1200VA Mecer inverter running @ ~190V after loadshedding stops

[AlexGouws]

Hi,

I have a Mecer 720w 1200VA modified sine wave inverter connected to 1x 200ah 12V GEL battery pushing out 20A to the battery.
I've started noticing that once the power is restored after loadshedding the inverter will show an input and output voltage of around 190V (it fluctuates between 190V and 198V) for a while. After about 10-15min it will eventually reach 215V-230V and stay there until the next loadshedding slot.

Is this normal? Should I be worried about this low voltage?

Thanks!

 

[soulie]

Hi,

I have a Mecer 720w 1200VA modified sine wave inverter connected to 1x 200ah 12V GEL battery pushing out 20A to the battery.
I've started noticing that once the power is restored after loadshedding the inverter will show an input and output voltage of around 190V (it fluctuates between 190V and 198V) for a while. After about 10-15min it will eventually reach 215V-230V and stay there until the next loadshedding slot.

Is this normal? Should I be worried about this low voltage?

Thanks!

modified sine wave can run happily at 176 volts on output ,thats why motors and fans dont usually like them .

 

[Bundu]

weird that the input is also indicated as 196V...
Have you measured it?

 

[Lupus]

That looks like your voltage incoming is low the inverter just passes it on

 

[leon.davibe]

Hi,

I have a Mecer 720w 1200VA modified sine wave inverter connected to 1x 200ah 12V GEL battery pushing out 20A to the battery.
I've started noticing that once the power is restored after loadshedding the inverter will show an input and output voltage of around 190V (it fluctuates between 190V and 198V) for a while. After about 10-15min it will eventually reach 215V-230V and stay there until the next loadshedding slot.

Is this normal? Should I be worried about this low voltage?

Thanks!

this device connects output to eskom once it is present

and goes into battery charging mode

voltage dips aren't surprising as the start-up of everything in the neighbourhood is happening
especially with the 4hrs shedding

if you want to avoid this you could switch of the plug that powers the inverter and switch it on x amount of time after power comes on

 

[AlexGouws]

this device connects output to eskom once it is present

and goes into battery charging mode

voltage dips aren't surprising as the start-up of everything in the neighbourhood is happening
especially with the 4hrs shedding

if you want to avoid this you could switch of the plug that powers the inverter and switch it on x amount of time after power comes on

Thanks I suspect it is from Eskom's side since it happens every time after loadshedding.
As you mentioned it's likely from everything starting up and pulling load causing the dips.

I just wanted to be sure that it won't damage anything.
What voltage level should I be worried about if it dips too low? Sometimes it will stay around 190V for an hour or more and I've seen it go into the 180s.
I don't suppose there is anything I can do from my side since it's likely a grid issue?

 

[Lupus]

Thanks I suspect it is from Eskom's side since it happens every time after loadshedding.
As you mentioned it's likely from everything starting up and pulling load causing the dips.

I just wanted to be sure that it won't damage anything.
What voltage level should I be worried about if it dips too low? Sometimes it will stay around 190V for an hour or more and I've seen it go into the 180s.
I don't suppose there is anything I can do from my side since it's likely a grid issue?

180 is pushing it, anything below would be real dangerous

 

[Bundu]

you could ask your supplier if they could change their transformer to a higher tap

 

[AlphaJohn]

Hi,

I have a Mecer 720w 1200VA modified sine wave inverter connected to 1x 200ah 12V GEL battery pushing out 20A to the battery.
I've started noticing that once the power is restored after loadshedding the inverter will show an input and output voltage of around 190V (it fluctuates between 190V and 198V) for a while. After about 10-15min it will eventually reach 215V-230V and stay there until the next loadshedding slot.

Is this normal? Should I be worried about this low voltage?

Thanks!

Blame Eskom
See:

from

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support) - Part 2

In the old days you could put a battery in the freezer and bring it back it life. :p Or wash it with bicarb and re acid it and find correct balance with hydrometer , poor people will try lots of **** There is a saying As daar dalk minder boere raad was , was daar dalk meer boere

mybroadband.co.za

I use this on my big inverter for this exact reason.

 

[AlexGouws]

180 is pushing it, anything below would be real dangerous

Lowest I've seen was about 188.
For context, I live in a cottage. My power is fed from the main house AC.
The main house has a solar and inverter system but I am not connected to it, just the regular utility AC.
The main house uses the batteries 90% of the time and I believe it's only set to use the solar panels to charge (might be wrong though).
Is it possible that if the main house batteries are charging from the grid (like at night) that it might cause the voltage drop? I unfortunately can't always access the house to check the inverter's readings...

I also don't know if it might be isolated to our property of if the neighbors have the same issue.

Blame Eskom
See:

from

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support) - Part 2

In the old days you could put a battery in the freezer and bring it back it life. :p Or wash it with bicarb and re acid it and find correct balance with hydrometer , poor people will try lots of **** There is a saying As daar dalk minder boere raad was , was daar dalk meer boere

mybroadband.co.za

I use this on my big inverter for this exact reason.

I have a regular surge protector connected to my inverter (This exact one actually) but it seems to only do overcurrent protection.
Is it worth getting the one you recommend to protect against those voltage drops when the power returns?

 

[AlphaJohn]

I have a regular surge protector connected to my inverter (This exact one actually) but it seems to only do overcurrent protection.
Is it worth getting the one you recommend to protect against those voltage drops when the power returns?

If you already have one then I would say not really. All that one I linked does, is wait 5 mins before switching back.

 

[Lupus]

Lowest I've seen was about 188.
For context, I live in a cottage. My power is fed from the main house AC.
The main house has a solar and inverter system but I am not connected to it, just the regular utility AC.
The main house uses the batteries 90% of the time and I believe it's only set to use the solar panels to charge (might be wrong though).
Is it possible that if the main house batteries are charging from the grid (like at night) that it might cause the voltage drop? I unfortunately can't always access the house to check the inverter's readings...

I also don't know if it might be isolated to our property of if the neighbors have the same issue.


I have a regular surge protector connected to my inverter (This exact one actually) but it seems to only do overcurrent protection.
Is it worth getting the one you recommend to protect against those voltage drops when the power returns?

It is more then likely a carry over from the main house