Hi Everyone,

I'm easing into having backup power for when Eskom feels like having loadshedding.

Currently I have a Eaton 2000va UPS running my external Wireless equipment that provide my internet. It runs for about a hour and then cuts out which has been ok but the family wants to be able to watch Netflix for the full duration of Loadshedding 😁. I admit its not the best solution but its worked for our need thus far.

So I started gathering a few second hand equipment  and so far i have the following:

• 1x RCT-Axpert 3K inverter charger
• 4x CSB HRL 12390 batteries
• Relevant cables for batteries 
• DB box to house fuses and circuit breakers

I still need to get the following:

• 2x 100A fuse and holder
• Circuit breaker for AC input and Output(not sure if i need this or not)
• battery DC Isolater switch for Pos(+) and Neg(-) (uncertain what switch i should get)

This will not be tied into the circuit of the house so I will not need to fiddle with the current DB.

For some it might seem to be a bit elaborate just to have internet/network while loadshedding but the hope is to be able to run some other things as well in the future and also, inverter allows for Solar input so that's also a option to explore.

Do I need the circuit breakers? If so what amperage?

what isolater switch do i get?

 

2 hours ago, uberlegen said:

• 2x 100A fuse and holder
• Circuit breaker for AC input and Output(not sure if i need this or not)

Yes, you need them. It will work without them, the same as you can still get to your destination in your car if you don't wear a seat belt, but it's a really good idea to have them.

• Quote

  battery DC Isolater switch for Pos(+) and Neg(-) (uncertain what switch i should get)

You can get a fuse holder that is also an isolator.

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circuit breakers? If so what amperage?

It will be in your inverter's manual. Looks like it will be 32 A for the input breaker, you could use 16 A for the AC-out.

1 hour ago, Coulomb said:

Yes, you need them. It will work without them, the same as you can still get to your destination in your car if you don't wear a seat belt, but it's a really good idea to have them.

•  

You can get a fuse holder that is also an isolator.

It will be in your inverter's manual. Looks like it will be 32 A for the input breaker, you could use 16 A for the AC-out.

Thanks I will have a look for the Fuse Holder/Isolater type

This is the sticker on the side of the Inverter

If its literally just for routers why don't you run the gear directly off a battery? I do that and can run my internet off grid for probably 3 days, I have 2 x 12V 35AH batteries with a Victron Charger and a DC-DC 12-24V converter for my 24V "core router"

my setup.....

Mikrotik 960PGS (12V) as main router, POE out powers 2 Mikrotik CAP ceiling mount AP's (12V) for internal wifi, 1 x Mikrotik RBD52G router (12V) for entertainment area, 1 x Mikrotik RBSXT (12V) which I'm using for a PtP wireless link for my cameras, Nokia fibre ONU (12V) supplied by Vodacom.

I also have a 12V DC to 5V DC USB adapter to power my Raspberry PI which I use for home automation. The routers each draw around 200ma, I'd guess total draw to be around 1.2A at most.

You could build a system like this quite easily for around R2K and it will keep your 12V gear up far longer than a UPS or inverter, rather use the inverter & UPS for 220V devices.