Whats the best small scale load shedding solution that can be wired to a DB

[craig006]

I have a holiday cottage where I'd like to add some load shedding backup power. I want to wire it directly to some circuits on the DB, and only need it to power some lights, a router and a TV for about 4 hours (maybe boil a kettle if possible).

It would be a huge bonus if the system was quiet as the DB is in one of the small bedrooms. Having fans whirring away while guests are trying to sleep isn't going to be cool

What's the most affordable, long term solution here? Any specific products come to mind?

[Jacques Ester]

Maybe have a look at the following.

SUNSYNK 3.6KW POWERLYNK X ALL IN ONE INVERTER / 3.84KWH BATTERY PACK

[GMAC]

I installed at my sister's in laws house an 1600wat hybrid inverter for R4k an 12v lithium for R3300 and 2 370w second hand solar panels cost R1k for both . 

It's wired into the db board lights  only with an 6 way multi plug for tv , fans and wifi router . 

Guess this is as cheap as you going to get when it comes to hybrid inverter . 

[Bobster.]

6 hours ago, craig006 said:

I have a holiday cottage where I'd like to add some load shedding backup power. I want to wire it directly to some circuits on the DB, and only need it to power some lights, a router and a TV for about 4 hours (maybe boil a kettle if possible).

The kettle is the problem.

1) Because how do you just back up that plug and be sure that nothing else will be plugged in or an extension lead run from it?
2) A kettle can draw 3kW. Not for a long time, granted, but long enough that it means you need a bigger inverter.

Actually (1) applies to the router and the TV too, but all you can do is tell the guests that if they're going to plug lots of stuff in, then the backup will not last, and then leave it to them to be sensible (or not).

It's not the cheapest, but avoid lead/acid batteries and go for lithium. They will take more abuse, and they don't have any acid that could leak out or create fumes and cause legal claims against you.

Change all your lighting to LED.

Look for a kettle that consumes less than 2kW. I have one. The one I have actually stops short of boiling, but the temperature is quite adequate and it doesn't take much longer (if at all, I can't remember). 

You don't say where you are. Maiden Electronics in Kyalami (Gauteng) have this on special right now. The inverter peaks at 3kW, but the battery pack will only supply 2.4 before tripping (so you need to always bear both those figures in mind and remember that whichever one peaks first will trip). That can be wired into a DB but the price does not include the installation (nor the shipping). It will happily power the TV and the router.

[Bobster.]

46 minutes ago, Bobster. said:

1) Because how do you just back up that plug and be sure that nothing else will be plugged in or an extension lead run from it?

The good old fashioned solution of the red socket and corresponding red plug with the chamfered earth pin, that's how.

[Scorp007]

8 hours ago, craig006 said:

I have a holiday cottage where I'd like to add some load shedding backup power. I want to wire it directly to some circuits on the DB, and only need it to power some lights, a router and a TV for about 4 hours (maybe boil a kettle if possible).

It would be a huge bonus if the system was quiet as the DB is in one of the small bedrooms. Having fans whirring away while guests are trying to sleep isn't going to be cool

What's the most affordable, long term solution here? Any specific products come to mind?

Although all these all in a box is value for money we just have to go through the topics and see how many people hate the noise pollution. Worth it to pay a bit more. 

One can put together a system with a brick inverter like in the picture. I have one that can happily run 2 fridges without making a sound after the initial 2 seconds during start. 

Then add a Epever MPPT controller with lithium profile for charging a battery. A suitable AC charger from Victron and a battery protector from Victron to cut the lithium battery at 12V. I will forget trying to boil the normal 2.2-3kW kettles. Not worth it. 

With this one can use a relay to switch to inverter when the grid is down. These relays are real cheap at less than R100. Living without the noise generated by most hybrids is worth the loose custom route. Ongoing cost is also lower due to the long warranty on the 2 Victron products. Even the inverter can be a Victron. 

This inverter being 1500/3000W has no fan running when operating below 300W.

This is old school but great for smaller apartments for the real essentials. 

[GreenFields]

4 hours ago, Bobster. said:

The kettle is the problem.

1) Because how do you just back up that plug and be sure that nothing else will be plugged in or an extension lead run from it?
2) A kettle can draw 3kW. Not for a long time, granted, but long enough that it means you need a bigger inverter.

I got sold on the Mellerware Piccolo 1.1kW kettle. It's cheap, small, low-power, yet still boils a cup or two quick enough. For a holiday apartment it would be perfect, and would lower the demand on the inverter. To the point where a 1600W and especially a 3kVA inverter option could be quite workable, as in above examples.

On the other hand, with this off-grid combo, https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/batterys/products/kodak-5kw-bl3-6-3-6kwh-off-grid-system , if you could get it installed and wired in cheaply, you could probably run the kettle and the whole cottage no problem. 

 

 

[Bobster.]

12 hours ago, GreenFields said:

On the other hand, with this off-grid combo, https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/batterys/products/kodak-5kw-bl3-6-3-6kwh-off-grid-system , if you could get it installed and wired in cheaply, you could probably run the kettle and the whole cottage no problem. 

Better value than my suggestion. The offering from Maiden can also be used in a plug and play fashion. Just plug it into a wall socket and run extension leads. But that's not so good for overhead lighting, and leaves extension leads that can be tripped over, which isn't good for somebody renting out premises. 

[Bobster.]

12 hours ago, GreenFields said:

I got sold on the Mellerware Piccolo 1.1kW kettle. It's cheap, small, low-power, yet still boils a cup or two quick enough. For a holiday apartment it would be perfect, and would lower the demand on the inverter. To the point where a 1600W and especially a 3kVA inverter option could be quite workable, as in above examples.

Lol. I went the other way and bought a "smart" kettle. Has a thermostat to control temperature rather than a sensor triggered by steam. Has a range of programs for coffee, black tea, green tea etc. Has a keep warm function. Has a special program for warming a baby's bottle.

[TaliaB]

On 2024/04/03 at 9:13 AM, craig006 said:

It would be a huge bonus if the system was quiet as the DB is in one of the small bedrooms. Having fans whirring away while guests are trying to sleep isn't going to be cool

For the above reason i would use Goodwe inverter they are super silent(fan less)and good quality. Below offer on the EM 3.6kw Hybrid from Segen Solar. Maybe the OP will grace us with his presence.

https://segensolar.co.za/product/goodwe/storage-systems-goodwe/hybrid-inverter-storage-systems-goodwe/goodwe-em-3-6kw-hybrid-inverter-2-3kw-backup/

Edited April 4, 2024 by TaliaB

[Vaal]

A Picollo kettle is a 900ml 1300W which can work if used sensibly. 

Do you get a loose standing setup which still have a working earthleakage unit in? 

[Scorp007]

21 hours ago, GreenFields said:

 

On the other hand, with this off-grid combo, https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/batterys/products/kodak-5kw-bl3-6-3-6kwh-off-grid-system , if you could get it installed and wired in cheaply, you could probably run the kettle and the whole cottage no problem. 

 

 

I wonder where does the UP5000 battery fits in on the Powerforum store offer? Seems a great offer. Priced at what a battery alone cost a few months ago. 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2024 by Scorp007

[Sc00bs]

Revov have a product called the Revov Cube. 

https://revov.co.za/products/revov-all-in-one-systems/revov-cube/ 

[johan.pretorius]

We stayed in a 2-bedroom cottage close to Knysna in December, and they are using a SunSynk Powerlynk all-in-one solution (inverter and battery in a single unit). 

Not sure of the size, but it's one of these (the attached photo is the actual unit):

https://www.solar-shop.co.za/search?controller=search&s=powerlynk

There were no issues with the actual power during our stay, but the unit has a fan that was somewhat distracting in the open plan unit. It did not stay on for long periods at a time, though.

Edited April 19, 2024 by johan.pretorius