[Samfromindia]

Originally Posted by Funny

Battery gurus, is it ok to run the inverter in UPS mode always? How does one decide about the mode to keep the inverter in? I have read about the basic differences like switching time, battery cycles etc but haven't got a clear idea about it yet. Will keeping the inverter in UPS mode deplete the battery life sooner? If so by how much percentage?

And if the inverter is kept in W-UPS/Normal/Eco mode then does it cause TV and Router to reset during the transition?

Quoting from Quora:

Eco Mode – In Eco Mode Voltage is in unregulated form and the voltage range is kept between 95V to 290V which is ideal for the regular appliances like Fan, LED Bulbs, Tube lights

UPS Mode – In UPS mode voltage is in regulated form and the voltage is kept between 180V – 260V. This mode is ideal while running the sensitive appliances like computer, Hair Drier, Microwave

Eco mode is useful in case you want to save energy, and on the other hand, UPS mode keeps the device always running and avoids voltage failure.

I always keep my inverter in Eco mode and has no issues with any electrical devices like TV / Router etc. High powered devices like Microwave / Induction etc are not on Inverter circuit in my apartment.

Basic difference I felt was:

In Eco mode, current directly flows to the circuit and during power cut inverter switches to battery in a fraction of second.

In UPS mode, battery is always connected and charged so there is 0 delay in switching. However there are no electric devices I am having which turns off in Eco mode.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Funny

How does one decide about the mode to keep the inverter in? I have read about the basic differences like switching time, battery cycles etc but haven't got a clear idea about it yet. Will keeping the inverter in UPS mode deplete the battery life sooner? If so by how much percentage?

And if the inverter is kept in W-UPS/Normal/Eco mode then does it cause TV and Router to reset during the transition?

There seems to be some standing misconception about the inverter mode.
In a normal Line-interactive Inverter, the UPS mode in a home inverter switches into UPS mode ( it starts the inverter and supplies the connected load drawing power from the battery) when the input power:
1. Fails completely
2. The mains power is not within its rated specification: >250 V or < 200 V ( don't shoot me if your mileage varies. Every manufacturer has his own specification and the tolerance is about 5 %)

When you turn on the inverter to Eco/Normal/Standard mode, it will not bother with the voltage condition and only turn on the inverter when the power fails completely.

You would be better off using the UPS mode as it protects your equipment better.

But when you have a Always on /Online double Conversion UPS, it is a different matter. The UPS is always producing its supply at the specified Volt and supplies the load - clean stable supply. It draws its power from the mains when there is a mains supply and works off the battery when the supply fails. These UPS are more expensive and weigh more as they have 2 different transformers.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Prowler

There seems to be some standing misconception about the inverter mode.

... ... ... when you have a Always on /Online double Conversion UPS, it is a different matter. The UPS is always producing its supply at the specified Volt and supplies the load - clean stable supply. It draws its power from the mains when there is a mains supply and works off the battery when the supply fails. These UPS are more expensive and weigh more as they have 2 different transformers.

Thanks. I knew this was wrong, but was waiting for someone better qualified to reply

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

Quoting from Quora:
In UPS mode, battery is always connected and charged so there is 0 delay in switching. However there are no electric devices I am having which turns off in Eco mode.

Only if you have the more expensive always-on-battery type of inverter/UPS. As I understand it, these are only bought to power sensitive electronics eg computer/medical equipment.

Maybe that is what the Quora author was writing about; maybe it was just bad-quality information. I am suspicious, as they have included hair drier under sensitive equipment!

[Turbanator]

^^

These are usually called online UPS, used where even a short switchover time is unacceptable. All regular UPS needs time to switch to battery, though in milliseconds, this can result in tripping some of sensitive electronic equipment.

[Samfromindia]

Just checked with official Luminous video. UPS mode gives regulated output voltage while Eco mode bypass output voltage. More details on the clip below.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx7VvAnhT...feature=shared

[deathwalkr]

Been using regular tubular batteries for the inverter at home and was thinking of changing them to the maintenance free models (150ah).

Basically, getting lazy to fill up water in the batteries

How long do these closed batteries last for?

[devilicious]

I too am looking for a replacement battery for my UPS Inverter and confused between Gel battery and Exide Tubular battery.

Reason: I wanted to get a gel battery because they are maintenance free and given that my parents can't refill water, I thought it's a better choice but they are not easily available (Luminous Invergel 150ah). Though, found a dealer giving it for 14.2k with exchange.

However, some dealers called me and mentioned that newer Exide Tubular batteries are maintenance free and does not require water top-up (not sure which model). I'm not sure how that works and they can't explain it either.

Can anyone suggest on these two? And which will be better in terms of being maintenance free and battery life?

Sorry if this has been answered before but that thread is so long that its difficult read everything.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by devilicious

I too am looking for a replacement battery for my UPS Inverter and confused between Gel battery and Exide Tubular battery.

Reason: I wanted to get a gel battery because they are maintenance free and given that my parents can't refill water, I thought it's a better choice but they are not easily available (Luminous Invergel 150ah). Though, found a dealer giving it for 14.2k with exchange.

However, some dealers called me and mentioned that newer Exide Tubular batteries are maintenance free and does not require water top-up (not sure which model). I'm not sure how that works and they can't explain it either.

Can anyone suggest on these two? And which will be better in terms of being maintenance free and battery life?

Sorry if this has been answered before but that thread is so long that its difficult read everything.

Check if the battery has caps that can be unscrewed. If yes, then they will need topping up of distilled water.

2 wheeler batteries these days are all gel type and hence do not have any sort of filling caps on top. I have not seen any car batteries, forget inverter batteries that are gel type. I suggest you physically check the batteries if they are gel type. Or ask them to give the model number and do your research on the manufacturer website.

[devilicious]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Check if the battery has caps that can be unscrewed. If yes, then they will need topping up of distilled water.

2 wheeler batteries these days are all gel type and hence do not have any sort of filling caps on top. I have not seen any car batteries, forget inverter batteries that are gel type. I suggest you physically check the batteries if they are gel type. Or ask them to give the model number and do your research on the manufacturer website.

I'm aware of Luminous Invergel which is a gel based battery. That is the one dealer is quoting 14.2k for. I'm not sure how well they perform though. Link: https://amzn.in/d/2BLSvPI

2nd option is that of new Exide Tubular lead-acid batteries they are talking about. As per the dealer, they don't need water top-up which according to me is highly unlikely. They might not need water top-up as frequently but would definitely need it.

Also,.was looking at other options and there are a few life Genus Maxi 1kva Inverters with Lithium battery (costing ~35k on amazon). I'm thinking about that too but obviously, cost is pretty steep.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by devilicious

..................

Reason: I wanted to get a gel battery because they are maintenance free and given that my parents can't refill water, I thought it's a better choice but they are not easily available (Luminous Invergel 150ah). Though, found a dealer giving it for 14.2k with exchange.

........................................

Can anyone suggest on these two? And which will be better in terms of being maintenance free and battery life?

Sorry if this has been answered before but that thread is so long that its difficult read everything.

Gel batteries sold in retail market are not as robust as the normal tubular batteries used for inverters, so they have a shorter life. I change my UPS (1.5kva - 2 x 7AH batteries) every two to three years, where as my inverter battery lasts at least 4 years.

I would suggest that you buy normal Inverter Batteries from a local dealer (we have one within a km of our house).

You can then ask him to send a person to check the batteries every 6 months (that is what we do). As they charge a nominal sum - Rs.100-200 for a visit and water filling, it is a revenue stream for them. Just remind them every six months.

[devilicious]

Originally Posted by Aroy

Gel batteries sold in retail market are not as robust as the normal tubular batteries used for inverters, so they have a shorter life.

Oh! I read that gel batteries last longer than Lead-Acid batteries. See here: https://www.tycorun.com/blogs/news/a...erforms-better

Though, I have always wondered why they didn't pick up the pace in Indian market if they are better. Can price be the only reason?

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by devilicious

Oh! I read that gel batteries last longer than Lead-Acid batteries. See here: https://www.tycorun.com/blogs/news/a...erforms-better

Though, I have always wondered why they didn't pick up the pace in Indian market if they are better. Can price be the only reason?

Price is one factor. Quality is another. The normal gel batteries sold for UPS are the most basic. Imported ones used for critical sectors - telecom, computers, defense etc are in another league (and price).

[motorsan]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Replaced my 8-year old Exide Boss with the new Exide IMTT2000 Invamaster a couple days back as well.

I too have the same model purchased recently. Found it a bit unusual that it has only 1 float to indicate the water level. Installation guy told to fill water only there, wonder if that is really true.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Been using regular tubular batteries for the inverter at home and was thinking of changing them to the maintenance free models (150ah).

Basically, getting lazy to fill up water in the batteries

How long do these closed batteries last for?

Bought a flexible funnel from Amazon to help me with filling water. Wonder why I never thought about that before. Now I don't dread refilling the battery any more

That and the initial cost of the gel based batteries put me off it.

[bobbyblr]

Originally Posted by motorsan

I too have the same model purchased recently. Found it a bit unusual that it has only 1 float to indicate the water level. Installation guy told to fill water only there, wonder if that is really true.

Do not trust the installation guy. All the 6 cells in the lead-acid battery are separated and one needs to top-up distilled water in all the 6 cells only when it's low.

Better to purchase 5 to 6 float indicators from shops between JC road and Urvashi theater which is Siddaiah road. First check with Battery Admix shop.