What does the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter offer on paper?
The EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter is rated for 6000 W of continuous AC output at 240 V, split phase. It costs $1,898.27 new at A1 SolarStore. That output puts it in the group with 2000 W or more of continuous AC output.
EG4 Electronics lists a surge rating of 12000 W for up to 3.5 s. Before choosing, confirm whether the appliances you intend to power require split-phase or single-phase electricity.
| Power and capacity | |
|---|---|
| Continuous AC output | 6000 W |
| Surge output | 12000 W |
| UPS switchover (max) | 15 ms |
| Solar charging | |
| Max solar input | 8000 W |
| Size and moving it | |
| Weight | 52.9 lb |
| Temperature and warranty | |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter | $1,898.27 at A1 SolarStore | 3.16 W/$ | #2 of 5 |
| Sol-Ark 5K-1P-N Hybrid Inverter | $1,499.92 at A1 SolarStore | 3.20 W/$ | #1 of 5 |
| MidNite Solar Little Rosie MNLR4548RE Inverter/Charger | $1,709.36 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #4 of 5 |
| EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter | $3,036.50 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #3 of 5 |
| OutBack Power VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger | $2,527.44 at A1 SolarStore | 1.42 W/$ | #5 of 5 |
What battery bank does it need?
It runs on a 48 V battery bank, and EG4 Electronics lists lead-acid or lithium as the battery types. The battery voltage window runs from 46.4 V to 60 V. Battery charging current tops out at 125 A, according to EG4 Electronics.
Maximum discharge current is rated at 140 A. Compare that voltage window with the specification sheet published by your battery manufacturer.
How much solar can it take?
EG4 Electronics rates solar input at up to 8000 W, with a recommended array size of up to 10000 W. It has 2 MPPT inputs.
MPPT stands for maximum power point tracking, the method used to pull power from solar panels. The MPPT working range is 120 V to 385 V, and the highest solar input voltage allowed is 480 V.
How fast is switchover, and can a generator feed it?
EG4 Electronics rates switchover at 15 ms at most. That figure falls in the 20 ms or less group for UPS switchover speed.
EG4 Electronics lists generator input as yes. EG4 Electronics lists parallel support for up to 16 units.
How heavy is it, and where can it operate?
At 52.9 lb, it lands in the heavy (over 50 lb) weight class. EG4 Electronics lists an operating range of 0 C to 45 C.
Warranty coverage lasts 5 years.
Is the price fair for what you get?
At $1,898.27, the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter works out to 3.16 W/$, which ranks it #2 of 5 on value in this article. Only the Sol-Ark ranks higher, at #1 of 5 with 3.20 W/$.
Watts per dollar measures continuous output only, so consider it alongside battery voltage, solar capacity and warranty coverage.
Where is it strong, and where does it fall short?
Its listed strengths are 6000 W of continuous output, a place in the 20 ms or less switchover group and parallel support for up to 16 units. Its limits are the 52.9 lb weight and a 0 C operating low.
The Sol-Ark lists 10 years of warranty and an operating low of -40 C.
How does the Sol-Ark 5K-1P-N Hybrid Inverter differ?
The Sol-Ark costs less, at $1,499.92 against $1,898.27 for the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter. Sol-Ark rates its unit at 4800 W and 120 V, single phase, while the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter offers 6000 W and 240 V.
Sol-Ark lists a hybrid design with grid sell back (yes), plus a switchover time of 5 ms at most. Its weight is 53 lb, close to the 52.9 lb of the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter.
What sets the EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter apart?
Capacity sets it apart: the EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter is rated for 8000 W of output and 12000 W of solar input. It costs $3,036.50 and ranks #3 of 5 at 2.63 W/$. EG4 Electronics lists grid sell back (yes) and rapid shutdown (yes) for the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter, and a warranty of 10 years.
One trade-off is weight: 110 lb against 52.9 lb for the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter. Its surge rating is 16000 W for 0.5 s.
Why consider the MidNite Solar Little Rosie MNLR4548RE Inverter/Charger?
The MidNite unit is lighter, at 15 lb against 52.9 lb for the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter. That puts the MidNite in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. MidNite Solar rates its unit at 4500 W of continuous output at 120 V, single phase.
Its switchover time is 4 ms at most, and its surge rating is 6750 W for 5 s. At $1,709.36, it ranks #4 of 5 on value, just behind the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter at #3 of 5.
Where does the OutBack Power VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger fit?
The OutBack sits last on value here, at #5 of 5 with 1.42 W/$ for $2,527.44. OutBack rates its unit at 3600 W, 120 V, single phase, against 6000 W and 240 V for the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter. OutBack lists flooded, gel, AGM, lithium-ion or flow batteries.
The 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter lists lead-acid or lithium. OutBack lists an operating range of -40 C to 60 C and a weight of 61 lb.