Review on Hybrid Solar Inverter With 60A MPPT Solar Controller: 3500W Output For 24VDC Lead Acid & Lithium Gel Batteries, Pure Sine Wave Output, And Low Frequency Technology For Off-Grid Use by Patrick Ceo

Update (11/26/22): This unit was placed in service on 07/26/2022. Today, the display went blank. Upon contacting tech support, I was instructed to disconnect the ribbon cable that connects the display to the mainboard (the attached video is what they provided). The instructions were provided via email, and there were no WARNINGS about potential HIGH VOLTAGE safety concerns. I requested they provide a written procedure and/or a more comprehensive video (they did not supply). Being an engineer and experienced technician, I was able to SAFELY perform the repair. However, while the fix worked, this is NOT a repair the average consumer should be expected to perform! 1-star, for inadequate tech support.Summary: This product is identified as a "Hybrid Solar Inverter", which is essentially three components, a DC/AC inverter, a MPPT solar charge controller, and an automated transfer switch (ATS). The goal of this review is to determine whether having all your components in a single enclosure is a good product feature. I have evaluated quite a few MPPT controllers for Vine (listed below), and will be comparing it to those, as well as the industry leader, Victron Energy. I have also reviewed quite a few DC/AC inverters, and will be including those as well. Using the PV system to reduce our electricity bill.Current Setup: My solar/PV system specs: 3000W of panels (most are 100W panels); 24-volt, 500 Ah marine battery bank; Voltworks 2000W inverter.All-in-one Discussion: While more convenient, this is also a single point of failure. In a multi-component system, it is easy to troubleshoot which component failed. The one benefit this does have is the SW integration between the solar controller, and the AC input, and that you can selectively set a specific percentage (according to the product documentation).Observations: This 3500W unit is big and heavy (27.5 kg / 61 lbs). For Inverter only weight comparison, the 2kW Voldworks is 10 lbs. and the 6kW WZRELB is 35 lbs. For the MPPT component, the largest MPPT controller I have is the 40A AcoPower, which weighs 5 lbs, and the equivalent 60A model is 12 lbs; both being smaller than the 70A MPPT rating of this unit. With that said, what probably makes up the other half (30 pounds) of the weight in this unit is the AC transformer and ATC. When I have time, I will pop off the cover to see what's inside. This one does not appear to have a wireless or bluetooth module included, nor available. Whereas the Victron Energy line has a superb app, and it's more of a system, rather than a cobbled together solution of individual components.Recommendations: The manufacturer is listed as "Top One Power", which a little bit of Internet searching goes back to FOSHAN (one-solar DOT net). There are similar "hybrid solar inverters" listed under the PowMr brand, but I couldn't determine if the two companies are related. The brand AMPINVT is also listed as being sold by luckysolar, so OAE and AMPINVT are likely similar product with different branding. And I just found a MPPT 60A listed as OAE, but the label on the product image is AMPINVT, so they are one in the same.Pros: The individual MPPT and INVERTER products have decent ratings, and these appear to be the base components in this all-in-one unit.Cons: Cost, the INVT is $600, and the MPPT is $200, so there is no savings for buying the all-in-one. One common complaint on the individual products is a lack of technical support. All-in-one, single point of failure.Conclusion: At $800 for the 3500W model, rating this 3-stars (cost, lack of support). At this point, I would recommend buying the equivalent high quality MPPT controller (like the Victron SmartSolar line), and a separate inverter (like the Victron Multiplus).Related Products SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLERS (listed in ORDER of HIGH to LOW rating):VICTRON ENERGY MPPT 100V 20 amp 12-24-Volt (Bluetooth) $160 (5-star)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075NPQHQKSunwhale 20A/30A/40A 12V/24V MPPT $85 (4-stars)4.0 out of 5 stars 1 ratinghttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y435STWEPEVER MPPT Solar Charge Controller 10A 60V PV 1206N $60 (5-star)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094JCG6Y1ACOPOWER Midas 40A MPPT $180 (4-star)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HQB8RYKACOPOWER MPPT Solar Charge Controller 30A $140 (4-star)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NB1KOOZRenogy Rover 20/30/40 Amp $112/170/168 (2-star)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRWTAB5Related Products INVERTERS (listed in ORDER of HIGH to LOW rating):VOLTWORKS 24 Volt 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power $320https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081YVNZX1VOLTWORKS 600 Watts Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter $100https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XXQXPWMXYZ INVT 300 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter Peak 600W $80https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PY1851PBESTEK 300Watt Pure Sine Wave 12V $46https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L8Z9PWGWZRELB Inverter LED Display 300W Pure Sine $62https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078MP36YSWZRELB 6000W 24V 120V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter with 4 AC OutletsWired Remote Control (RBH-S600024WR) $1000