All depends on what you want in the charger. John T was asking about a charger with many features not common to most stand-alones. Especially the "equalize" mode.
If you just need to charge a few batteries at a camp when run down, and you have an inverter-generator - just about any charger will work. If you have a non-inverter AC generator - many chargers will not work well.
The inverter-chargers use for solar-panel powered houses often have big chargers. Mine has a 120 amp charger, along with setting for every battery type and size you can imagine. Also has a battery temp sensor, equalize mode, three-stage charging, etc. The inverter part is 2500 watt continuous and 5000 watt surge. These type if mod-wave cost $800-$1200. If pure sine-wave they double that.
General rule of thumb is - a combo inverter/charger that is mod-wave will have a poor quality charger that needs near perfect AC to work well.
A combo inverter/charger that is sine-wave often has a high-end charger that works of cheap gensets.
In regard to modified-wave inverters? They run ALMOST everything with no problems. They work fine with electric motors, televisions, computers, DVD players, etc. At camp you're likely to never notice the difference between what you'd get from a mod-wave - versus a sine-wave inverter.
The problem stuff with mod-wave is:
. . . conventional battery chargers. They will work but often with only 1/2 to 1/3 the rated output.
. . . microwave ovens and a few high-end appliances that have complex electronic circuit boards.
. . . hard-wired smoke alarms and GFCI devices (will work but buzz all the time).
The two mod-wave inverter/chargers you mention from Ebay only have trickle chargers that probably barely work if run from a small gas-generator (unless it's an inverter-generator).
I know of many people with camps and battery banks that use one big mod-wave inverter and one small sine-wave for small touchy stuff.
I don't know if I answered your question or not. Much depends on exactly what you want.
The AIMs mod-wave inverters I've had have been great. No problems. I suggest whatever you buy, spend and extra $10 for a unit with a thermostatic-controlled fans. The cheapest ones have fans wired to run all the time and if indoors, the noise can get to you after awhile.
If you want a good working low-price sine-wave inverter - Ramsond seems to have the best deal on the market. I've got two and friend with an RV has one. They worked great -but since we've only had them for a year, can't comment on longevity.
I've got the 1500 watt unit and the 3000 watt unit. Unlike many other sine-wave inverters, these have very high surge ratings.
The 1500 watt Ramsond Sunray model has a surge rating of 3000 watts. $240 and free shipping in the USA.
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Today's Featured Article - On the Road with Dave Gohl: Auction Musings - by Dave Gohl. I was thinking the other day about all the auctions I've been to in the last few years. There've been many. Some have been very good, some have been well, disappointing to say the least. But no matter how good or bad auctions may be, we always seem to stay until the item we've come for or are interested in is on the block. I've been to some auctions near and far. I think the furthest has been the Two Cylinder 7 in the Amana Colonies last year. Lots of stuff, lots of people. I've also atten
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