Backup power for R35k - can it be done?

[PhireSide]

So what with the latest bout of LS, and us finally having the house registered on our name, we can start looking at getting a permanent setup up and running.

I currently have 2x standalone inverters, one powering the reptile tank (Mecer 720W), and the other doing duty keeping the internet/work laptop going during slots (Synapse 600W). The reptile tank has 1x 12V 100aH LA battery, and the other one has 2x 12V 260aH units, but they are at the end of their tether so probably close to 200aH combined capacity for the Synapse.

What I would like to do is get one large inverter that I can connect up with 1x LiFePo4 battery for now, and then gradually expand as I have funds available. I'd ideally like to get solar up and running at a later stage and then up the capacity as and when I am able.

NB points:

• We have a gas hob for cooking, but an electric oven
• We have an electric geyser, but might look at evacuated tube/PV for this if need be
• Our monthly usage is around 350 units per month (prepaid meter)

Is this an attainable figure or should I try and push the budget a bit more? I was thinking of going for an 8kW unit, to ensure I have enough power available if we wanted to run some heavier load items.

Pricing the individual items is easy enough but I'm a bit out of touch when it comes to the ancillaries like a DB, cutover switch if required, labour and miscellaneous expenses so I am not quite sure if my budget would cover the inverter + 1x battery for the time being so that I can run just the basics (lights + few plugs) until we can build up the system bit by bit.

Thanks

 

[joshuatree]

How annoying is the Synapse 600W?

 

[PhireSide]

How annoying is the Synapse 600W?

I've tuned out the fan noise. It's like my tinnitus now

 

[Gaz{M}]

Go on facebook. Search for "solar power". you will get tons of ads for solar packages from SA companies. That's what I did.

That said, R35k isn't quite enough. You would need to budget say R10k more for installation I think, but should be able to get a 5kw inverter and 2.4kwh li battery for R35k. You don't need 8k inverter now and can be strategic what loads you connect to the inverter.

Factor in getting some $$$ for your second hand equipment too.

 

[PhireSide]

OK, so for safety's sake say around R50k all in?

 

[Lupus]

Go on facebook. Search for "solar power". you will get tons of ads for solar packages from SA companies. That's what I did.

That said, R35k isn't quite enough. You would need to budget say R10k more for installation I think, but should be able to get a 5kw inverter and 2.4kwh li battery for R35k. You don't need 8k inverter now and can be strategic what loads you connect to the inverter.

Factor in getting some $$$ for your second hand equipment too.

Yeah I've done that and none of those companies get back to me.

 

[Gaz{M}]

Yeah I've done that and none of those companies get back to me.

Funny, I emailed 6 and all 6 emailed me back with quotes within 24 hours.

 

[PhireSide]

Funny, I emailed 6 and all 6 emailed me back with quotes within 24 hours.

I actually have a recommendation from a family member, I'll get in touch with them and see if they could come and quote me and hopefully not try and go in without lube

 

[agentrfr]

For about R45k you should be able to get a hold of a 48V 100Ah LiFe battery and a 6kW single phase hybrid inverter installed, assuming you have a mate that is an electrician and wont charge you an arm and a leg to do the install and the COC

 

[Lupus]

Funny, I emailed 6 and all 6 emailed me back with quotes within 24 hours.

You're lucky, mailed a lot of them and only one came through and he said he'll send someone to check, this is 2 months later.

 

[TheChamp]

Your big inverter and other stuff later plan won't solve your current problem, go for a quality package that you can still use when you have installed a more sophisticated system or sell for a decent amount. Or spend slightly more and start on a good footing, R35k won't work.

Something like this,

Blue Nova Energy - CPS 3000 - 2.8k Compact Power Station

Datasheet: https://www.bluenova.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BN_CPS3000-2.8k.pdf

leroymerlin.co.za

 

[ProfA]

Why are electrician's rates such a rip-off when it comes to solar installations?

 

[neoprema]

I'm in a similar boat, and similar budget for now as I've spent who knows how much on home repairs and alterations and am sitting with a few 720W Mecers..

I've tried online power calculators but i'm worried they might not be correct.

Could someone here in the know perhaps comment on what the +/- load would be of the following:
1 x 65" TV, 3 x 42" TVs, 2 x Decoders, 2 x AppleTV, 3 x Wifi Routers, 1x 8-channel CCTV + 8 cameras, 1 x DSC alarm panel/controller, 3 x DSC wireless repeaters, 3 x 22" LED screens, 2 x Laptops, 1 x NUC, 1x Electric fence Energizer, 20 x 5W LEDs.

I'm still stuck between:
1. Getting an electrician to re-wire the 3-phase DB board so lights+plugs are on their own circuit that 1 phase inverter could power OR
2. Getting an electrician to run a separate circuit throughout the house (RED power) coming back to an inverter.

 

[PhireSide]

Your big inverter and other stuff later plan won't solve your current problem, go for a quality package that you can still use when you have installed a more sophisticated system or sell for a decent amount. Or spend slightly more and start on a good footing, R35k won't work.

Something like this,

Blue Nova Energy - CPS 3000 - 2.8k Compact Power Station

Datasheet: https://www.bluenova.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BN_CPS3000-2.8k.pdf

leroymerlin.co.za

I'd rather spend the R50k than spend R35k and then another R50k on top of that in a year or two, yes I could sell the old stuff but getting more than 60% of the value back would be pushing it, and then having to sell a relatively niche product as well would be tricky.

The one you linked would probably not be sufficient for my needs, 3kW is a bit lightweight for my usage I think. And all it is is an inverter, a DB, some batteries mounted to a plate by the looks of things?

 

[TheChamp]

I'd rather spend the R50k than spend R35k and then another R50k on top of that in a year or two, yes I could sell the old stuff but getting more than 60% of the value back would be pushing it, and then having to sell a relatively niche product as well would be tricky.

The one you linked would probably not be sufficient for my needs, 3kW is a bit lightweight for my usage I think. And all it is is an inverter, a DB, some batteries mounted to a plate by the looks of things?

Yes, it is a full plug n play solution.

I get you, whatever you do make sure it can cater for your current needs because R35k is just good enough for a 8kW inverter if you are going for the popular Sunsynk.

If I was in your position I would go for a 5kW inverter that is capable of being paralleled at a later stage, R35k would easily get you one and a 3.5 to 5kWh battery, also make sure to go for a brand that supports scalability.

Do note that even if you get the 8kW inverter you are not necessarily going to be able to run 8kW worth of load on it, you would need a massive battery for that, so for now it would probably be an 8kW that is only good for about 3kW depending on what battery you can get in your budget.

 

[PhireSide]

Yes, it is a full plug n play solution.

I get you, whatever you do make sure it can cater for your current needs because R35k is just good enough for a 8kW inverter if you are going for the popular Sunsynk.

If I was in your position I would go for a 5kW inverter that is capable of being paralleled at a later stage, R35k would easily get you one and a 3.5 to 5kWh battery, also make sure to go for a brand that supports scalability.

That is quite an idea that, to get one that I can hook up to a second one if/when the need arises.

I don't mind doing the labour myself and getting a sparky in to do the CoC either. But at this stage the worst will be hooking up the secondary DB. There's no at heights work required as I'm not putting up solar yet, so it's just focusing on the inverter + batteries + ancillaries for now.

I must do my famous spreadsheeting tonight, and see what combo I can come up with

 

[Budza]

So what with the latest bout of LS, and us finally having the house registered on our name, we can start looking at getting a permanent setup up and running.

I currently have 2x standalone inverters, one powering the reptile tank (Mecer 720W), and the other doing duty keeping the internet/work laptop going during slots (Synapse 600W). The reptile tank has 1x 12V 100aH LA battery, and the other one has 2x 12V 260aH units, but they are at the end of their tether so probably close to 200aH combined capacity for the Synapse.

What I would like to do is get one large inverter that I can connect up with 1x LiFePo4 battery for now, and then gradually expand as I have funds available. I'd ideally like to get solar up and running at a later stage and then up the capacity as and when I am able.

NB points:

• We have a gas hob for cooking, but an electric oven
• We have an electric geyser, but might look at evacuated tube/PV for this if need be
• Our monthly usage is around 350 units per month (prepaid meter)

Is this an attainable figure or should I try and push the budget a bit more? I was thinking of going for an 8kW unit, to ensure I have enough power available if we wanted to run some heavier load items.

Pricing the individual items is easy enough but I'm a bit out of touch when it comes to the ancillaries like a DB, cutover switch if required, labour and miscellaneous expenses so I am not quite sure if my budget would cover the inverter + 1x battery for the time being so that I can run just the basics (lights + few plugs) until we can build up the system bit by bit.

Thanks

I'm looking at something similar:

DIY Solar Power Station: Bad idea?

Looking at something like this: https://flexopower.co.za/collections/lithium-solar-combo/products/combo-lithium555-namib150 AC output: rating 500W max. (1.000W peak), pure sine, 50Hz. Standard with 2 x South African plugs integrated. No extra adapters required. DC output: 1 x 12V CLA, 2 x 12V...

mybroadband.co.za

DIY version of https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/backup-power-for-r35k-can-it-be-done.1183300/post-29199058

With solar input option to top it up during the day. If I can fully run the day load off solar that's a bonus.

Are you interested in solar input?

If we get sustained Level 6 it'll be a welcome help through the day...

 

[ADrunkTeddyBear]

OK, so for safety's sake say around R50k all in?

Yep. My first phase cost me R60k, (6 x 455W panels, Deye 5kw inverter, Install, sundries )

 

[PhireSide]

I'm looking at something similar:

DIY Solar Power Station: Bad idea?

Looking at something like this: https://flexopower.co.za/collections/lithium-solar-combo/products/combo-lithium555-namib150 AC output: rating 500W max. (1.000W peak), pure sine, 50Hz. Standard with 2 x South African plugs integrated. No extra adapters required. DC output: 1 x 12V CLA, 2 x 12V...

mybroadband.co.za

DIY version of https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/backup-power-for-r35k-can-it-be-done.1183300/post-29199058

With solar input option to top it up during the day. If I can fully run the day load off solar that's a bonus.

Are you interested in solar input?

If we get sustained Level 6 it'll be a welcome help through the day...

I'd definitely look at solar at a later stage, adding panels as funds are available! I'll had a look at your thread now

 

[Mzezman]

some examples you could get

Hybrid 5kW - Wall-Mounted Backup - Load Shedding Kit

Hybrid 5kW Hybrid Load Shedding Kit with a 4.8kWh Wall Mounted Battery, perfect for those wanting to go solar later.

solaradvice.co.za

Load Shedding Kits | Hybrid 5kW - Rack-Mounted Backup | Shop Now

This Load Shedding Kit will set you up for a bright future. Included are a quality 5kW Hybrid Inverter and your choice of rack-mounted batteries. Adding solar panels later will make you energy independent. Say goodbye to high electricity bills and load shedding.

solaradvice.co.za

Hybrid 5kW - Wall-Mounted Backup - Load Shedding Kit

Hybrid 5kW Hybrid Load Shedding Kit with a 4.8kWh Wall Mounted Battery, perfect for those wanting to go solar later.

solaradvice.co.za

im sure with more searching you could get more variety / cost saving