What does the Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger offer on paper?
This review covers the Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger, which Renogy rates for 3500 W of continuous output on a 48 V battery. Renogy's manual lists generator input as yes.
The enclosure rating is IP20. At Renogy, the price is $769.99.
| Size and moving it | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 23.8 lb |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger | $769.99 at Renogy | 4.55 W/$ | #3 of 5 |
| OutBack Power VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger | $2,527.44 at A1 SolarStore | 1.42 W/$ | #4 of 5 |
 Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter | $414.99 at Renogy | 7.23 W/$ | #1 of 5 |
 Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch | $461.99 at Renogy | 6.49 W/$ | #2 of 5 |
| Magnum Energy MSH3012RV-L RV Inverter/Charger | $2,538.95 at A1 SolarStore | 1.18 W/$ | #5 of 5 |
How heavy is it to lift and move?
Renogy lists the weight at 23.8 lb. That places this inverter charger in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class, while the OutBack and Magnum units in this article sit in the heavy (over 50 lb) class.
What do you get for each dollar?
It gives 4.55 W/$ at its price of $769.99. That ranks #3 of 5 on watts per dollar among the inverters in this article. The Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter leads at 7.23 W/$, while the Magnum trails at 1.18 W/$.
Watts per dollar divides continuous watts by price. It ignores features such as weight and battery voltage.
How does the OutBack VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger compare on output, price and weight?
The OutBack is rated for 3600 W continuous versus 3500 W for the Renogy inverter charger, costs $2,527.44 at A1 SolarStore versus $769.99, and weighs 61 lb versus 23.8 lb. OutBack lists a surge of 5400 W for 5 s. Both units are rated for a 48 V battery.
OutBack lists a battery range of 42 V to 68 V and a charge current of up to 45 A. OutBack lists flooded, gel, AGM, lithium-ion or flow batteries. Its listed certifications are UL1741, CSA C22.2 No. 107.1, UL1778.
OutBack rates its CEC efficiency at 91 % and backs it with a warranty of 5 years. OutBack lists up to 10 units in parallel and an operating range of -40 C to 60 C. Those prices work out to 1.42 W/$ for the OutBack against 4.55 W/$ for the Renogy inverter charger.
Is the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter the better value?
On watts per dollar, yes: it ranks #1 of 5 at 7.23 W/$, ahead of the 4.55 W/$ of the Renogy inverter charger. Renogy sells it for $414.99. It is rated for 3000 W continuous, with a surge of 6000 W for 1 s.
Battery voltage differs too: it runs on 12 V rather than the 48 V the inverter charger uses. It also weighs less, at 12.5 lb next to 23.8 lb.
What changes with the UPS transfer switch version?
The Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch differs from the base model in price, surge time and weight, while both are rated for 3000 W on a 12 V battery. This version costs $461.99 at Renogy, compared with $414.99 for the base model. Renogy lists its surge at 6000 W for 2 s, where the base model is rated for 1 s.
It weighs 14.8 lb. Its value comes to 6.49 W/$, which ranks #2 of 5 and sits above the 4.55 W/$ of the Renogy inverter charger.
What does the Magnum MSH3012RV-L RV Inverter/Charger offer for battery charging?
Magnum lists a charge current of up to 125 A and a 12 V battery. Magnum lists lithium iron phosphate (LFP), gel, flooded or AGM batteries. Magnum lists a battery voltage range of 9 V to 17 V.
Output is rated at 3000 W continuous and 3500 W surge for 5 s. It costs $2,538.95 at A1 SolarStore, so it gives 1.18 W/$ and ranks #5 of 5, below the 4.55 W/$ of the Renogy inverter charger. Magnum backs it with a warranty of 3 years, rates it from -20 C to 60 C, and lists the weight at 55 lb.
Which numbers should decide your pick?
Start with the battery voltage you already own or plan to buy. Then check that the continuous rating covers every load you will run at the same time. Look at surge if your loads draw extra power at start-up.
Last, use watts per dollar to see what each dollar buys. On that last point, the Renogy inverter charger ranks #3 of 5, behind the 12 V Renogy models at #1 of 5 and #2 of 5.