Loadshedding damages

Looking after my daughter's place. So far this week, the "damage" is two gate motor batteries, two garage door batteries and an alarm system all pushed over the edge and refusing to recharge after the protracted 3 times a day LS. All are about 3 years old, Voltage on all of them drops to below 11 V as soon as LS strikes.
The CCTV camera system's DVR does not take kindly to the power cuts either. The HDD is giving notice.
So while not directly related LS certainly hastens the demise of systems that would continue to function perfectly well without all of this LS nonsense.
 
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Geoff.D said:
Looking after my daughter's place. So far this week, the "damage" is two gate motor batteries, two garage door batteries and an alarm system all pushed over the edge and refusing to recharge after the protected 3 times a day LS. All are about 3 years old, Voltage on all of them drops to below 11 V as soon as LS strikes.
The CCTV camera system's DVR does not take kindly to the power cuts either. The HDD is giving notice.
So while not directly related LS certainly hastens the demise of systems that would continue to function perfectly well without all of this LS nonsense.
Click to expand...
Mine is my alarm battery and my garage, they keep charge for an hour maybe 2. But of course 4.5 hours every 12 hours killed them.
I also need a new HDD for my CCTV :(
 
Geoff.D said:
Looking after my daughter's place. So far this week, the "damage" is two gate motor batteries, two garage door batteries and an alarm system all pushed over the edge and refusing to recharge after the protected 3 times a day LS. All are about 3 years old, Voltage on all of them drops to below 11 V as soon as LS strikes.
The CCTV camera system's DVR does not take kindly to the power cuts either. The HDD is giving notice.
So while not directly related LS certainly hastens the demise of systems that would continue to function perfectly well without all of this LS nonsense.
Click to expand...

Those batteries were probably close to dead anyway, but it is crazy to have to have backups for so many independent systems. It might make more sense to run 12V DC lines from a single source, though the power drain and voltage drop over long distances could be prohibitive.
 
Gordon_R said:
Those batteries were probably close to dead anyway, but it is crazy to have to have backups for so many independent systems. It might make more sense to run 12V DC lines from a single source, though the power drain and voltage drop over long distances could be prohibitive.
Click to expand...
I have had a look at that option, and it is a non starter. The pan handle driveway is just too long. The other system are maybe feasible. Looking into a new 16 channel PSU for the CCTV system which includes a charger module and a Li battery. But the price! Almost R 3 000. Somehow does not make sense. Makes more sense to also sort out bavk up for the entertainment stuff as well.
 
Some more damages with the latest bout of Load Shedding

Item: 1x Mecer 1200VA Inverter
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R2800, but repaired under warranty

Item: Another 1x GU10 LED light
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R40
 
PhireSide said:
Some more damages with the latest bout of Load Shedding

Item: 1x Mecer 1200VA Inverter
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R2800, but repaired under warranty

Item: Another 1x GU10 LED light
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R40
Click to expand...
How did that happen to your inverter?
 
Lupus said:
How did that happen to your inverter?
Click to expand...
I suspect that when the power returned, it messed something up on the inverter. It still passes through power to the connected items when the power is on, but as soon as the power dips everything just dies.

I actually messed up the date, it happened about two or three weeks ago, whenever the last bout of LS was. The repair note said that some MOSFETs were blown and were replaced under warranty
 
PhireSide said:
Some more damages with the latest bout of Load Shedding

Item: 1x Mecer 1200VA Inverter
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R2800, but repaired under warranty
Click to expand...

Was just as mustek yesterday they only R1640 new now.
 
PhireSide said:
Some more damages with the latest bout of Load Shedding

Item: 1x Mecer 1200VA Inverter
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R2800, but repaired under warranty

Item: Another 1x GU10 LED light
Estimated time and date: Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Estimated or calculated damage: R40
Click to expand...
Do you know what was replaced or repaired in the inverter?
 
Gtx Gaming said:
Was just as mustek yesterday they only R1640 new now.
Click to expand...
Wow, I feel ripped off. I paid R5000 for the inverter and battery combo, but I bought it when LS was very bad back in January of this year. I see they are a smidge under R2200 on Takealot right now.
 
Geoff.D said:
Do you know what was replaced or repaired in the inverter?
Click to expand...
The (hand-written, illegible) repair note said something to the tune of 'Replaced MOSFETs'. I think that guy does electronics repair as a side hustle and is actually a doctor, judging by the hieroglyphics on the note.
 
Geoff.D said:
Advise that you consider installing class II SPDs in your DB on the incoming mains.
Click to expand...
What cost would I be looking at, more or less? I have normal single phase wiring at my place. I was toying with the idea of getting some of those Ellies Fridge-Safe adapters for the critical electronics, but if it can be done at the DB level then I'd consider getting something to filter and protect all the electronics instead.
 
I don't know what the new price of a double pole SPD is but it is much less than the damage and does protect against over and under voltage as well as spikes. Will post a link to the CBI units when on my PC.

Edit:/ The link: https://www.cbi-lowvoltage.com/content/surge-protection

CBi is not the only supplier of these devices. Your local electrical supplier will be able to give details of other suppliers.
CBi have quite a few very interesting technical papers on surge protection available, referenced back to the relevant SANS regulations.
 
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Geoff.D said:
I don't know what the new price of a double pole SPD is but it is much less than the damage and does protect against over and under voltage as well as spikes. Will post a link to the CBI units when on my PC.

Edit:/ The link: https://www.cbi-lowvoltage.com/content/surge-protection

CBi is not the only supplier of these devices. Your local electrical supplier will be able to give details of other suppliers.
CBi have quite a few very interesting technical papers on surge protection available, referenced back to the relevant SANS regulations.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much. We have an ACDC Dynamics nearby, so I may go check them out for prices soon
 
90% of everything plugged in have surge protector plugs, my PC is plugged into a UPS as well for the fluctations.
 
Pretty sure there was a previous thread but can't find it now. Whats the damage tally folks for goods hurt by the shedding so far. Should be some damn recourse on this.

This latest round

* Alarm battery ( six months old since last round )
* Gate battery ( purchased in February )
* Old Server PSU not so happy.
 
- Gate battery
- Will need to monitor the batteries in my Mecer
- Nothing else so far.
 
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