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

[PaulMurkin]

SYNAPSE 600W PURE Sine Wave 12V DC

Available in the Western Cape at Brights Hardware

 

[PaulMurkin]

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?

Advice: Do what I did... take the lights off grid, make 'em 12V DC like I did...
To run that set up you need 3.5kVA at least

 

[Neuk_]

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

We use a small 3kVa inverter which handles the bulk of the house, including tumble dryer, washing machine, dishwasher or microwave if there is enough sun available but I would still recommend at least a 5kVa to be more future proof. As for batteries, invest in LFP (lithium) for the long term.

 

[wingnut771]

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

This mentions PSW.

Mecer Inverter 1Kw 12V-Pure Sine Wave- Cabinet on wheels – Includes 1x100Ah Bat -360 W Solar charge controller- Del Charges Extra – Manhattan Computer Solutions

mhn.co.za

Also PSW:

Synapse UPS 600W 12V DC - 230V AC, pure sine wave

Synapse 600w UPS Inverter: The Synapse 600w UPS is designed to work and protect electronic appliances and serves as a backup device in extremely hostile power environments. It comes with an AC input that allows the battery bank to be charged through the grid (cable included). An extra-wide input...

powerforum-store.co.za

 

[RaptorSA]

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

4.8 kW min. would be my suggestion.
That's enough to run all that stuff with some headroom if someone switches on a kettle or something.

Here's some info on a quick and dirty whitepaper I did last year on the system I have and what you can expect...
The below usage ended up at 4 hours with 50% charge left (25% usable since my cutoff or depth of discharge is at 25%)

 

[PaulMurkin]

We use a small 3kVa inverter which handles the bulk of the house, including tumble dryer, washing machine, dishwasher or microwave if there is enough sun available but I would still recommend at least a 5kVa to be more future proof. As for batteries, invest in LFP (lithium) for the long term.

A 3kVA inverter running a tumble drier? Are you sure about that...? My tumble driver pulls more than that, mine causes a 6.5kVA generator to have a hard time...

 

[Neuk_]

A 3kVA inverter running a tumble drier? Are you sure about that...? My tumble driver pulls more than that, mine causes a 6.5kVA generator to have a hard time...

100% sure. It is an old Bosch tumble dryer rated at a max power draw of 2700w but we run it in low heat operation so it only uses around 1400 - 1500w.

 

[itareanlnotani]

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

lighting - assuming you've converted to LED won't be much. - can budget 5w/bulb maybe, so <100W for the house easily.

If you still have halogen or tungsten bulbs (the old style incandescents), then replace, immediately.
If you have CCFL, I'd replace too, but dispose of as hazardous waste - they contain mercury. IMHO CCFL should never have been allowed on sale here.

TV guesstimate around 2-300w if LCD depending on size.
Soundbar - 20-30w
Fridge 50-100w but can spike to 2-3KW when compressor kicks in.
Freezer (same) as fridge.

Alarm and garage doors won't use much, although they are inefficient things. Maybe 50w for the both.

100+ 300+30+200+50 = 700w ish rounded up.

I'd suggest at minimum get something that will be useful down the line.
Spend and get a Sunsynk 5kw. 8kw if you have more money to spend.

Storage, you can get away with 5KW for your basic needs for a few hours of load shedding (5000/700) = 7hrs odd.

My suggestion for you would be spend on a Hubble 5.5 KW - those are 25k
Spend on a Sunsynk 5KW inverter - that will be another 20k ish.

Install say 5-15k, and you're at 50-60k

However, thats also good for a solar install in the future, so you can reduce power later.


You might be thinking - hmm, thats a lot of cash. I can go for something cheaper.
You can, and have a system you're going to need to replace in 2-3 years.
Trust me, its worth getting the right thing now, and then being able to expand, vs outright replace in the future.

 

[PaulMurkin]

100% sure. It is an old Bosch tumble dryer rated at a max power draw of 2700w but we run it in low heat operation so it only uses around 1400 - 1500w.

OK that explains it...

 

[Wall]

4.8 kW min. would be my suggestion.
That's enough to run all that stuff with some headroom if someone switches on a kettle or something.

Here's some info on a quick and dirty whitepaper I did last year on the system I have and what you can expect...
The below usage ended up at 4 hours with 50% charge left (25% usable since my cutoff or depth of discharge is at 25%)

View attachment 1195488
View attachment 1195486

 

[Napalm2880]

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

Panels are underperforming with all the rainy and overcast days we've been having. His roof and angle of his house isn't suitable for lots of panels either.

 

[Kawak]

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

An Axpert inverter is the cheapest option pure sine, 3KW unit on 24V batteries will likely set you back 7.5k, batteries are much cheaper if you get 3.2v LFP batteries and string them up yourself with BMS, a 5kw will be around 15 to 17k.

Only downside to this system is for solar, mppt likely won't be on it, 24v is also not going to be an easy solar fit.

 

[Nerfherder]

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.

Should have spend some of that on PV.

I don't know how you spend that much and don't get PV.

 

[Neuk_]

Panels are underperforming with all the rainy and overcast days we've been having. His roof and angle of his house isn't suitable for lots of panels either.

So the R150k includes some PV as well and not just an inverter and batteries?

 

[Hoffie Hoffmann]

Two years ago I bought from Takealot an Ellies inverter and Royal 100Ah battery. It so happened that for six months no power outage took place. Then it hit us. The first outage the battery powered my TV for 2,5 hours. Same days later a mere 45 minutes. And then with each furher outage 20 minutes. I thought the Ellies unit could not keep up so I seperately charged the batter to a load rating of 12,3 volts. Still only 20 minutes. I contacted Takealot only to find the battery came with only 6 month warrant, so: so sad poor lad your dad. The battery supplier never responded to my queries….

 

[Snyper564]

So the R150k includes some PV as well and not just and inverter and batteries?

my system less one battery and 5kw not 8kw would be around R150

Batteries are a massive expense in the system

Snyper's Solar Farm

Hi all, I am finally getting round to making this thread. After loads of research and another bout of load shedding I finally decided to pull the trigger and load shed Eskom. Prior to going solar I already had all the lights on LEDs, house is kitted with energy efficient appliances and...

mybroadband.co.za

 

[The_Traveller]

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.

Remind me , how many years are you using these Hubble batteries for ?

 

[RedViking]

Remind me , how many years are you using these Hubble batteries for ?

Can you please ask me in 10 years again?

 

[The_Traveller]

Can you please ask me in 10 years again?

You didn't answer my question , but ...

10 years from now i pray you have gone all out solar with proper equipment.

 

[RedViking]

You didn't answer my question , but ...

10 years from now i pray you have gone all out solar with proper equipment.

I Answered you with a question, you didnt like the answer. Now wait.