1400 VA inverter with 4 batteries?

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

aolean

Beginner
I have a Su-kam 1400 VA (24V) inverter paired with 2x135 AH parker Maintenance free batteries, bought only last year.

Problem is that the back up has drastically reduced from 6-7 hours to about 3 hours on only 3 fans and 2 tube lights, so i am looking to add/replace more batteries.

I need a backup of atleast 6 hrs with atleast 3 fans and 3 tubelights.(pls dont suggest switching to CFL, i already have that under consideration.)

Here are my questions.

1) Can i add more than 2 batteries to a 1400 VA 24 V inverter?
2) If i cant add but have to replace the old batteries, will only one new battery do the job or will the old battery pull down the new one also along with it, thereby reducing life and performance of the new battery?
3) Can there be a setup where i can utilise the existing batteries (coz they do have abt 3 hrs of backup in them) along with the new ones thereby giving me a longer backup?
4) The batteries are under guarantee, do i get right of action against the company for a drastic reduction in backup time?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
 
well u can replace them with a higher capacity battery like a exide 200ah battery x2 which will increase ur backup significantly,exide batteries do last longer then other batteries.
 
aolean said:
I have a Su-kam 1400 VA (24V) inverter paired with 2x135 AH parker Maintenance free batteries, bought only last year.

Problem is that the back up has drastically reduced from 6-7 hours to about 3 hours on only 3 fans and 2 tube lights, so i am looking to add/replace more batteries.

I need a backup of atleast 6 hrs with atleast 3 fans and 3 tubelights.(pls dont suggest switching to CFL, i already have that under consideration.)

Here are my questions.

1) Can i add more than 2 batteries to a 1400 VA 24 V inverter?
2) If i cant add but have to replace the old batteries, will only one new battery do the job or will the old battery pull down the new one also along with it, thereby reducing life and performance of the new battery?
3) Can there be a setup where i can utilise the existing batteries (coz they do have abt 3 hrs of backup in them) along with the new ones thereby giving me a longer backup?
4) The batteries are under guarantee, do i get right of action against the company for a drastic reduction in backup time?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Click to expand...

Honestly I am surpised with your issue. Mine inverter: 800 VA + 150 AH will still give me more than 6 hours of backup on 3 fans. I think you have been taken on the ride with the batteries. Yup mine is Sukam + Exide combo.

~LT
 
Maintenance Free batteries tend to give shorter backup time 'coz they are vulnerable to deep discharge... The gel inside is not suitable for full discharge... It looses its charge holding capacity over time much faster then wet type batteries due to frequent deep discharges...

Wet type batteries are better for inverter use... As for the main question then yes you can use 4 batteries for much longer back up but do keep in mind the charging time will be much more... Also its not recommended to mix old & new batteries of any type.. So you will have to buy 4 fresh batteries & sell your existing batteries...

2 batteries will be connected in parallel each, which will be then connected in series to the inverter as per manual...
 
ok, thanks for your replies guys esp. Hailstone.

@ hailstone can u 100% confirm that i can use 4 batteries in a 24 V inverter and they will indeed give me longer backup? coz i spoke to an inverter guy (sounded quite illiterate to me) who said they can be connected in series but will not benefit u in any way.
 
aolean said:
ok, thanks for your replies guys esp. Hailstone.

@ hailstone can u 100% confirm that i can use 4 batteries in a 24 V inverter and they will indeed give me longer backup? coz i spoke to an inverter guy (sounded quite illiterate to me) who said they can be connected in series but will not benefit u in any way.
Click to expand...

Of course it will increase backup but charging time will also increase considerably.... Don't expect double backup with this setup.... It will definitely give more backup but it will not be double...

Just make sure you connect two each in parallel & then connect them in series ... Kind of a 2 x 2 setup... This way the ones connected in parallel will work as a single battery of 12 v... With two of these banks, you will have 24v setup which you can connect to your Inverter... :cool2:
 
HailStonE said:
2 batteries will be connected in parallel each, which will be then connected in series to the inverter as per manual...
Click to expand...

2 batteries in parallel without any circuitry? Are you sure? Wont there voltages fight against each other? Have you tried it with any battery?

Having said that with your logic, I can use two batteries with mine 800 VA for high backup, but due to voltages fighting against other is why none of the manufacturer do it. Thats why there is 1400 VA.

@OP, before testing the theory on the valuable batteries try it against two batteries. IMHO: following will happen:

Voltage difference will be wastes by stronger battery to charge the weaker battery and then power the inverter.

~LT
 
Tubular batteries gives much more backup and life is also, kinda double or more.

Mine too is Su-Kam 1400 VA pure sine bought about 5 yrs back, and still works like a charm giving some 8~10 hr backup on 2~3 fans, TV and 2 tubes, or 4~5 hrs for my heavy gaming PC with a CRT.
 
yeah i am a bit doubtful with the 4 battery setup, have even thought of buying another 1400 VA inverter with 2 batteries but problem is how to connect this to the wiring in the house as i dont want the load to be divided but want both the inverters to the cater to the whole load. I would need to install a switch for this kinda setup and manually switch from one inverter to another when one runs out.

The best option seems to be to replace the existing batteries with 2 new ones. Maintenance free batteries really did me in..17000 bucks down the drain.
 
linuxtechie said:
2 batteries in parallel without any circuitry? Are you sure? Wont there voltages fight against each other? Have you tried it with any battery?

Having said that with your logic, I can use two batteries with mine 800 VA for high backup, but due to voltages fighting against other is why none of the manufacturer do it. Thats why there is 1400 VA.
@OP, before testing the theory on the valuable batteries try it against two batteries. IMHO: following will happen:

Voltage difference will be wastes by stronger battery to charge the weaker battery and then power the inverter.

~LT
Click to expand...

Voltage remain same in parallel so it can be done... Granted it will put more burden on the charging system but its not like it cannot be done... I am not saying its 100% fool proof but with new batteries it can be done... A 24 V system has a higher capacity charger for this same purpose...

Voltages will fight if there are much more batteries... Your theory is also correct but it should take into consideration the type of cell used... More info is needed here...

@OP. Do not take my word for it... Its your decision... Theoretically it can be done but of course it will put more pressure on the charger & some of your cells will die before others.... being a larger circuit & all...

I do prefer what dOm1naTOr said.. Tubular batteries a pair will cost you same as what you would spend on 4 batteries & will give you longer backup & life cycle... I think this is the best solution indeed.... :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom