[dobermin]

We're shopping for inverters - we know the TRIPP LITE 2000w pure sign has come up as a good one at $900+

BUT... does anyone have experience with the $588 AIMS 2000W?

 

[mrshowtime3]

The AIMS is the cheapest 2000w inverter/charger I found. If you can do with 1000w there is this much cheaper unit from them

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E3V66ZE[/ame]

 

[nebulight]

I don't have a lot of experience with the AIMS unit, but it's pretty popular with a lot of van builders probably due to its price. I think Roadtrek even uses them for some of their vans.

However if you buy the screen for it you're getting up there in price ($750). At that price, you might look into getting a Xantrex that comes with a detachable screen. http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/inverter-chargers/freedom-hfs.aspx

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

That is good to know if you have an induction cook top but most of us have no need for pure sine wave and a $139 1500 watt Kriëger with instal hardware is a great deal.
Use the $800 to travel or buy DC chargers for you electronics so you never need the inverter!
(https://www.amazon.com/KRIËGER-KR15...895688&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=kreiker+inverter)

 

[dobermin]

I'm going to have approximately 300AH of battery and 200W of solar to run:

- Engel 45 fridge
- Lighting
- Radio
- Pump
- MaxxAir
- iPad/iPhone/laptop charging
- Flashlight charging
- Perhaps Webasto Heater

..... would a dual-top induction unit be acceptable in our configuration or too much draw? --- Michigan -- dark and grey for 8-9 months! (but won't be using much in the winter)

 

[nebulight]

A dual top induction is going to draw a pretty large amount of power (1800W). It will will most likely be okay, but that's going to draw 150amps without factoring in what's needed for the inverter. Make sure you batteries can discharge at that high of a current. Also keep in mind if you are using AGM batteries that you should only discharge to 50% to keep them healthy which is 150ah. So without factoring in the fridge, lights, pump, fan, and heater, your cooktop is going to suck up a lot of your power. Now chances are you are probably only going to use it 15min per day as induction works fast, so again, if your batteries are okay to support much discharge, you'll probably be okay.

 

[dobermin]

Thanks for the info - we are using OPTIMA D31A Yellowtops.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I’d then go with Lithium as they can push out a #^@t load of current. AGM and FLA tend to drop voltage when a large draw is on them and the inverter will sense low voltage and quit (and beep..... I hate the beep)

This is why I say an induction cooktop can easily be a $3,000 item. $200 for the cooktop and $2,800 for the lithium and charger and.... and....
See this and save $2,900! LOL:
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Portable-Backpacking-NON-STICK-Carrying/dp/B00J904UOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502906358&sr=8-1&keywords=two+burner+butane+stove[/ame]

 

[dobermin]

Roger - we already have the OPTIMA -- we'll be going with the 'ole propane/butane stove!

 

[nebulight]

Thanks for the info - we are using OPTIMA D31A Yellowtops.

I'm not sure how much you are getting those batteries for but those are pretty pricey lead acid batteries for a conversion. You can get a single 255ah AGM lifeline for half the price. But if you already have them, it'll be 4 of those in Parallel you'd be drawing 38amps from each. Not sure of the spec and I'm not an expert by any means, but I've heard large discharge current for a longer period of time isn't good for starter batteries

 

[Hein]

Yellow tops are AGM although they are expensive and AH capacity is lower than some others in the same size range. We like Full River AGM batteries. We are currently looking at producing under vehicle boxes for the Promaster.

For inverter/chargers. Look at Magnum Engergy.

http://www.magnum-dimensions.com/product-inverter/1000w-12vdc-pure-sine-inverter-charger-0
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Magnum-MMS1012-1000W-Inverter-Charger/dp/B004L08GME[/ame]

 

[Rich Maund]

Man. You guys and your high wattage needs! I've been making due with a Renogy 500 watt pure sine inverter. The heck with electric stoves and microwaves! I do love our little butane stove, but it does suck at near freezing temperatures. Pressure drops and it takes forever to boil water.

 

[nebulight]

Man. You guys and your high wattage needs! I've been making due with a Renogy 500 watt pure sine inverter. The heck with electric stoves and microwaves! I do love our little butane stove, but it does suck at near freezing temperatures. Pressure drops and it takes forever to boil water.

This is 90% of the reason I want an induction cooktop. It can boil water SUPER fast!

 

[bigbill25]

That is good to know if you have an induction cook top but most of us have no need for pure sine wave and a $139 1500 watt Kriëger with instal hardware is a great deal.
Use the $800 to travel or buy DC chargers for you electronics so you never need the inverter!
(https://www.amazon.com/KRIËGER-KR15...895688&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=kreiker+inverter)

RD, do you have this inverter? If so, do you have a review? I was thinking of going with Harbor Freight, but this has a lot of extras...

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

Rich- take the can and put it inside your clothes and warm it up, then put it in the stove and light the stove. The heat reflected down off the frypan should keep it warm. In my more adventuresome winter camping days the water bottle had to go in the sleeping bag overnight to have liquid water in the morning. Then the SVEA 123 took forever to get warmed enough with alcohol to pressurize the white gas! Still got that Swedish brass.
I really like the butane stove too, hot, instant heat, no electricity, cheap to run, and recycle the cans. Cooking on gas is the ultimate and yes I have cooked on induction.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

This is 90% of the reason I want an induction cooktop. It can boil water SUPER fast!

Relax, you are camping now! That butane is FAST if your van is 50º+

I do have that inverter and use the handy remote they supply to start and stop it. Mine is the 1100 watt one and it complains (beeps) starting my shop vac but I expect the 1500 would be fine which is why I pointed to it. I am happy with it but honestly I do not have it on a lot. Fit and finish and the install kit were all very good. I believe inverters have become a commodity, everyone makes them and they all are good. These guys rated it #2 for 1500 watt inverters:
https://www.alltoptenbest.com/automotive-industrial/top-10-best-power-inverter-reviews/

 

[bigbill25]

I do have that inverter and use the handy remote they supply to start and stop it.

Great, so no power draw if you turn it off via the remote but still have the physical switch on the rear of the unit switched on?

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I cannot detect any draw. I have some USB ports with LEDs and such so I have a tiny “phantom" draw but it is so small my batteries could feed it for a year I bet. I’d have to look to see how it is switched but I just press the remote to have it activate.

 

[emat]

Have a look at Kisae. http://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-Abso-2000-Compact-Inverter-Charger-p/ic122055.htm

 

[ShaunB]

Have a look at Kisae. http://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-Abso-2000-Compact-Inverter-Charger-p/ic122055.htm

I have this Inverter. I was looking for a 2000W pure sine with charging function (via shore power). I have only used it a few times for my microwave, (haven't used it to charge yet). For the price (in Canada from Wegosolar) it's seemed like the best buy. I also spent two 30 minute phone calls with the mfr support desk learning how to install it. I would recommend this for the price, the quality and the support.

Here is the link to Wegosolar....
http://www.wegosolar.com/products.p...-Sine-Wave-Inverter-with-55A-Battery-Charger-


Shaun