Quality Inverters

Jaycar is always good for inverters.

Don't believe you would buy a small inverter that is not made in China or Taiwan.
If you want this inverter for casual use only the Projecta Intelliwave is a good buy with remote feature and digital readout. Jaycar brand Powertech are another brand of known quality.
If you want something more efficient than for casual use you need to look to Latronics and Selectronic and Latronics made in Australia or were. Latronics smallest unit is 800W. Sinergex and Victron top line models.

What you want to use and power from the inverter and the time you want to use the inverter dictates what is the best type of inverter for your needs.

I use a Morningstar Suresine 300W which is among the most efficient inverters available. Ideal for powering my VAST boxes where using them for extended periods of time. Have a 600W Projecta Intelliwave which use on a casual use basis for powering our Lemair washing machine every second day. Washing machine is only on for short periods while the sun is shining so the little bit of inefficiency compared to a much more expensive inverter doesn't matter.
Buy an inverter to suit your needs and don't oversize unnecessarily.

Why not have a talk to Derek from ABR Sidewinder?

Have a look at COTEK inverters. I know Redarc deal in these. The company is American but the products are made in Taiwan. They are not the cheap generic solid state type inverters sourced from their near Asian neighbour. Several EO members are using these and they perform extremely well. I will no doubt invest in one myself once appropriate approvals have been provided by the Minister of Finance.

I am using a much cheaper 1500W PSW unit sourced from a reputable supplier. I have had a few issues (all of which have been addressed by the supplier) but the jury is still out.

The difference in quality of product and the ability of the product to produce as advertised is markedly different (as is the price). The COTEK at 1000W will run tools and appliances my 1500W inverter won't have a bar of.

If it is sold by Redarc you can be assured that their QA processes are excellent. Their product service and back-up is the same. That instils confidence in me as a customer.

Cheers Mick

My first question would be "Why do you need a 600W pure sine wave inverter?"

My second question would be "Does the equipment you need to power from the inverter have a direct 12v input option ?"

Serious questions Rosco, definitely not taking the p...

Regards

I agree with the comment about your laptop power req'ments. Most have a step down facility from ac to dc such as mine from 240v ac to 19v dc. A good transformer for the car gives me my 19 v and I have never had a problem. Maybe it's time to trade up to a newer laptop, it would be far cheaper than a quality sine wave invertor.

SEA
http://www.solaraustralia.com.au/bolero.html
I have a 1300W PSW one that is 8 years old. Impeccable.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

I have been using either a 150W or 300W non-sinewave elcheapo Chinese made inverter(s) - I have 2 - for charging laptops, tablets and phones for getting onto 15 years, all with no problems.

I have seen 600W Sinewave that would not charge a laptop, sorry do not know the brand but I told the owner to get a cheapie as I have and she is happy as now except for her 600W brick that the seller does not want to support. It does work, but it needs at least a few hundred watts draw to work..

Durst make and distribute quality electrical products, components etc incl converters. They are an Australian company and distributer but no doubt some items they sell are sources overseas incl China. Nevertheless they focus on supplying industry, mining etc. so there products are robust.
Their website staes their inverters are 85% efficient whatever that means?
Have a look:
http://durst.com.au/Store/cart_detail.asp?group1=Inverters-AC

I have no association just bought one of their 25amp smart chargers. Very good charger it is too.
Cheers