Correct Inverter Use

[PVX]

Hi everyone - I have a Mecer BBONE 1200VA/2400VA Inverter, it has 2 batteries. I got it around 2 years ago and it has served me really well, it is set up on Online Mode, so when Eskom shuts us down the TV, router and laptop continue running automatically as they are connected to it.

The load is pretty light and in a 2.5 hour loadshedding shift I dont think the battery has ever gone down to 75%, my question is how should this be used to prolong its life as long as possible?

One guy in my office got a similar inverter from Makro but with only 1 battery, and he says his inverter lasts only 30 minutes now?

Mine is on 24/7, every couple of Saturdays when I get a chance and there has been no loadshedding, I connect a few lamps and run it for 3 or 4 hours but other than that, it just runs 24/7 - is this correct?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[TheChamp]

Hi everyone - I have a Mecer BBONE 1200VA/2400VA Inverter, it has 2 batteries. I got it around 2 years ago and it has served me really well, it is set up on Online Mode, so when Eskom shuts us down the TV, router and laptop continue running automatically as they are connected to it.

The load is pretty light and in a 2.5 hour loadshedding shift I dont think the battery has ever gone down to 75%, my question is how should this be used to prolong its life as long as possible?

One guy in my office got a similar inverter from Makro but with only 1 battery, and he says his inverter lasts only 30 minutes now?

Mine is on 24/7, every couple of Saturdays when I get a chance and there has been no loadshedding, I connect a few lamps and run it for 3 or 4 hours but other than that, it just runs 24/7 - is this correct?

Thanks in advance!!!

There is no set time on how long it lasts, it all depends on the load. He could have also discharged the battery too low resulting in premature failure.

 

[PVX]

There is no set time on how long it lasts, it all depends on the load. He could have also discharged the battery too low resulting in premature failure.

Ok - so is the way I am using mine correct? Just leave it on, use it when I need to when loadshedded with a very light load, and in non-loadshedding times, just use it for a couple of hours every week or 2?

 

[TheChamp]

Ok - so is the way I am using mine correct? Just leave it on, use it when I need to when loadshedded with a very light load, and in non-loadshedding times, just use it for a couple of hours every week or 2?

Yes and try not to discharge the batteries below 50% Dod or 12V. You can even leave it permanently connected whether or not you have loadshedding.

 

[SHL]

Yes and try not to discharge the batteries below 50% Dod or 12V. You can even leave it permanently connected whether or not you have loadshedding.

What if it's a Lithium-ion or LiFePo4 battery?

 

[PsyWulf]

Only thing that cuts lifetime is discharges,the deeper and faster the discharge the faster the Lead-dead batteries go dead

 

[itareanlnotani]

If you're using Dead Acid - they have limited lifetime, especially if discharged more than 30-40%. Best to move to LFP in the long run.

Sound like you have planned your load / capacity well though, so you should get a couple of years out of yours.
Plan for 4-5 years at best, after that, ymmv...

 

[die_koos]

There is no set time on how long it lasts, it all depends on the load. He could have also discharged the battery too low resulting in premature failure.

Is there any way you can recover some capacity from the battery after it failed like this?

 

[Mystic Twilight]

Is there any way you can recover some capacity from the battery after it failed like this?

Apparently on lead acids you can desulfate and/or add new sulfuric acid to bring the battery back to life, but that isn't your normal diy job and requires extra tooling and know how.

 

[TheChamp]

Is there any way you can recover some capacity from the battery after it failed like this?

Batteries are generally recyclable and can be reconditioned, I just don't know if it's worth the trouble. It's not going to die the first instance you discharge it but doing that a lot will greatly reduce its lifespan.