Assistance on inverter requirement

[johndoe1983]

Hi all,

bit of a newb on this topic, hence want to reach out to those with knowledge.

we recently purchased a place and want to put a inverter in place to take us through the (many) load sheddings to come.

unfortunately we cannot put any solar in (complex rules) nor any form of noisy generator.
So we are left with just the idea of a inverter...

we need to power over 9 outlets of lights.
Router. Tv (x2). 2x fridges. 2x freezers.

any idea of what size inverter we’d need to see us through minimum 4hrs of load shedding ?

thank you in advance.
JD

 

[AchmatK]

Check all your appliances and add the Watts. This will give you an idea of what you will need of everything is on at the same time.

If not done yet, change lights to LED.

Once you know the Watts, you can then size the inverter and battery bank size depending on how long you want to run the system.

 

[johndoe1983]

So the below is what i'd like to connect to the inverter.
They rest can remain off .Total wattage 696.5

Fridges / freezers is a must (for those that wonder...) wife runs a home based online patisserie

	watts
TV #1	200​
Fridge 1	200​
Freezer 1	27​
Freezer 2	27​
Router	37.5​
Fridge 2	130​
Laptop 1	7​
Laptop 2	60​
Range extender	8​
TOTAL Watts	696.5​

 

[AchmatK]

Lights?

Not sure if you will be splitting your DB or not. I would put everything I want running from backup on its own DB. That way you won't inadvertently pull more than the inverter can supply.

I would also suggest a pure sine wave inverter as you will be running fridges off it.

Others can maybe jump in and suggest which inverter and battery combo will work.

Also what your budget is and if you want to expand on the system later to cater for whole house backup. How long do you need it to run? Stage 2 load shedding or stage 6 load shedding?

 

[thehuman]

Need to put presure on complex to allow solar panels, start chatting to your neighbors. And bring it up at next agm.

 

[johndoe1983]

Lights?

Not sure if you will be splitting your DB or not. I would put everything I want running from backup on its own DB. That way you won't inadvertently pull more than the inverter can supply.

I would also suggest a pure sine wave inverter as you will be running fridges off it.

Others can maybe jump in and suggest which inverter and battery combo will work.

Also what your budget is and if you want to expand on the system later to cater for whole house backup. How long do you need it to run? Stage 2 load shedding or stage 6 load shedding?

I was actually thinking of skipping the lights. no need for that
I can split the DB... obviously would need a electrician to come in and assist with that.

Just purely looking at what a total system like this would set me back (excl. installation)
Budget: +/- R20k

 

[johndoe1983]

Need to put presure on complex to allow solar panels, start chatting to your neighbors. And bring it up at next agm.

agreed... I'll bring it up. I can spin it in certain angles that'll make them think, but i know how fussy they are with regards to making any changes to the exterior (it's in a complex). Not even the outdoor aircon unit is allowed to be in eye sight (has to be hidden behind a wall or on a balcony/behind balcony wall)

 

[Steamy Tom]

So the below is what i'd like to connect to the inverter.
They rest can remain off .Total wattage 696.5

Fridges / freezers is a must (for those that wonder...) wife runs a home based online patisserie

	watts
TV #1	200​
Fridge 1	200​
Freezer 1	27​
Freezer 2	27​
Router	37.5​
Fridge 2	130​
Laptop 1	7​
Laptop 2	60​
Range extender	8​
TOTAL Watts	696.5​

fridges/freezers have a high start up draw.

your numbers seem off...

 

[johndoe1983]

oh, just a 4 hour carry through (stage 2/3)....

 

[johndoe1983]

yeah, wattage requirement is purely based on what i found on the actual supplier website (eg. Samsung Q80 65" uses 200 watts.....) etc.... and that extract per product is what i found everywhere

fridges/freezers have a high start up draw.

your numbers seem off...

 

[Grouter]

Your Budget - 20K...? Sit down, prepare yourself for a bit of a shock.

 

[AchmatK]

I was actually thinking of skipping the lights. no need for that
I can split the DB... obviously would need a electrician to come in and assist with that.

Just purely looking at what a total system like this would set me back (excl. installation)
Budget: +/- R20k

A 2.4kw lithium battery alone will set you back R20k and give enough electricity for just over 3 hours. That's with 700 watts running continuously. Fridges and freezers will obviously not run continuously. You could go with AGM batteries at a cheaper price point but over time the lithium is a better option.

You could go with this Axpert inverter and 12v batteries. https://www.sustainable.co.za/axpert-mex-1-5k-12-1-5kva-1-2kw-12v-hybrid-inverter.html

I would go with the bigger one that's 24v for not much more. https://www.sustainable.co.za/axpert-mks-plus-3kva-2-4kw-24v-hybrid-inverter.html

 

[johndoe1983]

Sit down, prepare yourself for a bit of a shock.

haha. im ready and sitting

 

[johndoe1983]

https://www.sustainable.co.za/axpert-mks-plus-3kva-2-4kw-24v-hybrid-inverter.html

So that price looks good. What else would be needed?

 

[AchmatK]

https://www.sustainable.co.za/axpert-mks-plus-3kva-2-4kw-24v-hybrid-inverter.html

So that price looks good. What else would be needed?

One of these will give you about 3 hours of backup. Could probably run longer as fridges will not run continuously.

BlueNova BN26V-77-2k Mini HP LiFeYPO4 Battery - Sustainable.co.za

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Product Features</strong></p> <ul class=disc> <li>Serial communication (CANBUS) compatible with leading inverters.</li> <li>Local on-demand monitoring of battery performance variables (voltage, temperature, SoC e

www.sustainable.co.za

 

[AchmatK]

@thechamp could provide other options that might cost a bit less.

 

[TheChamp]

@thechamp could provide other options that might cost a bit less.

Yes, I have been pondering this for some time, basically a different branded Axpert, 2400W at half the price, very decent spec.

SYNAPSE 3.0V+

Pure Sine Wave Hybrid Inverter 3KVA~2400W 24VDC 230VAC, Max PV Array: 1000W, Max PV Array OCV:102VDC, 40A Built-in MPPT Solar Charge Controller, 25A Max AC Charge Current, Surge Power 6000VA, Transfer Time:10ms, USB / RS232, 88x225x320mm, 6.0kg Overview Features Wide DC input range Built-in 40A...

www.communica.co.za

 

[TheChamp]

AGM are a good cost effective solution for a backup system, I have been running my inverter on regular flooded batteries for years now, I still get the same run time.

 

[AchmatK]

Yes, I have been pondering this for some time, basically a different branded Axpert, 2400W at half the price, very decent spec.

SYNAPSE 3.0V+

Pure Sine Wave Hybrid Inverter 3KVA~2400W 24VDC 230VAC, Max PV Array: 1000W, Max PV Array OCV:102VDC, 40A Built-in MPPT Solar Charge Controller, 25A Max AC Charge Current, Surge Power 6000VA, Transfer Time:10ms, USB / RS232, 88x225x320mm, 6.0kg Overview Features Wide DC input range Built-in 40A...

www.communica.co.za

Was sure there would be other options. I'm busy with a bigger system so never really looked at the smaller inverters on the market.

Was just trying to steer op in the right direction in terms of what to look at.

 

[deesef]

So the below is what i'd like to connect to the inverter.
They rest can remain off .Total wattage 696.5

Fridges / freezers is a must (for those that wonder...) wife runs a home based online patisserie

	watts
TV #1	200​
Fridge 1	200​
Freezer 1	27​
Freezer 2	27​
Router	37.5​
Fridge 2	130​
Laptop 1	7​
Laptop 2	60​
Range extender	8​
TOTAL Watts	696.5​

I really don't think that your freezers use only 27 Watts each...