Tortech inverters

[Pokey]

I came across these guys while looking around for a new inverter http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261222266718 ... 1438.l2649 and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them or info that may help me in my decision. This unit looks very similar to any one of a number of units available but at a premium to them. They claim that there is a difference in their unit and that it's current usage is much lower because of these variances. I know that this standby current is a major consideration in these types of units with most claiming a standby drain of 25W when in power saver mode but have come across comments that this figure is very blurry and the real number can be higher.

[BruceS]

My first impression was just how dear it is?
It's only 2000w for over $1000..

[dapope]

That looks similar to my powerstar W7, redesigned case, lower output and three times the price. Inverter side on mine pulls around 20a on standby, so I tend to only switch on when needed. I reckon the 25w they qote is at 240, not 12v. The onan doesnt get the best out of the charge cycle, however, on shore power, or via the shore lead and external generator its fine. The onan will dish full power via the charger if I run an air con unit. Go figure.
The inverter runs one air con at a time, will run one on heat plus a small fan heater on the middle setting. However, the 400ah lithium is only good for an hour or two at that rate. We often drive with the unit on, providing heat or cooling. The alternator will keep the batteries up if we havent gone to extremes on the thermostat
Pretty happy with it overall, the transformer means it will take the pasting.
If it died tomorrow, I would buy another, has had about 15 months use now, but I am hoping for longer!

[T1 Terry]

For those $$ buy a Projecta 2000w and save a few hundred. you will get a much better inverter, very low standby, auto switch through and auto earth/neutral switch so all the RCD's will work as normal, this does not happen with most cheaper inverters.
By using a separate charger you can operate this from a much smaller generator for battery charging only, with the other device the generator would need to be capable of both powering the charger circuit and all the loads switch on in the vehicle. The benefit there is an air con unit can be powered via the inverter and a smaller generator powering the charger, the battery acts as the middle man by filling in what the generator can't supply, but the solar may be able to, plus when the air con cycles off the generator/charger catches up what was lost from the battery. you do need god batteries to take advantage of this option though
The only advantage the W7 type inverters have is a very large transformer, this means they can be over loaded for a longer period without spitting the dummy.

T1 Terry

[Pokey]

That looks similar to my powerstar W7, redesigned case, lower output and three times the price. Inverter side on mine pulls around 20a on standby, so I tend to only switch on when needed. I reckon the 25w they qote is at 240, not 12v.

Dapope do you have any idea what sort of leakage yours has when running a current?

The price of the Powerstars risen as well. I've seen them form $500 to over a $1000 on flea bay.

Terry the thing is I am probably looking at the 1500W unit which is around $750. With a seperate charger and inverter the price gets up there a lot more. 40+ amp chargers are not cheap.

[dapope]

I saw a link somewhere today for similar at 468. Not sure by leakage, but the rooftop air units are rated at 1600w. This draws around 130a off the batteries.

[Kelvin12]

These seem to come with a variety of manufacturers names, W7, Tomahawk etc. I bought mine from AGR Machinery and its been great to date. Not on the road as yet but I have been running all sorts of power tools from it, large angle grinders, metal drop saw just to name a few and it hasn't missed a beat. Definitely get the remote control pad if its not included in the deal then you can mount the inverter in the hold or whatever and switch it on from inside the cabin. There is a dealer in Qld. (Can't remember the exact location but he is located where the rally was some time ago) who was really up to speed with the unit. A little dearer but might be worth a look.

Dirk

[T1 Terry]

That looks similar to my powerstar W7, redesigned case, lower output and three times the price. Inverter side on mine pulls around 20a on standby, so I tend to only switch on when needed. I reckon the 25w they qote is at 240, not 12v.

Dapope do you have any idea what sort of leakage yours has when running a current?

The price of the Powerstars risen as well. I've seen them form $500 to over a $1000 on flea bay.

Terry the thing is I am probably looking at the 1500W unit which is around $750. With a seperate charger and inverter the price gets up there a lot more. 40+ amp chargers are not cheap.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-9000W-PE ... 53ffaf5b6d $431.10
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-12V-Batt ... 53fa37854d $82

[SteveW]

Terry, are you suggesting that the inverter shown might be a good thing as opposed to the $1000.00 Jaycar or the even much more expensive brands. Not wishing to put you on the spot or hold you liable BTW

[dapope]

Steve, I am very happy with my one of these. I do not have the onboard outlets, but alnost tempted to buy a second as backup.
Ours cops a workout. Only a brief puff of smke once when I accidentaly put the 2nd air con on while running the microwave as well. No damage