Good inverter purchase?

E

epictree

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2015
Messages
143
Reaction score
10
Hey

I have been researching as much as time allows and I am looking to purchase the following inverter system or the smaller system of this.

2400VA Mecer Inverter + 2x 100AH Batteries Trolley (8 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 1440W (150-200 cycles) - GeeWiz

2400VA Mecer Inverter + 2x 100AH Batteries Trolley (8 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 1440W (150-200 cycles) for sale online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za

  1. I understand that it is lead acid and will discharge max 150 to 200 cycles. However, it will run a light load and not discharge to a full cycle very often. Going for large reserve capacity of lead acid (e.g. helps if not fully charged from previous load shedding sessions) rather than a smaller lithium with many discharge cycles. Mainly need it to run an alarm system which currently runs off the standard 12v 7.2ah battery lead acid during loadshedding of 2 hours per session. The current 7.2ah lasts fairly long considering the aggressive load shedding schedule. Will run a 8 channel PVR system of it eventually. Router and ONT is on its own lithium UPS already. Does this setup make sense?​
  2. Is the Mecer which I believe is an Axpert good and last a long time? Been seeing the Ellies ones fail alot.​
  3. Can the system be eventually upgraded to lithium with same inverter?​
  4. Is there any solar compatible inverters that I should look at that will fit in the price bracket?​
  5. Is there any better combo that can be recommended for a similar price?​
 
Buying lead acid (except for your car) is asking for pain. I also believe it's more expensive. Remember that lead acid only allows for using a max of 50% of rated capacity, while a decent lithium should easily do at least 80%.

Lead acid also charges a lot slower and might not be able to recharge between load shedding slots.
 
I wouldn't bother with modified sine and lead acid - we're too deep into stage 6+ for that.

It's possible to upgrade to lithium, but that's not a selling point for the inverter imo. Just useful if you happen to have one already.

You can get a 1 kW / 1.2 kWh pure sine + LiFePO4 + solar MPPT trolley for about R 4-5k more. I have the SOL-I-BB-M1L and it's great for a home office, TV, lights, etc.

However for just an alarm system any inverter at all is overkill. You can get a 7 Ah LFP drop-in replacement battery for R 700. If/when it dies, recharge it externally.
 
I would change the alarm battery to lifepo4 and maybe just add additional charger for it if it ever hits shutdown voltage ie inching to empty due to load shedding and slow charger

If doing inverter to be bale to ad more

Personally i would always recommend lithium especially with the can't charge full scenario

ie if you inch towards empty you can land in a situation that you can't even get the 200 cycles on lead acid (unlikely with light loads)

While with lithium not so much

If never needing more than 1600 output

www.bobshop.co.za

Hybrid Inverter 2 KVA 1600 Watt MPPT 12V- Sun Solar | bobshop.co.za

Buy Hybrid Inverter 2 KVA 1600 Watt MPPT 12V- Sun Solar for R3,799.00
www.bobshop.co.za www.bobshop.co.za

If maybe later want to be able to use kettle microwave if expanding batteries i would look for similar type 24v 3000w

They normally have built in solar controllers

While with the mecer you would have to buy a solar charge controller seperately
 
I had looked into the idea of swapping the alarm battery to lithium but was told the voltage needs to be higher to charge. I will speak to the alarm technician to confirm. The inverter was more of a backup to this. Trying to avoid low voltages situations when the alarm battery is on its way out.

In addition, as mentioned, I would like to add a 8 channel DVR system later. I've got a Killawat to measure actual usuage for the DVR. I will check the draw on a DVR system this weekend. I'm unlikey to use a kettle during that time (Gas). As long as there is internet during loadshedding we're fine. We don't use alot of power even when the power is on.

My budget is R10k. R15k is a bit of a stretch.
 
epictree said:
I had looked into the idea of swapping the alarm battery to lithium but was told the voltage needs to be higher to charge. I will speak to the alarm technician to confirm. The inverter was more of a backup to this. Trying to avoid low voltages situations when the alarm battery is on its way out.
Click to expand...

He's partially correct. The float voltage for lead acid is 13.6 V or so, which is not going to get a LiFePO4 "12 V" battery to 100%. But this is actually a good thing for longevity.

The bigger problem is that with stage 4+ loadshedding the chargers in alarms and gate motors are too slow (low current) to return the energy to the battery before the next session starts. That quickly destroys lead acid over a matter of months. The big advantage of LFP is that it's not damaged by being slowly drained.

And when it does finally cut out after weeks or months, you hook it up to a basic car charger to bring it back to fully charged in a couple of hours.


epictree said:
In addition, as mentioned, I would like to add a 8 channel DVR system later.
Click to expand...

Presumably this will take DC input (via a wall regulator and jack) and will be 20 W or so, in which case all you'll need is one of the larger DC mini UPSes like for your router. e.g. Elecstor 100W

You don't mention a TV or a PC, screens, fridge, fans, house lighting?
 
Last edited:
I guess its worth testing a lithium battery in the alarm system and see how its performs. Any specific brands recommended or specifications to look out for?

The router and ONT are running on their own mini lithium UPS running 24/7. It similar to the Elecstor. I will need to check the power draw on the DVR to see if its compatible with a DC mini UPS.

We either stream or read on our phones or just take a short nap when the power is off. We've also got work/home laptops should we need to use them. Phones, rechargeable bulbs and other devices for lights.
 
ISP cash cow said:
have you considered in attaching a PWM solar charge controller and solar panel up to the alarm battery to assist in charging it during load shedding periods during the day to keep it fully charged?
Click to expand...
That is the end goal. Need to do some alterations to accomodate them before I go that route.
 
ISP cash cow said:
have you considered in attaching a PWM solar charge controller and solar panel up to the alarm battery to assist in charging it during load shedding periods during the day to keep it fully charged?
Click to expand...

A kit like this could work and would obviate the need for LFP - but I'm not keen on the "16 V" advertised. Might need this as well.

For batteries the Securi-Prod one is good value and on spec.
 
The other plus of going lifepo4 you get double the capacity since you can technically use all 6-7ah vs technically only 3.5ah with lead acid

Or while at it get extra capacity for the dvr already

electromannsa.co.za

LifePo4 10ah 12.8v Rechargeable Battery

LifePo4 10ah 12.8v Rechargeable Battery (10004818) PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE BATTERIES CAN NOT BE CONNECTED IN SERIES!! LifePo4 Lithium Battery Voltage: 12.8v (Nominal) Capacity: 10ah Max Charge Voltage: 14.6v Low Cut Off Voltage: 11.5v Max Charge Current: 15Amp Max Discharge Current: 15Amp...
electromannsa.co.za electromannsa.co.za

electromannsa.co.za

LifePo4 15ah 12.8v Rechargeable Battery - Electromann SA

LifePo4 15ah 12.8v Rechargeable Battery (10004408) PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE BATTERIES CAN NOT BE CONNECTED IN SERIES!! LifePo4 Lithium Battery Voltage:
electromannsa.co.za electromannsa.co.za
 
Tomtomtom said:
I wouldn't bother with modified sine and lead acid - we're too deep into stage 6+ for that.

It's possible to upgrade to lithium, but that's not a selling point for the inverter imo. Just useful if you happen to have one already.

You can get a 1 kW / 1.2 kWh pure sine + LiFePO4 + solar MPPT trolley for about R 4-5k more. I have the SOL-I-BB-M1L and it's great for a home office, TV, lights, etc.

However for just an alarm system any inverter at all is overkill. You can get a 7 Ah LFP drop-in replacement battery for R 700. If/when it dies, recharge it externally.
Click to expand...
Can even keep the old lead acid for swop out

ie when lithium is flat let the lead acid just stand in until lithium is full
 
Had very good service from these guys..
www.livestainable.co.za

Livestainable.co.za

Livestainable is South Africa's top source for 100 000+ energy-efficient products, from solar to lighting. Elevate your home's sustainability today!
www.livestainable.co.za www.livestainable.co.za
 
epictree said:
I seem to be circling back to getting an inverter. I seem to need a lithium one from all the convincing above. Something I can leave unnatended for extended durations.

Which of these are good?:
Lalela 615wh
Lalela 1024wh
Lalela 768wh
Lalela 1075wh
Geewiz 1000VA Pure Sine 640wh
Geewiz 1200VA Inverter

Or any other recommendation?
Click to expand...
At first, I was suspicious about the Lalela brand name, a friend of mine bought one of those units with the battery about a year ago and he is loving it.
 
epictree said:
I seem to be circling back to getting an inverter. I seem to need a lithium one from all the convincing above. Something I can leave unnatended for extended durations.

Which of these are good?:
Lalela 615wh
Lalela 1024wh
Lalela 768wh
Lalela 1075wh
Geewiz 1000VA Pure Sine 640wh
Geewiz 1200VA Inverter

Or any other recommendation?
Click to expand...
I cant comment on any of these but compare warranties as well. I would not take any of these if they come with a 1 year or 6 months warranty like the one at Takealot.
 
Park@82 said:
I cant comment on any of these but compare warranties as well. I would not take any of these if they come with a 1 year or 6 months warranty like the one at Takealot.
Click to expand...
I don't see any of them with warranties longer than 1 year. I looked at Lalela's website and its the same. Warranty
 
Park@82 said:
I cant comment on any of these but compare warranties as well. I would not take any of these if they come with a 1 year or 6 months warranty like the one at Takealot.
Click to expand...
Question is; what has a longer than 1 year warranty that can be used as a UPS-Inverter? Ecoflow cant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X