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particle avatar image
particle asked

Phoenix 12/1200 70% efficiency at 1145 W out

(making a new thread because unusually low effieciency)


Hi all


Tried my new Phoenix 12/1200 with a mini kettle rated "1100-1300" W. Most probably no electronics in that kettle.

AC output was 4.98 A, voltage not measured but presumed 230 V, 1145 W. Red overload LED was on steady until load switched off.

DC input was 1.63 kW according to BMV-700, 12.3 V and 132 A. BlueNova 109 Ah LFP battery.

Efficiency very bad at 70%. I would expect 86% or so. 100 A fuse gets hot. Zero load power was 14 W, not 8 W as specified but I think the spec is wrong.

For reference, same kettle on a modified sine wave inverter (TrailBoss (store brand) 1500 W) takes 1.3 kW DC. 100 A fuse gets slightly warm. Wiring is 25 mm2 and very short.


Any ideas?


Phoenix Inverter
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nickdb answered ·

Considering the 1200VA is a 1000W inverter (at 25C) it shouldn’t be a surprise that a 1300W appliance causes an overload.

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particle avatar image particle commented ·
Oh OK, thanks.


My main concern is efficiency. My 1300 W appliance consumes 1145 W, not 1300 W.


A 750 W rated toaster took 731 W AC out at 920 W DC in. Voltage loss between BMV-700 and the inverter terminals was about 0.1 V. I figure efficiency is 80%.


Any ideas? Is that considered within spec?

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nickdb avatar image nickdb ♦♦ particle commented ·
Generally there is a cost of 10-15% but it will depend on the load as well.
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