more at the Magnum MS 2000-20B. Your unit is a 2800 watt, and I'm wondering if there is any advantage to it over the 2000 watt unit other than its higher capacity. Oddly the prices are similar, the casing is the same size, but the 2800 is just a tad heavier at 55 lbs (versus 42 lbs). Any advantage other than electrical capacity?

 

[artboas]

I've come around to a complete agreement with what you're saying. Having an unnecessary charger on board is meaningless to me. Having a solid, reliable, and heavy duty inverter is paramount, and the cost is a wholly secondary consideration. However, my AC energy needs are minimal, and the only thing I ever energize that consumes more than 10 amps is the rare use of my 15 amp reciprocal saw. That being the case, I'm looking more at the Magnum MS 2000-20B. Your unit is a 2800 watt, and I'm wondering if there is any advantage to it over the 2000 watt unit other than its higher capacity. Oddly the prices are similar, the casing is the same size, but the 2800 is just a tad heavier at 55 lbs (versus 42 lbs). Any advantage other than electrical capacity?

Your observation that the prices are almost the same is correct. The 2812 is a more popular unit, and is also in a “sweet spot” competitively.
More importantly, you are much better off using 75% of a unit’s rated capacity for long term reliability. The weight difference is less than 1 case of beer.
So, this is sorta a no-brainer. Magnum has a great reputation for reliability & support.
Btw, the charging aspect of the box is inconsequential from a BOM standpoint. The magnetics, power mosfets, uP, are all common components to both functions.

 

[Paul Cossman]

he weight difference is less than 1 case of beer.

I do hope you're not suggesting that I must voyage with one less case of beer if I get the 2812? Seriously, thanks for the input. First, knowing little of electronics, I didn't realize the components were common to both functions (which does make sense now that you've told me). Second, your comment about using 75% capacity is something I hadn't considered either. I'm sold. 2812 it is. Thanks for the great input, and I'll just stick to making home brew onboard.

 

[Mechone]

I've had a 2000 watt pure sine for 3 years no problems, hooked into house wiring with interlock breakers ,run microwave, Keurig while sailing run tv etc
Samlex SSW-2000-12A Inverter Pure Sine Wave 12VDC 2000 W 4000 W surge and it's a good price and comes with remote to mount at Nav station