Advice about auxiliary power supply ?

[TorquayFan]

Does anyone have any experience of using back up power to cover for a very unreliable domestic mains supply?

 

Is it possible to get solar power/ battery set ups? Or is a diesel generator a better answer?

 

Any ideas, advice or related experience will be much appreciated.

[CharlieH]

Moved to Electrical forum.

[OneMoreFarang]

A diesel generator is certainly much easier to install and operate.

[Crossy]

It really depends what you want to do.

 

Simple backup for power cuts - The diesel is easy to install and many come packaged with the required transfer switch and auto-start. You will also need UPSs for your PC and other tech to bridge over the gap before the diesel starts (ours takes about 30 seconds).

 

Offset your power bill and provide backup power (or even go competely off-grid) - Then solar is a good fit, it's also silent in operation. Unfortunately the cost of the required batteries will make it more expensive than the diesel.

 

Task A is to define exactly what you want to do.

 

[TorquayFan]

Thanks all and Crossy, can you suggest a brand/brands to look for?

 

The genny should be able to run a fridge/freezer, say 2 x a/c's and lighting/TV?

 

Thanks for your help.

[Crossy]

What size (BTU) are your aircons? Conventional or inverter type?

 

They will be your big loads, TV, lights and the freezer are minor.

 

[TorquayFan]

Crossy sorry for being so long to reply.

 

One 12 BTU and one 16 BTU of conventional type.

 

Thanks for your help.