Which inverter to get

RedViking said:
Ive got extension leads everywhere. All of them are noisy.

Only one that is not noisy is the Ceil, but you can't use lithium with it. Must be lead acid or gel. Very quiet. https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/thr...ave-mecer-alternative-lead-acid-only.1207699/

Otherwise I can highly recommend the Mecer 2400VA, but it is modified sine and has its issues. Love it. Read the first 4 posts.

Mecer 2400VA Inverter (Community Support)

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...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
Click to expand...
Thanks for this.
Something I didn't know in your post and overlooked is reduction of capacity with a 24V system.
1670253915580.png
I need capacity over watts (150Ah for 800W load for 2 hours @ 80% discharge), so think a 12V system is better?
Don't need a battery balancer anymore in this case?
Deliberating on this one now:
www.sustainable.co.za

RCT Axpert VM 1K12 1kVA 1kW 12V Hybrid Inverter

Features: Cold start function. Pure sine wave inverter. Auto restart while AC is recovering. Built-in MPPT solar charge controller. Overload and short circuit protection. Compatible to mains voltage or generator power. Selectable charging current based on applications. Configurable AC/Solar...
www.sustainable.co.za www.sustainable.co.za
 
zoozi said:
Thanks for this.
Something I didn't know in your post and overlooked is reduction of capacity with a 24V system.
View attachment 1435303
I need capacity over watts (150Ah for 800W load for 2 hours @ 80% discharge), so think a 12V system is better?
Deliberating on this one now:
www.sustainable.co.za

RCT Axpert VM 1K12 1kVA 1kW 12V Hybrid Inverter

Features: Cold start function. Pure sine wave inverter. Auto restart while AC is recovering. Built-in MPPT solar charge controller. Overload and short circuit protection. Compatible to mains voltage or generator power. Selectable charging current based on applications. Configurable AC/Solar...
www.sustainable.co.za www.sustainable.co.za
Click to expand...
There's no reduction in capacity.
12V x 100Ah x 2 = 2400Wh
24V x 100Ah = 2400Wh
 
zoozi said:
Thanks for this.
Something I didn't know in your post and overlooked is reduction of capacity with a 24V system.
View attachment 1435303
I need capacity over watts (150Ah for 800W load for 2 hours @ 80% discharge), so think a 12V system is better?
Don't need a battery balancer anymore in this case?
Deliberating on this one now:
www.sustainable.co.za

RCT Axpert VM 1K12 1kVA 1kW 12V Hybrid Inverter

Features: Cold start function. Pure sine wave inverter. Auto restart while AC is recovering. Built-in MPPT solar charge controller. Overload and short circuit protection. Compatible to mains voltage or generator power. Selectable charging current based on applications. Configurable AC/Solar...
www.sustainable.co.za www.sustainable.co.za
Click to expand...
No it doesn't work like that. Although, apparently, a 24V is more efficient than a 12V, or something
 
RedViking said:
No it doesn't work like that. Although, apparently, a 24V is more efficient than a 12V, or something
Click to expand...

Mostly on Lead Acid.

High draw reduce WH available so splitting the load over 2 batteries lesson the amount you "pull" from each.

LFP are rated 1C so unless you draw over 100A it will make no diff if you use 1 (12V) or 2 (24V).

see:

1670255383902.png
 
AlphaJohn said:
Mostly on Lead Acid.

High draw reduce WH available so splitting the load over 2 batteries lesson the amount you "pull" from each.

LFP are rated 1C so unless you draw over 100A it will make no diff if you use 1 (12V) or 2 (24V).

see:

View attachment 1435331
Click to expand...
To be fair, you're not "splitting" the load on 24V, you just have a higher voltage therefore lower amps drawing off the battery. Now if you have 2 in parallel running 12V, then you would be splitting the load on the battery.

100W divide 24V = 4.16A or 100W divide 12V divide 2 = 4.16A.

The real difference is the charging. 10A @ 24V = 240W or 10A @ 12V = 120W so 2 in parallel will take twice as long to charge.
 
wingnut771 said:
To be fair, you're not "splitting" the load on 24V, you just have a higher voltage therefore lower amps drawing off the battery. Now if you have 2 in parallel running 12V, then you would be splitting the load on the battery.

100W divide 24V = 4.16A or 100W divide 12V divide 2 = 4.16A.
Click to expand...

same.gif
 
DuracellBunny said:
I do have a cheaper version available also going for R7500 and still has a MPPT controller but doesn't have a removable display. I like the removable display on the RCT version, just add a longer cable and the screen can be mounted where ever.

The battery boxes I have here easily housed 2 X 100ah Revov batteries, So i doubt it will be a problem for your batteries. Drop me a PM I can work out something for you.
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Hi,

Do you fit these as well?
 
I have a Dynex (also known as a Ceil) 1450va 24v pure sine inverter running off 2 Royal 1250 batteries. I run 2 laptops, 2nd screen and wifi off it, doesnt drop less than 25v (20% discharge) in a 2 to 3 hour load shed. At night i run wifi, 40 inch tv, a led light and sometimes an external hdd and also less than 20% discharge over 2-3 hours.
Replaced my batteries end of June and still running perfectly considering all the load shedding sessions we have had since then. So this whole LA batteries dont last is hog wash if you look after the batteries and dont go below what the designed to discharge.

I am looking to add a solar charger and 1 or 2 220w-300w panels to keep the batteries charged up during the day if we start getting more load shedding sessions per day.

Currently use less than 7kw per day so if i can scale up to a 3kw inverted and 2000w of solar panels, i recon i can run off grid easily. Just battery storage will cost quite a bit, would prefer lithium for long term.
 
Terence1983 said:
I have a Dynex (also known as a Ceil) 1450va 24v pure sine inverter running off 2 Royal 1250 batteries. I run 2 laptops, 2nd screen and wifi off it, doesnt drop less than 25v (20% discharge) in a 2 to 3 hour load shed. At night i run wifi, 40 inch tv, a led light and sometimes an external hdd and also less than 20% discharge over 2-3 hours.
Replaced my batteries end of June and still running perfectly considering all the load shedding sessions we have had since then. So this whole LA batteries dont last is hog wash if you look after the batteries and dont go below what the designed to discharge.

I am looking to add a solar charger and 1 or 2 220w-300w panels to keep the batteries charged up during the day if we start getting more load shedding sessions per day.

Currently use less than 7kw per day so if i can scale up to a 3kw inverted and 2000w of solar panels, i recon i can run off grid easily. Just battery storage will cost quite a bit, would prefer lithium for long term.
Click to expand...
Are they fully charged before the next session?
 
wingnut771 said:
Are they fully charged before the next session?
Click to expand...
Yes so far so good, its always fully recharged before the next session but i want to plan for future in case we off for longer periods. At this stage, its inevitable that winter will more than likely bring about worse load shedding so the plan is to prep for when that happens. And also to run my office/Tv on weekends off grid during the day time should save a couple rand in electricity.
 
Terence1983 said:
I have a Dynex (also known as a Ceil) 1450va 24v pure sine inverter running off 2 Royal 1250 batteries. I run 2 laptops, 2nd screen and wifi off it, doesnt drop less than 25v (20% discharge) in a 2 to 3 hour load shed. At night i run wifi, 40 inch tv, a led light and sometimes an external hdd and also less than 20% discharge over 2-3 hours.
Replaced my batteries end of June and still running perfectly considering all the load shedding sessions we have had since then. So this whole LA batteries dont last is hog wash if you look after the batteries and dont go below what the designed to discharge.

I am looking to add a solar charger and 1 or 2 220w-300w panels to keep the batteries charged up during the day if we start getting more load shedding sessions per day.

Currently use less than 7kw per day so if i can scale up to a 3kw inverted and 2000w of solar panels, i recon i can run off grid easily. Just battery storage will cost quite a bit, would prefer lithium for long term.
Click to expand...
I had 4 gel LA batteries, never went below 20%, were fully charged before shedding, they died after 6 months. LA batteries are like mogwais, treat them right and they can remain all cute and fuzzy, but just have one session where it might over draw or power dips or something and it becomes a gremlin.
Though those royal deltecs do seem to peform better then most for their cheapness, the 2 I bought in June 2020 are still going, though not quite as long lasting, but get the new owner through 2 hours.
 
Terence1983 said:
Yes so far so good, its always fully recharged before the next session but i want to plan for future in case we off for longer periods. At this stage, its inevitable that winter will more than likely bring about worse load shedding so the plan is to prep for when that happens. And also to run my office/Tv on weekends off grid during the day time should save a couple rand in electricity.
Click to expand...
Oversizing LA battery with shallow discharges and light load and a full recharge after a session should provide longevity. How old were your old batteries? Top tip: get a balancer for your series pack.
 
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Lupus said:
I had 4 gel LA batteries, never went below 20%, were fully charged before shedding, they died after 6 months. LA batteries are like mogwais, treat them right and they can remain all cute and fuzzy, but just have one session where it might over draw or power dips or something and it becomes a gremlin.
Though those royal deltecs do seem to peform better then most for their cheapness, the 2 I bought in June 2020 are still going, though not quite as long lasting, but get the new owner through 2 hours.
Click to expand...
I think the mecer charge voltage is not meant for gel's, maybe that's what went wrong? I think gels require a slightly lower voltage afaik than flooded and AGM.
 
Lupus said:
I had 4 gel LA batteries, never went below 20%, were fully charged before shedding, they died after 6 months. LA batteries are like mogwais, treat them right and they can remain all cute and fuzzy, but just have one session where it might over draw or power dips or something and it becomes a gremlin.
Though those royal deltecs do seem to peform better then most for their cheapness, the 2 I bought in June 2020 are still going, though not quite as long lasting, but get the new owner through 2 hours.
Click to expand...
Yip the last pair lasted from Feb 2019 to June 2022 and were still going stroing until once we were out all day and i forgot to switch the inverter off and we had almost whole day power outage so the batteries drained and were never the same again after that. Within a month they werent even lasting a hour anymore. This time around im more aware of what not to do LOL.

I see we on stage 6 at the moment, been off since 10, batteries are sitting at 25.6v currently with another 1hour 40 minutes to go, il monitor it. Currently only have 1 screen and the wifi on, its pulling 49.5w according to my smart plug but not too sure how accurate it is.
 
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