I am looking for a better solution for backing up an alarm system.
What is the problem ...load shedding or power outages.
A standard alarm panel has a 7 amp/hr battery backup... if you have a very basic 4-8 zones system with basic equipment ...it shouldn't be a problem.
So why are people replacing 7 amp/hr batteries ever 3-6 months.
The charging device used in an alarm is a trickle charger ..which basically tops up a fully charged battery ...you have load shedding/power failure ...so long as the battery voltage doesnt drop below 10,5 VDC ...the battery will take a few days and be fully charged ...however in some areas power outages and load shedding happens more frequently ...which results in the battery being drained to a point of no return ...you call the alarm company ,...they charge you R750 + to replace the battery ...take your 3 month old battery top it up with water (no they are not sealed) and boost it with another 12 volt battery ... leave it over night to fully charge and presto ...you have a pile of spares.
Then the customer is offered a better solution ...an 18 amp/hr battery and charger ...it will work so long as you dont have lots of power outages ... because the power pack supplied for the 18 amp/hr has a 5 amp charger... it will charge a lot faster... there is a catch these batteries only last around 2-3 years if you are lucky...so ever 2 years it cost R1000 to replace.
i am looking for a better backup solution.
A solution which has a small inverter (pure sine wave) type setup with a lithium battery ...which can connect to a solar panel.
One which has enough power to run just an alarm system.
One to backup a router ...an alarm and CCTV system.
I know it would be better to backup using 12 volts looses and all ... not worth the hassle...it must be a plug and play.
Minimum of 5 days backup.
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