BUYING Inverter/Inversor

[dv8]

why do you guys get so freaked out by the fridge? as i said, mine is connected to inversor and at times it is full, at times fairly empty. the inversor will go on for 12 hours with no problem, after that we may start shutting down all lights and switching off computers and water pump to gain some more time, rather than disconnecting the fridge.
3.5 kw with 8 batteries. no problems.

 

[lisagauss]

why do you guys get so freaked out by the fridge? as i said, mine is connected to inversor and at times it is full, at times fairly empty. the inversor will go on for 12 hours with no problem, after that we may start shutting down all lights and switching off computers and water pump to gain some more time, rather than disconnecting the fridge.
3.5 kw with 8 batteries. no problems.

What brand batteries and inverter do you use?

 

[dv8]

inversor is unesf and batteries trojan.

let me tell you here, i am a consumer. the whole setup was done by miesposo and the electrician, they knew what we needed. i can only say it seems to be sufficient for normal living. we check and change the batteries regularly, in DR maintenance is always of importance.

just one more tip, in our house we have all this stuff (inversor and batteries) set inside laundry room. apparently you cannot have it inside the house but i would not have it outside either. so use laundry, storage or maid's room - out of sight and out of the elements but easily available if needed.

 

[yapask1]

A minimum cost sytem of emergency power plus extension for solar....

Batteries 6,000 to 8,000 pesos.
Charger 50 dollars.
Hydrometer 10 dollars - to check acid concentration when fully charged.
Water 25 pesos.
Torch - inspect water levels etc. 100 pesos.
Wires 200 pesos.

Load tester - to check batteries condition - e.g. need to do a rapid charge etc.

Load tester $40
1.5 kw inverter 99$

Switchbox and optional connection to solar.

System will run icemaker etc. for short time. Store food in thermos jars up to 24 hours
packed with ice.
Cost total including shipping under 400 dollars. Spend the rest on solar and efficient
appliances - more in next post.

yapask1.

 

[yapask1]

Sorry photos did not work on previous post. Admin please delete.

A minimum cost sytem of emergency power plus extension for solar....

Batteries 6,000 to 8,000 pesos.
Charger 50 dollars.
Hydrometer 10 dollars - to check acid concentration when fully charged.
Water 25 pesos.
Torch - inspect water levels etc. 100 pesos.
Wires 200 pesos.

Load tester - to check batteries condition - e.g. need to do a rapid charge etc.

Load tester $40
1.5 kw inverter 99$

Switchbox and optional connection to solar.

System will run icemaker etc. for short time. Store food in thermos jars up to 24 hours
packed with ice.
Cost total including shipping under 400 dollars. Spend the rest on solar and efficient
appliances - more in next post.

yapask1.

 

[Bigocean]

Sorry photos did not work on previous post. Admin please delete.

A minimum cost sytem of emergency power plus extension for solar....

Batteries 6,000 to 8,000 pesos.
Charger 50 dollars.
Hydrometer 10 dollars - to check acid concentration when fully charged.
Water 25 pesos.
Torch - inspect water levels etc. 100 pesos.
Wires 200 pesos.

Load tester - to check batteries condition - e.g. need to do a rapid charge etc.

Load tester $40
1.5 kw inverter 99$

Switchbox and optional connection to solar.

System will run icemaker etc. for short time. Store food in thermos jars up to 24 hours
packed with ice.
Cost total including shipping under 400 dollars. Spend the rest on solar and efficient
appliances - more in next post.

yapask1.

That is some awfully nasty looking equipment. It costs nothing to keep your system clean and maintained, just a little time. Seems silly to me to have an investment and not take care of it, not very thrifty. That stuff looks like it was found in an abandoned bathroom.
Also, can't help but notice that there is no ground wires connected on any of your AC side of things, ie an ungrounded system. Very Mickey Mouse operation you got going there, you should stick to advice about cooking with mirrors, etc.

 

[SKing]

I'm confused. I think I'm gonna stop reading this thread. I get MORE confused as I go on.

SHALENA

 

[sunshinedon]

how often and how long does the power go out around sosua

 

[NV_]

As much as yapask1 is trying to help, he is confusing the situation. yapask1, although your setup works, it is not ideal and will eventually have problems... As a newbie here, I also tried using a vehicle based DC to AC inverter with seperate charger and ended up frying the inverter after a few years. Unless you're just running a few simple electronics, that setup just wont work well in the long run. Plus its a PITA.

All you need is a decent inverter with enough capacity to run your home and enough batteries to keep you going during the apagones. Most important thing is the brand of the inverter... stick with Trace or Xantrex... same company and they are indestructable. Ive had a Trace 3.6k 12 volt inverter for about 10 yrs now with zero issues in those 10 yrs.

If you need the inverter to last more than 3-6 hrs then get 8 batteries, otherwise 4 is fine for a few hours.

 

[yapask1]

Working for 4 years. yes a little rust. No ground wires required. If you get Phillips light bulbs and wire correctly with double insulated kit no need for ground.

Many times there is no good ground in appartments anyway. Con artists everywhere want you to pay for ground and equipment at many times cost. How many times have you charged a car battery with no ground at the 12 volt side.

Keep it simple and low cost - stupid!

Fan is 12 volt.

yapask1

That is some awfully nasty looking equipment. It costs nothing to keep your system clean and maintained, just a little time. Seems silly to me to have an investment and not take care of it, not very thrifty. That stuff looks like it was found in an abandoned bathroom.
Also, can't help but notice that there is no ground wires connected on any of your AC side of things, ie an ungrounded system. Very Mickey Mouse operation you got going there, you should stick to advice about cooking with mirrors, etc.

 

[Criss Colon]

My system looks a LOT like "JD's"!
I have a 3.5 trace invertor that has been giving me great service for over 15 years.First and only inversor I ever had.
I have a big house,lots of people,TVs,Fans,computers,and more.We have two refrigerators,one connected,the other not. most every thing in the house is connected to the invertor.(No ironing,toaster,micro wave,or washing machine when the invertor is in use please)
Not a big deal,sometimes "Pops" the breaker on the invertor if they are all used at the same time.
I started with 4 trogan batteries when I first moved here and was just renting.When we moved to our house a year later,I went to 8 batteries,the power was off for days at a time back then,so I went to 12.
Things have gotten much better in the last 2 years,so when the 12 batteries needed to be replaced,I went with just 4.
They give 12 to 16 hours,depending if the power is off at night when we are all sleeping,or during the day when everything is "ON".
I use only low energy floresent bulbs.
Lisa,I say a TRACE invertor,2.5 should do you ok,and four good batteries.
Doesn't much matter which brand,maintenence is the KEY to long life!
I think "JD's price estimate is low,better think about more like 25 K for the invertor,more if you want on that doesn't make your fans sound like a swarm of angry bees.
CCCCCCCCCC

 

[yapask1]

For some one starting out $200 for two batteries, $150 dollars for 1.5 kw inverter, 12 amp charger plus freight is a good deal. The next $400 and one more solar panel and my electric bill now $25 a month goes down to about zero. Here electric is charged at 15 pesos a unit.

Phillips LED lights last for 22 years and are more efficient than CFC. Light quality is better. Dimmable.

Amazon.com: Philips Ambient LED Light Bulb - Dimmable - 60 Watt Replacement - Warm White (2700K) - 800 Lumens - 4 Pack: Home Improvement

yapask1

My system looks a LOT like "JD's"!
I have a 3.5 trace invertor that has been giving me great service for over 15 years.First and only inversor I ever had.
I have a big house,lots of people,TVs,Fans,computers,and more.We have two refrigerators,one connected,the other not. most every thing in the house is connected to the invertor.(No ironing,toaster,micro wave,or washing machine when the invertor is in use please)
Not a big deal,sometimes "Pops" the breaker on the invertor if they are all used at the same time.
I started with 4 trogan batteries when I first moved here and was just renting.When we moved to our house a year later,I went to 8 batteries,the power was off for days at a time back then,so I went to 12.
Things have gotten much better in the last 2 years,so when the 12 batteries needed to be replaced,I went with just 4.
They give 12 to 16 hours,depending if the power is off at night when we are all sleeping,or during the day when everything is "ON".
I use only low energy floresent bulbs.
Lisa,I say a TRACE invertor,2.5 should do you ok,and four good batteries.
Doesn't much matter which brand,maintenence is the KEY to long life!
I think "JD's price estimate is low,better think about more like 25 K for the invertor,more if you want on that doesn't make your fans sound like a swarm of angry bees.
CCCCCCCCCC

 

[lisagauss]

My system looks a LOT like "JD's"!
I have a 3.5 trace invertor that has been giving me great service for over 15 years.First and only inversor I ever had.
I have a big house,lots of people,TVs,Fans,computers,and more.We have two refrigerators,one connected,the other not. most every thing in the house is connected to the invertor.(No ironing,toaster,micro wave,or washing machine when the invertor is in use please)
Not a big deal,sometimes "Pops" the breaker on the invertor if they are all used at the same time.
I started with 4 trogan batteries when I first moved here and was just renting.When we moved to our house a year later,I went to 8 batteries,the power was off for days at a time back then,so I went to 12.
Things have gotten much better in the last 2 years,so when the 12 batteries needed to be replaced,I went with just 4.
They give 12 to 16 hours,depending if the power is off at night when we are all sleeping,or during the day when everything is "ON".
I use only low energy floresent bulbs.
Lisa,I say a TRACE invertor,2.5 should do you ok,and four good batteries.
Doesn't much matter which brand,maintenence is the KEY to long life!
I think "JD's price estimate is low,better think about more like 25 K for the invertor,more if you want on that doesn't make your fans sound like a swarm of angry bees.
CCCCCCCCCC

Thanks for the advice CC. Anyone scope out a price for a trace 3.5Kw inverter?

 

[donP]

110 & 220 v

Our setup is a bit different... as we do not have street power.
It has been working very well for more than 15 years.

We have four Trace DR3624 (2 are on standby because inverters always give in on a Saturday...).
As the plant is in a smaller building away from the house, I recently installed a voltmeter to monitor the batteries, in case they are low I can turn on the diesel by remote (which hardly ever is necessary).

donP

 

[cobraboy]

Just get a 24V 3K inverter and 4 trojan batteries, and a battery frame to hold the batteries, and you're good to go.

Price? Roughly 10-12K for the inverter, and 20K for batteries.

^^^This^^^

We have a 3.5kw with 4 batteries and only 3 times in 3 years have we run out of inverter power when the "24hr. luz" went out. For those rare occurrences we hardwired our 4kw gasoline generator into the system that both charges and powers. Works like a charm.

We don't manage the power consumption when the power goes out.

 

[cobraboy]

I've seen DonP's system and it is THE most top-tech on every level I have EVER seen. He is the Master...

 

[cobraboy]

The incremental cost between a 2.5k and 3.5k is minimal in the Big Picture. A 24v system is much more efficient. Get the bigger.

 

[yapask1]

Lots of dollars there....... Still I guess the planta runs from biogas from the pig, goats, chickens. Perhaps a donkey in a treadmill helps with the charging also.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Carisbrooke_Castle_well_house_3.jpg

:ninja:

yapask1

I've seen DonP's system and it is THE most top-tech on every level I have EVER seen. He is the Master...

 

[lisagauss]

Our setup is a bit different... as we do not have street power.
It has been working very well for more than 15 years.

We have four Trace DR3624 (2 are on standby because inverters always give in on a Saturday...).
As the plant is in a smaller building away from the house, I recently installed a voltmeter to monitor the batteries, in case they are low I can turn on the diesel by remote (which hardly ever is necessary).

donP

Very impressive setup Donp. How much did you pay for that Trace DR3624 inverter?

 

[Criss Colon]

What "CB" said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"WHY?",Every time that "Ya****yapanski1" posts do I hear the phrase going through my head,
"Oh Magoo You've Done It Again"?????????????????????
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