djjs001
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 3-19-2014
Location: United States
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solar panels/inverter
WE have two 150 watt solar panels, 6 trojan 6V batteries and need to replace an 39 year old 2000watt inverter, any suggestions on size, make, model
and place to purchase? Thanks, CORRECTION: I have a 2000W inverter.
[Edited on 3-19-2014 by djjs001]
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Russ
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Are you going to upgrade? I think you could go up to 2000 watt system with what you have. A couple more panels and a controller would be nice. But if
200 watt is what you're happy with try a google search.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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If you only need a small inverter, Morningstar makes a great little 300 watt sine wave inverter,
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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rts551
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You need to first determine what you want to power. Makes the suggestions a little more educated and meaningful.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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I've owned off-grid homes powered with solar systems since the early 70's including one in Baja Sur. I've bought solar panels, inverters,
controllers, batteries, wiring & connections....about every kind of home solar equipment made from this company. They are very competitive in
pricing and also have solid guarantees and delivery. They can also expertly answer any questions you may have about your unique system.
I started my first remote cabin project with a smallish 1000 watt Heart invertor...and have a 24-volt 2500w Trace on my Baja home. I can recommend
Trace and have had zero problems. Clean sine wave makes it safe for computers, etc. Also runs an electric 15cft fridge. On the panels I run 16
Kyocera 140w panels. Huge battery bank of Trojan batteries.
Northern Arizona Wind & Sun. Experts in their field.
http://www.solar-electric.com/inverter-basics-selection.html
From your comments it appears you already have your system in place and are satisfied with the result...but if not then here is a site that gives you
a very good method for sizing your particular system. Simple and efficient.
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/StartHere/OFFGRID/OFFGRIDCalcu...
Good Luck with your new inverter.
[Edited on 3-19-2014 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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we've had great service from our american built Exeltech pure sine wave inverter, recommended by NAWS 
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Arizona Wind-Sun (solar-electric) mentioned above is one source. There is also http://www.solarblvd.com/. And others. There are dozens of places to buy, but only a few decent brands of PSW inverters, and fewer yet that are
affordable. I understand the loyalty issues, but small solar system - today 300W is small - is closer to RV than to shore home applications. So do
yourself a favor - register and post at https://www.rv.net/forums/ -> Tech Issues (not Tech Support).
Inverter size depends on your loads rather than on solar panel size or battery bank size. Though I wouldn't run more than 3000W loads with only 6
batts (without running a generator), 'cause this is too much current for a bank of that size.
2000W inverter is more than 300W solar can support. If your daily needs require an inverter that powerful, it means you are using microwave and
possibly few other 120V items that are way beyond your solar system capability, and then you have to run a generator every day. A shore home, even a
small one, usually has enough space on the roof to install a solar that would support everything but airconditioner. Solar panels used to cost $7 per
watt, but today they are 70 cents per watt.
If the purpose of solar is to minimize the generator time, with 300W solar you can eliminate a genny almost entirely if you use a stove and oven
instead of microwave. Then you will only need a genny when vacuuming or running 120V power tools, which is probably not every day. And then you won't
need an inverter bigger than 200-300W. I see this in Baja all the time - people with 300-400W solar running a genny 6-7 hours a day - in winter when
you don't need airconditioner, and people with same solar running a genny once a week.
OTH, if by "inverter" you mean the "inverter charger" that you are using with your generator rather than "inverter" that you use with batteries only -
they are two different creatures. The size of inverter-charger should match the output of your generator.
[Edited on 3-19-2014 by Alm]
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larryC
Super Nomad
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Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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With 6-6v batteries I am ssuming you have a 12v system so you need a 12v 2000w inverter. I agree with everyone else Nortern Arizona wind and sun are
good people to deal with. Here is their inverter page:
http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters.html
Lots of different inverters and inverter/chargers to choose from.
Larry
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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