Load shedding solution assistance

I've emailed geewhiz for a quote but I understand they swamped at the moment.

What would be a good suggestion or cost wise for a back up battery / unit linked to DB board that would kick in when the load shedding starts to keep the fridge running, TV/Decoder/Xbox, router and some lights? Basic but reliable system , I'm clueless.
If the price is right i'll get it tomorrow...
 
technojunky said:
I've emailed geewhiz for a quote but I understand they swamped at the moment.

What would be a good suggestion or cost wise for a back up battery / unit linked to DB board that would kick in when the load shedding starts to keep the fridge running, TV/Decoder/Xbox, router and some lights? Basic but reliable system , I'm clueless.
If the price is right i'll get it tomorrow...
Click to expand...

Check this thread and also the power forum for better experienced advice.

Basics you will need a Pure Sine Inverter and preferably deep cycle batteries. Electrician and wiring. It can be cheap like these links or cost a lot. Depends on your needs & budget. Realise that batteries need time to charge. This will become challenging as the hours between LS gets shorter. So plan also to get some Solar Panels later. For example this inverter includes built-in MPPT solar charge controller. You must also find out how many Solar Panels & batteries can you connect.
 
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RedViking said:
Check this thread and also the power forum for better experienced advice.

Basics you will need a Pure Sine Inverter and preferably deep cycle batteries. Electrician and wiring. It can be cheap like these links or cost a lot. Depends on your needs & budget. Realise that batteries need time to charge. This will become challenging as the hours between LS gets shorter. So plan also to get some Solar Panels later. For example this inverter includes built-in MPPT solar charge controller. You must also find out how many Solar Panels & batteries can you connect.
Click to expand...

Thank you @RedViking been reading up on this most of the day and still confused as ever lol.
The @GeeWiz options look really tempting and that would be around what my budget would be. Just hope they can reply to my email sometime real soon :-(
 
technojunky said:
Thank you @RedViking been reading up on this most of the day and still confused as ever lol.
The @GeeWiz options look really tempting and that would be around what my budget would be. Just hope they can reply to my email sometime real soon :-(
Click to expand...
I think all the power companies must be showered in emails and phone calls. It must be flippen hectic. For most this is also a completely new technology as previously we just relied on our wall sockets, so LOTS of questions. I am surprised some places still have batteries and stock. Like most of us, we only wake up when we are in the crap.

But go check out power forum. There are some nice threads and photos on there.
 
RedViking said:
I think all the power companies must be showered in emails and phone calls. It must be flippen hectic. For most this is also a completely new technology as previously we just relied on our wall sockets, so LOTS of questions. I am surprised some places still have batteries and stock. Like most of us, we only wake up when we are in the crap.

But go check out power form. There are some nice threads and photos on there.
Click to expand...

double like there:) , everyone is low on stock or sold out it seems. i been away for 3 months and then get back to this crap now need a plan B, shouldn't have come back it seems
 
RedViking said:
I think all the power companies must be showered in emails and phone calls. It must be flippen hectic. For most this is also a completely new technology as previously we just relied on our wall sockets, so LOTS of questions. I am surprised some places still have batteries and stock. Like most of us, we only wake up when we are in the crap.

But go check out power forum. There are some nice threads and photos on there.
Click to expand...
Not waking up now for my network stack. Seeing how far/if I can ride it out before committing and just doing research now. Just got a basic UPS now. Rode out the previous load shedding rounds but have a feeling this might be worse. Problem is you never know when its fear mongering for a money/power grab, or an actual issue. :(

Anyway, thanks for keeping this thread alive. Consolidates a lot of the info.
 
I'm not sure about my peak load, but can say we're using 25units/day, i do have access to a openenergymonitor... will have a look what my max W usage on there.

Can anyone comment on the following 3 components.

FCS-King-5000W - inverter + wifi module, see the app is only Android based though, what capabilities does it expose with a wifi module,
CSB 12390W - Batteries = planning 8, but might replace with 1 x Litium Battery
Renewsys 330W panels = planning 12.
Thinking of putting in a Geyser manager also...

G
 
HeftyCrab said:
Not waking up now for my network stack. Seeing how far/if I can ride it out before committing and just doing research now. Just got a basic UPS now. Rode out the previous load shedding rounds but have a feeling this might be worse. Problem is you never know when its fear mongering for a money/power grab, or an actual issue. :(

Anyway, thanks for keeping this thread alive. Consolidates a lot of the info.
Click to expand...
Eskom and its substations are just unreliable in general. Even without loadshedding the investment is already worth it to me.
 
I have one of these:
https://www.ellies.co.za/product/sinewave-inverter-600w-1000va-modified-600w/
With this battery:
https://www.bhgpower.co.za/product/royal-1150k-105-amp-hour-battery/

Please check my calculations:

If my load is 220w, my setup will last:
=105AH *50% *12v / 220w = 2.86 hours

If I add another battery it will last 105AH*2*50%*12v/220w = 5.73 hours.

Do I have that right.

Will the recharge time be the same with 2 batteries?

Can I keep the unit plugged in at all times - will it shut down automatically before the batteries get damaged if the mains supply is off for too long. (My DB tends to trip when the power comes back on.)
 
Fjorko said:
If you load 1200W onto it yes...you will never have that much load on such a small battery bank, unless you just need enough time to shut everything down.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you agree from a load shedding perspective this is not an optimal solution. Better to spend more on battery capacity and less on inverter output power, right?
 
Verde said:
Thanks, do you agree from a load shedding perspective this is not an optimal solution. Better to spend more on battery capacity and less on inverter output power, right?
Click to expand...
I'm in the same boat - I use 3 x UPS's as an "Inverter /Deep Cycle battery " solution, and I know i shouldn't do that. I should go buy a proper Inverter/Deep Cycle setup, but at this stage I just can't, plus i see very few places still have stock, seems there have been a raid on inverters/batteries as everyone has been panic buying.

From what i have researched, the whole inverter/battery bank thing can be thought of using this analogy :

The battery capacity ( ampHours ) is like the petrol on your car's tank, and the inverter (Watts) is like the size of your car's engine :

- If you have lots of fuel - you will go further. Same as many amp hours will keep your stuff "up" for longer
- If you have a big v12 engine - you have all the power under foot as much as you need, same as being able to plug in a bigger load ( run more stuff ) on the inverter without choking it.

Cheers
 
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