advice please on replacing the battery in a Mecer inverter ?

[Wild Cape]

Ok I know we have all moved on to better things with lithiums, but I need advice on replacing my elderly folk's
lead acid battery in their Mecer 1000 inverter. Hardly a year ago these were the most popular and common plug
& play inverters available and are still supplied at Builders today. I note there is also an external battery extension connection should we not want to pull the housing apart to install a new battery. I appreciate a Lithium replacement is out the question and probably not compatible given the inverter recharge specs snd settings. There must be hundreds of other folk out there that bought the same Mecer inverter a year or so ago and are now in the same battery predicament ... ?

 

[leon.davibe]

You can happily buy a lifepo4 battery

Others have done this already successfully , have seen some posts on this forum

The lifepo4 voltage range works with the lead acid voltage range, drop in replacement

 

[TheChamp]

Ok I know we have all moved on to better things with lithiums, but I need advice on replacing my elderly folk's
lead acid battery in their Mecer 1000 inverter. Hardly a year ago these were the most popular and common plug
& play inverters available and are still supplied at Builders today. I note there is also an external battery extension connection should we not want to pull the housing apart to install a new battery. I appreciate a Lithium replacement is out the question and probably not compatible given the inverter recharge specs snd settings. There must be hundreds of other folk out there that bought the same Mecer inverter a year or so ago and are now in the same battery predicament ... ?

Those terminals are for an additional battery on top of the one inside, not an option to use them if you don't want to open the case.

I am not sure what advice you need but if it is about opening the case it must be fairly easy, the back looks like the one that has to come off for access to the battery, you should be able to figure it out. Start with the screws that don't have any interface.

 

[Wild Cape]

Cool thanks for the advice here ! I have not seen the inverter myself, but in the detailed instruction manual it strangely gives no info on replacing the battery other than saying it needs to be done by an approved electrician etc. So we just need a 1000W 12V lithium then ? I was under the impression that this inverter would be geared or set for Lead Acid and would only drain the battery down to approx 50% instead of potentially 90%, as one is able to do with Lithiums ?

 

[Wild Cape]

presume this battery will be good. I'm not sure on the terminal set up and compatibility so would need to check this .. https://www.googleadservices.com/pa..._D3u9OCAxXPW0EAHVaeClsQ9aACKAB6BAgEECI&adurl=

 

[leon.davibe]

I would open the case first and measure the original battery

I seem to recall a post of someone that had the battery sitting on top of the case cause the one he bought could not fit inside the case

As far as i have it none of these do a proper shutdown at 50% they tend to do a full discharge

 

[TheChamp]

You will obviously need to be careful that nothing falls inside the case when disassembling as that could cause a short if battery terminals are not covered.

You will unfortunately have to open the case to see the battery type regarding terminals etc.

That type was the expensive option, MyBb is full of peasants so most have the type where the inverter is held on by double sides tape onto the case and the batterues are fastened with a strap.

Takealot

 

[Wild Cape]

I find it strange there are no instructions on battery replacement in the manual ... should be mandatory

 

[Wild Cape]

Those terminals are for an additional battery on top of the one inside, not an option to use them if you don't want to open the case.

I am not sure what advice you need but if it is about opening the case it must be fairly easy, the back looks like the one that has to come off for access to the battery, you should be able to figure it out. Start with the screws that don't have any interface.

Just spoke to Computer Mania where we originally purchased the Mecer inverter. They supply the same replacement deep cycle batteries so no issue on the size or fitting - the Vision 12V 100Ah - R3,300 . As suggested it's a relatively easy couple of screws and remove cover job..

Sadly they were pretty adamant that a Lithium will not work and have been given this info from their suppliers and there is a reference to it I gather in the manual. I would much have preferred to go the Lithium route of course. If any folk out there have first hand experience with using a lithium for this particular inverter, I'm all ears please !

Takealot

 

[ScorpioZA]

I have this unit, the side panel is removable giving you access to the battery. The battery is secured by a metal plate over it. It's a bit of a hassle to remove the battery as it's quite heavy.

Stock battery inside is a 12v Oliter 100AH

 

[ScorpioZA]

This video explains it, different brand but inside is almost identical. The Mecer's panel comes off with 2 slide buttons you press in

 

[TheChamp]

I have this unit, the side panel is removable giving you access to the battery. The battery is secured by a metal plate over it. It's a bit of a hassle to remove the battery as it's quite heavy.

Stock battery inside is a 12v Oliter 100AH

Good battery that Liter, but try lifting two of them to first floor with them not having any handles, whoever decided on that design must be shot.

But mine are still going strong, although solar can make even the most useless battery look good.

 

[ScorpioZA]

Good battery that Liter, but try lifting two of them to first floor with them not having any handles, whoever decided on that design must be shot.

But mine are still going strong, although solar can make even the most useless battery look good.

I have the 200AH version that comes with rope handles. I still use an old skateboard to wheel it around the house lol

 

[leon.davibe]

Been searching to find the post of the guy that put the lithium on top of the device , but no luck yet, will post a link if i find it

I would definitely not buy a gel/lead acid

ie rinse repeat they simply don't last

The voltage of the lifepo4 works perfectly with lead acid cycle

The only thing you have to worry about is if the charger circuit is sub par and can't handle the extra strain cause a lithium soaks up charge

 

[TheChamp]

Just spoke to Computer Mania where we originally purchased the Mecer inverter. They supply the same replacement deep cycle batteries so no issue on the size or fitting - the Vision 12V 100Ah - R3,300 . As suggested it's a relatively easy couple of screws and remove cover job..

Sadly they were pretty adamant that a Lithium will not work and have been given this info from their suppliers and there is a reference to it I gather in the manual. I would much have preferred to go the Lithium route of course. If any folk out there have first hand experience with using a lithium for this particular inverter, I'm all ears please !

Takealot

There is nothing as scandalous as spending R3k on a lead acid battery in 2023, since I have got that out of my chest and out of the way, the general consensus on the forum is that lithium batteries do work with Mecer inverters but the charge settings shoukd be set to 10 amps to prevent overheating of the inverter.

But your decision, technically the supplier is right, but the wording should be, "the inverter is not suitable for use with lithium batteries", not that it doesn't work, that is a little bit on the scare mongering side, but also understandable because the suppliers are the ones who have to explain technical things to non technical people and who deals with the warranty claims.

 

[TheChamp]

Been searching to find the post of the guy that put the lithium on top of the device , but no luck yet, will post a link if i find it

I would definitely not buy a gel/lead acid

ie rinse repeat they simply fon't last

The voltage of the lifepo4 works perfectly with lead acid cycle

The only thing you have to worry about is if the charger circuit is sub par and can't handle the extra strain cause a lithium soaks up charge

Back in the good old days when the buzzing from the Ellies I had was driving me up the walls I devised a similar but even more genius plan, I removed the batteries from the case and shoved the inverter in there, it was the big 24V case so the was lots of room for airflow and Eliies was so kind to drill enough holes on the case. I even used the battery straps to tie the inverter down.

Never had so much inner peace in my life after that, the buzzing was barely audible and everything worked fine, I felt like Jeremy Clarkson after he's had one of his genius moments.

 

[Wild Cape]

Been searching to find the post of the guy that put the lithium on top of the device , but no luck yet, will post a link if i find it

I would definitely not buy a gel/lead acid

ie rinse repeat they simply fon't last

The voltage of the lifepo4 works perfectly with lead acid cycle

The only thing you have to worry about is if the charger circuit is sub par and can't handle the extra strain cause a lithium soaks up charge

totally agree... seems kind of meaningless or purely short term buying lead acids again, so just after 100% proof Lithiums will work here.. have also searched through the posts ..

 

[Wild Cape]

I have the 200AH version that comes with rope handles. I still use an old skateboard to wheel it around the house lol

Yes appreciate the ropes I had with my old Lead acids ...

 

[Wild Cape]

Been searching to find the post of the guy that put the lithium on top of the device , but no luck yet, will post a link if i find it

I would definitely not buy a gel/lead acid

ie rinse repeat they simply fon't last

The voltage of the lifepo4 works perfectly with lead acid cycle

The only thing you have to worry about is if the charger circuit is sub par and can't handle the extra strain cause a lithium soaks up charge

cool, let's hope we can find somebody out there that has done it .. the other issue is finding a

LiFePO4 battery which fits size wise..​

 

[leon.davibe]

I don't know the size of the lalela 80ah battery but assume it might be smaller

THe reduction in size would be offset by having no peukert loss