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Inverter / battery combo (stage 6 >.<)

tinus_taljaard

tinus_taljaard

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Hi guys,

I really don't know much about inverters but this load shedding is gonna make me lose my mind!
I've seen a couple threads suggesting to stick to lithium batteries and only go for pure sine wave inverters, but I'm a relatively strict budget after just spending a lot on moving and furniture, SO,
what's the best bang for buck quality inverter and battery combo that you guys would recommend that could keep the average gaming PC running for about 2 hours at least? I would prefer a solar ready one and maybe get a pannel or 2 connected later on.
 
Just get some AGM batteries to start out with, along with a 2kw inverter.
These generally allow for solar input off the bat (at least mine does).
 
The alternating current (AC) electricity that comes from your wall socket is a pure sinewave. Some cheaper inverters do not produce a pure sinewave but rather a modified / step sine wave. Basically instead of a smooth sine wave you have more of a block wave. This is fine for most applications, however if it comes to sensitive electronics it is not recommended.

Secondly, Lithium batteries are great, long lasting but very expensive. If you buy cheaper batteries they wont last as long and you will have to replace them every few years. So buying cheap batteries means you will save in the short term but pay more in long term, vice versa with more expensive batteries.

Buy a hybrid inverter (can do solar and batteries) and then install solar panels later on when you can afford to. You can just run off the batteries for now. Just remember that the batteries will need time to recharge between loadsheddings so if you skimp on the inverter it might not be able to recharge your batteries in time for the next loadshedding, then it is basically pointless.

Like everything in life, buying cheap is buying twice. So make sure you buy the right stuff, even if it is a bit more expensive to ensure you get your money's worth.

PS: No I don't have an inverter - can't afford it.
 
Fact of the matter is that if you choose to invest in older battery chemistries that is not lithium based you would be throwing money away. It would certainly work in the short term, but the upper stages of loadshedding is going to obliterate long term viability of lead acid based battery chemistries.
Not to mention - loadshedding has been a staying and constant force and isn't going anywhere any time soon. Invest in something that serves you down the road just as well as right now.
 
Thanks so much for everyone's replies, ok so in conclusion, get a pure sine wave, hybrid inverter, and go with lithium batteries to start off with until I can get panels installed.

My next question would be what and where you find the best deals from. eg. x inverter from takealot and thse batteries from x shop. Hit me with your best recommendations please!
 
tinus_taljaard said:
Thanks so much for everyone's replies, ok so in conclusion, get a pure sine wave, hybrid inverter, and go with lithium batteries to start off with until I can get panels installed.

My next question would be what and where you find the best deals from. eg. x inverter from takealot and thse batteries from x shop. Hit me with your best recommendations please!
Click to expand...
Maybe good idea to state your budget then we can fit something into that budget. Also state long term plans.

Any applications with an ac motor in it will require pure sine wave. Anything with a switch mode power supply doesn’t care about pure / modified sine wave as the ac wave is anyway crucified and the power supply has enough intelligence to get the dc power out.
 
Issues or affected devices using modified sine wave is actually a bit more expansive than just AC motors. Time based devices as an example are thrown off. Many moons ago I had one of those mecer jobbies and all my sonoff devices would lose their fragile little electronic minds and start behaving extremely erratically. To the point of me questioning the safety issues they had the potential of causing. Of course you can't, with any peace of mind, run a fridge/freezer or other common motor drive appliances/devices using modified sine wave. Best to spend the little extra (in context) for a decent, future proof inverter.
 
Confucius said:
Maybe good idea to state your budget then we can fit something into that budget. Also state long term plans.

Any applications with an ac motor in it will require pure sine wave. Anything with a switch mode power supply doesn’t care about pure / modified sine wave as the ac wave is anyway crucified and the power supply has enough intelligence to get the dc power out.
Click to expand...

I would literally just need to run a PC and a monitor and maybe a TV with an android box during load shedding. That's about it tbh. But I'd probably just stick to pure sine since I don't see THAT big a price difference between them in the online deals I've seen.
Given all that I now know about these inverters, the only thing left is to decide on where to buy from, so if you guys know if any good deals, please share them so I can have a look. I'd probably go for a 1k W pure sinewave with at least 1 lithium battery to start off with.
 
yourang said:
Only answer is lithuim these days :(
Click to expand...
For why? Been running my AGM batteries for just on a year now with 0 issues.
They still run my pc for more than 6hrs while working/gaming.
 
yourang said:
Only answer is lithuim these days :(
Click to expand...

Only for frequent cycling, lead acid is ideal for starting motors due to their ability to provide high startup current which lithium batteries can't do.
 
tinus_taljaard said:
So far this is the best deal I came across to start off with, and can expand it later on with another battery and panels. Let me know what you guys think.

www.solar-europe.co.za

Kool Energy: Mobile Inverter Trolley 1.5KW 100AH Lithium Battery 25.6V (KL-1500W) - Solar Europe

Solar Europe is an importer and distributor of quality solar energy brands for the Southern African market.
www.solar-europe.co.za www.solar-europe.co.za
Click to expand...
I bought one of these yesterday. Not from that store though.

I got the 1Kw system with a 50ah battery. Powered my Xbox series X, 55" QN90B Samsung TV, Wifi router and ONT for 3 Hours with 31% battery left. I was playing MW2.

Only grip is the fans dont turn off, even when no load is connected. Its quite small and very portable.
 
Might be a good idea to avoid that store

www.hellopeter.com

Review Companies Online | Customer Service & Company Ratings | hellopeter.com

www.hellopeter.com www.hellopeter.com

Where did you purchase from @Foxfire675 ?

Going on your specific use case and strict budget requirements coupled with the fact that you're not a SME and want a set and forget sort of solution, it seems an appropriate solution for you as long as you source it from a legit place.
Folks with more insight in to the subject and a better budget would probably opt for a DIY buildable solution sourcing a better spec inverter that's more futureproof and larger capacity batteries. But for you - seems a decent solution.

Came across this as well:

www.getpower.co.za

Kool Energy 1.5kw 24V 100Ah Lithium Battery

www.getpower.co.za www.getpower.co.za

Don't know them but if it means anything they seem to have decent ratings on Hellopeter.
Just make sure you don't get swindled from wherever you ultimately buy from.
 
tinus_taljaard said:
So far this is the best deal I came across to start off with, and can expand it later on with another battery and panels. Let me know what you guys think.

www.solar-europe.co.za

Kool Energy: Mobile Inverter Trolley 1.5KW 100AH Lithium Battery 25.6V (KL-1500W) - Solar Europe

Solar Europe is an importer and distributor of quality solar energy brands for the Southern African market.
www.solar-europe.co.za www.solar-europe.co.za
Click to expand...

Rather just get an Ecoflow? 100Ah is only 50Ah usable with lead acid to maximize life
 
Hey bud. I just stock of some nice 200Ah batteries

I have a trolley that consists of the ffg for R15000

24V 1600W inverter with a 1000W PWM controller
2 x 200ah AGM Gel batteries
 
Qui_Illustrati said:
Might be a good idea to avoid that store

www.hellopeter.com

Review Companies Online | Customer Service & Company Ratings | hellopeter.com

www.hellopeter.com www.hellopeter.com

Where did you purchase from @Foxfire675 ?
Click to expand...

The CEO at my work has a side business and he does inverter/solar supplies. I paid R13k for mine. Received it 2 hours after I paid him.

I would have got the 1.5kw system for R21.5k but I'm installing a proper inverter system in Jan so I just needed something relatively cheap in the interim.

Getting a Lux Power 5kw inverter with a Hubble AM5 battery.

Honestly though I'm very impressed with this Kool energy Lithium inverter. Its very compact and light! The Mecer ones are exactly the same but just white. Those are a few grand more for exactly the same thing. Being able to use this up until 80% DOD with around 2000 cycles is much better value for money than the cheaper lead acid battery systems. If you dont discharge to 80% you should get much cycles out of the battery.
 
Qui_Illustrati said:
Might be a good idea to avoid that store

www.hellopeter.com

Review Companies Online | Customer Service & Company Ratings | hellopeter.com

www.hellopeter.com www.hellopeter.com

Where did you purchase from @Foxfire675 ?

Going on your specific use case and strict budget requirements coupled with the fact that you're not a SME and want a set and forget sort of solution, it seems an appropriate solution for you as long as you source it from a legit place.
Folks with more insight in to the subject and a better budget would probably opt for a DIY buildable solution sourcing a better spec inverter that's more futureproof and larger capacity batteries. But for you - seems a decent solution.

Came across this as well:

www.getpower.co.za

Kool Energy 1.5kw 24V 100Ah Lithium Battery

www.getpower.co.za www.getpower.co.za

Don't know them but if it means anything they seem to have decent ratings on Hellopeter.
Just make sure you don't get swindled from wherever you ultimately buy from.
Click to expand...

Got the link from a mybroadband post this morning so I'm sure they're legit. Might take longer to get it from there though.
 
I will just put my 2 cents in here. Not looking for any argument and don't shoot me this is based on my own experience.

Just last week I had to replace my 2 batteries because of 2 reasons. (only 6 months old and paid R6000 for the AGM batteries)

1.) I had it run down twice until the alarm from the inverter came on to alert me of low voltage. This is because my area where I stay was without power for 2 days at a time twice over 2 months. (Cable theft and transformer vandalism) Huge blow to the batteries.

2.) I had 2 batteries (105Ah on my 3KW inverter) charging at 30A. This is exceeding the golden rule of 10% charging rate of the Ah rating on the batteries. Now people can debate this, I spoke to 2 different Companies and both stated the same principles that even if the batteries state they have 30 or 50A max charging rate, you try to never exceed the 10% rule for the longevity of the batteries.
10% x 100Ah = 10A charging and not 20 or 30A. Yes it will charge much faster at higher amps, but WILL impact the life span of the batteries.

Then I started asking more questions to understand inverters, solar, batteries and the operating of the equipment etc.

As mentioned, I have a 3KW inverter and both companies advised me to run 2 banks of 2x 100Ah batteries each for the size of my inverter simply because, my lowest charging on my inverter is 20A and running 2x banks of 100Ah will give me 200Ah and this is spot on with the 10% rule. Some people will argu against this, each to their own. I like to save where I can if I can.

So I had to pay the school fees and price and now I have 4x 105Ah batteries (2 banks) and boy can I see the difference and my inverter is also smiling.

This should probably last me at least 2 years if not longer with the current load shedding of 2 hours twice a day. The stage 6 is a smasher, because I need at least 5 hours to charge the 4 batteries with a load of 200-250 watts on the system.
For 2 hours of load shedding they take about 1-2 hours to charge depending on the load. During the day I only run about 130 watts of load and after 2 hours of load shedding it takes about 40min of charge till full.

What do I normally run: (Weekends only)
2 Pc's
Wifi router
some lights (12V 3 watt down lighters on 5 amp PSU)
Occasionally cellphone chargers
And some desk top fans

I try to max my load on the inverter to 25% ( 750 watts and this is my personal preference) so that I can get the most life out of the batteries, but I generally put a little less on the inverter during load shedding as per the above list I think is about 500 watts max.

During daytime during the week I only run my office PC and some small thingies and this runs a load of about +- 130 watts total.

Here comes the part people normally don't explain and as a lot of people that recommend Li-ion / Life-Po is correct in suggesting this.
IF you run your batteries down by 10% every load shedding, you can get a maximum of about 2000 cycles regardless.
Running the batteries down to 50% will give you about +- 300 cycles life out of them.

With Li-ion you can get up to 10 000 cycles of life while running them down all the way to 50%.

Now lets do my math.
I paid R8500 for the 4 new 105AH deep cycle batteries last week. They will probably last me 2 years with this dam load shedding we have at the moment and having to charge the batteries average twice a day. Every charge count as a charging cycle on the battery's life and the deeper they drain the harder they work and less life you get from them adding it up.

If I had the money and I paid R17 000 for 2x 100AH Li-ion batteries, I could save at least R35 000 minimum over the next 10 years that I can get from the Li-ion batteries instead having to pay R8500 min. every 2 years for 4 new batteries.

My OPINION if someone wants to run a gaming PC, TV, wifi and few lights you are good to go with a minimum of 1800watts inverter and 2x 100Ah Li-ion batteries saving you hefty costs over the long run. This is just for individuals and limited load. For a family house you need deep pockets.
Again, this is my opinion, each to their own and what can fit your budget.

PS: Li-ion batteries can also handle the higher charging rates and will charge faster than the Lead Acid batteries which is a great bonus to have.
 
Last edited:
BLUE-ANGEL said:
I will just put my 2 cents in here. Not looking for any argument and don't shoot me this is based on my own experience.

Just last week I had to replace my 2 batteries because of 2 reasons. (only 6 months old and paid R6000 for the AGM batteries)

1.) I had it run down twice until the alarm from the inverter came on to alert me of low voltage. This is because my area where I stay was without power for 2 days at a time twice over 2 months. (Cable theft and transformer vandalism) Huge blow to the batteries.

2.) I had 2 batteries (105Ah on my 3KW inverter) charging at 30A. This is exceeding the golden rule of 10% charging rate of the AH rating on the batteries. Now people can debate this, I spoke to 2 different Companies and both stated the same principles that even if the batteries state they have 30 or 50A max charging rate, you try to never exceed the 10% rule for the longevity of the batteries.
10% x 100Ah = 10A charging and not 20 or 30A. Yes it will charge much faster at higher amps, but WILL impact the life span of the batteries.

Then I started asking more questions to understand inverters, solar, batteries and the operating of the equipment etc.

As mentioned, I have a 3KW inverter and both companies advised me to run 2 banks of 2x 100Ah batteries each for the size of my inverter simply because, my lowest charging on my inverter is 20A and running 2x banks of 100AH will give me 200Ah and this is spot on with the 10% rule. Some people will argu against this, each to their own. I like to save where I can if I can.

So I had to pay the school fees and price and now I have 4x 105Ah batteries (2 banks) and boy can I see the difference and my inverter is also smiling.

This should probably last me at least 2 years if not longer with the current load shedding of 2 hours twice a day. The stage 6 is a smasher, because I need at least 5 hours to charge the 4 batteries with a load of 200-250 watts on the system.
For 2 hours of load shedding they take about 1-2 hours to charge depending on the load. During the day I only run about 130 watts of load and after 2 hours load of shedding it takes about 40min of charge till full.

What do I normally run: (Weekends only)
2 Pc's
Wifi router
some lights (12V 3 watt down lighters on 5 amp PSU)
Occasionally cellphone chargers
And some desk top fans

I try to max my load on the inverter to 25% ( 750 watts and this is my personal preference) so that I can get the most life out of the batteries, but I generally put a little less on the inverter during load shedding as per the above list I think is about 500 watts max.

During daytime during the week I only run my office PC and some small thingies and this runs a load of about +- 130 watts total.

Here comes the part people normally don't explain and as a lot of people that recommend Li-ion / Life-Po is correct in suggestion this.
IF you run your batteries down by 10% every load shedding, you can get a maximum of about 2000 cycles regardless.
Running the batteries down to 50% will give you about +- 300 cycles life out of them.

With Li-ion you can get up to 10 000 cycles of life while running them down all the way to 50%.

Now lets do my math.
I paid R8500 for the 4 new 105AH deep cycle batteries last week. They will probably last me 2 years with this dam load shedding we have at the moment and having to charge the batteries average twice a day. Every charge count as a charging cycle on the battery's life and the deeper they drain the harder they work and less life you get from them adding it up.

If I had the money and I paid R17 000 for 2x 100AH Li-ion batteries, I could save at least R35 000 minimum over the next 10 years that I can get from the Li-ion batteries instead having to pay R8500 min. every 2 years for 4 new batteries.

My OPINION if someone wants to run a gaming PC, TV, wifi and few lights you are good to go with a minimum of 1800watts inverter and 2x 100Ah Li-ion batteries saving you hefty costs over the long run. This is just for individuals and limited load. For a family house you need deep pockets.
Again, this is my opinion, each to their own and what can fit your budget.

PS: Li-ion batteries can also handle the higher charging rates and will charge faster than the Lead Acid batteries which is a great bonus to have.
Click to expand...
This was an extremely useful read, thank you so much for putting the time into this post, it's definitely something I'd take into consideration and be sure to implement as well with whatever setup I end up getting.
 
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