Buying a UPS

KOPITE said:
Can anyone tell me why I cannot use my lights when I plug my ups into one of the power sockets in my house. All the plugs works, but not my lights
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That's not a good idea.
 
KOPITE said:
So I bought X2 102ah calcium lead acid batteries, now I want to hook it up to my rct2000vac ups. Which cable is the best to use with it and where in cpt can I get them at a good price.

The guy I bought the batteries from said I should get those welding cables
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They are Lead Calcium batteries , not Calcium Lead Acid. They wont last for more than a year. 6 months from now, watch how your batteries will lose 50% power in just a few minutes.
 
The_Traveller said:
They are Lead Calcium batteries , not Calcium Lead Acid. They wont last for more than a year. 6 months from now, watch how your batteries will lose 50% power in just a few minutes.
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Eish. ......... when I did charge them the first time, they were on about 65%. It took a few hours to fully charge them. I tested them on my 110w 32 lcd, 170w 5.1 surround sound system, Amazon fire tv and Billion router for more then 3hours and it only used about 15-20%. load was about 10-15%.
 
KOPITE said:
Eish. ......... when I did charge them the first time, they were on about 65%. It took a few hours to fully charge them. I tested them on my 110w 32 lcd, 170w 5.1 surround sound system, Amazon fire tv and Billion router for more then 3hours and it only used about 15-20%. load was about 10-15%.
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As I said, after 6 months. Put cash aside monthly for proper 'stationey' batteries meant for this kind of applications.
 
The_Traveller said:
As I said, after 6 months. Put cash aside monthly for proper 'stationey' batteries meant for this kind of applications.
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Don't think I will use it that much also,since we have seldom loadshedding nowadays. Should last me for quite some time.
 
KOPITE said:
Can anyone tell me why I cannot use my lights when I plug my ups into one of the power sockets in my house. All the plugs works, but not my lights
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This.sounds kinda worrying. How did you plug your UPS in so it supplies your sockets?


I recently installed a 24v 3kW inverter with 4 x 225Ah batteries, cost was around R15K but it's been money well spent. It runs my fridge, coffee machine, router, phones, 3 x PC's with printers, 1 x laptop, 1 x router and managed switch and the TV plus LED back-up lighting in every room. I get around 5-6 hours of backup time which has been sufficient so far but if things get worse it has the facility that I can add a PV array and/or another 4 batteries.
 
KOPITE said:
Can anyone tell me why I cannot use my lights when I plug my ups into one of the power sockets in my house. All the plugs works, but not my lights
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Kinda surprised nobody here has torched their place yet...
 
Ok, so my brother is an electrician and he told me that I need to leave the earth leakage on for it too work. I asked him if it's safe doing so, but he said it's only there for protection.

Gonna try it when we have the next **** load.

I'm selling my Mecer 700w 1200va inverter, only used twice. Also selling the 160ah battery in the deal. It will take the load of your 32" LCD, modem and maybe media player for about 1h30 minutes. Battery needs to be reconditioned to get a few more hours out of it.

I will let both go for R1350, preferably ct buyer. Battery is too heavy to ship
 
Bud. Never plug your UPS into a socket outlet in order to power your house. Your going to have a big boom when the normal power returns.
 
Awesum said:
Bud. Never plug your UPS into a socket outlet in order to power your house. Your going to have a big boom when the normal power returns.
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I'm not stupid bud. The Mains is always off even if the power does come on.
 
If you've plugged your UPS into a socket you must have used a lead with a male plug that's live. This arrangement is often referred to as a 'widow maker' for good reason. As already stated and regardless of your brother being an electrician, please don't use this method.
 
Also remember that the house wiring or ups output cable might not be able to handle the current and the insulation will start to melt.
 
Marvo said:
If you've plugged your UPS into a socket you must have used a lead with a male plug that's live. This arrangement is often referred to as a 'widow maker' for good reason. As already stated and regardless of your brother being an electrician, please don't use this method.
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Bra, a lot of guys is using this method
 
KOPITE said:
I'm using 0 gauge cable
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That's 8mm cable. Good luck with that...

1) I highly doubt you'll even manage to get that into a plug,
2) You will overload the wires, easily. Your house is fed with at least 16mm cable,
3) What you are doing, is illegal in terms of SANS 10142,
4) Should you start an electrical fire (and you will), your insurance company will simply laugh at you and your claim.

If your brother, who is an "electrician," told you to do this... I'm sorry to say, but he does not deserve to be called an electrician. Anyways, good luck! Send us some photos of your UPS after it blew up, that's now, if it doesn't burst out in flames first...
 
savage said:
That's 8mm cable. Good luck with that...

1) I highly doubt you'll even manage to get that into a plug,
2) You will overload the wires, easily. Your house is fed with at least 16mm cable,
3) What you are doing, is illegal in terms of SANS 10142,
4) Should you start an electrical fire (and you will), your insurance company will simply laugh at you and your claim.

If your brother, who is an "electrician," told you to do this... I'm sorry to say, but he does not deserve to be called an electrician. Anyways, good luck! Send us some photos of your UPS after it blew up, that's now, if it doesn't burst out in flames first...
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I have to agree 100%

I have a 6kva generator and that cannot handle a house. I switch off the geyser and fridge and stove when I use it.
 
savage said:
That's 8mm cable. Good luck with that...

1) I highly doubt you'll even manage to get that into a plug,
2) You will overload the wires, easily. Your house is fed with at least 16mm cable,
3) What you are doing, is illegal in terms of SANS 10142,
4) Should you start an electrical fire (and you will), your insurance company will simply laugh at you and your claim.

If your brother, who is an "electrician," told you to do this... I'm sorry to say, but he does not deserve to be called an electrician. Anyways, good luck! Send us some photos of your UPS after it blew up, that's now, if it doesn't burst out in flames first...
Click to expand...

I only use it on my 32" LCD TV, modem, 5.1 surround sound system and amazon fire tv. If at night a light or 2. Tested it already and it worked fine without any problems.

I switch off geyser, fridge, stove and any heavy duty stuff.

Ask some other okes on the forum who have exactly the same setup as mine.
 
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