Ellies Inverter Quality

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Nev1

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I have purchased the Ellies Inverter package (1200W/2000VA) which is connected to 2 12V (104ah) batteries. I have placed it in the lounge, as it will only be powering the TV (DSTV) and some lights, and it appears to be performing well.

I would like to get a sense of the Inverter's quality. Does anyone else have a similar setup and have you had to have it repaired or serviced at all. Do you leave it on permanently (keeping the battery charged) and operating like a UPS.

Lastly, I have noticed that when the Inverter is powered on (not charging and not actively supplying power during a power failure) that there is a "harmonic"/light buzzing noise that cycles somewhat. From about 4 meters away it is barely audible though definitely present. Has anyone else experienced this with their Inverter. Surely whilst powered on though at "rest" it should not be making any electrical noises.

Thanks
 
That is an overkill inverter for a TV, decoder and lights.
My 47" Samsung, switch and Roku pull 150W tops.
If you lights are 60W or > then I suppose you need it.

I don't know your inverter specifically, but the one in my home office is silent. I can hear a slight buzz coming from the batteries when on battery though. Have to almost stick my head in the battery box to hear it.

Upstairs I am trying out an Evo1400 UPS hooked up to a 70Ah battery. There I can hear a bit of buzzing from the UPS. Nothing hectic though.
Load upstairs is 130W (42", sound bar, wifi and switch). Should get just over 3 hours on this without hitting 50% discharge.

It is silent when fully charge and running on Eskom though.
 
I haven't used a huge array of inverters but of the 3-4 models I found the square wave to have a buzz and the sine wave to be silent. Huge price difference too.
 
biometrics said:
I haven't used a huge array of inverters but of the 3-4 models I found the square wave to have a buzz and the sine wave to be silent. Huge price difference too.
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You have a point - never thought of that.
My new one is pure and silent. My intellipower 4 is modified and had a slight buzz. That broke though and got a new one coming in a few days.
 
@Mike, I assume those are LED TV's as my older LCD's draw:

32" Samsung TV = 130 W
46" Samsung LFD = 250 W
 
I have a Tedelex 1200w UPS that I use for my TV. Not sure how this differs from the Ellies unit.

This is a modified sine wave.

I am sure that it is overkill, but I know that the TV, a 50" plasma, uses 300w. And there is also a PS3, Openview decoder, Roku 3 and Yamaha amplifier. Also a LG DVD/HD Recorder.

The unit is quiet when in standby, but there is a fan that goes on when the battery power kicks in, or when the battery is charging.

One thing that I don't know about this unit, is whether it could charge lead-crystal batteries, as I am considering switching over to those. Lead-Crystal batteries need 14.4v to 14.8v to charge. Maybe I should just force it into a charge cycle and try to measure it.

Edit : Hmm, I have just checked the specs, my unit only charges at 13.7 volts, I will have to research the impact of this on Lead-Crystal batteries.

This is what I am looking at : http://deltecpower.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Deltec-Lead-Crystal-Batteries.pdf

Because these batteries can be discharged 100%, they effectively have double the capacity of ordinary lead-acid batteries, and they last 3 to 4 times as long.
 
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biometrics said:
@Mike, I assume those are LED TV's as my older LCD's draw:

32" Samsung TV = 130 W
46" Samsung LFD = 250 W
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Yes, LED back-lit.

The 42" Sammy upstairs with a soundbar, Roku, Asus N66U and Netgear switch pulls 130W total. About 90W or so for the TV.

In the lounge is a 47" Sammy, Roku and switch. 150W total.
 
Jola said:
I have a Tedelex 1200w UPS that I use for my TV. Not sure how this differs from the Ellies unit.

This is a modified sine wave.

I am sure that it is overkill, but I know that the TV, a 50" plasma, uses 300w. And there is also a PS3, Openview decoder, Roku 3 and Yamaha amplifier. Also a LG DVD/HD Recorder.

The unit is quiet when in standby, but there is a fan that goes on when the battery power kicks in, or when the battery is charging.

One thing that I don't know about this unit, is whether it could charge lead-crystal batteries, as I am considering switching over to those. Lead-Crystal batteries need 14.4v to 14.8v to charge. Maybe I should just force it into a charge cycle and try to measure it.

Edit : Hmm, I have just checked the specs, my unit only charges at 13.7 volts, I will have to research the impact of this on Lead-Crystal batteries.

This is what I am looking at : http://deltecpower.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Deltec-Lead-Crystal-Batteries.pdf

Because these batteries can be discharged 100%, they effectively have double the capacity of ordinary lead-acid batteries, and they last 3 to 4 times as long.
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This is interesting. Do you have any prices? I am keen to look at these.

My inverter has a 10A/20A toggle charger. Will this be sufficient for these batteries?
 
Mike Smit said:
This is interesting. Do you have any prices? I am keen to look at these.

My inverter has a 10A/20A toggle charger. Will this be sufficient for these batteries?
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The charging rate should be fine, but the ideal charge voltage / cycle is a bit different.

Not sure what the impact of this will be, possibly just a slight undercharge, which is fine considering that you can run these down to 0%.

I am tempted to buy two to check it out.

Here : http://www.bushpower.co.za/products.asp?pid=583

It looks expensive, but considering the characteristics of the batteries, it is actually dirt cheap.
 
Jola said:
The charging rate should be fine, but the ideal charge voltage / cycle is a bit different.

Not sure what the impact of this will be, possibly just a slight undercharge, which is fine considering that you can run these down to 0%.

I am tempted to buy two to check it out.

Here : http://www.bushpower.co.za/products.asp?pid=583

It looks expensive, but considering the characteristics of the batteries, it is actually dirt cheap.
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Wowie. When you consider what you are getting they are cheap.
Just the fact you can totally discharge them makes them cheaper. And if they last 3 to 4 times longer it becomes a no brainer really.
But Ye - still need R7k to drop.
 
Re lead-crystal batteries, check this out :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B74IvpUlQ0Y

Final : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O45eLd5YotM

In short, if you don't want to watch it all, it seems that lead-crystal is way better than lead-acid, especially if you run the batteries right down.

I still get the impression (from the second video) that you do need a proper lead-crystal charger, even if only every few cycles.

Maybe I will use a pair of these with my UPS, and then charge them with a proper lead-crystal charger once a month.

Edit : Note that you get the smaller form batteries in lead-crystal as well : http://www.bushpower.co.za/products.asp?pid=545

Should be great for gate motors and alarms with all this load-shedding.
 
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Don't mean to hijack the thread but can anyone tell me where to find a 1200w inverter/charger like the tedelex mentioned that is IN STOCK, I have looked absolutely everywhere and cannot find them.... The places I have phoned are only getting stock in March. :(
 
Not to curb any enthusiasm here but if you look at their own spec sheet the lead acid looks abysmal which it isn't. Also have a read on the 4x4 community forums where the guys have been using these for a good few years for better feedback on actual performance. I think it's great tech but I don't know if you'
ll want to discharge those batteries to 100% all the time either. I know there was a massive discussion recently after someones Lead Crystal died prematurely. Thats said, feedback is very positive
 
Jola said:
Re lead-crystal batteries, check this out :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B74IvpUlQ0Y

Final : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O45eLd5YotM

In short, if you don't want to watch it all, it seems that lead-crystal is way better than lead-acid, especially if you run the batteries right down.
I still get the impression (from the second video) that you do need a proper lead-crystal charger, even if only every few cycles.

Maybe I will use a pair of these with my UPS, and then charge them with a proper lead-crystal charger once a month.

Edit : Note that you get the smaller form batteries in lead-crystal as well : http://www.bushpower.co.za/products.asp?pid=545

Should be great for gate motors and alarms with all this load-shedding.
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Every kind of battery available, the necessary care has to be given, and how the battery operates must be understood.

As much as Lead Crystal is by far the better battery for standy-by applications, little do you know that the battery has to be charged much slower and longer than Lead Acid. If you do it at as fast rate, boom ! its a POC.

Lead Acid batteries can take more hammering than what Lead Crystal's can, and probably any other battery available.

Also learn about LiFePO4 ...

Bottom line, whats the price of a LC 12v100ah battery ?
 
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Jola said:
R3550.
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Geez than its obvious that LiFePO must be seriously considered if that's the price of an unproven product.

Jola said:
Except if you run them right down, then they are incredibly fragile.
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The problem right now is that people have no knowledge on batteries. The consumer is being taken for a ride because when they see Deep Cycle, then they assume it's a good battery for their application.

Your claim that Lead Acid is 'incredibly fragile' is based on what? Can you provide facts to backup your statement?

Also consider why almost every manufacturer in this sector continue supplying Lead Acid batteries. It's because it's the preferred choice.
 
Ive had that exact inverter for 4yrs now, hasnt missed a beat, connected 2 extra batteries to it and happy so far.
 
rakabos3 said:
Ive had that exact inverter for 4yrs now, hasnt missed a beat, connected 2 extra batteries to it and happy so far.
Click to expand...

You actually need to come back in 5 years and tell us how happy you are, unless you implying that you hooked those extra 2 a few years ago?
 
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