Exeltech Inverters

[Tobit]

Does anyone know anything about Exeltech inverters? I'm in need of a quality, and efficient, 24V sine-wave inverter capable of supplying 1400W to 1500W of instantaneous surge to start a freezer compressor. After that, continuous duty will be much less and rarely exceed 200W for any length of time. Surge and normal power draw from my freezer is in the photo. Surge photo was taken after compressor had been off for 24 hours. Surge is less than this in between cycles after it has been running for awhile.

My current short list of inverters has an Outback GFX1424 and Exeltech XP-1100 on them near at the top of the list:

The Outback GFX1424 is rated for 1400VAC with 4600VA maximum surge (2900VA for 5 seconds), idle draw is only 18W, and can be grid-tied if the grid were to ever be made available to me. "Typical efficiency" is rated at 92%. It also has a built in charger. The price is $1130 + ~$200 for an Outback MATE to control it.

The Exeltech XP-1100 is rated for 1100VAC with 2200VA maximum surge. Idle draw is 20W. It is 89% efficient at 1/3rd draw. I'd have to add on a charger to be able to use my generator to charge my bank(s). Price is currently $800 + however much for a proper battery charger.

I know Outback makes excellent products but never heard of Exeltech. Are there any other 24V inverters I should be looking at? I know Schneider has one for around $1200 but it draws 38W when idle which seems considerable to me as an off-grider.

freezer2.jpg

[Sunking]

I use their commercial line and they are excellent. Not many consumers have heard of them because their primary market is Military and Industrial users which should answer your quality question. Having said that efficiency is the key spec you are looking at couple with percentage of surge capability.

The Outback will be less expensive in the end because the Exceltech will require additional equipment the Outback has built in. But the Outback will be a Boat Anchor long before the Exceltech as it is way under rated.

[Tobit]

The Outback will be less expensive in the end because the Exceltech will require additional equipment the Outback has built in. But the Outback will be a Boat Anchor long before the Exceltech as it is way under rated.

Thanks, I didn't realize Exeltech was under rated. Both manufacturers seem to put a different emphasis on their specs. Outback states "92% typical efficiency" but doesn't state what "typical" is. At the same time, Exeltech states "85% at full load and 89% at 1/3 load" but doesn't expand on the various surge time intervals like Outback does. However, having started out my career on NEC's hard drive assembly line, I should know full well that spec sheets are more marketing driven than anything.

[Sunking]

Check Exceltech Military data sheets.

[Tobit]

Also, should I be concerned about the warranty differences? Outback has a 5 year warranty, Exeltech has a 1 year.

[Sunking]

Also, should I be concerned about the warranty differences? Outback has a 5 year warranty, Exeltech has a 1 year.

Absolutely.