Inverters

[CLIVE-TRIANGLE]

AndyD, thanks for your input. This is an off the shelf UPS and is way too small to have anything more than a typical sealed ni-cad type battery. The unit is relatively new and has only died since the daily load shedding. Previously outages presented no problems.

As I write, it has been more than 24 hours since the last outage. By Thursday morning it will be about 40 hours. I would like to say I will test it but I will wait for Eksdom do it for me, and I will post the outcome. I actually only need about 3 minutes to shut down my NAS box and thereby save some very fancy hard drives.

Judging from the press releases, back up power in whatever shape or form is going to be a big issue and I don't want to be caught napping.

[AndyD]

I wish you luck and hope you're never in the bathroom when the power outages occur

[ians]

Been through this battery story tooo many times. Being a bass fisherman and a "power fisherman" battery power is a critical asset if used correctly.

Some tips: (deep cycle batteries, these should be the only ones used with an invertor)

1/ Always store your battery in a cool place
2/ Never discharge the battery below 10.5 volts or less than the percentage rated for that battery ie 80 or 50 % depending on the make and type. If discharged below a the percentage will shorten the life of the battery or destroy it if discharged to much.
3/ Always use a charger rated at least 10 % the amp/hr of the batery ie 100 amp/hr should be charged with a 10 amp charger, not only will a smaller unit damage the battery it will also take that much longer to recharge. Your battery could still be flat by the next load shed.
4/ The gas (hydrogen) is extremely explosive while charging the batteries.
5/ if used incorrectly batteries or old batteries can explode.

[Justloadit]

Never allow a discharged battery to stand for more than a day, charge immediately, as flat battery's tend to destroy themselves if left in the discharged state.
Unused battery's should be charged to 80% of their capacity every few months to avoid the above. An unused battery self discharges and needs to be topped up every few months.