Let’s ramp up the power today by looking at 3000w pure sine wave inverters. This is a lot of power, and before you fork out on one of these, make sure you’re going to need all it offers.
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Typically, if you want to run multiple AC current appliances or equipment from a DC power source, you’ll need some form of inverter device to feed a stable signal. Especially equipment like small air compressors, larger power tools (like electric chainsaws), a lot of home electronics (that can be sensitive when it comes to power). In any case, you’re probably going to need a 3000W inverter to work these devices properly and not have them go poof.
A pure sine wave inverter, of course, offers you output with very little harmonic distortion. This ensures better operation of sensitive electrical devices and appliances like laser printers, laptops, computerized sewing machines, medical equipment and so on. You’ll be less likely to experience interference on appliances like televisions, computers etc. as well. This should also prevent you from picking up the ghost from that Poltergeist movie on your TV while running the inverter.
Sine wave inverters also use slightly newer tech than the older modified square wave ones, and are better suited to help power the big screen LED TV you watch the game on over weekends.
So, if you have any devices that can only be powered by a pure sine wave, here are few decent high-output 3000 watt pure sine wave inverters at various price points that you can take a look at.
I know that budget constraints will push many people towards the bottom end of the price range, but from experience, let me just say this: buy high end if at all possible. A brand like Go Power! is just going to provide you with more reliability, longevity and performance than cheap Chinese brands at the bottom end of the price scale. If nothing else, you’ll be able to understand the manual, ok. If you take the time to read it of course.
Still, I’ve tried to recommend something for every budget here.
Contents
Go Power! GP-SW-3000 series 12V/24V 3000W Inverter
Go Power! is one of the most trusted names in the inverter industry, and their products are understandably at the higher end of the price scale. Also, I like the yellow casing and black lettering. Looks like something the CAT dragged in (pun intended).
The GP-SW-3000 series offers two 3000W pure sine wave inverters: a 12V and a 24V model. Both offer continuous power output of 3000W, with a surge rating of 6000W, for when the wife plugs in a hairdryer.
Plenty of built-in protections enhance the safety of the unit: overload, short circuit, over temperature and reverse polarity. At the back of the unit are two GFCI protected AC outlets, as well as a hardwire port.
You’ll also find three colored LEDs at the back, one each for input level, load level and status. The manual indicates the LED color codes, and these are handy to check the status of the inverter with a quick glance. Anything red shows up, you need to pay attention. It could be a Russian troll.
Under no load, the 12V unit draws 2.0A and the 24V 1.6A. In Powersave the 12V unit draws 0.55A, while the 24V draws 0.35A.
At 22 pounds this is a fairly heavy unit. Definately can serve as a doorstop as well.
This is a well ventilated inverter and the two fans are more than adequate to keep the operating temperature under control. They also don’t make a lot of noise. AC output voltage can be adjusted via dip switches to 110, 115 or 120VAC. The unit also features over voltage, under voltage and overload protection, keeping the guts of the unit safe from voltage gremlins.
The Powersave feature draws very little current, and allows the unit to only switch on when a load is present. This is a great energy saver. The cooling fan will also only kick in above a certain temperature to cool the unit, and won’t be running all the time.
Finally, a remote port is available to connect any compatible Go Power! remote control unit. The wave inverter remote has a LED indicator that show the status of the inverter, and is compatible with both the 12 and 24V Go Power! inverters. Actually, Amazon.com has inverter remotes in stock at the moment if you want one. How convenient for us both.
Overall, the Go Power! GP-SW-3000 series pure sine wave inverters offer reliable performance, great protection, efficiency and power to burn. It is a high quality unit that won’t disappoint and is covered by a two year warranty. Plus, I like how it looks. YMMV.
See the Go Power! 3000W sine wave inverter on Amazon
Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter
Renogy has produced a solid 3000W pure SW inverter for powering your household appliances needing an AC current, from say your solar panel setup on the roof. The unit gives you pure sine wave current, allowing you to reliably operate brush motor power tools, home electronics and lights.
The Renogy is a well-built, attractive unit, with terminal caps on the DC side for safety, but be advised it only accepts 12V sources on this end, like from a 12V battery bank system. It will convert this DC current to 120V AC.
On the AC side you get an on/off switch, with 3 x 115V 60Hz AC outputs. There is also a 5V USB charging port to top up tablets, smartphones and other small electronic devices. Tell the wife. You get an AC hardwire port for say, wiring to an AC distribution box, too.
Operation is virtually silent, with the fans only kicking in at the appropriate temperatures and even then they’re very quiet.
Internal protections are numerous, including LED indicators for under-voltage and over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, over-load protection, and short circuit. It features ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection and both the DC and AC side has the overload protection.
The unit’s peak efficiency is rated at 90% (good enough) and it can handle a 6000W surge. The inverter comes with a wired remote that can be used to turn the inverter on and off.
Renogy has produced a very efficient 3000W inverter and it’s pretty decent in comparison with the Go Power! unit which is more expensive. Coming in below the $400 mark, this one is on the more affordable side. But, the Renogy does not offer 24V input conversion like the GoPower! and will only do you for a 12V system as a result.
I will add though that checking out the reviews on Amazon, the Renogy does get some mixed reviews, and there seems to be a couple of stinkers sold. It is selling well, but especially with regards to customer service, the GoPower! unit above has it trumped. Yes, the GoPower! costs about twice as much, but for that premium price one does get better after sales service.
See the Renogy 3000W sine wave inverter on Amazon
GoWISE Power PS1004 12V 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
PowerTechON with their GoWise range of inverters comes in at the budget price range, just under $400. The PS1004 is an all-right looking 3000W inverter, accepting 12V DC sources. Offering 3000W continuous and 6000W peak output, this model meets the basic specs. At this price, there may be compromises though, so let’s look a bit closer.
All the crucial safety features are there: thermal protection, under voltage and over voltage, overload protection and a low voltage alarm. Two cooling fans on the unit, so should be sufficient to make a breeze.
A nice touch is that the inverter comes in a package complete with black and red cables with ring terminals as well as a remote switch. You get 3 AC output sockets and a 5V oulet for smaller devices like cellphones and stuff. The unit supports 12V DC input and 120V AC output at a frequency of 60hz. It promises low interference technology and a soft start.
You know what, pretty standard, except for no 24V DC input power conversion. It has the included remote switch and the ring terminals on the input side make good solid anchor points (if you tighten them up well). Weighing in at about 10 pounds it’s very manageable, unless you happen to look like a stick insect.
See the GoWise Power Sine Wave Inverter 3000W on Amazon.
VertaMax Pure Sine Wave 12V 3000 Watt Inverter
The Vertamax model, from manufacturer Windynation, comes in at the mid-range price scale, a little over $400. With a claimed 3000W continuous and 6000W surge rating, this looks like a solid unit at an affordable price. It accepts 12V source inputs.
Three grounded AC outlets at the back gives you plenty of room to connect appliances. Each AC outlet also has its own circuit breaker button below the outputs. You are also provided with a hardwire terminal. It outputs to 115 AC for USA households, powering the stuff we usually have in the house like microwaves, laptops, TV’s, juicers etc. As George Carlin said, our houses are all just piles of stuff.
A neat LED display allows you to keep tabs on battery voltages and AC power consumption. You can switch between the two with a switch located just below the display.
The Vertamax 3000W also features key safety protections: short circuit, over-voltage, low voltage and reverse polarity, as well as thermal shutdown. A high/low voltage alarm alerts you to any problems.
Idle power draw/standby current is less than 1.0A. It could have done with an auto-off feature maybe, since even though this is a miniscule draw, it could eventually drain a battery.
Overall, the VertaMax looks like a decent low priced 3000W unit. There is a 1 year warranty on the unit, and it seems like a solid unit, with a good score on the Amazon reviews. It does weigh in at around 15 pounds, so on the hefty side, but not a backbreaker yet. Depends on the particular back in question I guess.
Final Thoughts
If you are shopping for a 3000W inverter, chances are that you’ll be putting it under quite a bit of load. That’s why I will never recommend going for cheap units. Go Power! is one of my favorite manufacturers and their products have a strong track record, so their GP-SW-3000 series Inverter is an easy recommend for me here. Also, their customer service seems to be above par.
However, budget can be a concern, and that may force you into the lower price brackets. The mileage and performance you will get here may vary though. As it is, the Vertamax inverter I looked at just above seems the better of the lower priced units and is probably worth a shot.
Remember to wave a sad goodbye to all your old modified sine wave inverters!