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RedViking

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This Thread is for the Mecer Inverter only.

My personal opinion on the unit:

Seeing that there are lots of question and in lots if threads, here is my review/input on the Mecer Inverter. Instead of reposting I'll just reference here. I'll add more info soon.

This should give you an idea what it sounds like:

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (modified sine) 24V + 2 x Enertec 105AH 12V Deep Cycle Battery

It sounds amplified of course because the recorder is right next to it. The first 3 clips above the desk will give a more realistic idea what it actually sounds like.


• It is an affordable modified sine inverter. It is suggested not to be used on things with motors (fridge, washing machine, pumps etc.).

It is not a permanent solution to daily off-grid power , but rather a backup system (UPS). For a daily solution you need to look at a pure sine inverter, batteries and solar system. If you can afford a pure sine inverter, go for it! But that is beside this thread which focus on the Mecer Inverter.

• Also remember the more wattage you require the more batteries you will need. The more batteries you have, the longer it takes to charge.

Although the 2440VA can supply 1440W power. You do not want to use more than 400W if you want the batteries to last longer without having to add a lot of extra batteries. So 1440W might actually be overkill. Maybe rather go for a 1200VA (720W) 12V inverter if you are not planning to add more batteries. See calculations below for the time you will get on the batteries.

• Difference between 12V & 24V inverter beside the power output and draw. 24V inverter you have to add extra batteries 2 at a time. 12V this is not necessary.

• The inverter is supposed to shut down at **30% SoC (state of charge), this is also indicated on the Mecer Inverter LCD. However it is apparently suggested that a battery (Enertek Deep Cycle) should not go lower than 50% DoD (Depth of Discharge ) if you want it to stay healthy.


** I can not confirm this. It is possible that it only switches off when it reaches a specific voltage.

1582718813478.png


Here is another in depth review from user @soload00 worth checking out:

EDIT 2021:


I would not recommend getting the Enertec Deep Cycle batteries with only about 300cycles on them if you want batteries that will last longer than a year or two. Of course one should also consider what you can afford. But mine is dead after 2 years of about 2 hour sessions per loadshedding day.

Rather get something like this with double the cycles, slightly more expensive:

BATTERY UPDATE:

I now have the Hubble S-100's and so far it seems to work just fine. I have not run them down to 0% yet as I have had not needed to.




Also remember to get a Lithium Battery Balancer / Equaliser if you connect your Hubble batteries (two 12V batteries) in series (24V):



!!! IMPORTANT !!!

If you plan to use Lithium or other Drop in Replacement batteries other than Lead Acid, confirm with the supplier if the inverter will support it and if the manufacturer warranty will still be honoured.

USE 10A CHARGING ONLY FOR LFP TO AVOID OVERHEATING

Please Note:
I run affiliated links to the Geewiz products I use and review. Please remove "?aff=70" at the end of the links if you do not want me to earn a small commission. I do not affiliate with products I have not used or bought for my staff or friends. I started this thread many years before adding the links and do not mind if they are not being used. I will continue to suggest any company or product that gives good service and offer better pricing. Thanks for the extra support. Geewiz is awesome.
 
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I bought mine from @GeeWiz

12V

Or

12V

Or

24V

Select the "Deep Cycle Battery" option when buying, it is a bit extra but worth it. Deep Cycle batteries apparently have 30% longer live span than high cycle batteries.


Have battery related questions? Checkout the Battery Thread:


Deep Cycle Batteries 105AH:

Cables (if you want to add more batteries):
https://www.geewiz.co.za/cabling/15978-25mm-single-flex-series-parallel-cable-45cm-length.html?aff=70

https://www.geewiz.co.za/cabling/15977-25mm-flex-parallel-cable-set-45cm-length.html?aff=70

Solar Charger Controller (confirm with GeeWiz if it is the correct one):
https://www.geewiz.co.za/chargers/2...ks.html?search_query=solar+charger&results=25


Digital Watt Meter (to measure Wattage):

Extra Cabinet or Battery Box:
https://www.geewiz.co.za/cabinet-wallbox/9969-12v-steel-battery-cabinet-with-wheels-dual-battery.html?aff=70

https://www.geewiz.co.za/battery-containers/6213-12v-plastic-battery-box.html?aff=70


How to calculate how much batteries you will need and how long they will last:

This is a very useful post by @Dairyfarmer to calculate how much time you will get on the batteries.
volts x Ah / watts / dod x 0.85

Volts is the battery. i.e 12, 24 or 48v
Ah is the Ah of the string, i.e 102, 105, 2000
watts is your load, i.e. 1500w
DOD = depth of discharge. 2 = 50%, 3 = 33.3%, 5 = 20%
2 is to account for a maximum target of 50% depth of discharge of the batteries
0.85 is the efficiency of the inverter, i.e loss due to converting ac to dc to ac and maintaining float charge in batteries

So in my case:
I have 4 x 12V 102Ah batteries in series and parallel making a total of 24v and 204Ah.
My load is around 500w but can go up to 1500w

24 x 204 / 500 / 2 x 0.85 = 4h10m
24 x 204 / 750 / 2 x 0.85 = 2h45m
24 x 204 / 1000 / 2 x 0.85 = 2h05m
24 x 204 / 1500 / 2 x 0.85 = 1h25m

(edit: type the equation into a calculator as written from left to right. Although the order doesn't matter as long as you don't start with one of the dividers, in which case you need to start with 1/divider.....)

You can also ask Geewiz for more info on the units, here is a previous post from them:
A 12V battery gives you 100Ah at 20hr discharge. At 4 hours discharge we get around 70Ah.
Taking into account that the lowest you should let the battery discharge is to 30% SOC (whereby the inverter shuts off), we take 70Ah * 0.7 = 49Ah that you can get out of the battery.
49Ah * 12V = 588Wh (we wound off to 600Wh to make calculations easier).

So 150W will last you up to 4 hours :) on our 720W model
2 batteries on a 1440W model will last up to 8 hours (even longer technically as your discharge time is now 8 vs 4 hours)

Another calculator to check what size battery you probably need, thanks @AlphaJohn :


Connecting a Solar Charger and Panels:

See this post https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/thr...munity-support.1015178/page-329#post-27773958
1627470071303.png images (11).jpeg

@Grouter 's setup for panels and batteries:

Scan0002.jpg
 
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The Display:
1553519109234.png

•Battery: On the left it shows battery SoC (state of charge). 100% means it is basically almost fully charged. The fan only goes off after about 30min/60min once it reaches 100%.

•Load: On the right it shows your load. The higher the load the faster your batteries will discharge.

•Online Mode: There is a button you can press on the inverter. NB: You will notice when the inverter is plugged into the mains this button doesn't switch the inverter off! The physical button only switches Online mode on or off. Online Mode means when the AC power (mains/eskom) goes off, it must switch over to the batteries. There is a 20ms delay, this should not effect your PC/TV/Printer etc. However you might notice the lights flicker or in my case my LED light panel goes on and off. So always make sure you see the "Online" symbol on the inverter if you want it to switch over to battery when the power goes off.

If you want to completely shut down the inverter, make sure Online mode is off and you plug it out at the wall plug.

•If you have a mecer solar charger connected to the inverter the display should show you when it received solar power. I don't have this function yet. Maybe later the year.

Another review on the Mecer inverter as a Work from Home Solution:

• If you want a more accurate reading of your batteries capacity (voltage). Something like this will work:

www.takealot.com/car-boat-motorcycle-digital-led-volt-meter/PLID55070706

www.takealot.com/lumeno-volt-amp-meter-black/PLID41395303

Thermo: www.takealot.com/digital-aquarium-thermometer-with-high-low-alarm/PLID49433600

@AlphaJohn 's fancy way of mounting the volt meters:

1636702189932.png

Q) Why is my Mecer Inverter Display not showing the correct reading for my LiFePo drop in replacement battery?
The Mecer 1200VA and 2400VA is meant to be compatible with Lead Acid batteries. As you can see from the chart in the post below, there is a big difference in voltage readings between a Lead Acid and a LifePo battery and therefor the Mecer built in readings are not accurate. Best is to connect a voltmeter to each battery and monitor it that way.
 
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Disclaimer: All information is for educational purposes only. Always use a qualified electrician to alter,modify or add to the equipment. Electricity can kill. Notice something is wrong? Switch it off and phone the manufacturer for advice. I do not take any responsibility for information that is wrong. Let me know if you notice a mistake.

Summaries from this Thread:

NOT RECOMMENDED:
• as a permanent off-grid solution. In other words to run 24 hours a day. It is a UPS to run during a couple of hours of loadshedding
• to connect to main power supply of building, distribution box. It is a portable solution.
• to run anything with a motor. Fans, Washing Machine, Pumps etc...
• to use with Medical Equipment.

Questions:

Q) What is an inverter system and what does it do do?

It is an inverter unit coupled with a battery which provides power when there is load shedding. It keeps its battery charged when there is Eskom power. As soon as Eskom power cuts, the system instantly transfers over to battery power so you can keep your lights, TV, computers (excluding Apple Mac), chargers and wifi running during load shedding. - source Geewiz

Q) Why not Apple Mac?
Apple Mac uses a special power correcting PSU - this type of PSU requires a pure sine wave inverter to operate. - source Geewiz


Q) How should the SoC % (state of charge percentage) be interpreted, shown on the LCD? The Inverter drops to 75% a couple of minutes after it switches to battery (no eskom). So does that mean when it shows 75%? The state of Charge is 75%-100% ?

75% will normally indicate between 75-100%.

Q) Is it easy to connect up? Do I have to fiddle with electronics?
It is super easy The system is plug and play.
The inverter has a regular 3 pin plug that goes into the wall. You then have a 3 way multiplug on the inverter that allows you to connect any appliance you want. Keep the appliances connected at all times, the inverter will automatically switch to battery as soon as it detects Eskom power is down. - source Geewiz

Q) Can I swap out the cooling fan?:
See @Grouter 's post. NOTE: This will void your warranty!
I successfully managed to swap out the cooling fan in my Mecer 2400. Took out a .3A and replaced it with a .2A. What an absolute pleasure - peace and quiet at last! Old fan is the black one, new one is in place.

Q) Can I run my TV, Computer, 600W Cat, 2000W Dog & Fridge? For how long?
See Post#2 above for rough calculations.

I also tried to explain better in here.

@COMPUTEK made a very nice excel spreadsheet here.

Q) Should my 2 x 12V batteries be connected in series or parallel?
For the 24V system:
Connect first two batteries in series.

For the 12V system:
Connect it in parallel

1582721725156.png

More methods on connecting batteries here:

Can ask @Papa Smurf , he uses Method 3 in that article.
1611743083004.png

Q) I would like to add more than 2 batteries, how must I connect them?
Please ask in the Battery Thread and see question above.

Q) Can I add new batteries to old batteries?
Not recommended. Also see this post from @BoxFish

Batteries in parallel are forced to the same voltage. Batteries in series are forced to the same current. So each battery in a series chain can sit at a different voltage. The sum of the voltages is all the charger will see. So one battery could be flat and the other overcharged but the total would look fine (up to a point). Batteries in series do eventually go slightly out of balance (due to different capacities and self discharge) but this is usually a long term process. Putting unbalanced loads on each battery aggravates the imbalance. A very tiny load on each battery just takes a lot longer before the imbalance becomes apparent. /snip

Q) Can I connect Solar Panels to my Mecer Inverter?
Yes. See Post #2 for the Mecer Solar Charger

or you can do what @Grouter did:

I have the Mecer 2400va and 2 x 105ah batteries. I recently added 2 x 20v solar panels to it, wired in series, pushing out about 40v / 10a, through a charge controller bringing it down to about 28v for charging the batteries. We had a 2 1/2 hour daytime power outage and when it ended the Mecer unit only charged for about 20 minutes afterwards then stopped. Plainly all the energy during the outage was coming from the sun. Before the solar, the Mecer would be charging for at least 5 hours afterwards to replenish the batteries. Very neat arrangement and I'm happy with it.

Yes. It works, see my post above. Only thing is that although the panels charge the batteries, the little solar indicator light does not come on on the Mecer LCD front panel. That must be governed internally somehow, or only works with the genuine mecer-supplied solar charge controller.

Cheap thing:
View attachment 772194


Second-hand panels from a mate:
View attachment 772196

It just charges and works. Battery indicator on the mecer stayed on full whilst the power was off and the sun shone. Very cool arrangement.

Yep. Did it myself. Most expensive thing was the 8mm DC cabling and twin fuse box. :)
As for charging, I have the Mecer charge switch set at 10a, but I'm not sure what the charge controller is pushing out from the panels. Each panel is 8 amp, and in series that stays the same even though the voltage doubles. So the net result is that the panels are providing the power for the inverter, not the batteries (assuming daytime of course). I'm hoping the batteries will last a lot longer now.
View attachment 772206

Q) My inverter shows 100% charged but the fan is still running, why?
The fan will only switch off 1 - 2 hours after it shows 100%. If it continues to run and never switch off, contact the supplier.


Q) Does it constantly draw power from the battery or bypasses the battery untill the power is cut, also does it have overcharging protection?
It bypasses when the batteries are fully charged. It uses around 10W just to keep the batteries at float charge. Yes, it keeps them at floating charge so will not overcharge them. - source Geewiz


Q) Which Generation inverter should I get and are what are the differences?

This post might be useful to answer the question:

1st Generation

Original display, bar graph display for Battery and Load.
External multiplug power strip.
Noisy fan.

2nd generation

Change to Battery and Load display, On/Off button.
Inverter incorporated into battery cabinet, horizontally mounted.
Power outlets built into inverter.

3rd generation

Inverter vertically mounted in battery cabinet.
Intelligent fan feature.

Q) What is the DoD (Death of Discharge) for Lead Acid, Gel and Lithium and Voltage / Percentage reading for these batteries?
It is best to check the Battery Specification Sheet or request the info from the Manufacturer/Supplier for accurate readings for your batteries. Here is a general guideline, however not necessary applicable to your battery:
Source: https://www.renogy.com/blog/expectations-vs-reality-making-sense-of-battery-voltage-percentages/
1650354764998.png
 

Attachments

  • Manual-Battery-Protect.pdf
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can u give us a breakdown on cost of components as well please
 
Also remember the more wattage you require the more batteries you will need.
Technically the Mecer 2400VA is only a 1440W inverter so you'll only ever be able to draw that at any given time without popping the inverter.
 
Technically the Mecer 2400VA is only a 1440W inverter so you'll only ever be able to draw that at any given time without popping the inverter.
Of course (i've updated post above). You can only use as much as the inverter supplies. That said:

You do not even want to use more than 400W if you want the batteries to last longer without having to add a lot of batteries. 1440W might actually be overkill. Maybe rather go for a 1200VA (720W) 12V if you are not planning to add more batteries.
 
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Plan on getting the 24v 1440w, and build a nice system from there, will work really well for a small flat. for now though i just want it to replace my 2 modified mecer 1200w ups. i'll merge the 2 battery banks of 20x 7ah sla batteries to 1 large bank of 40 x7ah batteries totaling 140ah at 24v. probably closer to 70ah since these batteries were used when i got them.
 
Electricity just went off and it is not even loadshedding.

My office is on the Mecer Inverter and my Router on a UPS (fortantely telkom is still online).

So I can just carry on with my work uninterrupted. Hopefully electricity is not off for another 13 hours like last week. Argh!

Don't even notice the Inverter as my aircon was on and the crickets were jolling outside. Sounds like an aircon with some crickets. :ROFL:
 
PS Why is there a very used toilet roll of paper on your desk there to the left? :ROFL::laugh::ROFL::laugh:
I was gonna comment on that. Think I have flu. Rushed to the pharmacy this morning to get some EfferFlu. Hopefully better tomorrow. :(

/That roll of toilet paper is the last supply for the whole house........... End of the month....
 
Electricity just went off and it is not even loadshedding.

My office is on the Mecer Inverter and my Router on a UPS (fortantely telkom is still online).

So I can just carry on with my work uninterrupted. Hopefully electricity is not off for another 13 hours like last week. Argh!

Don't even notice the Inverter as my aircon was on and the crickets were jolling outside. Sounds like an aircon with some crickets. :ROFL:

That's great news on the noise of the unit, also glad to see that switch being put to use.
 
I was gonna comment on that. Think I have flu. Rushed to the pharmacy this morning to get some EfferFlu. Hopefully better tomorrow. :(

/That roll of toilet paper is the last supply for the whole house........... End of the month....
At least you have power
 
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