Advice on best inverter solution for my needs

AlphaJohn said:
The real problem:
When I tested my Fridge/Freezer with a Kill-A-Watt Idle is about 35W and the Compressor spike 600W for 1 millisecond and then drop to 200-230W for about 10-30 min's depending on internal temp.
^ That info is what made me pick the Kool 1KW pure sine PPS
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What size fridge do you have? This is the info I got off the back of mine:
Fridge specs.jpg

AlphaJohn said:
Oh and maybe look/swicth to UHT milk, last longer ;)
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Lol - it just doesn't taste the same!
 
ros_b said:
What size fridge do you have? This is the info I got off the back of mine:
View attachment 1507455


Lol - it just doesn't taste the same!
Click to expand...

Old double door fridge freeze one that came out before the A+++ sticker invention. ie: back in the simple ABC days.

Energy-Sticker-1024x509.jpg
 
leon.davibe said:
I work from the assumption that if people ask questions/advice they are at the point where they don't want to pay the premium and are willing to "connect the wires"

Maybe this assumption is wrong apologies
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If someone is asking questions it just means they want information. That's the foundation I work from.

But if we start from the beginning of this thread, I always assume that people want the easiest and cheapest solution.

If you present them with something and then they say "Oh, it's too expensive", you then go down the rabbit hole to cheaper options, including building something themselves. But starting with "oh, you're going to need weeks/months to learn and then you will need to get parts and and and...

I mean, you mentioned if people can wire a plug they can build an inverter, I'd say the two things are very different, although both are quite dangerous if you **** it up, and building your own inverter solution is a lot easier to mess up than wiring a plug, especially if you are new to building anything electrical.
 
ros_b said:
What size fridge do you have? This is the info I got off the back of mine:
View attachment 1507455


Lol - it just doesn't taste the same!
Click to expand...

Like AlphaJohn suggested, get a Kill-A-Watt meter (buy or borrow one), plug your fridge into it and see what it reads when you turn it on. That's the most effective way to find what the surge will be since it's not on the back of the fridge.
 
zolly said:
Like AlphaJohn suggested, get a Kill-A-Watt meter (buy or borrow one), plug your fridge into it and see what it reads when you turn it on. That's the most effective way to find what the surge will be since it's not on the back of the fridge.
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Defy tells me "Starting capacitor is 1200kW and running capacitor is 950kW"
 
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ros_b said:
Defy tells me "Starting capacitor is 1200kW and running capacitor is 950kW"
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So basically any solution you get needs to have a maximum peak of 1200kW, and be able to handle a standard load of 950kW when the fridge is cooling itself.
 
ros_b said:
Defy tells me "Starting capacitor is 1200kW and running capacitor is 950kW"
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zolly said:
So basically any solution you get needs to have a maximum peak of 1200kW, and be able to handle a standard load of 950kW when the fridge is cooling itself.
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1200kW & 950kW!!!! <-- :oops:

950 000W and 1 200 000W

The fak you freezing? Earth?
 
Last edited:
From what i see on american sites they say

The startup current varies in different stages of startup

ie 2-3-6 times running watts
But the rule of thumb for that
initial start is 6x the running figure (salt first time i get this as i was googling specifically for it)

Keep in mind most inverters cater for this startup and can handle double their rated output for startup

So a 1kw will definitely be able to run your fridge and a 600-700w inverter should be able to start it up too

Just gotta check that the item you buy has a surge capacity as expected

But do keep in mind that running induction devics you should make sure to get pure sine wave inverter , as they say these devices run hotter on modified sine wave causing decreased life expectancy

Though not all modified sine wave inverters as equal and some might be less risky than others , better safe than sorry
 
leon.davibe said:
This unit has a nice ac charger that can put back all you take out of the battery and if ever you decide to expand batteries it can cope with that



www.electromannsa.com

SUN NM-2000-12 2KVA 12v Pure Sine Wave Hybrid Solar Inverter

SUN 2KVA 12v Pure Sine Wave Hybrid Solar Inverter 24V to 230V with 80A MPPT Charge Controller and AC Charger (10005952) Package Contents: 1x Hybrid Inverter 1x User Manual 2x DC Battery Cables
www.electromannsa.com www.electromannsa.com
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Does anybody own this inverter and have they tried to run a microwave from it?
 
Dwala said:
Does anybody own this inverter and have they tried to run a microwave from it?
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That would depend on your microwave, on high mine uses around 2.5kW, but it would work fine on a lower power setting.

1600W from a 12V supply would mean that you're hammering your battery hard.
 
Ϲhristopher said:
That would depend on your microwave, on high mine uses around 2.5kW, but it would work fine on a lower power setting.

1600W from a 12V supply would mean that you're hammering your battery hard.
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Yes, the inverter would probably need two 100ah batteries to sustain such loads. It is not clear from the specs of the inverter what is the peak power and how long it can sustain it. Couldn't get an answer from the supplier either
 
Ϲhristopher said:
That would depend on your microwave, on high mine uses around 2.5kW, but it would work fine on a lower power setting.

1600W from a 12V supply would mean that you're hammering your battery hard.
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Depends on microwave behavuour

From what i have seen on mines behaviour
50% power just means 100% power 50% of the time

ie in defrost it will spin the tray and light stays on

And you can hear the power kick in for a few seconds every now and then

Ie i hear the inverter fans change when it kicks in and out
 
leon.davibe said:
Depends on microwave behavuour

From what i have seen on mines behaviour
50% power just means 100% power 50% of the time

ie in defrost it will spin the tray and light stays on

And you can hear the power kick in for a few seconds every now and then

Ie i hear the inverter fans change when it kicks in and out
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Good point, we have an inverter microwave, so the consumption should stay constant.
 
Ϲhristopher said:
Good point, we have an inverter microwave, so the consumption should stay constant.
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Yea have not read up much on types of microwaves , only in south africa do you have to google how every device in your house works :)
 
Reviving this thread because I haven't bought anything yet but with the Black Friday deals floating around this month, the time might be now. Can anyone recommend a system to suit my needs that's on sale? I notice the EcoFlow River 2 Max is marked down from R13K to R8K, and according to the Ecoflow support person I emailed, this would cover my needs. Would it? Thanks!
 
The river is just 0.5kwh

For a bit more money you can get 1.28kwh

Axpert Type Pure Sine 1000VA Inverter Trolley + 1x 100Ah LITHIUM Battery (6 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 1000W (60A MPPT - 720W) Hybrid - With LITHIUM Battery (+-5000 cycles) - 1280Wh - GeeWiz

Axpert Type Pure Sine 1000VA Inverter Trolley + 1x 100Ah LITHIUM Battery (6 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 1000W (60A MPPT - 720W) Hybrid - With LITHIUM Battery (+-5000 cycles) - 1280Wh for sale online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za

Just the first thing i see on geewiz have not looked around for specials
 
And a bit more again 5x the river capacity

And double vs the 10k option

solarwarehousesa.com

Fivestar 1200w 12v Hybrid Ups Solar Ready Inverter Trolley 200Ah Lithi

The perfect solution for load shedding! The all-in-one portable plug & play inverter battery trolley system (Heavy Duty Inverter Trolley) Easy portable compact unit with lock wheels as well as handles to carry the system. PLEASE NOTE TROLLEYS TAKE 2-3 HOURS TO ASSEMBLE What is an all-in-one...
solarwarehousesa.com solarwarehousesa.com

Yes the quality of the ecoflow may be better

But 0.5kwh isn't a lot you definitely won't be running anything more than a tv/internet on a 4hrs shedding
 
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