Backup batteries for load-shedding - you get what you pay for

[Kawak]

R150k on an inverter and batteries and it didn't last 6 hours? I call BS or he was completely ripped off.

Client of mine complained at the office the other day, installer never excluded certain appliances, he had aircon and was cooking during load shedding and wonders why the system didn't last.

He paid 100k for 2x growatt and 10kw lithium ion.

 

[dualmeister]

Lol, talk about confusion.

View attachment 1195354

And it's literally a question that I needed answered as well

 

[grok]

See? An amazing Article MyBroadband.

Way better than 4th wave Covid and Ted Blom the grid is gonna collapse

Wow and just look at your humongous contribution..

 

[Neuk_]

AGM is lead acid.

And I personally wouldn't recommend it, just stick with LFP.

 

[Willie Trombone]

There's a guy in my complex who spent ~R150k on an inverter and batteries. Yesterday, JHB Water cut through the Eskom line whilst repairing a water pipe so we've been without either since then. Wealthy bastard spent all that money only to have no power after 6 or 7 hours.

Petrol Generator for the win.

The wealthy bastard is the one who games and watches TV on petrol. mxm

 

[Lupus]

There's a guy in my complex who spent ~R150k on an inverter and batteries. Yesterday, JHB Water cut through the Eskom line whilst repairing a water pipe so we've been without either since then. Wealthy bastard spent all that money only to have no power after 6 or 7 hours.

Petrol Generator for the win.

He spent that without panels? What the hell is he running a sweatshop?

 

[AlphaJohn]

Lol, talk about confusion.

View attachment 1195354

Well technically they both right.

Normal Lithium batteries is not made for the units. They usually take Lead-Acid or gel batteries. The problem comes with charge and discharge rates, and the entry level units have no way of changing or updating the charge curves.

But companies like say Hubble have been making LiFePO4 that directly target said market and program the batteries BMS instead of the unit to be drop in replacements. See Hubble's S range.

 

[dualmeister]

Well technically they both right.

Normal Lithium batteries is not made for the units. They usually take Lead-Acid or gel batteries. The problem comes with charge and discharge rates, and the entry level units have no way of changing or updating the charge curves.

But companies like say Hubble have been making LiFePO4 that directly target said market and program the batteries BMS instead of the unit to be drop in replacements. See Hubble's S range.

Might explain this.

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support)

Yes cause the calculation excludes the 87% efficiency rating of the Mecer also is it not 2h30 per slot? (Hence me using 3 hours on my calc) Note: That is max? It is normally better to gauge on actual rather than max or potential. Second Note: I do not know Lead Carbon's max load/draw so in...

mybroadband.co.za

 

[wingnut771]

Might explain this.

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support)

Yes cause the calculation excludes the 87% efficiency rating of the Mecer also is it not 2h30 per slot? (Hence me using 3 hours on my calc) Note: That is max? It is normally better to gauge on actual rather than max or potential. Second Note: I do not know Lead Carbon's max load/draw so in...

mybroadband.co.za

Doubt it.

 

[RedViking]

Absolutely. That is why I got these babies after my previous "you get what you paid for" died.

Hubble S-100.

Ask @The_Traveller, they are the best.

 

[hyperian]

Can anyone recommend an inverter/charger that'll work with the Hubble S-100 that can plug directly into the mains for AC power? I'm renting so can't wire into the DB. Probably only need 400 watt continuous (pure sine wave) but most of the units I come across are R5k+.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Might explain this.

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support)

Yes cause the calculation excludes the 87% efficiency rating of the Mecer also is it not 2h30 per slot? (Hence me using 3 hours on my calc) Note: That is max? It is normally better to gauge on actual rather than max or potential. Second Note: I do not know Lead Carbon's max load/draw so in...

mybroadband.co.za

Nope:



That will work fine. Must be something else at fault.

 

[Thor]

hu

Pylontech recommended by both.

Hubble also good

 

[AlphaJohn]

Can anyone recommend an inverter/charger that'll work with the Hubble S-100 that can plug directly into the mains for AC power? I'm renting so can't wire into the DB. Probably only need 400 watt continuous (pure sine wave) but most of the units I come across are R5k+.

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support)

This Thread is for the Mecer Inverter only. My personal opinion on the unit: Seeing that there are lots of question and in lots if threads, here is my review/input on the Mecer Inverter. Instead of reposting I'll just reference here. I'll add more info soon. This should give you an idea what...

mybroadband.co.za

 

[hyperian]

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support)

This Thread is for the Mecer Inverter only. My personal opinion on the unit: Seeing that there are lots of question and in lots if threads, here is my review/input on the Mecer Inverter. Instead of reposting I'll just reference here. I'll add more info soon. This should give you an idea what...

mybroadband.co.za

Outputs a modified sine wave, looking for pure sine wave.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Outputs a modified sine wave, looking for pure sine wave.

Modified sine wave is fine for anything that use DC power. The moment you use a transformer to convert AC to DC it doesn't matter if it was pure or not. So modified has no effect on TV, PC, laptop, phone charger or LED lights.

Only time where pure sine matters is when you use strait AC eg: florescent lights, Motors like in a fridge compressor or desk fan and analogue sound.

But if you really want pure check out SYNAPSE 1000W PURE Sine Wave

 

[RedViking]

Can anyone recommend an inverter/charger that'll work with the Hubble S-100 that can plug directly into the mains for AC power? I'm renting so can't wire into the DB. Probably only need 400 watt continuous (pure sine wave) but most of the units I come across are R5k+.

I think finding stock at the moment is the challenge.

Microtek UPS SW MERLYN series 1850 (1850VA) 1480W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 24VDC - GeeWiz

Microtek UPS SW MERLYN series 1850 (1850VA) 1480W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 24VDC for sale online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery

www.geewiz.co.za

 

[hyperian]

I think finding stock at the moment is the challenge.

Microtek UPS SW MERLYN series 1850 (1850VA) 1480W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 24VDC - GeeWiz

Microtek UPS SW MERLYN series 1850 (1850VA) 1480W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 24VDC for sale online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery

www.geewiz.co.za

I'm holding out for a 12V version so that I only need to buy one 12V battery instead of two.

 

[AlphaJohn]

I'm holding out for a 12V version so that I only need to buy one 12V battery instead of two.

SYNAPSE 600W PURE Sine Wave 12V DC

 

[Wall]

Noob here - I've just started reading up on inverters as I'm going to invest in a system soon.

Just as a general guide - How big an inverter would I need to power up lights at home ( 3 bedroom, lounge, kitchen, dining room), TV, router, soundbar, fridge and freezer? I'm also considering powering my alarm and garage doors ( though, not sure that's required as they have a battery backup?)

Thoughts or guidance?

I'm still weighing up Lithium Ion v Lead or gel - leaning towards Lithium at the moment