Inverter or generator?

999 · 10th May 2013, 11:03

Any reviews on V-Guard invertor/UPS and batteries? I am not getting anything other than them in Trivandrum now. Su-Kam has no dealers in kerala and also only one service center in Cochin. APC does not have any UPS >1 KVA with pure sine. So I am basically stuck with V-Guard. Microtec , are they good?

jyobeb · 10th May 2013, 11:15

As a resident of tamilnadu, I have realised what is ideal is a combination of both (On finances permitting of course).
I have a 1500VA from V guard which I used for a while, (not really very happy with it) which I moved to another location. I now use a 1500 VA Zenelec UPS which is actually assembled but is a top quality product. It has already given me 2 trouble free years of service and the charging amperage has been increased to handle the two 150 AH batteries and the length of the powercuts.
I also have a 15KVA Leyland generator that I use at nights or when we need to operate the washing machine, geyser, etc. (during the day).
Here in Tamilnadu we need this keeping in mind the severity of powercuts (upto 8 hours a day)
One must realise that to recharge a battery from the fully discharged state to a fully charged state will take over 10 hours and hence use of power and extent of powercuts must decide capacity of battery.

mithun · 10th May 2013, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by 999

Any reviews on V-Guard invertor/UPS and batteries? I am not getting anything other than them in Trivandrum now. Su-Kam has no dealers in kerala and also only one service center in Cochin. APC does not have any UPS >1 KVA with pure sine. So I am basically stuck with V-Guard. Microtec , are they good?

Go ahead with V-Guard. Don't know about Microtek.

Are you sure that APC is not having > 1 KVA(pure-sinewave) ?

999 · 11th May 2013, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun

Go ahead with V-Guard. Don't know about Microtek.

Are you sure that APC is not having > 1 KVA(pure-sinewave) ?

Thanks. APC had one, but no longer in production. News from this forum itself. I have send them a request for a quote and details 2 days back. No reply yet. Do you have a vguard?

mithun · 12th May 2013, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by 999

Thanks. APC had one, but no longer in production. News from this forum itself. I have send them a request for a quote and details 2 days back. No reply yet. Do you have a vguard?

I'm not using an inverter now because most of them are not sinewave and non sinewave inverters cause damage to computers and other electronic gadgets.

Better be safe than sorry!

fine69 · 7th August 2013, 14:16

What minimum VA inverter and Ah battery should I be looking at if I want 5-6 hours backup for 1 TV, 2 ceiling fans and 3-4 tubelights. Would 850 VA with one 150 Ah battery suffice?

aim120 · 7th August 2013, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by fine69

What minimum VA inverter and Ah battery should I be looking at if I want 5-6 hours backup for 1 TV, 2 ceiling fans and 3-4 tubelights. Would 850 VA with one 150 Ah battery suffice?

Depends on the make model of the tv.If its a 29" CRT or a 42" to 50" Plasma tv then it won't be enough.

fine69 · 7th August 2013, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by aim120

Depends on the make model of the tv.If its a 29" CRT or a 42" to 50" Plasma tv then it won't be enough.

Its a 21" LCD but I'd be getting a 40"+ LED in some time. It'd make sense to factor in the load as per 40" LED, what would you suggest now?

aim120 · 7th August 2013, 23:09

With a 40" LED you should get 6hrs max backup with all the above switched ON,(assuming those tube lights have a electronic ballast).

diyguy · 18th August 2013, 15:52

Folks, in Chennai, there are now no power cuts ever. I have 2 inverters at home, both APC and 850va each I think. Was so wondering if it is worthwhile keeping them connected and wasting power in charging/discharging or if this usage is minimal?

Thad E Ginathom · 18th August 2013, 20:58

Quote:

in Chennai, there are now no power cuts ever.

Oh yes there are!

But the scheduled daily load shedding seems to be, for now, a thing of the past. Remains to be seen if we will get the monthly 9-5 "maintenance" cut.

So, only much-shorter-duration cuts, when something goes wrong

diyguy · 19th August 2013, 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Oh yes there are!

But the scheduled daily load shedding seems to be, for now, a thing of the past. Remains to be seen if we will get the monthly 9-5 "maintenance" cut.

So, only much-shorter-duration cuts, when something goes wrong

Crazy experience today, posted this query and 2 hours later power cut for about 10 mins... Not happened past 2-3 months in my area..

Chipz · 21st August 2013, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by diyguy

Folks, in Chennai, there are now no power cuts ever. I have 2 inverters at home, both APC and 850va each I think. Was so wondering if it is worthwhile keeping them connected and wasting power in charging/discharging or if this usage is minimal?

If you dont charge the battery, it will get damaged, it wont take much current for charging if you are not discharging. DOnt know when u will need it. So better keep it connected.

rags · 15th September 2013, 20:28

Planning to buy 30kva diesel generator for our office. is it better to buy crdi engine or naturally aspirated engine. the only company selling crdi engine is cooper is it a good company or kirlosker green is safe bet kindly give feedback. Thanks in advaance

Aroy · 15th September 2013, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by rags

Planning to buy 30kva diesel generator for our office. is it better to buy crdi engine or naturally aspirated engine. the only company selling crdi engine is cooper is it a good company or kirlosker green is safe bet kindly give feedback. Thanks in advaance

Most of the diesel generator sellers are system integrators rather than manufacturers of all components. Some make engines, while others make the generators them selves.
For base load applications like generators lower speed engines are more fuel efficient, so I do not think that crdi will offer any advantage. Still check the following for all the generators you are considering :
. fuel consumption figures at full 3/4 and 1/2 load
. lubricant consumption per hour of use
. cost and interval of servicing based on 100/200/500 hours of usage
. hours between overhauls (major and minor) and their cost

Then chart up the costs of ownership based on the number of hours you will use per year. You will be surprised that some of the more expensive sets have a lower cost of ownership over a five year period.

10th May 2013, 11:03	#601
999 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 232 Thanked: 95 Times	Re: Inverter or generator? Any reviews on V-Guard invertor/UPS and batteries? I am not getting anything other than them in Trivandrum now. Su-Kam has no dealers in kerala and also only one service center in Cochin. APC does not have any UPS >1 KVA with pure sine. So I am basically stuck with V-Guard. Microtec , are they good?
	() Thanks

10th May 2013, 11:15	#602
jyobeb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madurai Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 704 Times	Re: Inverter or generator? As a resident of tamilnadu, I have realised what is ideal is a combination of both (On finances permitting of course). I have a 1500VA from V guard which I used for a while, (not really very happy with it) which I moved to another location. I now use a 1500 VA Zenelec UPS which is actually assembled but is a top quality product. It has already given me 2 trouble free years of service and the charging amperage has been increased to handle the two 150 AH batteries and the length of the powercuts. I also have a 15KVA Leyland generator that I use at nights or when we need to operate the washing machine, geyser, etc. (during the day). Here in Tamilnadu we need this keeping in mind the severity of powercuts (upto 8 hours a day) One must realise that to recharge a battery from the fully discharged state to a fully charged state will take over 10 hours and hence use of power and extent of powercuts must decide capacity of battery. Last edited by jyobeb : 10th May 2013 at 11:21.
	() Thanks

7th August 2013, 14:16	#606
fine69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,591 Thanked: 1,467 Times	Re: Inverter or generator? What minimum VA inverter and Ah battery should I be looking at if I want 5-6 hours backup for 1 TV, 2 ceiling fans and 3-4 tubelights. Would 850 VA with one 150 Ah battery suffice?
	() Thanks

7th August 2013, 23:09	#609
aim120 BANNED Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: bangalore Posts: 788 Thanked: 2,499 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Re: Inverter or generator? With a 40" LED you should get 6hrs max backup with all the above switched ON,(assuming those tube lights have a electronic ballast).
	() Thanks

18th August 2013, 15:52	#610
diyguy BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 517 Thanked: 578 Times View My Garage	Folks, in Chennai, there are now no power cuts ever. I have 2 inverters at home, both APC and 850va each I think. Was so wondering if it is worthwhile keeping them connected and wasting power in charging/discharging or if this usage is minimal?
	() Thanks

15th September 2013, 20:28	#614
rags BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 54 Thanked: 4 Times	Re: Inverter or generator? Planning to buy 30kva diesel generator for our office. is it better to buy crdi engine or naturally aspirated engine. the only company selling crdi engine is cooper is it a good company or kirlosker green is safe bet kindly give feedback. Thanks in advaance
	() Thanks