jockwalt Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 hi looking at combi inverters 2-3kw whats best buy and good reliabilty look forward to info and feedback thanks steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 hi looking at combi inverters 2-3kw whats best buy and good reliabilty look forward to info and feedback thanks steve Mastervolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 hi looking at combi inverters 2-3kw whats best buy and good reliabilty look forward to info and feedback thanks steve Mastervolt. But seperates are better than a combi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Mastervolt. But seperates are better than a combi. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Why? I'm guessing if one part goes down the other is not available while it's fixed... a bit like a washer dryer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenlyn Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Yeh, why? I have tried both seperate and combi, and latter does it for me (victron 3000) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Why? Seperates are more efficient ( Look at the figures ) and if one goes down you lose the other whilst its fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
by'eck Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Mastervolt. But seperates are better than a combi. But you may need to know how to wire up a changeover switch. Depends how neat & easy you want to make it. Some folk manually plug their AC distribution system into one AC source or the other. That's the advantage of Combi's the AC changeover is built in & automatic. I still think the Sterling's Combi's, quasi or pure sine wave are the best value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 (edited) I'm guessing if one part goes down the other is not available while it's fixed... a bit like a washer dryer... Well possibly, but aim sure there are plenty of failure modes that could take one element out and leave the other functioning. In any case, they are fairly reliable. Having 1 unit means only 1 set of high current cables to the battery (ie an easier installation) and the two bits can "talk to each other" ie charger can throttle down a bit to prevent total power drain exceeding shore power limit with high ac power load on the boat. Even with Masterbus, I am not sure that separates talk to each other like that. I have and would have again a combi. ETA the reliability issue maybe depends on whether liveaboard or holiday boat. Edited August 16, 2011 by nicknorman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 But you may need to know how to wire up a changeover switch. Depends how neat & easy you want to make it. Some folk manually plug their AC distribution system into one AC source or the other. That's the advantage of Combi's the AC changeover is built in & automatic. I still think the Sterling's Combi's, quasi or pure sine wave are the best value. My last boat had seperate mastervolt units. Awesome bits of kit never twitched great surge capacity on the inverter fans never came on simply superb. Present boat has pure sine stirling combi because thats what it came with mmmmmmmm we shall see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmark62 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 My vote goes to Victron, great equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 My vote goes to Victron, great equipment. The Victron we have is / has been faultless in 2.5 years (12/3000/120/16).. One feature I didn't realise would be so useful is that when on the shore power ( only 5 amps) and a load of e.g 2000 watts is required, the user-preset max draw ( e.g. at 4.5 amps) prevents more than 4.5 amps being drawn off the shore line, (and it tripping out) and the difference needed is taken from the battery bank, or the engine's alternator if that is running. Superb system... would buy again... and all in one tidy box. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmark62 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 The Victron we have is / has been faultless in 2.5 years (12/3000/120/16).. One feature I didn't realise would be so useful is that when on the shore power ( only 5 amps) and a load of e.g 2000 watts is required, the user-preset max draw ( e.g. at 4.5 amps) prevents more than 4.5 amps being drawn off the shore line, (and it tripping out) and the difference needed is taken from the battery bank, or the engine's alternator if that is running. Superb system... would buy again... and all in one tidy box. Nick Agree with that, I will definitely get Victron again. Not cheap but a lot better than the Stirling that was on before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nb Innisfree Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 We have had a Victron Multiplus for five years full time, has power assist as described earlier, 94% efficient, we leave it on 24/7 and it's never missed a beat, does everything it claims without fuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Seperates are more efficient ( Look at the figures ) 'fraid not. and if one goes down you lose the other whilst its fixed. True. Depending upon the installation that can be a major advantage. Though in truth, if it's so inconventient and impossible to live without something you should have a backup anyway. Further, a combi is cheaper to buy and easier and cheaper to install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J R Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 But you may need to know how to wire up a changeover switch. Depends how neat & easy you want to make it. Some folk manually plug their AC distribution system into one AC source or the other. That's the advantage of Combi's the AC changeover is built in & automatic. I still think the Sterling's Combi's, quasi or pure sine wave are the best value. Don't like the idea of a box of tricks doing more than one thing at once, like having a toaster that will also fry fish. Does not add up in my mind. Can and do recommend Sterling; does what it says on the box, as seperate units. (Stay away from quasi sine wave; mains electrical kit is designed to run on pure sine wave so why make life difficult). Have some Mastervolt stuff that I am very pleased with, but have no experience of their combi unit. Personally would not go for Victron; have just got back to the boat after a few days away and have been asked about how to fix a Victron problem on both boats from both friends. Am not an engineer but hopefully pointed them in the right direction. Would not use Victron out of personnel choice only. If doing a new fit, refit or retro fit would use Sterling. Opinions and thoughts for what they are worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Don't like the idea of a box of tricks doing more than one thing at once, How about a boat ? Fairly "boxy".... - Gets you from 'A' to 'B' - Charges batteries - Protects you - Keeps you warm - Lets you travel on top of water etc etc Computer... Stores files, downloads things, runs (many) programs simultaneously, charges your phone, sends and receives mail, browses the web.............. Lots of very complicated "boxes" multitask with little or no problems and the advantages include they are designed to work with each other in harmony ( most of the time) and usually take up less space than the sum of the separates... Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 How about a boat ? Fairly "boxy".... ... Computer... I don't even know where to start with the multitude of tasks Mrs Gibbo performs. Lots of very complicated "boxes" multitask with little or no problems and the advantages include they are designed to work with each other in harmony ( most of the time) and usually take up less space than the sum of the separates... Cleaner, chef, pet feeder, step mother, best mate, lover, hooker... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I don't even know where to start with the multitude of tasks Mrs Gibbo performs. Cleaner, chef, pet feeder, step mother, best mate, lover, hooker... Errrr... OK ! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 But mrs gibbo isn't a box Your email said you were on holiday why arnt you somewhere exotic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 But mrs gibbo isn't a box Your email said you were on holiday why arnt you somewhere exotic? Maybe he is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 And I'm on the train having been to London Eeeuuuggghhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 But mrs gibbo isn't a box Your email said you were on holiday why arnt you somewhere exotic? I'm an employee now. I can't afford exotic anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 The Victron we have is / has been faultless in 2.5 years (12/3000/120/16).. One feature I didn't realise would be so useful is that when on the shore power ( only 5 amps) and a load of e.g 2000 watts is required, the user-preset max draw ( e.g. at 4.5 amps) prevents more than 4.5 amps being drawn off the shore line, (and it tripping out) and the difference needed is taken from the battery bank, or the engine's alternator if that is running. Superb system... would buy again... and all in one tidy box. Nick I have the Victron, another benefit is that it can also charge the seperate starter battery (at a reduced ampage), but mine wasn't setup to do so, I wonder if many owners are also unaware that it can do so but it's not setup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 I have the Victron, another benefit is that it can also charge the seperate starter battery (at a reduced ampage), but mine wasn't setup to do so, I wonder if many owners are also unaware that it can do so but it's not setup? Mastervolt combi has the same feature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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