Hi Hilton, My $0.05 worth as off-grid is my primary domain. The SW4024 is an excellent inverter, reliable, robust and if you can find another stack them for 240 and will have no issues with the 3 HP table saw (assuming batteries can handle that is). I run my whole home from a 13 year old pair of them. Magnum makes an excellent, robust, and reliable off-grid inverter. Available in 120 or 240 without stack. Stacking Magnums (for more power) is straightforward and the user interface is very simple and intuitive. There is some different hardware required for stacking. If a second SW4024 isn't an option then this is what I would do. I test installed an Apollo unit last year. What a frustrating experience that was. It requires a computer and a RS485 interface to program the most basic features to make the unit usable. Nice when I was real remote and without Internet. That alone makes it unappealing in my books. Seems they are a bit behind the rest of the crowd. I'd not trust a marketing department claim it will start that saw unless they can demonstrate it. (with of course some other loads on the system - having to power down the house so one can work in the shop is hardly usable). Outback units are common, though suffer from weak battery chargers and power quality issues while under charge so for off-grid that involves any significant generator charging they are not ideal. They are complex to program and operate and end users report lots of frustration. Kevin
-----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]On Behalf Of Hilton Dier III Sent: October 29, 2013 6:48 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] To stack or not to stack? Off-grid 240V Hello Wrenches, I have an off-grid client with a 24V system and an old Xantrex SW4024. He wants 240VAC capability with enough oomph for sometimes making a cut with his 3 hp table saw without starting the generator. I am looking at Apollo, Magnum, and Outback inverters. I'm most familiar with Outback. I have a couple of installations out there with stacked 3.6 kW Outbacks. However, the Apollo marketing promises that their 3.2 kW inverter will start a 3 hp motor. Will it actually, and is this a good idea even if it can? I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences with 240V Apollo units, stacked Magnums, and stacked Outbacks. I know from experience that the Outbacks require some hundreds of dollars of extra fittings and electronics to make a proper stacked installation. How about Magnum? Any comments on reliability? Many Thanks, Hilton -- Hilton Dier III Renewable Energy Design Partner, Solar Gain LLC 453 East Hill Rd. Middlesex, VT 05602
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