Category: Power Inverters

Inverters last a lot longer when the back-up battery is in good condition. To ensure you have continuous power during load shedding bouts, it’s important to maintain the battery well. Make sure you stay connected, no matter what Eskom does with these tips.

7 Tips to Help Maintain Your Inverter’s Power

Many homes and businesses are choosing inverters as a backup option. Inverters support your internet and laptop computers. They support your TV and keep a couple of lights on. In this article we will explain how to make your inverter last longer. When you charge your inverter battery it needs to be done correctly. To make your inverter last longer during load shedding, it’s crucial to properly charge the inverter battery and ensure it remains in a healthy and well-maintained state.

Inverter batteries need almost no maintenance. You can keep them in good shape to ensure they last longer with these 8 easy tips.

Consider solar panels for charging your batteries. This will ensure you have continuous power. Solar systems are a lifesaver in a country where the power is unstable. Get the power you need for an extended period from solar systems!

Quick Start Guide – How to charge inverter to battery

Connecting an inverter to a battery is a step-by-step process that requires attention to detail and safety precautions. Below is a video with a sample of connecting a Inverter with a 12V battery.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to connect an inverter to a battery:

Materials You’ll Need:

• Inverter
• Deep cycle battery (12V, 24V, or 48V, depending on your system)
• Battery cables (with appropriate length and gauge)
• Cable lugs with terminals
• Wrench or socket set
• Wire stripper/crimping tool
• Safety goggles and gloves

Step 1: Safety Precautions

• Before you begin, ensure that you are in a well-ventilated area, and all electrical devices are turned off.
• Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from any potential accidents.

Step 2: Identify Battery Terminals

• Locate the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the battery. They are typically marked with red (+) and black (-) or are clearly labeled.
• To charge a 12 volt battery for example, you can use a compatible charger or an inverter connected to a suitable power source.

Step 3: Turn Off the Inverter

• Ensure that the inverter is switched off to prevent any electrical accidents during the installation.

Step 4: Determine Cable Length

• Measure the distance between the inverter and the battery to determine the cable length needed. It’s crucial to use appropriately sized cables to minimize power loss and ensure safety.

Step 5: Prepare the Cables

• Strip about an inch of insulation from each end of the battery cables.
• Attach one end of the positive cable (usually red) to the positive terminal of the battery.
• Attach one end of the negative cable (usually black) to the negative terminal of the battery.

Step 6: Connect to the Inverter

• Locate the positive and negative terminals on the inverter. These are often labeled or color-coded.
• Attach the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal on the inverter.
• Attach the other end of the negative cable to the negative terminal on the inverter.

Step 7: Secure Connections

• Ensure that all cable connections are tight and secure. You can use a wrench or socket set to make sure they are snug but not over-tightened.

Step 8: Insulate Connections

• To prevent accidental short circuits, cover the exposed cable ends and terminals with insulating material such as heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.

Step 9: Check Polarity

• Double-check that the positive cable is connected to the positive terminals and the negative cable to the negative terminals on both the battery and the inverter.

Step 10: Test the Setup

• Turn on the inverter and verify that it is working correctly. You can test it by connecting a small electrical device or appliance to ensure it is receiving power.

Step 11: Secure Cables

• Secure the cables along their route to prevent tripping hazards or accidental damage.

Step 12: Monitor the System

• Regularly monitor the battery voltage and inverter performance to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

Remember that working with electricity can be dangerous, so always exercise caution, follow safety guidelines, and consult the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific inverter model. If you are unsure about any part of the installation process, consider seeking the assistance of a qualified electrician or technician to ensure a safe and successful connection.

Prepare for Extended Outages Using Solar Inverters

We refer to a solar inverter as a PV inverter. The inverter converts the direct current (DC current) of solar panels into AC power. They then feed this power into a commercial electrical grid. This supports off-grid electrical networks.

We adapt solar power inverters for special functions. We use these with photovoltaic arrays. A solar installer can assist in setting up your system at your workplace or home.

The most important electrical component in your PV system is your inverter. Without a solar inverter, the AC power cannot supply the DC power from the batteries or solar system. This helps power your electronic devices.

There Are 4 Main Types of Solar Inverters:

Are you ready for energy independence from the power grid? Has cutting back on energy consumption just not made the cut?

If you have the budget to install a green energy system, you can save even more. The bonus is you will do your part to saving the environment. Plus, you will save on your electricity bills.

How Best to Identify Green Energy for Your Home

Selecting the right renewable energy sources for your home is a big decision. Becoming energy efficient is an extensive project. Some will work, and others will not. Extended power cuts in South Africa will make you carefully consider the right options.

Identifying what works and what does not is the first step in selecting green energy systems. If you are ready for clean energy, it might surprise you that there is such a wide range of systems available. Consider the average cost of each option and how they compare with your current utility bills, installation, adjustments with utility companies, maintenance costs and processes, carbon emissions, how much extra power you need, and how much direct sunlight you get.

Apply These 6 Clever Steps for Going Green

Have you done your homework? Do you know what’s allowed when you decide to go the solar route? Did you know you can actually get a tax rebate for your business when installing solar?

If you run your business from home, then this might be worth your while investigating. Look for incentives and tax breaks when you install a solar system. Have a look at this incentive for installing solar for your business. It might be worth your while.

When you generate excess solar power, you can sell it back to Eskom! This will help you save on escalating electricity prices. Find out how to sell excess electricity back to Eskom today and reap the benefits!

The time has come for South Africans to think out of the box. South Africa’s unstable power supply is affecting every aspect of our lives. Alternative power solutions could help.

Why Investing in Alternative Power Solutions is Necessary

South Africans face a future of unstable grid power. Debilitating power outages damage electronic devices. An unstable grid also plays havoc on the daily lives of South Africans. It’s time to consider alternative power solutions.

Now, more than ever, we need a stable and dependable delivery of power. There are many alternative solutions to tackle the problem. The initial costs for South African homeowners might seem high, but in the long-term the savings are huge.

Different Options to Keep the Lights on and Utility Costs Down

South Africans are facing a bleak future as far as keeping the lights on. We need to take charge and invest in alternative power solutions. Some solutions include wind turbines, hydroelectricity, and inverters.

Other options include solar panels and solar heating. These are a few of the many on offer. Investing in some of these is a costly affair. For many, it is not only unaffordable but impractical. Thankfully, some of these are cost-effective alternative power solutions that can help reduce electricity costs.

4 of the Most Common Alternative Power Solutions

When choosing alternative power sources, you must factor in the size system you need and what your system will run. Calculate the power consumption and see the power each electrical device consumes. The average home in South Africa uses about 900kWh of electricity per month, according to Eskom.

UPS systems, inverters, solar panels, and standby generators are all good options. They are affordable and easy to maintain. You can reduce your carbon footprint and meet your power requirements with these alternative energy sources.

Benefits of Alternative Power Sources

Get to Know More About Alternative Power Solutions with Virtual Sense

Alternative power solutions are environmentally friendly options we should all consider. The time is now to reduce greenhouse emissions while saving money in the long-term. Get quotes today and reduce your electricity bills. Our range of efficient equipment helps keep the lights on in South African households.

Contact Virtual Sense today and find out everything you need to know about alternative energy solutions for your specific needs. Alternative energy is a worthwhile investment. Get the answers you need and enhance the value of your property.

We need to learn how to get by when South Africa’s rolling blackouts begin. Here are some smart hacks South Africans can apply to survive the outages.

South Africans face level 6 load-shedding that could last for up to 4 or more hours. These power outages are an energy crisis that is affecting the economic growth of the country. We can all do our part to improve a sluggish economy in this difficult time. This means dealing with the extended power cuts in South Africa.

How? Keep your business going in spite of ongoing power cuts with backup power and alternative energy. Let’s work together to reduce the impact of load shedding. It starts by knowing in advance when the power will be cut.

Everyone Needs an Effective Power Cut Schedule

A power cut schedule might seem tired, but it is something everyone in South Africa needs. Ensure you bookmark the link to the EskomSePush App. With more load shedding in South Africa, the country needs to know the extent of the power crisis we face.

What is the EskomSePush App and How Does it Work?

EskomSePush is an easy app to download. It will notify you when the power goes off, although it is not 100% reliable. The reason is the national grid experiences overloading. This affects the schedule changes in the blink of an eye.

Simply type in your area to get the relevant information for your area. The app is an essential service to all and is free.

Bookmark and save the relevant links to power schedules. Don’t get caught unaware. Get informed and get smart.

Ensure everyone in your office or at home has access to load shedding schedules. The app will inform you when to expect outages, and for how long, and what stage load shedding we can expect. 

Electricity Crisis in South Africa

South Africa’s electricity crisis has reached a breaking point, with load shedding becoming a daily nightmare for its citizens. The country’s aging coal infrastructure, primarily consisting of a fleet of coal power stations, is struggling to keep up with the rising demand for electricity, leading to a crippling power crisis that has left business owners and ordinary South Africans in despair.

For years, coal-fired power stations have been the backbone of South Africa’s electricity generation, but their reliability is now in question as they frequently experience breakdowns and power outages. The national grid is under immense strain, causing hours a day of scheduled power cuts that disrupt daily life and hamper economic activities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has inherited this daunting challenge from his predecessor, President Jacob Zuma, who failed to address the deteriorating state of the power utility Eskom and the country’s generating capacity. The electricity minister and government officials are working tirelessly to find solutions, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges.

South Africa urgently needs to diversify its energy sources and invest in modern power plants to alleviate the electricity crisis. President Ramaphosa’s administration is pushing for renewable energy projects to complement the existing coal infrastructure, aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on aging coal and mitigate the recurring power cuts that have plagued South Africa for far too long. Investing in a power generator of sorts has now become standard practice for most South Africans.

How to Keep the Power On for Your Home or Business during Extended Powercuts in South Africa

Install Solar Panels

Solar panels are a long-term investment that can supply you with power when the grid is unreliable. You can pair it with a battery bank to get round-the-clock electricity supply.

Use Power Banks

A power bank is a portable battery. The function of a power bank is to recharge electronic devices during power failures. Power banks come in a wide range of sizes.

They range from slim, pocket-sized banks to large high-power devices. You can use power banks for charging a wide range of electronics. As we experience the worst power cuts yet, power banks prove invaluable.

Investing in a Generator

Invest in backup generators to service your devices during the worst blackouts. You can get an entry-level backup generator at a relatively affordable cost.

Plan Meals Around Load Shedding

Note power cut schedules and plan your cooking around them. You might not always get it 100% right. But mostly you can organise feeding around power cuts. 

Stock up on easy meals and food that need little effort or power to prepare. Summer is the perfect excuse to eat healthily. Adding more salads, fresh fruit, and vegetables to your diet is both healthy and not reliant on power.

Use Gas Instead of Power from the Grid

Gas cylinders for heating food and cooking are an excellent investment. The right equipment, such as a gas stove or geyser will help with cooking, bathing, and even lighting a room.

Gas heaters are another smart investment. This saves you money, plus it is a handy alternative to heating your home or office. Gas is a great way to overcome extended power cuts in South Africa.

8 Hints to Help Keep You Going During Outages

About Security and Power Cuts in South Africa

Security is an important factor to consider. South Africa has a high crime rate. Many businesses and individuals have electric fences and alarm systems.

Often these run off the power utility. You need to find out whether your insurance service provider pays out for burglaries during outages. Some may require these electrical systems to be online in order for your claim to be valid.

Read the fine print on your insurance schedule. Your insurance company often stipulates you activate your alarm at all times. In theory, insurance providers could refute your claim if burgled during outages.

House contents policies might cover items lost during outages. Speak to your broker to clarify this point. If it is a problem, consider alternative power for your security systems that can remain online during load shedding.

Virtual Sense is Here to Help South Africans Survive Extended power cuts in South Africa

South Africa’s load shedding is here to stay. The economic impact is frightening, but there is hope. Business productivity can continue with a couple of smart hacks and tweaks. Get that battery bank, invest in generators and inverters. Overcome the extended power cuts in South Africa effectively.

Solar is another clever way to make dark period lighter. South Africans are renowned for being resourceful. This is no exception.