Things that Work! Home Power test the Trace 2524 Inverter/Charger tests conducted by Richard Perez and John Pryor Testing Trace inverters could be boring, if it weren't for the continual amazement I undergo every time I use one. The Trace inverters have become a standard in the inverter industry for performance and just about zero failure rate. The 2524 is an upgraded model of the 2024, with higher wattage output, especially surge power output for starting inductive loads like large electric motors. The boys at Trace deserve flowers for continually improving their products without increasing their prices. That's right, this new, more powerful, inverter costs just the same as the earlier model. What a deal! Inverter Specifications The Trace 2524 converts 24 VDC battery stored power into 120 vac for use in conventional appliances. The use of the very latest in high-power Field Effect Transistors (FETs) and new impulse phase correction circuitry has allowed Trace to increase the output of the 2524, its largest model. The Trace 2524 is rated at 2,500 watts output for at least 1/2 hour. It is capable of supplying the surge power needed to start a 1 horsepower electric motor. The model 2524 we tested came with all the factory installed options: built-in battery charger, digital metering deck, and the turbo fan option to keep things cool. Shipping Container and Installation Instructions The Trace 2524 arrived in fine shape via UPS. All Trace inverters are very well packaged, with foam inserts that keep the inverter in good condition even through very rough handling. The installation instructions are complete and detailed. If you can read English, then you can install this inverter properly. Test System We installed the 2524 in the largest 24VDC system in our neighborhood. This system uses eight Trojan L-16W batteries (700 Ampere-hours at 24 VDC), and is sourced only by a 6.5 kW. ES6500 Honda 120/240 vac engine/generator. This system really gave the Trace a workout, especially its built-in battery charger. We wired the Trace to the battery with two cables (each 4 feet long) made of 0 gauge copper cable. Test Results The first thing we noticed was that the Trace 2524 was able to start and run larger electric motors than the previous 2024 model. Motors in appliances like the 120 vac deep well pump, the washing machine, and a very large vacuum cleaner started easier and more quickly. And the 2524 ran these motors for a much longer period of time than the earlier model 2024. Technically speaking, the Trace 2524 is capable of starting and running electric motors that were some 15% to 25% larger than the earlier model. Peak voltage remained at Å162 Vp until we overloaded the 2524, when it dropped off to protect the inverter from overload damage. RMS voltage was rock solid at 117 vac. According to our Fluke 87, the frequency output of the Trace 2524 varied not more than 0.1 Hz from 60 Hz., regardless of the type or amount of load we placed on the inverter. Efficiency of the 2524 was within the specifications set by Trace Engineering, that is far more than 90% from 200 watts to over 2,000 watts output. Efficiency while running inductive loads like motors, fluorescent lights, and transformers was much greater than the earlier model 2024. This is due to the new impulse phase correction circuitry invented the the techies at Trace. The bottom line on this new circuitry is that the Trace 2524 will not only start bigger motors, but it will run them for longer periods of time without the heat build-up that "browned-out" the earlier models. The Trace 2524 survived repeated and deliberate overloading and even short-circuiting of its output. It's a trough as an old boot and the only way you can kill it is with a shotgun. The test system we used is sourced only by an engine/generator. The battery charger in the Trace got a real workout. This charger is rated by Trace at 50 Amperes. Our instrumentation showed that this is true, at least when the battery pack was less than 60% state of charge. As the battery filled, and the system voltage rose, the charger's output tapered off to a solid 42+ Amperes. This tapering is caused by the turns ratio with the Trace's transformer and the fact that most all generators don't really produce high enough peak voltage output sufficient to drive the charger at maximum output. If the generator is capable of maintaining the Å160 Vp necessary, then the charger will, in fact, deliver the current specified by Trace. Extended operation of the charger at its highest output level caused the turbo cooling fan to automatically operate to dissipate the heat build-up by the charger. The optional digital metering deck in the Trace worked well and agreed (±2%) with our outboard metering. The built-in Trace metering allowed the user of this system to adjust the Honda generator to the proper speed (RPM) to maintain a constant 60 cycles per second output from the generator. The peak voltage section of the meter allows the user to know when he is overloading the generator. When the generator is overloaded the peak voltage drops below the Å160 Volt peak level required by the charger. A note on generators is appropriate here. Most generators we've ever seen have trouble maintaining peak voltage when fully loaded. The higher priced (and worth it) generators, like the Hondas, do significantly better in maintaining their peak voltage under heavy load. Regardless of the generator used, the digital meter built into the Trace tells the tale and allows the user to better and more efficiently apply his generator. The Turbo fan option functioned well. It is thermostatically controlled and turns itself on whenever the inverter gets hot. The turbo greatly extends the operating time and power of the inverter, both in inverter and charger mode. The fan nestles underneath the inverter and can be retrofitted to any of the larger Trace inverters. Conclusions The Trace 2524 is an ultrafine and supremely reliable large inverter. Its power output is significantly higher than the previous 2024 model (especially on inductive loads) and at the same price. We recommend that anyone buying this inverter also include the charger, turbo and digital metering deck. These options greatly increase the inverter's utility and output. Cost of the basic 2524 inverter is $1,350. Cost of the 2524 with the factory installed battery charger, turbo and digital metering is $1,820 and worth every penny. Congratulations to the fine fellows at Trace for constantly improving their already legendary inverters and for keeping the cost the same. It's amazing. Access Trace Engineering, 5917 - 195th N.E., Arlington, WA 98223, or call 206-435-8826.