Looking for renter friendly load shedding solution

[RedViking]

Similar to a trolley but you need deep pockets. I have the river 2 which is the smallest unit for when I have to work from home etc

EcoFlow ZA | Home Battery, Solar & Portable Power

EcoFlow’s home backup & off-grid solar power solutions protect you from load-shedding and unscheduled blackouts. Enjoy energy security & freedom from the grid.

za.ecoflow.com

You connect this to your DB?

Very interesting...

 

[RedViking]

I run a 2000w inverter which I backfeed into a plug with the mains/earth leakage/geyser/stove breakers off.
I have a c13 female cable coming out the inverter and a c13 male suicide portion, this reduces but does not remove the suicideness.

Inverter will trip way before the plugs rating, so no melty melty, I live alone so only I connect the system.
I am very disciplined sometimes going back 3 times to make sure I turned the breakers off correctly.

If you have ANYONE else in the house I would suggest NOT going the suicide cable route, but rather as most have suggested get a sparky to put a change over or something in.

A sturdy rope is cheaper.

 

[AfricanTech]

if you get a big enough inverter/Generator, is it possible to power your entire apartment with plugging in to a wall outlet, and switching the mains off,
or is that a really bad idea?

It's a really, really, really bad idea.

Don't do this folks - electricity is not to be trifled with.

 

[pinball wizard]

It's a really, really, really bad idea.

Don't do this folks - electricity is not to be trifled with.

Ah, live a little.

 

[Aeryn23]

Similar to a trolley but you need deep pockets. I have the river 2 which is the smallest unit for when I have to work from home etc

EcoFlow ZA | Home Battery, Solar & Portable Power

EcoFlow’s home backup & off-grid solar power solutions protect you from load-shedding and unscheduled blackouts. Enjoy energy security & freedom from the grid.

za.ecoflow.com

Do you have to run extension cables all over to plug things in?

 

[Zuner]

A sturdy rope is cheaper.

As long as I follow my procedure of connecting and disconnecting I'll be okay.
I also do not come close to messing with plugs in general during inverter backfeed time, as I am aware there is no earth leakage.

 

[PsyWulf]

If you absolutely do go backfeed at least do a protected Caravan-style connector to use to connect and disconnect

 

[Aeryn23]

If you absolutely do go backfeed at least do a protected Caravan-style connector to use to connect and disconnect

I don't want to go the backfeed / suicide cable route. I don't trust myself, I am clumsy and I will plug something in wrong.

Basically I am looking for a solution like a wall mounted inverter without the solar panels, but also not wall mounted because I am renting. Like a portable inverter with storage that can be safely connected to my DB board by an electrician to give me power for certain things without me having to switch plugs or anything like that when load shedding starts (I'll switch the geyser, stove etc off at the DB board during load shedding).

 

[Tomtomtom]

I'm looking for a renter friendly load shedding solution. I'm not looking for a trolley inverter, rather something that can connect to the DB board (obviously with the landlord's permission) and run some lights, and a few plug points for the TV, WiFi without having extension cords running throughout the house.

I live in an apartment block so I can't do solar, I need something else that could work and something that I could take with me when I move out.

Don't see why not a trolley? Perfect for a renter.

You only need ~1-2 kW for lights, TV, PC, WiFi...

Problem is plug circuits are probably not conveniently grouped and do you really want to rewire the house for a temporary solution? If you have to go around switching appliances off before every session then imo that's not an improvement.

In the same circumstances... I have two extension cords from the inverter clipped to the skirtings out of the way for office + TV.

Then I'm planning to put just the lights circuit on the inverter. That'll make a massive difference by itself and it's low enough power (~100 W) for the whole house that I won't have to mess around.

 

[Aeryn23]

Don't see why not a trolley? Perfect for a renter.

You only need ~1-2 kW for lights, TV, PC, WiFi...

Problem is plug circuits are probably not conveniently grouped and do you really want to rewire the house for a temporary solution? If you have to go around switching appliances off before every session then imo that's not an improvement.

In the same circumstances... I have two extension cords clipped to the skirtings out of the way for office + TV.

Then I'm planning to put just the lights circuit on the inverter. That'll make a massive difference by itself and it's low enough power (~100 W) for the whole house that I won't have to mess around.

How do you put just the light circuits on the inverter?

I don't know much about this stuff...

 

[marbro]

Get this, https://www.geewiz.co.za/long-run-u...-with-lithium-battery-3000-cycles-2560wh.html
Basically what I have, Connected to my DB board, nice trunking etc
Its plugged into the mains , so always charging, Inverter feeds a split DB board

One side is Eskom in, Inverter power, Kitchen power, geyser
Other side is Room plugs, House lights, outhouse and any power in the garden

Separate neutrals, separate lives,

 

[marbro]

How do you put just the light circuits on the inverter?

I don't know much about this stuff...

chances are your lights are already on their own DB switch,
That just needs to get moved to inverter power. Because you asked this question and also dont own the place... Get a sparky out. They will do it in no time

At worst you will have some rooms sharing a db switch, in which case you might not be able to power that room for what ever reason, but if you can get your lounge , mainbedroom? house lights and possibly another room on the inverter, your life will be a breeze

 

[AstroTurf]

Ask the landlord if they can install a changeover switch (manual) with a camping type plug.
No chance you can shock yourself that way.

 

[The Darkness]

I run a 2000w inverter which I backfeed into a plug with the mains/earth leakage/geyser/stove breakers off.
I have a c13 female cable coming out the inverter and a c13 male suicide portion, this reduces but does not remove the suicideness.

Inverter will trip way before the plugs rating, so no melty melty, I live alone so only I connect the system.
I am very disciplined sometimes going back 3 times to make sure I turned the breakers off correctly.

If you have ANYONE else in the house I would suggest NOT going the suicide cable route, but rather as most have suggested get a sparky to put a change over or something in.

This is irresponsible to say the least. You also can be feeding power into the grid this way and electrocute someone who might be working on the line. if you're going to backfeed into your house, you need to install a dedicated point with a 3-way crossover switch to physically cut the main supply from Eskom.

 

[eepr0m]

My tenants wanted to do the same and I said no. Every time a inverter is tied into the DB a new COC has to be issued.
I have kitted every apartment with led lights that works when the power is off. If a light packs up it is the tenants responsibility to replace with the same rechargeable led light. for everything else they can use a portable power trolley.

 

[Aeryn23]

Get this, https://www.geewiz.co.za/long-run-u...-with-lithium-battery-3000-cycles-2560wh.html
Basically what I have, Connected to my DB board, nice trunking etc
Its plugged into the mains , so always charging, Inverter feeds a split DB board

One side is Eskom in, Inverter power, Kitchen power, geyser
Other side is Room plugs, House lights, outhouse and any power in the garden

Separate neutrals, separate lives,

I like this option.

I assumed trolley inverter options didn't have enough power for what I wanted, that's why I originally said I didn't want a trolley inverter but I see this once will work.

Thanks!

 

[Tomtomtom]

My tenants wanted to do the same and I said no. Every time a inverter is tied into the DB a new COC has to be issued.

OP this is why you might consider easily-removed options

Seriously though, why can't a tenant just go ahead sort out the CoC themselves if it's such a big deal?

 

[Tomtomtom]

One side is Eskom in, Inverter power, Kitchen power, geyser
Other side is Room plugs, House lights, outhouse and any power in the garden

Separate neutrals, separate lives,

Do you know what was the cost of labour and parts for the DB reconfiguration?

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Just get a trolly that can connect to the Db board. Negotiate with the owner to have him do the work or pay half.
When you leave you just take the trolly with.

What incentive is there for him to pay anything if the trolley is going to be taken with?

 

[Tomtomtom]

What incentive is there for him to pay anything if the trolley is going to be taken with?

If I was looking to rent I would be very pleased if it said "DB is inverter-trolley-ready!"

Probably not really a thing for most people (yet) though...