Modified Sine Wave Inverter v Microwave

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Modified Sine Wave Inverter v Microwave

native pepper · Senior Member

Modified sine wave inverters are extremely limited in running many things, much better to spend the extra and get something which will run anything you like and they are not that expensive, if you look around. Many many years ago our first inverter was a kit build modified sine wave 300/600w, did a great job driving tools etc, but very limited inside. When we got our first pure sine wave, it was like suddenly being free, everything worked on it. Todays pure sine wave inverters are extremely good, the one we use has been going for more than 5 years and been driven to it's maximum at times. As they were cheap and thought their life may be limited, bought two, so will probably never have to buy another.

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

I already had a 300W Pure Sine Wave for tv, laptop etc but needed more oomph. I am thinking I may need to bite the bullet yet and get it switched for a pure sine wave though at 2000W they are not that cheap.

native pepper · Senior Member

They are less than $200 on Ebay for a good reliable one, at least you'll have some backup if it breaks down and can use your modified to run power tools and big loads, saving your pure size wave for the good stuff. I've found if you get an inverter a good size bigger capacity than what you need, they last a lot longer as they are never working at anywhere near full capacity. I do the same with solar chargers bigger than the size needed, so working at about 50% capacity. Others may have other opinions and idea's, but the best bet would be to get a good size pure sine wave and then you can use whatever you like with it.

03_troopy · Guru

Less than $200 for a "good reliable" 2000W psw inverter? that's very very cheap. Which one NP?

native pepper · Senior Member

Just had a look and got that wrong, the biggest you can get for that price is a 1500-3000w one. The OP wants 2000w, you can get 2000w - 4000w for a bit less than $250 delivered and there are a few 2000w auctions going for less than $200. You can get excellent deals sometimes buying on a auction, get most of our stuff at a good auction price. It's almost like playing the stock market, knowing when to bid and when not to.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pure-Sine-Wave-Inverter-2000W-4000W12V-240V-With-Remote-Control-2-1A-USB-/231232297772?pt=AU_Boat_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d684db2c

03_troopy · Guru

OK, it's a Chinese PSW inverter, well aren't they all these days anyway? It's a good price for 2000W continuous, but the "good reliable" ity of it is an unknown quantity. Worth a gamble maybe?

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Found this one www.dealsdirect.com.au/pure-sine-wave-power-inverter-2500w-5000w-12v-240v/ which would deliver for $490. Might be what I need to do. My installer will do the switch for me. Would be better if I could find a microwave instead...

dorian · Guru

In what way does the microwave "refuse" to run?

Is it a transformer based type (heavy on one side), or is it an electronic "inverter" type (light weight)?

Can you see a model number, eg MS-3444DPS?

oldtrack123 · Guru

kirraweebob wrote:
Found this one www.dealsdirect.com.au/pure-sine-wave-power-inverter-2500w-5000w-12v-240v/ which would deliver for $490. Might be what I need to do. My installer will do the switch for me. Would be better if I could find a microwave instead...

HI

just be aware that micro wave power ratings can be misleading when lookimg at inverters

& certainly pure sine wave, not modified SQUARE wave should be used .

The rating is usually the heat OUTPUT rating , NOT the input rating whicn can give inrush CURRENT draws up to 3times the WATTSs to Amps calculated using simple Ohms law Amps ="power[ Watts] divided by Voltage

and up to 100% more when running @ full power.

eg a 1000'W[ IkW] unit could draw up to 2kVA

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 10:20:10 PM

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 10:22:24 PM