Using battery power to go off the City's power grid

ricevs,

For an introductory battery/inverter system without the Puritan filter, how about the Giandel 5000 inverter with only ONE Amperetime 200 amp-hr battery?  You say the larger inverter is better than the smaller 2000 inverter, not only for generating more power, but also for lower distortion.  Obviously I would be limited to half the power capabilities of the larger inverter by using 1 battery instead of 2, but I first want to establish the sonic qualities of the battery + Giandel 5000 alone, which I could do at medium power and for shorter periods of time.  If I confirm what your friend has found, I could feed the inverter into my Shunyata Denali 6000 which has greatly improved my sound on its own.  Then of course, I could add the 2nd battery for full capability.  Basic cost of two 200 amp-hr batteries--$1600, plus Giandel 5000 inverter--$900, plus 40A battery charger--$250, plus OFC battery cables--$30.  Total--$2780.  Save $800 with just one battery--$1980 to get started, for the same quality sound but with half the power capability?  Still, similar power capabilities as the Stromtank 2500!

Funny you ask this @scott22. I long saw potential of going off grid, so back in 1998 I purchased N.E.W. DCA66, 60wpc class A SS amp that ran off 4 lead acid wheelchair batteries. Batteries supplied the entire 60 watts, charger, everything self contained within separate battery case and amp enclosure.

I also have Merlin VSM-MM, BAM module runs off four 9V batteries. At one point had plans and schematic to run off 12v car battery with  far greater filtering and storage capacitance within power supply.

Surprised batteries have not become more ubiquitous within audiophile circles.

sns - agreed. Vinnie Rossi has also used batteries in his products over the years. The portable lithium ion phosphate battery and inverter technology has made some significant advances in recent years and the price for quality units keeps going down. Construction workers, Campers, EV owners etc are starting to realize the potential for these. I'm sure it won't be long before more and more audiophiles start using them in their systems.  

sbayne,

Thanks for your sonic impressions of your Bluetti AC200MAX.  Greater clarity, resolution, HF extension in addition to more open soundstage?  Are you using power amps with it, as well as your front end?  If so, did you find total system benefits greater than just using the Bluetti with the low powered front end?  Are the benefits at least as great as getting a more transparent preamp or power amp?

Hobotech's factual info is useful, but he doesn't describe audiophile benefits.

viber6 - I run my total system from it. I've never tried it with just the front end equipment. The total draw, including my amp, is only 450 watts so the AC200MAX is barely breaking a sweat (it has a 4,800 watt pure sine wave inverter with a 2200 watt maximum load). I've never heard the fan kick on. I would NOT say greater resolution, transparency or more HF extension in the audiophile sense. I would say a more open but immediate sound coming from a completely black background. 

The only audiophile reviews I've seen are regarding the Stromtank units but they are way out of my budget. The reason I've suggested Hobotech reviews is he really puts the inverter to the test and shows you his results in real time. The most important part, to me, is when he determines if it will hold a perfect sine wave at 120 volts/60Hz into its maximum rated load. I personally wouldn't buy a unit where the voltage drops under full load. His review told me the AC200MAX holds the voltage and sine wave for OVER 2200 watts. Hobotech also does a test where he shows the noise coming out of a small Peavey guitar amp. Many cheaper inverters add fairly significant noise to the Peavey guitar amp test. The Bluetti AC200MAX does not. There are some very good units out there now a days. I'm not sure that was true even a couple years ago. The technology is really moving along with portable electric.