Solutions to load shedding

Here is mine

3.5 kva 12V Pure sinewave Mercer Inverter with MPPT (For future Use)
2 x 200mah batteries

Setup for the following:

My tank: Heaters, pumps, Ato, Lights, Wavemakers.... Tank will remain as if there is power

All lights in my house connected- I can use which ones I require
Fridge
TV
DSTV
SoundBar
Fiber router
2-3 Plug points for Power

Currently the load is around - 45%

I should get around 6-8, that will also vary pending what I wish to run based on the list above. My main intention was to keep my tank running without interruption, the other items are nice to have. I did not want anything near my tank, as I have a very specific way in which I have set it up.

IMG_1576.jpg

A ups next to the tank will not work.

IMG_1835.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have the same inverter and battery setup as @r0ckf1re . I use it exclusively for my tank. I don't have heaters running on it, the batteries wont last long during winter.
 
Last edited:
I have the same setup as @r0ckf1re . I use it exclusively for my tank. I don't have heaters running on it, the batteries wont last long during winter.

You mean you switch your heater/s off during a power failure ?

2 x 200mah batteries should do fairly well imo.
 
Yes and no. I have an external gas heater that I run my tank water by via an additional outlet on my return to the DT. The water stays heated and the return pump can run for days if needed.
 
Yes and no. I have an external gas heater that I run my tank water by via an additional outlet on my return to the DT. The water stays heated and the return pump can run for days if needed.
Wow , nice setup , please show pics , and how do you regulate the temp ?

Besides the above - how would one power a 300w heater/50w pump for a day during a power cut ? ( talking winter - as I just lost all my fish to outbrakes of everything after an 8 hour cut and my gene wouldn’t start ?
 
Here is mine

3.5 kva 12V Pure sinewave Mercer Inverter with MPPT (For future Use)
2 x 200mah batteries

Setup for the following:

My tank: Heaters, pumps, Ato, Lights, Wavemakers.... Tank will remain as if there is power

All lights in my house connected- I can use which ones I require
Fridge
TV
DSTV
SoundBar
Fiber router
2-3 Plug points for Power

Currently the load is around - 45%

I should get around 6-8, that will also vary pending what I wish to run based on the list above. My main intention was to keep my tank running without interruption, the other items are nice to have. I did not want anything near my tank, as I have a very specific way in which I have set it up.

IMG_1576.jpg

A ups next to the tank will not work.

IMG_1835.jpg
How much does a setup like this cost.
 
3.5 kva 12V Pure sinewave Mercer Inverter with MPPT (For future Use)
2 x 200mah batteries

Setup for the following:

My tank: Heaters, pumps, Ato, Lights, Wavemakers.... Tank will remain as if there is power

All lights in my house connected- I can use which ones I require
Fridge
TV
DSTV
SoundBar
Fiber router
2-3 Plug points for Power

Currently the load is around - 45%

I should get around 6-8, that will also vary pending what I wish to run based on the list above. My main intention was to keep my tank running without interruption, the other items are nice to have. I did not want anything near my tank, as I have a very specific way in which I have set it up.

Backup time is calculated using:

Battery AH rating x volt x number of batteries / load in watts.

So in your case 200 x 12 x 2 / 1500 watts (If you run at 45% load)

= 3,2 hrs .

BUT > to protect batteries you cannot use more than 50 % capacity .

So if you maintain that load > probably about 1,5 hr backup.
 
Wow , nice setup , please show pics , and how do you regulate the temp ?

Besides the above - how would one power a 300w heater/50w pump for a day during a power cut ? ( talking winter - as I just lost all my fish to outbrakes of everything after an 8 hour cut and my gene wouldn’t start ?

Keep your room temperature at or near your tank temp by running a gas heater in the room or using a fireplace if you have one, then it is just the 50W pump you need to care about.

Out of interest, I have the same invertor battery setup as @r0ckf1re, I run one heater and a wavemaker in the display, figure I can do without the lights, other pumps, skimmer etc for an hour or two. The heater draws 300w but only when on, I have it set slightly lower than the one in the sump so for first part of the outage it does nothing. During the one time I have used the setup (3 hour outage, during the day) I also threw a small pump in the sump to keep that water circulating. It ran the tank, tv, xbox and fridge for the 3 hours and made practically no difference to the batteries but it was summer, things would probably have been differentt had it been winter.

Even though I haven't really needed it I feel the investment was worth it since before I'd panic whenever the power went out, now it is just inconvenient.
 
I doubt winter would have made that much of a diff.

I have tested my setup and it’s far from just 1.5 hours.
 
I’m thinking Ellie’s 1200w inverter with a 250w heater and return. (30w).
Just so I don’t have to start gene in the middle of the night in winter.
Summer put wavemakers on.
 
Last edited:
Hi guys I’m looking for an inverter solution for my setup. I have something installed at the moment but it doesn’t seem to work and quite frankly the guy who installed it has disappeared. I’m not sure if I need to put in a whole new setup or if anyone can assist or recommend who I can contact. I’m on the East Rand so any assistance will be greatly appreciated
 
Back
Top Bottom