A dark Africa lays ahead.....load shedding

[kosmonooit]

Bought a Honda eu22i.

 

Nice and silent. Only use when needed so as to not waste petrol and irritate the neighbour's.

 

Runs everything we need. Have installed it into the house wiring. Just keep the geyser off and only have one big item on at a time. If you have some electrical knowledge then you can make it work with a smaller generator.

 

Just be aware that there are regulations / codes detailing how an external source should be hooked up to your supply. not only for compliance reasons but also for safety. Even if you do the genset installation and wiring to the main board, you should be getting a licensed Electrician in to do the final checks and connection.

[Let's Ride]

As I posted earlier, at work we went all the way with a large enough generator to run everything. But at home, we decided to go old school. Use candles for general lighting - it is quite nice, simple, cheap and works well. If we have to do work that requires better light (architectural drawings), we use rechargeable led camping lights or headlamps. Cooking is on gas anyway, or in the Weber, so no issue there. I don't miss the tv, and have decided to ditch that anyway. I'd like to have my internet connection going though. Having said that, the novelty of the power cuts is wearing off rapidly and the irritation factor is increasing by the day. What to do?

A small mecer ups from computer mania will work well for the internet. I wouldn't mind one as well.

 

Invertor system I have never looked at but I do know the batteries don't last and when you replace them often it becomes costly. Know somebody who installed a tesla system and after 2 years all the batteries were dead. Warrenty has just expired as well. Generator is useful as I can also use at work. 

[eccc whippet]

Battery prices have increased from R1700 to R2300 since last week and the company has no stock...only getting stock on tuesday...this is why i say buying now is a bad idea...people climb on the bandwagon and rip a hole in the public...i need 12 batteries...it is gona cost R7000 more in 1 week.

 

 

The last load shedding incident (a couple years back) took generator prices from around R3999 for a 5 kva unit to over R12000...then after load shedding back down to around R6000

 

 

Plan you power at home wisely...start off small and build the system...but not when load shedding is in full swing...take a good look at the your power consumption at home and start  reducing the load...take note of critical power requirements...shuffle the time of the load...if you install solar for example make sure you run your pol pump during max voltage output from the panels...change lights to LED etc ...you get the idea.

 

As i mentioned it is illegal to connect a V-O-V generator into an electrical installation ...however you can run an independent circuit from the generator but not connected to the house electrics...via the DB etc...the reason we call a cord with a plug top on both sides a suicide cord is because it is just that...as people say to me they have been doing it ever since they bought the generator and it works fine doesnt make it any less dangerous.  

[Stretch]

To me the bizarre is that Eskom/ANC persists with the same procurement and employment policies that caused the Eskom disaster. None of them are brave enough to say; reinstate coal quality, from the cheapest supplier or employ the best person regardless of skin colour oh, and make sure those employed as engineers are actually engineers. Reinstate boiler tube checks, ash handling contractors etc etc.

 

The fat chemist and his chums just flail around Dunning Kruger / cargo cult like; well, like a corner chemist trying to run a big power utility. Unlikely to have a good outcome.

I guess there are contracts in place... And you prob find the Gupta corrupted contracts are 5 years or something... That said.. They can do quality checks and make these guys lives difficult

[kosmonooit]

A small mecer ups from computer mania will work well for the internet. I wouldn't mind one as well.

 

Invertor system I have never looked at but I do know the batteries don't last and when you replace them often it becomes costly. Know somebody who installed a tesla system and after 2 years all the batteries were dead. Warrenty has just expired as well. Generator is useful as I can also use at work. 

 

Most routers are powered by 12v DC with a center positive plug, that you can hook up directly to a battery terminals making sure you have polarities right, much more efficient that going through a UPS, just have to sort out a cable.

 

The life of a Lead Acid battery is inversely proportional with Depth of Discharge, typically you don't want to go lower that 50% DoD at any time, so don't run the batteries down until they are flat, they won't last, its in the data sheets, so over spec your batteries taking this into consideration.

 

Lithium Ion is a different story - I have just installed a 10.4 kWh pack that claims 5000 cycles and 80% DoD.

[Let's Ride]

Most routers are powered by 12v DC with a center positive plug, that you can hook up directly to a battery terminals making sure you have polarities right, much more efficient that going through a UPS, just have to sort out a cable.

 

The life of a Lead Acid battery is inversely proportional with Depth of Discharge, typically you don't want to go lower that 50% DoD at any time, so don't run the batteries down until they are flat, they won't last, its in the data sheets, so over spec your batteries taking this into consideration.

 

Lithium Ion is a different story - I have just installed a 10.4 kWh pack that claims 5000 cycles and 80% DoD.

And everybody is sold out of batteries in my area. Crazy. I'll wait it out till the rush of buying has slowed down.

 

Builders even said as generators come in they all get sold immediately.

 

**my work alarm system has a battery. Will check to see what voltage. Most probably 12v. Could maybe jump the router of that battery but I wonder how long the alarm takes to recharge the battery. It's a paradox alarm.

 

Most systems aren't designed to only be able to charge for 4 hours then be drained again.

Edited March 23, 2019 by Let's Ride

[Mojoman]

What would the labour regulations say about moving staff to shorter shifts and restructuring shifts/cancelling shifts because of loadshedding? Is a company legally able to do this?

[Capricorn]

What would the labour regulations say about moving staff to shorter shifts and restructuring shifts/cancelling shifts because of loadshedding? Is a company legally able to do this?

 

What does your company's conditions of service say? i'd imagine there's no clause that explicitly defines altered working hours given load shedding. If the proposal goes against the labour act, then you'll need approval from the DoL. At least that's what happens at the place i worked. 

[eccc whippet]

The Enertec (105AH – 12V) DEEP CYCLE Maintenance Free Batteries.

These batteries are designed for backup/marine use only - not for daily SOLAR OFF-GRID charging/discharging

Deltec batteries never need water. Antimony-free plates cut electrolyte loss from gassing. Special liquid-gas separator keeps electrolyte inside.

No filler caps - so no electrolyte contamination, overwatering or damage in use.
 
Unique wrought lead-calcium grid design means less internal corrosion and efficient current conductivity for more power and longer life. It also cuts gassing, resists overcharge, heat and thermal runaway.
Generous electrolyte reserve, factory checked for purity and specific gravity, is sealed in to last the service life of the battery.
 

Technical Info:
 
105 AH

CCA 690

RES CAP 190

DIMENSIONS

Size: 330x175x240mm
Weight: 26.9KG

• 2 year warranty for marine or leisure use
• 1 year warranty for inverter use

*Please note - there is an additional 1-2 days delivery time to areas outside of Gauteng
*Please note - an additional shipping charge of R395 applies owing to the weight of the battery

[eccc whippet]

the post above was a copy and paste from geewix.co.za

 

the part that i find interesting is the comment about being designed for marine applications only  - not for solar charging and discharging.

[eccc whippet]

A few things i am learning as i go...consider the weight of the solar panels on your roof...shouldnt be a problem...so long as the roof is in good condition...ie no bugs or wood rot...best you check before you buy solar panels...it could be a huge unexpected outlay...especially if you have taken a second bond to go off grid or just fit a ton of solar panels on the roof...and dont forget roof maintenance when required...i am considering building car ports and awnings around my house and garage ...kill 2 birds with one stone...get solar and a car port (very expensive carport practical car port. 

 

Installing an axpert/meccer inverter...understand why you use a non grid or grid tied inverter...very import when connected via the solar panels...load direction etc...lots of info on the www....the axpert/meccer software (watchpower) is not the most accurate when load testing the batteries...especially if you do high load tests which indicate the charge left in the batteries...apparently there is better software...i need to do my homework...because as indicated above ...not a good idea to use normal marine deep cycle lead acid batteries...watching a 48 volt system with 12 batteries charge and discharge while loading and recharging the batteries was rather interesting.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

A few things i am learning as i go...consider the weight of the solar panels on your roof...shouldnt be a problem...so long as the roof is in good condition...ie no bugs or wood rot...best you check before you buy solar panels...it could be a huge unexpected outlay...especially if you have taken a second bond to go off grid or just fit a ton of solar panels on the roof...and dont forget roof maintenance when required...i am considering building car ports and awnings around my house and garage ...kill 2 birds with one stone...get solar and a car port (very expensive carport practical car port. 

 

Installing an axpert/meccer inverter...understand why you use a non grid or grid tied inverter...very import when connected via the solar panels...load direction etc...lots of info on the www....the axpert/meccer software (watchpower) is not the most accurate when load testing the batteries...especially if you do high load tests which indicate the charge left in the batteries...apparently there is better software...i need to do my homework...because as indicated above ...not a good idea to use normal marine deep cycle lead acid batteries...watching a 48 volt system with 12 batteries charge and discharge while loading and recharging the batteries was rather interesting.

 

You seem to be pretty well, self educated on this so here is a question.

If you want to remain non-grid tied and are creating surplus energy from you panels, where does the power go, seeing as the batteries in this scenario are now full?

[Capricorn]

You seem to be pretty well, self educated on this so here is a question.

If you want to remain non-grid tied and are creating surplus energy from you panels, where does the power go, seeing as the batteries in this scenario are now full?

 

charge controller makes the PV panels effectively open circuit. It's like a switch that's open: there's a voltage difference across the terminals of the switch,but no current flows, so hence no power is being built up.

It's perfectly safe as there's no charge build up in the panels that is, it's not like a dam that can overflow. It needs a completed circuit to generate power (current to flow).

 

Perhaps in that scenario, you will need more batteries, or another useful load to help get better return on your investment?

Edited March 25, 2019 by Capricorn

[Capricorn]

the post above was a copy and paste from geewix.co.za

 

the part that i find interesting is the comment about being designed for marine applications only  - not for solar charging and discharging.

 

I find that curious as well. Unless those batteries require contact with sea water to function properly, i don't understand why it cannot be used as normal batteries. what about their operating environment makes their use so specific? Without more detailed info, i call bollocks.

[Mojoman]

Anyone had broken solar panels in hail storms? Do they damage easily?

[PhilipV]

I find that curious as well. Unless those batteries require contact with sea water to function properly, i don't understand why it cannot be used as normal batteries. what about their operating environment makes their use so specific? Without more detailed info, i call bollocks.

In short, marine batteries are designed to give enough current in a short burst to start a motor, and then be able to supply power to electronic circuits (lights, radar etc)

 

https://marinebatteryguy.com/difference-marine-battery-car-battery/