Basic solution UPS/Inverter+Battery for working from home

[deekay]

I need some help guys, just want to be able to survive loadshedding bout for 4 hours and 30 mins working from home on my laptop.

Devices I need that are just to be able to survive a workday if power goes out - laptop, router and monitor.
Max total power from the labels is about 115w.

Details
1. Lenovo Thinkpad x250 = 45w
2. Dell 24" LED Monitor = 25w
3. Asus RT-AC68U AC1900 Router = 33w
4. Huawei Echolife HG8040H ONT = 12w
Total = 115w

I want a simple solution that I just plugin, preferably just from one supplier.

I have seen the Tescom Long run UPS devices plus battery (100AH) quoted for around R4600.
https://upswarehouse.co.za/product/apex-plus-600va-300w/

Would this one meet my needs?

 

[Hamster]

I power my ONT + Router for about 4 hours using this:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

m.takealot.com

Plug and play. Batteries haven't degraded yet and been running it for quite some time.

I don't power a monitor with it though and also don't know if it was overkill. There's a thread here somewhere where people made calculations on the aH etc you need.

 

[deekay]

I power my ONT + Router for about 4 hours using this:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

m.takealot.com

Plug and play. Batteries haven't degraded yet and been running it for quite some time.

I don't power a monitor with it though and also don't know if it was overkill. There's a thread here somewhere where people made calculations on the aH etc you need.

Nice, thanks. This is a good alternative if want to keep just the internet alive.
The problem is, I don't think my laptop would survive a full 4h 30 mins and would need some juice.
The monitor a bonus, so I could possibly do without if I really have to, but I think it does boost productivity a bit.

 

[Squashmaster]

I need some help guys, just want to be able to survive loadshedding bout for 4 hours and 30 mins working from home on my laptop.

Devices I need that are just to be able to survive a workday if power goes out - laptop, router and monitor.
Max total power from the labels is about 115w.

Details
1. Lenovo Thinkpad x250 = 45w
2. Dell 24" LED Monitor = 25w
3. Asus RT-AC68U AC1900 Router = 33w
4. Huawei Echolife HG8040H ONT = 12w
Total = 115w

I want a simple solution that I just plugin, preferably just from one supplier.

I have seen the Tescom Long run UPS devices plus battery (100AH) quoted for around R4600.
https://upswarehouse.co.za/product/apex-plus-600va-300w/

Would this one meet my needs?

I am so pleased you have asked the question, I am waiting to see a definitive solution, I have a RAIN outdoor router and laptop that I want to run for 3 or so hours, haven't had one straight answer yet, so I am watching this post carefully !

 

[netcruiser]

These work great:

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

 

[deekay]

These work great:

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

Thanks, I see so many posts so the Mecer inverters must be quite popular.

Based on my power requirements and wanting an all in one solution, it seems their most suitable option would be the lower end ones?

Mecer 1200va with 100ah for 4 hour battery life kit?

1200VA Mecer Inverter + 100AH Battery (4 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 720W (150-200 cycles) - 12 Month Warranty

Mecer Inverter 1200VA (720W) + 20A Charger SIMILAR to INTELLIPOWER 2 or TESCOM 1000VA UNIT Includes 1x 100Ah Battery + Battery Case All cabling included 12-month warranty on the inverter PLEASE NOTE: The 4-hour battery life is based on a 150W consumption. Typically, a TV, lamp, wifi router, and...

www.geewiz.co.za

 

[The_Traveller]

Thanks, I see so many posts so the Mecer inverters must be quite popular.

Based on my power requirements and wanting an all in one solution, it seems their most suitable option would be the lower end ones?

Mecer 1200va with 100ah for 4 hour battery life kit?

1200VA Mecer Inverter + 100AH Battery (4 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 720W (150-200 cycles) - 12 Month Warranty

Mecer Inverter 1200VA (720W) + 20A Charger SIMILAR to INTELLIPOWER 2 or TESCOM 1000VA UNIT Includes 1x 100Ah Battery + Battery Case All cabling included 12-month warranty on the inverter PLEASE NOTE: The 4-hour battery life is based on a 150W consumption. Typically, a TV, lamp, wifi router, and...

www.geewiz.co.za

your load being 115w will give you 5 hours at 50% dod, but make sure you don’t go plugging in any more than this, and make sure you don’t discharge deeper than 50% on a constant basis.

 

[deekay]

your load being 115w will give you 5 hours at 50% dod, but make sure you don’t go plugging in any more than this, and make sure you don’t discharge deeper than 50% on a constant basis.

Thanks, this Mecer looks like a very suitable option.

Would the lower spec Apex Plus 600VA/300w + same battery also be Ok or not or it not enough.

 

[The_Traveller]

Thanks, this Mecer looks like a very suitable option.

Would the lower spec Apex Plus 600VA/300w + same battery also be Ok or not or it not enough.

You will need a 100Ah battery , and 300w inverter will be OK .

Also just make sure the charger is minimum 10A and max 20A

 

[wingnut771]

You will need a 100Ah battery , and 300w inverter will be OK .

Also just make sure the charger is minimum 10A and max 20A

surely a lower A is fine, it just takes longer to charge? i have an optimate 6 rated at 5A.

 

[Paul_S]

surely a lower A is fine, it just takes longer to charge? i have an optimate 6 rated at 5A.

Yes, lower is fine but you want to fully charge the battery before the next bout of load shedding hits to prevent deep discharging of the battery. If you have a 4 hour charge window and a 100Ah battery discharged to 50% of capacity then a 6A charger is not going to fully charge the battery (50Ah) before the next load shedding hits.

 

[wingnut771]

Yes, lower is fine but you want to fully charge the battery before the next bout of load shedding hits to prevent deep discharging of the battery. If you have a 4 hour charge window and a 100Ah battery discharged to 50% of capacity then a 6A charger is not going to fully charge the battery (50Ah) before the next load shedding hits.

thanks, there is enough time, was only getting hit 2 hours a day.