Helping Oom Johan with a very basic loadshedding support system. He needs around 300W to power his security cameras, TV, decoder, modem and one light. So a bit like those Mecer trolleys but looking to come in around R2500-3000 max. Something like a 100Ah Gel battery and 500W inverter / charger will do just nicely. Any suggestions or recommendations?

I think the load will be closer to 500W. I personally would then size the inverter at 500x2 = 1000W. The inverter will need some breathing room. You don't want the inverter to continuously run at maximum output every time it starts up.  

On 2021/11/28 at 10:52 PM, Scubadude said:

Helping Oom Johan with a very basic loadshedding support system. He needs around 300W to power his security cameras, TV, decoder, modem and one light. So a bit like those Mecer trolleys but looking to come in around R2500-3000 max. Something like a 100Ah Gel battery and 500W inverter / charger will do just nicely. Any suggestions or recommendations?

In order to suggest equipment

1.   Can he charge from a solar panel or must the inverter also have a AC charger.

2.   Must the inverter only provide power during say 2.5 hrs of LS or power the camera all the time for security.

3.   I will prefer a pure way sine instead of the trolleys that are modified sine or simulated sine.

4.   If the budget was a bit higher I would go for the 12V Axpert being sold by LeRoy Merlin branches. Good AC charger and PV and pure sine. Great management of dicharge level to get a good life out of the battery.

Did you come right for Oom Johan? 

Had lunch with him and the tannie today ... no joy yet.  He bought a pure sine wave inverter which he returned as it had a very noisy fan day and night.  Still looking for a cost effective solution. 

1 hour ago, Scubadude said:

Had lunch with him and the tannie today ... no joy yet.  He bought a pure sine wave inverter which he returned as it had a very noisy fan day and night.  Still looking for a cost effective solution. 

At max of R3000 that is about the price of a Gel battery so not easy to add a inverter/charger plus trolley.

7 hours ago, Scubadude said:

Had lunch with him and the tannie today ... no joy yet.  He bought a pure sine wave inverter which he returned as it had a very noisy fan day and night.  Still looking for a cost effective solution. 

Most of the trolley type inverter and battery setups have noisy fans. Not sure what to suggest. 

Where are they located? 

security cameras, TV, decoder, modem and one light.

 

This cannot be 300W. Let alone 500Watt as suggested.

I run an extensive set of CCTV cameras; a large business wifi router and accessaries, a DSTV, a TV, lights where necessary, an alarm, an electric fence, and some sleeping PC's - all combined NEVER exceed 300Watt.

 

Just add it up: Wifi is 20 watt; DSTV 50; TV 70; modem 10? security cameras? How many? 10 watts each? eg 60 watt combined?

 

total is: approx 200 watt hours 

so 400 watt hours at a push.

 

So if you can reduce this -  pre-charge a lamp; ONLY run the TV/DSTV while you are watching, and use the modem sparingly. You never exceed 200 draw and in total 400 watt hours during a load shed. (This you could very well draw from an old fashioned torch). So battery amp x 12 is Watts. Small battery (75 amp x 12) = 900 watts. At least 400 usable. 

 

So you need perhaps 350 watts and you have 400.

The main problem is the wiring - can the TV, DSTV, security cameras, decoder and modem all plug into the same point?

If so, you plug an adaptor with them all into a small trolley system - but do it yourself (one 75 amp deep cycle SLA battery with crocodile clips into an inverter )

= 900 watts

=  800 after losses

= 400 available if you stick to only half discharge

and you need only 350.

 

This requirement is met eg here:

https://www.geewiz.co.za/batteries/5319-royal-delkor-ns70-65ah-battery-12-volt.html?sfdr_ptcid=2961_617_13175801&sfdr_hash=7ce6660f31b0478872dc2bc0fdeea1e9&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAn-rGyzWOKvhAy9ALk_Rl38uLBTIhcza599UqrIU_qr-Qf9ao0QITkaAlgREALw_wcB

65Ah at R 1 685.00

• 5 Years Design Life
• 200 cycles at 50% discharge in cycle service.

So OK you get 200 cycles but that is almost 4 years if we have one load shed a week - and we have had less. OK some weeks we have 6 but most often we have none.

 

BUT TRY THIS ONE:  

Gel Battery GE100-12 100AH 12V
R2,346.00

Continue reading at https://www.puritech.co.za/product/gel-battery-ge100-12-100ah-12v/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAlIuMCIRy7I86ep9aoyaWt6DpeZNn9Hw-JmQSZyK1BCq9nkD3VBa2MaAlgHEALw_wcB | Puritech

Gel Battery GE100-12 100AH 12V Gel Battery  R2,346.00 GEL battery is manufactured with special separators and silica gel immobilizing the electrolyte inside the battery. 100Ah 12V GEL Deep-cycle battery Designed for use with solar power systems 1500+ Cycles @ 30% Depth of Discharge 10-Year Design Life
etc  

The connect an old fashioned inverter that makes some noise, is a bit hot, is not very energy effective but works - you only need it a few hours per week.

 

 

eg here

Ellies Pure Sinewave Inverter - 300W, 12V DC To 230V AC, 50Hz

Be the first to review this product

R1,159.00

 

so shop around a bit and that will work for you - note it is NOT a very long term investment. Too cheap. Too Chinesey. But hey, it gets you in the game for now.

 

 

"Then connect an old fashioned inverter that makes some noise, is a bit hot, is not very energy effective but works - you only need it a few hours per week."

Interesting to juggle figures around. Or you can have 6hours a day like we are having now.