| Author | Message | ||
| Ed Mikesell (Rustytoy)
Registered Member Username: Rustytoy Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 162.40.172.228 Rating: N/A |
I ran across an inverter for sale locally. Knowing nada about these things I thought I would get some opinions from people more experienced with them than myself. (that would be you all) The inverter is new in the box, never been used. Here are the specs and model number. Cobra CPI2550 CPI 2550 Continous power 2500 watts surge power 5000 watts output waveform modified sinewave output voltage range 115 VAC RMS +/- 5% output current 22 amps output frequency 60 Hz +/- 2 Hz input voltage 12.5 VDC Low voltage alarm 10.5 VDC I've seen this same unit advertised online for as low as $168 for a refurb. I'm not usually big on refurbs myself. These folks are asking $200.Is it worth it, and will it suit my needs in the bus? Thanks in advance... Ed PD4106-2903 | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 977 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.142.130.13  Rating: N/A |
Ed, Whether this will "suit your needs" depends on what, exactly, those "needs" are. You need to add up the power draw of everything you intend to run on the unit. Also, if you plan on running any induction motors, MSW is a poor choice. Lastly, this unit has no charger, no hard wire capability, and no pass through, so you will need a separate way to charge your batteries while plugged in, you'll need to plug the loads into it directly (so it must be installed right where you need the power), and you'll need to manually move the loads to a direct outlet when on shore or generator power. Personally I think Cobra units are cheap pieces of junk aimed at truckers who don't know any better. I also personally think these sorts of "casual use" units without hard wire provisions are a poor choice for an RV. As for price, the going rate for high-quality true sine wave units with chargers is about $0.40 per watt; MSW units half that. Without a charger, halve those prices again. $200 is probably a bit below average for this model. -Sean http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com | ||
| john degemis (Degemis)
Registered Member Username: Degemis Post Number: 78 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 66.189.153.217  Rating: N/A |
When I was looking for what to put in my coach I found that it would be less expensive to go with a unit that cost more. If you buy an inverter, and a transfer switch, and a charger you will end up paying more. I went with a Xantrex RV 2512 GS Inverter Charger. Paid $550. new. It has the inside monitor. Will start the generator if my batteries get low. Transfers power from shore to gen or inverter automatically. And cost less than buying each part separately and makes life easier. Plus if my power needs grow I can add a second one as it is designed to be flexible. Mine is a smaller unit than most big busses have but it will run everything but the air condoners. A nice benefit to having a good unit is you can use 110 volt lights, house refrigerator and so on. That could save you much more than the cost of the inverter. | ||
| Ed Mikesell (Rustytoy)
Registered Member Username: Rustytoy Post Number: 10 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 162.40.172.228 Rating: N/A |
See now, that is the type of advice I needed. "Whether this will "suit your needs" depends on what, exactly, those "needs" are. I actually walked into work this morning knowing someone was going to say exactly that! "Personally I think Cobra units are cheap pieces of junk aimed at truckers who don't know any better" I fall into this category. Having spent many years working on trucks I see what they are running in their trucks and that is all the information I have to base my judgement on. "It has the inside monitor. Will start the generator if my batteries get low. Transfers power from shore to gen or inverter automatically" I wasn't even aware that there were inverters that could do all that! xfer switches and battery chargers I have. I have more battery chargers than I have batteries to put them on. From very simple to stupidly complex computerized ones that do everything but hook themselves up. I think I'll pass on this particular inverter and look for something else. Thanks Ed | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 985 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.60.109.64  Rating: N/A |
Take a look at the Trace site to see just how useful an inverter can be for a bus camper. Besides being a good (smart) battery maintainer the unit may have a "pass thru " function. This is GREAT as you can park where there is rather limited AC , usually just a 15A plug and if the battery bank is big enough start a large air cond , operate the washer , microwave , or whatever as you see fit to. The bat set will be recharged as you sleep when the loads are lowest. Not a bad lifestyle , but not CHEAP! Trace has competiton , Master volt , Outback and many others. FF | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1707 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
Trace has a good reputation on their inverters. Does the one that you are interested in have any history? It may be good, who knows... maybe. For all the duties that a good inverter can handle, that would be one place that I would want a good one, even if it costs more money. Just my two cents. |