I've been tinkering with inverters and batteries for nearly 30 years, along with 5 years of experience using photovoltaic panels. Lately, I've been experiencing a string of inverter failures that feel excessive. Here are some examples of my recent troubles:
1. I've had a "reliable" 5kw pure sine wave inverter for 4 years that has failed twice, and I'm now on my third unit. It primarily runs at a load of 1kw to 2kw for heat pumps year-round.
2. My Eddecco 3.5kw pure sine wave inverter has also failed twice over 5 years, and while I mainly use it for camping with my 3.8kWh LiFePO4 battery, it hasn't seen much use. I recently discovered my third one was broken while in storage.
3. I purchased a modified sine wave inverter from Harbor Freight back in 2012, and after taking it out to use recently, it squealed and smoked when connected to a battery. This was a surprise since it was fine when I stored it.
Even with warranty coverage, the rate of failures makes me think it might be time to explore better options. Are there any good, budget-friendly inverter brands or alternatives that have a reputation for lasting 10 years or more?
4 Answers
I’ve been using a GOOTU inverter for about a year now (6.2Kw), and it’s been solid. It works great with my DIY setup, including two 5Kw LiFePO4 battery packs. Definitely a good bang for your buck!
I had a similar concern with storage conditions; could humidity be affecting your inverters? I'm running around 40% humidity with no issues, but I'm careful where I store mine. Just a thought!
The issue with your Harbor Freight inverter could be due to the way you connect it. You might be frying the capacitors if there's no load before connecting to a power source. It’s best to use a precharge resistor to avoid that inrush current; it could save your inverter!
Have you considered the Giandel brand? Even though they're not top-tier, they're consistent. I had a 24V 1500W unit that failed after a short time, but I switched to a Giandel 3000W, and it’s been much better for just a bit more cash. Ultimately, it's worth investing in quality to avoid frequent replacements.
Yeah, I agree! For my 24V inverters, I use a 30-ohm precharge resistor, and it does the trick.