Hi all,

Will try to be concise but sometimes struggle with that. I failed, sorry 😅

I am of course sick of load shedding. I'd like a ~2kWh inverter-battery setup (only need 500-750W per hour during shedding (1 PC + fridge + TV setup)) that can recharge quickly between shedding sessions. If I had a garage I could pack it full of deep cycle gel batteries, but I am space constrained and so have been thinking it's lifepo or bust (let me know if you think otherwise). Note I will likely be moving out of ZA in 1-3 years so am trying to keep resale value etc. in mind.

I got a quote for everything + installation this week with all kinds of costs that added up much higher than I thought was realistic. But I don't know exactly what other stuff is needed besides the inverter/charger and battery - so maybe the quote is fine. I'm in the CT area.

I'm looking for something like

• 200Ah 12V LiFePO4 battery (~R18k)
• 1.2kVA Victron Multiplus inverter-charger (~R13k)
• Not sure what else I would need but hoped I could get away with the above kind of setup hooked into my DB for around R35k

Quote I got had in addition to the above

• Victron Venus Gx @ over R5k (what is this for??)
• Cables for inverter to battery @ over R1.5k (seems a bit expensive??)
• Victron battery switch @ R500 (ok, maybe useful, idk)
• Sub DB with change-over switch etc @ over R5k (guess some db/switch would be needed but why so expensive?)
• More "accessories" @ over R2k
• Installation @ over R10k (seems crazy expensive to me)
• CoC and inspection @ over 2k (eish man)
• Totals to over R60k!

I want to stay under R40k for sure. So I think my options are:

1. Email quote people back and ask them to take out anything that isn't strictly necessary + get some more quotes from places for full installation.
2. Buy the components myself, figure out what exactly I need, and connect everything minus the final DB connection. Get an electrician in for final connection + CoC which should hopefully only be R3k or something? Who knows.
3. Just buy a ~1500Wh box from Ecoflow. I think their stuff is Li-ion so doesn't have the greatest lifespans. And it won't be as neat (lights! Fridge! (Almost) everything else!) once "installed".

I'm leaning toward option 2 - but still need to figure out exactly what the additional costs are on top of the battery + inverter. Have tried to look for a beginner's writeup type thing on this forum but came up empty. Please let me know what you think of the quote I got, what you suggest I do, etc. 

Is the Victron inverter overkill? The cheap inverters seem to work fine but are all apparently very loud? I'm in an apartment and the inverter would be installed in the kitchen/living space.

Would also love a few pointers for the DIY option - links to good guides etc. 🤷‍♂️

Hi

This may be useful

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Wiring-Unlimited-EN.pdf

Cheers

Hi, just checking if you have come to any conclusions...Also from CT, also had to make a decision, went with a 2kVA trolley plug and play type. How are your electrical skills? 

 

Hi @vrystaat, have gone over some sections of that doc and they would definitely help with DIY, thanks.

Currently I'm planning on buying an Ecoflow Delta Max and just wiring my PC through it (via UPS) etc., considering they have some good specials going right now. Still super expensive, but cheaper than home install.

I guess if anyone sees this and thinks I should do something else, let me know ASAP. Not super keen right now to mess around with DIY and try figure things out, especially while I'm unsure about what other costs there are outside of the inverter and battery.

@Kajal my elec theory isn't too bad I think, but my practical knowledge and skills are near zero. I think those trolleys are fine for keeping the lights on, maybe laptop/TV etc., but if you have a PC and want to game while being load shed the batteries in those trolleys (at least the ones I've seen) won't last through many load shedding cycles before they wear out and need replacing.

@Staindk Fair point regarding battery replacement, but if you calculate your PC load, and for how long you are going to run it, you should be able to manage your consumption and battery DoD, to get the 1-3 years out. The underlying factor is ultimately cost. I see that you live in an apartment, does that rule out solar panels for the purposes of charging your battery? Then if you wire into the DB, it becomes a permanent fixture, so from the resale point of view, it will be the value of the apartment, as opposed to reselling the inverter and battery, right? 

Then with option 2, generally you would need an isolator for the inverter, a fuse for the battery, a change over switch, ELU surge protector and then the MCB's for the load you intend carrying with your backup. And all the wiring, connectors, lugs and trunking to go with. If you do this properly, then you can have the COC done without necessarily paying for any labour. Do you have space for the sub DB, how far is it from the main DB and inverter/battery setup.

Alternatively do you have space on the existing DB? 

It is very doable, just make sure it is safe and done within regulations.

Goodluck

 

 

@Kajal good points, thanks. 

Yip I am renting an apartment, and there's no solar going up in this complex for the time being. Any upgrades I make that are not easily moveable will stay once I move out - so at that point I'd have to discuss with the owner and determine if they want to pay anything for the upgrades. Makes things a bit different. If I owned this place I'd be much more keen to install a permanent backup power solution.

Think there is space for a sub DB and inverter on the wall. It's by the front door so could be an eyesore I guess. Seems there's enough space for about 4 or 5 "1-wide" switches in the existing DB - guessing that might be enough for what I need. Good idea - will look into it!

Thanks for all the other tips!