Hello all 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

I need to buy a new battery for my home setup (to power the WiFi, one TV, one lamp and charge a cell phone during load shedding).

Before buying a new battery I would first like to check whether my inverter is compatible with LifePO4 lithium batteries. 

I have previously used a 12V 100ampH gel battery, but it doesn’t last very long (with current load shedding it only lasts about 6 / 7 months before the battery dies).  I therefore want to switch to lithium. 

I got my inverter in 2019. 
It is a Mecer Lobo 1200/IVR-1200LBKS
720w
Input: 230Vac 50/60Hz
Output: 230Vac 50/60Hz
10AMax 
Charge selector can be set to either 10A or 20A. 

Is this inverter compatible with lithium batteries? On the inverter, I am only able to change the charge setting (10A or 20A). I don’t think the inverter allows me change any other settings. 

I contacted Geewiz and they suggested I purchase this battery: 

https://www.geewiz.co.za/lithium-ion-batteries/209357-geewiz-12100l-12kwh-12v-100ah-lithium-ion-lifepo4-5000-cycle-battery-first-life-cells-3-year-unlimited-cycles-warranty-5000-cycles.html

Anyone know whether this battery (Geewiz) is suitable given my inverter type and usage needs? Or any other suggestions / recommendations? 

Thank you in advance,

D

7 minutes ago, Dyl said:

Hello all 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

I need to buy a new battery for my home setup (to power the WiFi, one TV, one lamp and charge a cell phone during load shedding).

Before buying a new battery I would first like to check whether my inverter is compatible with LifePO4 lithium batteries. 

I have previously used a 12V 100ampH gel battery, but it doesn’t last very long (with current load shedding it only lasts about 6 / 7 months before the battery dies).  I therefore want to switch to lithium. 

I got my inverter in 2019. 
It is a Mecer Lobo 1200/IVR-1200LBKS
720w
Input: 230Vac 50/60Hz
Output: 230Vac 50/60Hz
10AMax 
Charge selector can be set to either 10A or 20A. 

Is this inverter compatible with lithium batteries? On the inverter, I am only able to change the charge setting (10A or 20A). I don’t think the inverter allows me change any other settings. 

I contacted Geewiz and they suggested I purchase this battery: 

https://www.geewiz.co.za/lithium-ion-batteries/209357-geewiz-12100l-12kwh-12v-100ah-lithium-ion-lifepo4-5000-cycle-battery-first-life-cells-3-year-unlimited-cycles-warranty-5000-cycles.html

Anyone know whether this battery (Geewiz) is suitable given my inverter type and usage needs? Or any other suggestions / recommendations? 

Thank you in advance,

D

I would take note of Geewiz recommendations. They sell a lot of inverters and should know which batteries are compatible. We have seen that your inverter does not work on some lithiums. Reason unknown to me. 

lobo 1200 bulk charge voltage (tested) at 14,315v. required cv for 12100l "14.0V~14.4V, CC-CV". charging should in theory be ok for 12100l (did not check cv on others). lobo rather crude regarding display of battery state and load. from personal use, to ensure longer battery life (ie longer lasting + longer lifetime of batt), usage of tv + light restricted to usage of light only when absolutely needed. cell charger only when needed, else removed from socket (it still drain power when left plugged in). also when battery indicator drop to 75% tv get swapped with light only as light drain less. once every 6-8 weeks allow inverter to drain battery till inverter switch off, else avoid self-switch-off as far as possible. (been looking at replacements, current agm 3 years+).

Read from renogy website "Discharging too often
Another common way deep-cycle batteries can be damaged is by discharging them too deeply or too frequently. That might seem odd since deep cycle batteries are, after all, meant to be discharged deeply. However, they are still batteries and can be damaged if discharged below around 50% of their capacity.  

Discharging deep-cycle batteries too frequently can also damage their lifespan and performance. Deep cycle batteries are designed to be regularly discharged using most of their capacity, but if drained too quickly and without proper recharging or rest, the electrolyte solution inside the battery can become too hot, leading to permanent damage."