Good day. I have the newer model Axpert 5kw inverter (450v ) with 12 255w panels and 4 FIAMM 200ah batteries. My question is wheter it will hurt the inverter on a sunny day if i want to start a compressor drawing 2kw ?  thanks.

1 hour ago, sirraven said:

My question is whether it will hurt the inverter on a sunny day if i want to start a compressor drawing 2kw ?

I think it will trip off, unless you have some sort of soft start capability.

An induction motor will typically draw some 7x running current at startup. So that's about 14 kW for a 2 kW compressor. The Axpert will trip out at 10 kW, or well before. The battery will definitely not appreciate the 15+ kW draws; that's around 300 A or 1.5C. A bit less if there is good sun.

If the soft start circuit can keep the power draw to about 2x rated, or 4 kW, the Axpert will be quite comfortable with that for a few seconds.

Hi Coulumb, thanks for the reply. Um what is soft start ? 

13 minutes ago, sirraven said:

soft start ?

It's a box that ramps the voltage to the motor up over a second or two, so there is never such a high surge current when staring.

If your air conditioner is an inverter type, it's a similar idea. I don't know the specifics.

Hi thanks Coulomb, its a small cold room, its a single phase 2kw capacitor compressor. like the ones in fridges just bigger and 2kw ...

If you put two units in parallel would a compressor then be ok to start up ?

5 hours ago, Dean said:

If you put two units in parallel would a compressor then be ok to start up ?

My guess is yes, but it's hard to say without trying it.

I think the soft start module will be more practical. Apparently it is also better for the compressor as the inrush current amps is less, the compressor will last longer.