Does anyone have first or second hand knowledge of Outback inverters? They seem to be the only company that makes a totally sealed unit but have I've never heard of them before, and know nothing of their track record.
Next question: Outback, Xantrex and others offer the option to sync up two 110 volt inverters to provide 220 volts. Assuming both inverters are connected to the same battery bank, my concern is what happens in charge mode. If both inverters are charging the same battery bank at the same time, are they able to work in coordination with each other, or would one tend to shut the other down?
Bruce in Alaska 3 March 2005 23:49:30 [ permanent link ]
In article <ggvc21dgsnliomrr3b93fk6fs8e213g8jv@4ax.com>, Wayne.B <waynebatrecdotboats@hotmail.com> wrote:
Does anyone have first or second hand knowledge of Outback inverters?> They seem to be the only company that makes a totally sealed unit but> have I've never heard of them before, and know nothing of their track> record.>
Next question: Outback, Xantrex and others offer the option to sync> up two 110 volt inverters to provide 220 volts. Assuming both> inverters are connected to the same battery bank, my concern is what> happens in charge mode. If both inverters are charging the same> battery bank at the same time, are they able to work in coordination> with each other, or would one tend to shut the other down?
Outback has a very interesting history. If you look at their website, and compare their address to that of the old Trace Company before Xantrex bought them, you will notice that they are just back up the street from each other. This is due to the fact that when Xantrex bought Trace, they rellay pissed off the employees, and the whole Design Team walked "Outback" and started their own company called Outback. These guys really pioneered the whole Big Power Inverter industry, and are still pushing and driving the inovations. These are also the same guys that did such a GREAT job with their Customer Service and made Trace the CS MANE in the industry. Since Xantrex took over Trace is almost impossible to deal with. If you call Outback on the phone, you can actually talk to the guy that designed the product, and he is very interested in how his product is working for you. If you call Xantrex you get a machine, that never calls you back. I have two Trace products that are from the independant Trace era, and they have served me very well for many years. When I need to replace them, I WILL buy Outback, no question.
Bruce in alaska one very satisfied cunstomer....of Outback..... -- add a <2> before @
In article <j0AVd.443$kh2.255@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net>, "Dennis Pogson" <dennisnospam_pogson@ntlworld.com> wrote:
You have 220-volt batteries? WOW!>
--> Satellite photocharts of the UK & Ireland> available, excellent detail and accurate> calibration using Oziexplorer.> Remove *nospam* to reply.
Hmmmm, Well, the answer to the OP's question, is that when the Stacking cable is used to make 240Vac, it also sync's the two systems chargers so that they can both charge the battery bank in tandem, without causing any problems.
On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 19:49:30 GMT, Bruce in Alaska <bruceg@btpost.net> wrote:
I have two Trace >products that are from the independant Trace era, and they have served >me very well for many years. When I need to replace them, I WILL buy >Outback, no question.
Thanks for the history lesson. How does this even remotely answer the OPs question?
"Bruce in Alaska" <bruceg@btpost.net> wrote in message news:bruceg-F6D48C.10504103032005@netnews.worldnet.att.net...> In article <ggvc21dgsnliomrr3b93fk6fs8e213g8jv@4ax.com>,> Wayne.B <waynebatrecdotboats@hotmail.com> wrote:>
Does anyone have first or second hand knowledge of Outback inverters?>> They seem to be the only company that makes a totally sealed unit but>> have I've never heard of them before, and know nothing of their track>> record.>>
Next question: Outback, Xantrex and others offer the option to sync>> up two 110 volt inverters to provide 220 volts. Assuming both>> inverters are connected to the same battery bank, my concern is what>> happens in charge mode. If both inverters are charging the same>> battery bank at the same time, are they able to work in coordination>> with each other, or would one tend to shut the other down?>
Outback has a very interesting history. If you look at their website,> and compare their address to that of the old Trace Company before> Xantrex bought them, you will notice that they are just back up the> street from each other. This is due to the fact that when Xantrex> bought Trace, they rellay pissed off the employees, and the whole Design> Team walked "Outback" and started their own company called Outback.> These guys really pioneered the whole Big Power Inverter industry,> and are still pushing and driving the inovations. These are also the> same guys that did such a GREAT job with their Customer Service and> made Trace the CS MANE in the industry. Since Xantrex took over Trace> is almost impossible to deal with. If you call Outback on the phone,> you can actually talk to the guy that designed the product, and he is> very interested in how his product is working for you. If you call> Xantrex you get a machine, that never calls you back. I have two Trace> products that are from the independant Trace era, and they have served> me very well for many years. When I need to replace them, I WILL buy> Outback, no question.>
Bruce in alaska one very satisfied cunstomer....of Outback.....> -- > add a <2> before @
On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 21:31:03 -0500, "Doug Dotson" <dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom> wrote:
Thanks for the history lesson. How does this even remotely answer the>OPs question?>
==================
I actually asked a couple of questions, one of which related to the conpany's track record, i.e., reputation, etc. The answer seemed relevant to me, both interesting and useful.
After a more detailed review of Outback's inverter products, the device selection process has gotten more complicated. They make one line of inverters for "Off Grid" usage, i.e., no tie in to utility power what so ever, and another product line for marine usage. The so called marine inverters lift the neutral ground when in shore power transfer mode. Presumably this is done to prevent electrolysis, ground loops, etc., when hooked up to utility power. All well and good. The problem is that the inverter I really want is not offered in the marine version. I could design the system to be totally "off grid" and lose the benefit of shore power transfer and recharging, but I'd rather not for reasons of complexity and flexibility. The other possible solution is to put in a large isolation transformer but that's another layer of complexity and expense in an already expensive system.
