Inverter Requirements

[Dai56]

Hi....I've just registered and this is my first question.

A friend has acquired several 12v inverters and wishes to use them in order that he is less dependent on his grid supply as his location is of the beaten track and subject to fairly frequent power outages.

I ve tried advising him thus far but what I really need is a rule of thumb guidance that he can easily apply to his needs. So, one of his inverters is rated at 1000watt continuous and the other at 1500watt cont., what size of battery would be sufficient for his needs. He currently has a couple of deep cycle 26ah and a leisure battery of about 70ah together with a 145watt panel and a small vertical axis turbine together with a charge controller. Any advice I could pass on would be very much appreciated.

On a related note I am concerned as to the safety aspect of anything he might rig up in particular any earthing requirements and rcd protection of socket outlets..

 

[binky]

the inverters are too big for single panel - they might work, but not efficiently

 a book like this would be useful:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Live-Off-grid-Nick-Rosen/dp/0553818198/ref=sr_1_27?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366127015&sr=1-27&keywords=solar+pv

 

[NozSpark]

....and don't even think about tieing them into the existing circuits,,, dedicated sockets only!!

 

[roys]

Also don't forget a fuse straight after the battery positive, they don't like a short.

 

[binky]

to make this set-up safe and legal would also require an automatic isolator so if grid fails you can supply property via batteries into existing circuits, without potentially electrocuting whoever is working on the grid supply. Ideally you need to assess a minimum load level, and decide how many hours you wish this to be maintained for, you can then work out how large a battery back-up system you need to achieve this. Have a look at NEDAP inverters.