Inverter selection

 

Hi.

I'm considering buying a Tripplite PowerVerter APS 1250 for use as a
home backup power system.  My intention is to connect it to four gel
batteries (96ah each) and provide back up power to a couple of fans,
compact fluorecent lights, a computer and a small home theater center.
Since I live in Puerto Rico I also plan to use it after a hurricane
hit, mostly during nights, and have it recharge the batteries during
the day by using a gasoline generator.

I prefer this inverter as oposed to a Xantrex or similar because I
think that the instalation will be easier since it connects directly to
the wall and has AC outlets so I can just run power extensions to the
loads.  It also cost less than  a Xantrex DR unit, which I think will
be equivalent in features, watts and charger capacity.  Is there any
reason why I should go with the Xantex instead?

Any comments, opinnions or suggestions will be greatly appretiated.

Orlando L. Pedrosa

 

Here's some information that all of us have learned and my totally
worthless opinion:

Everything you hook to your bank will have a draw, that is, it will use
power from those batteries. Sometimes these are called phantom loads.
When we're talking inverters, they use power, even when they are in
"standby" which is when you don't have anything running from the 110
volt (us) side. I have a Vector and a Xantrex inverter. The Vector uses
.9 amps (12 volts) in standby. The Xantrex uses less than .2 amps (12
volts) in standby. Some pull more, some less.

Another area to look is effeciency of the inverter. Some do a better
job. What you'll be doing is visiting web sites and looking at product
specs. For everything that the inverter does. Look at the "surge"
ability of it. How much startup power will it supply? An example: at my
cabin, I have a 12 inch television. When it's running, it will
generally pull 10 watts of 110 volts. At startup it will use 40 watts.
Electric motors will pull lots more power starting. So will _some_
fluorecent lights.

Fans. Get 12 volt fans. I ain't got no A/C at my cabin and northern
Michigan gets beastly hot in the summer.

Batteries. Opinions vary widely on battery choices. My personal opinion
is to stay away from AGMs for the main bank. They are very sensitive -
you'll be babysitting them to make sure they don't go above a certain
voltage. Me, I like good old wet cell batteries. Yeah, you've got to
check the water level, but I look at it like flushing the toilet; you
have to do what you have to do.

There will be other posts. What you'll have to do is form your own
opinion from all the tripe we throw at you. Once you're confused
enough, you're good to go because you have to be confused to come here
for advice. I crack myself up.


Max
http://www.northernmichigansolar.com
http://www.kitcar.dynip.com/solarpower/
[northern Michigan, USA solar powered cabin]

 



Agree.  Depending on what part of PR, there could be some heat.
Batteries don't like heat, and I wouldn't expect them to last a
terribly long time.  I'd shoot for four or six  six-volt golf cart
batteries.  They are fairly cheap and do deep discharge well.  The
first set of batteries is almost always a training set.

 

On 20 May 2006 01:32:56 -0700, OPedrosa@gmail.com wrote:


There are some differences to consider:

The  PowerVerter APS 1250 is really a UPS system and expects
the AC power in to be there most of the time. Transfer to inverter
operation upon loss of line AC is faster than a DR.

The Xantrex DR series is a standalone inverter that can use line
AC power for recharging.  It also features temperature compensation
of the battery voltage and has a sleep mode.

Your pick.
Bill Kaszeta
Photovoltaic Resources Int'l
Tempe  Arizona  USA
bill@pvri-removethis.biz

 


Bill Kaszeta / Photovoltaic Resources wrote:


Another issue is functionality. The DR is designed to feed an AC
breaker panel, which can be very convenient; no extension cords needed.
While grid AC is present, you just use the "flow thru" function. When
the AC drops, the DR picks up, no running around with extension cords.
Another thing is the length of time you expect the power to be out.
Don't know what the UPS charger is rated for, but I bet it's a slow
trickle charger at best. If you wanted to be able to plug a generator
into your backup power system to recharge the batteries during
extensive blackouts, the DR would maximize the generator output alot
more than the UPS would.

Choices, choices... ;-)

DJ