Posted March 11, 20205 yr I have 8x of these batteries (3 years old but were floated at 99% all the time) as of today and would like to know how to best use them to counter load shedding. From what I've read they're not made for solar, but I'd like to future-proof in case I decide to add solar panels later. The minimum loads I need to run using are: Fridge x1 (180W normally, no idea what startup requires) Lights (probably around 60W, but can go higher if 20W spot is triggered) Alarm (15W) Cameras (50W) TV and amp+speakers (130W+190W, but can live without) Routers & modems (50W) Computer (120W normal use most of the time, 560W under load, damn AMD GPU) Chargers etc. (20W) The bunch of questions I have are: What inverter would you recommend? Would this inverter be able to tell me the health of the batteries? Read some scary thing about the 1150k's exploding! How would I connect these batteries? Serial / Parallel? Which cables would I need to do that? Is there a safe "box" to store these in? The biggest I've seen is Geewiz's box that takes 2x batteries. Would I be able to run something like an aircon / washing machine / tumble dryer from these batteries because I have 8x? What is safe DOD for these batteries? They are 3 years old but were floated at 99% all the time. Some sites say 60% others recommend no more than 20%. What other equipment would I need to connect this to my DB so there's no downtime when Eskom goes down? E.g. I'd like to put at least 3x existing "plug" circuits (alarm, camera, PC) on it and 2x "lights" circuits (all the lights in the house). Lots of questions, but I'm a complete noob and was hoping someone could help out with this. Thank you in advance!
March 12, 20205 yr 9 hours ago, Beylie said: How would I connect these batteries? Serial / Parallel? Which cables would I need to do that? It will depend on the inverter battery voltage (Avoid a 12V inverter!) Is there a safe "box" to store these in? The biggest I've seen is Geewiz's box that takes 2x batteries. See: https://www.builders.co.za/Shelving-and-Storage/Black-Storage/Utility-Box-Storage-Unit---Black-(46L)/p/000000000000629430 Would I be able to run something like an aircon / washing machine / tumble dryer from these batteries because I have 8x? I don't advise this unless you get a solar inverter (and PV panels)
March 12, 20205 yr Author Geewiz (always super helpful!) got back to me with the following recommendation: -- As you want to use solar in future I can recommend: Inverter: https://www.geewiz.co.za/load-shedding-solutions/75123-geewiz-axpert-type-5000va-5000w-pure-sine-wave-inverter-48v-mks-5k-80a-mppt-4000w-hybrid.html We do unfortunately not have a unit that will measure the health of the batteries, it only indicated the battery level. You will connect two sets of 4 batteries in series, the connect the two set together in parallel. You will need: 6 x https://www.geewiz.co.za/cabling/15978-25mm-single-flex-seriesparallel-cable-45cm-length-for-dc-batteries.html - to create the two set of 4 in series 1 x https://www.geewiz.co.za/cabling/15977-25mm-flex-parallel-cable-set-45cm-length-for-dc-batteries.html - to connect the two sets of 4 together in parallel 1 x https://www.geewiz.co.za/cabling/15976-25mm-flex-cable-set-of-positivenegative-15m-length-for-dc-batteries.html - to connect the batteries to the inverter The below is the box we can supply for 8 batteries: https://www.geewiz.co.za/battery-containers/93680-c8-steel-battery-cabinet-holds-8x-100ah-batteries-incl-circuit-breaker.html Yes you can run a aircon / washing machine / tumble dryer as long as you do not exceed around 4500W in total, so not all at the same time These batteries will normally discharge to around 50%, the inverter will not let then drain any further -- What do you guys think? Sounds like a very decent setup for around R15k excluding installation. No idea what the install will costs, but I assume around R3k to connect to DB?
March 12, 20205 yr I'll only comment on their recommended battery cabinet: https://www.geewiz.co.za/battery-containers/93680-c8-steel-battery-cabinet-holds-8x-100ah-batteries-incl-circuit-breaker.html The Royal batteries you have are 'wet' batteries. Liquid acid is used as the electrolyte so if there's a spill you would like it to be contained. It doesn't look like the Gee-Wiz enclosure has this capacity.
March 17, 20205 yr Author I've been speaking to installers to help out with this, but they're all shooting down the recommendations that Geewiz has made. It ranges from Axpert is crap to Axpert isn't legal etc. Some of them are not interested in doing an install if I don't buy all the equipment from them. I'm just trying to make the 8x batteries I have work somehow. Maybe my approach is wrong? If you had R40-50k (total budget for kit and installation) and 8x of the 1150k batteries, what would you do? I'm starting to think that solar isn't an option with this budget and that I should only use the batteries as a backup solution. Your thoughts?
March 17, 20205 yr 4 hours ago, Beylie said: Your thoughts? It would be helpful if you would reveal your location. This does provide relevant info as has been pointed out before.
March 17, 20205 yr As I see your position I suggest that you look at an inverter that isn't top$. Look what is available on the second hand sites. Also give Maiden Electronics a call. They deal a lot in this market..
March 17, 20205 yr 7 hours ago, Beylie said: I'm just trying to make the 8x batteries I have work somehow. Royals are not deep cycle batteries . What is the real state of these batteries ? . If you can get the date code on the top of the batteries we can determine how old they are . Then have a load test done on them to see how many is still useable . I would not cycle them more than 15% DOD which is about 1.4kwh avialable. If you take more out of them they won't last . I will suggest if you want to use the batteries , buy a 1000 watt Axpert and use it as a UPS . As long as you keep it offgrid it is legal . I will not buy storage box for the batteries they are sealed and kept clean easy . Don't run the battery voltage lower than 24.6 v on the inverter display (12.3 v per battery ) and you can get some service out off them . You can then deside if you want to ad panels later .
March 18, 20205 yr Author Thanks for the advice, gentlemen. Doesn't seem like the batteries have the date code marked. I've been told (and I trust them) that the batteries are exactly 3 years old and were floated at 99% for 99% of the time. Very few times the batteries would have discharged further while the generators kicked in (30 seconds). I thought these batteries were 50% DOD? I was hoping to have these batteries last 2 years, no more. Is that achievable with 50% DOD? I've gotten quotes for Goodwe setups (3KW and 5KW) from what seems like reputable installers, using these batteries for R103K (4.6KW, 8x 365W panels) and R109K (3.6KW, 10x 365W panels) respectively. I was a little taken aback by these quotes, but it seems to be the going rate?
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