Magnum Inverter comparison for new system

[Westbranch]

I am looking towards getting a Magnum MS 4024 PAE and was comparing it to the 4024.
 
I can not see why one would choose the 4024 over the 4024PAE for the small additional cost of ~$80, let alone considering the flexibility one gets from the PAE model.  Am I missing something?

[Halfcrazy]

Not that I can see. If it where my system I would go with the PAE over the standard 120vac inverter. It allows so much more from running 240vac loads to charging with a 120, 120/240 or 240 vac genset etc.

I really like the fact I can send a Magnum 120/240 inverter a 120vac generator feed and charge my batteries the inverter  will make the other side of the 240 and keep on powering the loads.

[Westbranch]

Thanks Ryan.

yup, that 120 >> 240 feature makes it a wash as to which of these 2 to go for.  Will be comparing other alternatives next.

[keithwhare]

I can think of two reasons for choosing the Magnum MS4024 over the MS4024PAE.

1. The MS4024 is available and the MS4024PAE is not. This was my logic when we installed a solar electric system in Haiti 1.5 years ago. The MS4024 was available in Port au Prince so we didn't have to figure out how to put a 65 pound inverter in checked luggage. Note that an MS4024 mounted on an e-panel (which does fit in checked luggage) looks really nice. Not only does the combination work well, it made it look like we knew what we were doing.

2. The MS4024 would make sense if you needed a single circuit to do relatively high amperage, say a 120 volt 30 amp circuit. (of course, a continuous 120 volt 30 amp load would be pretty heavy for a 4000 watt inverter.)

Other than those two reasons, I would lean towards the MS4024PAE.

Keith

[Westbranch]

I emailed Magnum with my question and received a nice simple answer

"The MS4024 is a unit designed for a mobile application ( marine /RV). It requires different listings UL/c458.
The PAE was designed for off grid battery back-up and can be paralleled up to 4 units.
The MS4024 can series stacked only.

Simple answer. Two different products for two different markets. I would definitely recommend the PAE for your application.
Have a great day.

Tom Scavera
Magnum Energy, Inc.

[ChrisOlson]

Pretty old thread, but does anybody know if the Magnum MS-PAE inverters have generator support?  And by that I don't mean gen auto-start - I mean the ability to start a heavy load well over the inverter's continuous rating, whereby it starts the generator and brings it online and uses gen power to meet part of the load while the inverter supplies the balance.
--
Chris

[Halfcrazy]

Chris
Magnum does have Auto Start but they do not have gen support (The ability to add to the generators wattage to run a big load) to the best of my knowledge

Ryan