Mastervolt - World's First Hybrid AC System

by Andew Wilson on 15 Dec 2009
Mastervolt has developed the world’s first true hybrid solution for all on board ‘mains’ power requirements.

The new all-in-one GPX-5 power plant cleverly combines a generator, inverter and battery charger with shore power to provide the power required at the moment it’s required completely automatically. No longer does the consumer have to consider if and when he needs to start the generator before switching on high start-up power devices such as air conditioning or microwave, or high loads such as an electric cooker, kettle or coffee machine. The GPX-5 does the thinking for you.

Marc Persoon, Marketing Manager for Mastervolt, says, 'The Mastervolt GPX-5 is a revolution in the design of systems for the supply of onboard electrical power. It’s a new generation of hybrid power supply that combines power from shore, batteries and generator in the most efficient way - and all in a much smaller package than a conventional power system. There’s nothing else that can match it on the market'.

When choosing a conventional generator, the size of generator is determined by the peak load, which means for the majority of time, when the power consumption is much lower, the generator is oversized and inefficient. In the GPX-5, the generator and inverter work together to satisfy the highest loads because the battery helps to power short peaks in the AC load. As a result, the generator can be two to four times smaller in volume than that in a conventional set up.

The innovative system senses the switching on of high start-up power devices. For the first 30 seconds, the inverter powers the load completely from the batteries while the generator is started automatically and picks up the load.
What’s more, the generator will never run idle or near idle without load, preventing uneconomical running. It’s a similar concept to Stop/Start found in modern cars – the generator only runs when it’s needed. The GPX-5 improves fuel efficiency by an incredible 30 to 40% depending on system usage. Up to 5kW is available continuously when the generator is running.

The system provides perfect 50Hz, 230V AC even when powering a heavy load. There are three user adjustable profiles: eco, performance and minimum running. The GPX-5 is fully compatible with the Mastervolt MasterBus single-cable system and can be controlled and monitored from any MasterView System or Masterview Easy display, or even remotely with SMS texting by mobile phone using the GPRS interface.

An AC transfer system is built in – allowing one shore AC power connection in with one AC power out for the onboard system. Power from the shore can be combined with that from the generator and the inverter to feed the onboard consumers and reduce the load on the onboard systems. But only if the shore power is of a suitable standard since the device automatically checks the quality of the incoming supply, thereby protecting sensitive devices such as computers and televisions.

Designed to withstand the marine environment, the GPX-5 is an installer’s dream with all the components housed in one easy-to-fit, heavily sound-proofed enclosure. The end user is keeping the environment in mind when using the GPX-5, providing output kWh’s at the lowest price and also with the lowest emission levels: a true ‘green’ proposition.

The new Mastervolt GPX-5 System will be available in 2010 in 12V, 24V and 48V models, and comes with a MasterView Easy display.

***Breaking News***
Mastervolt, is proud to announce that its all-in-one GPX-5 power plant has been announced the category winner within the Machinery, Mechanical and Electrical Systems section of The DAME Awards at METS 2009 (Marine Equipment Trade Show).

For more information contact: www.powersolutions.com.au - www.mastervolt.com or 07 3283-7800