August 3, 20232 yr Hi All, My domestic worker is looking for the cheapest solution available to run some LED lights, TV and radio maybe. have looked on Takealot and don't trust some of those products. Can someone recommend a reliable solution/brand for the inverter (less than 300W), panel and battery to run for a few hours?
August 3, 20232 yr I am curious to see what is suggested, I have not seen a lower powered inverter which has a built in MPPT or PWM charger - so a separate one may be required if you want to add a panel to charge the battery.
August 3, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, Durran said: Hi All, My domestic worker is looking for the cheapest solution available to run some LED lights, TV and radio maybe. have looked on Takealot and don't trust some of those products. Can someone recommend a reliable solution/brand for the inverter (less than 300W), panel and battery to run for a few hours? Even at below 300W and a few hrs could mean 150W for 2 hrs or 250W for 4hrs. Big difference in what is needed without PV charging for the battery.
August 4, 20232 yr What is the budget ? That is the question. Because there are small systems that can do wonders but they are not that cheap. Entry level R5500
August 4, 20232 yr Author 1 hour ago, Crazy Kaktus said: What is the budget ? That is the question. Because there are small systems that can do wonders but they are not that cheap. Entry level R5500 Yea that will most probably be the budget, any suggestions on that entry level?
August 4, 20232 yr 51 minutes ago, Durran said: Yea that will most probably be the budget, any suggestions on that entry level? My call will be a pure sine inverter of 500/1000W or 750/1500W brick type inverter. A bit higher capacity working at 50% power always better than voet in die hoek. Silver calcium SMF100 Ah battery. Intelligent pulse charger. Charger connected to grid socket to always charge when grid is restored. Voltmeter to guide her to switch off loads when the battery reaches 12V and not allow deep DISCHARGING. One can even add a cheap battery protector to take the place of a manual user intervention. 11pin change over relay to switch off the inverter when there is grid to prevent wasting stand by 24Ah battery drain per day when not needed. This allows the loads to be always on just like with a UPS. This all could fit within the budget.
August 6, 20232 yr On 2023/08/03 at 3:58 PM, PsyCLown said: I am curious to see what is suggested, I have not seen a lower powered inverter which has a built in MPPT or PWM charger - so a separate one may be required if you want to add a panel to charge the battery. At this level I will use a 12V 7A pulse charger sold in China malls. They are great and produce 7A pulses for about 3.5A average charge rate and go into float when the lead acid is fully charged. Cost about R250.
August 16, 20232 yr I have used a few 1kW Fivestar PWM Solar inverters (Soltech) ones, the are very good. 800W solar input. And quiet. They retail for about R3250 of sometimes even less. or (MUST 1kW also option) And a Gel battery in budget (Goldshine at china malls etc. actually good batteries although the chinese name suggests otherwise), then R5500. Will have a very nice little setup with solar. Aslo you CAN set cutoff voltages to protect the GEL battery! Or a "UPS" type like Sunmagic build in charger .battery and cheapie solar controller. Edited August 16, 20232 yr by jlr
August 16, 20232 yr if it was me, I would 1000 times rather get a second hand victron/meanwell inverter in the 250 to 500 VA(victron) watts(meanwell) have seen them being sold on facebook marketplace for less than R1000 and pair the inverter with a secondhand blue or smart solar 75/10, 75/15, 100/20 also below R1000 secondhand. and I am willing to bet that a secondhand victron or meanwell will outlast a brand new china mall inverter multiple times.
August 16, 20232 yr 9 minutes ago, stefan44 said: if it was me, I would 1000 times rather get a second hand victron/meanwell inverter in the 250 to 500 VA(victron) watts(meanwell) have seen them being sold on facebook marketplace for less than R1000 and pair the inverter with a secondhand blue or smart solar 75/10, 75/15, 100/20 also below R1000 secondhand. and I am willing to bet that a secondhand victron or meanwell will outlast a brand new china mall inverter multiple times. If one can get these mentioned units at this price. Not so sure you will get a 100/20 Victron smart controller selling for R2800 for R1000. Not even a blue non Bluetooth unit. Perhaps post some links when you do see them.
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