Team-BHP - Inverter Batteries

Always go for tall tubular battery compared to flat plate or SMF battery. Though initial cost is higher it gives complete peace of mind provided initial set up is tuned perfectly. Last year I got 150 Ah tall tubular battery + 850VA sine wave inverter for 12000+5000 INR.

Guys one query:
The power situation is so bad in our native place that the inverter simply does not get charged up. Dad is thinking of installing a solar panel to charge the battery. But I am not sure if solar panel can provide the current needed for charging.
Any inputs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by download2live (Post 2826097)

Solar panel will be expensive and I don't think it will be able to charge an inverter + other complexities. Why don't you get a small genset which will power up your house as well as charge the battery at the same time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by download2live (Post 2826097)

Luminous has an solar powered option as a standard product - you may want to check on that

Quote:

Originally Posted by download2live (Post 2826097)

Even I would suggest getting a generator to back up the inverter. That is what most of the industries where power is critical do.

1. Calculate the total power required in the house hold - "H" kva
2. If the inverter is "I" kva

then get a generator which is "H" + "I" kva.

You can get a controller which will -
. When power goes the inverter is switched on.
. Once the inverter battery is down to 15%, generator switches on (and the inverter switches off) and supplies power to both the inverter battery and the house hold.

Hence for short term outages the generator is never used unless the inverter battery is down, and for long outages you have a generator supplying the power. You can even program the generator to start within 15 minutes of the power cut, thus preserving the inverter charge.:D

Hey. Wanted a bit of advise.

I've been using the APC HI800SQ model inverter with a 130AH Fujiya Lite battery for about 2 years now. Back up duration has been dropping and I'm on the look out for a new battery.

An APC rep advised me against a battery with a rating higher than 120AH saying that the inverter won't be able to charge those properly. I'm tempted to believe him; but wanted to confirm with you guys and also get suggestions on batteries that you think may be appropriate for this inverter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vijaycool (Post 2822507)

JC battery coimbatore. 36 months + 24 months pro rata.

Regards,
Vijay

Are there no reliable local brands not available in Bombay - the price difference between local brands and famous ones seems to be considerable.

Any one has any experience with local batteries in Bombay?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinu_h (Post 2832333)

I've been using the APC inverter with a 130AH Fujiya Lite battery for about 2 years now. Back up duration has been dropping and I'm on the look out for a new battery.

An APC rep advised me against a battery with a rating higher than 120AH saying that the inverter won't be able to charge those properly. I'm tempted to believe him; but wanted to confirm with you guys and also get suggestions on batteries that you think may be appropriate for this inverter.

I use the APC BI850 SINE.
In mine there is a switch behind the UPS for setting the battery capacity.
The charging current increases based on the battery capacity.
Mine supports from 80AH to 180AH.

You can check your user-manual for the details.

Here are some photos (cropped) for your help:

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy (Post 2832335)

Check Rocket tubular batteries with warranty

Quote:

Originally Posted by manim (Post 2832382)

Yours is a sine wave as against square of mine. It also is a better and more recent model if I'm not wrong. I don't have that switch on mine.

I retained the inverter and purchased a Prestolite 110AH for Rs. 5,100 (Rs. 6,900 - Rs. 1,800 for old one). Exide is going for a premium and I didn't see the point. Would you say that I got a good bargain ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinu_h (Post 2832333)

I have a 800VA Luminous inverter with 150aH Exide battery. Before this battery it was having a 130aH Amaron battery. So I too upgraded to 150aH battery and it's working fine since last three years.

You could have also done that but as you have made the purchase no issues then.

More aH means more back up time and it's nothing like inverter will not be able to charge higher aH batteries, it's just that it will take little more time and that's it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluevolt (Post 2832449)

I agree, more AH equals longer backup. Rs. 5,100 for a 110AH and Rs. 9,200 for a 150AH. I could get ~ 2 x 110AH's for the price of 1 x 150AH. It's obvious that there's an unjustified spike between <110AH and >110AH batteries.