Why an Inverter, rather than a Generator?

[row header=”Why an Inverter, rather than a Generator?”]

Consumption Table

	Description	Suggested FCS Solution	Wattage Approx.	Suggested Batteries to use
1	TV for 13 hours	FCS K3 2400	250Watt	2 x 170 A/H
2	TV & DVD plus 1 light for 12 hours	FCS K3 2400	350Watt	2x 170 A/H
3	TV & DVD & DSTV, plus 6 LED lights for 11 hours	FCS K3 2400	600Watt	2x 170 A/H
4	TV & DVD & DSTV plus 6 LED light + Fridge for 5 hours	FCS K3 2400	700Watt	2x 170 A/H
5	TV & DVD & DSTV , plus 10 LED lights+ Fridge for 4.5 hours	FCS K3 2400	800Watt	2x 170 A/H
6	TV & DVD & DSTV, plus 10 LED lights for 6 hours Plus occasional Microwave oven	FCS K5 4000	1200Watt	4 x 170 A/H
7	TV & DVD & DSTV, plus 10 LED lights for 6 hours Plus occasional Microwave oven Electric Gate motor backup power	FCS K5 4000	1200Watt	4 x 170 A/H
8	TV & DVD & DSTV, plus 10 LED lights for 6 hours Plus occasional Microwave oven Electric Gate motor backup power	FCS K5 4000	2000Watt	4 x 170 A/h depend on time duration
9	TV & DVD & DSTV , plus 10 LED lights for 5 hours Plus 2x computers for the same time	FCS K5 4000	1500Watt	4 x 170 A/H
10	More powerful house hold setup, such as 10 LED lights, TV, & DSTV, Washing machine 2.5 hours	FCS K5 4000	3000Watt	4 x 170 A/H
11	300 W for 12 hours	FCS K3 2400	300Watt	2 x 170 A/H
12	900 Watt for 4 hours	FCS K3 2400	900Watt	2x 170 A/H
13	1500 Watt for 5 hours	FCS K5 4000	1500Watt	4 x 170 A/H
14	2000 Watt for 3.5 hours	FCS K5 4000	2000Watt	4 x 170A/H

Inverter vs Generator Table

***ALL CALCULATIONS ARE ASSUMPTIONS AND MAY VARY

	Petrol Gernerator 5kva	Inverter 5 Kva ( FCS K5-4000 )
Brand	Honda petrol Gen	Full circle solar inverter
Output	4000w	4000w
Energy source	Petrol	Battery bank
Capacity	10 litres	680 A/hr (4x 170 ah 12v)
Max output	5000w	8000w
Consumption	2.5 ltr/Hr	166 A/h
At Start	10 ltr 100%	54v 100%
At end	0 Ltr 0 %	46v 10%
Internal losses	N/A	1 Kw/h
Conversion eff	N/a	91%
Recharge time	N/A	14 Hrs
Load 50%	2000w	2000w
Total in 4 Hrs	8000w	8000w
Run Time @ 50%	4 hrs	3.5 Hrs
Power produced	8 kwh	7 kwh
Cost	R12.89/l petrol x 10 ltr = R128.90	8kva x R1.66/Kwh =R13.28
Cost per Kw/h	8Kwh/R128.90 = R16.11	7 Kwh/13.28 = R1.89
Usage 3 hrs/day/year	3hrsx365days = 1095 hrs	3hrsx365days = 1095 hrs
Life span on Gen/Bat	500hrs to 1500 hrs Average	10 years or 1000 cycles= 3500 Hrs
Cost of Generator/Inv	R 9 850.00	R 12 500
Cost of Batteries	N/a	R3200 x 4 = R12800
Inital outlay	R 9 850	R12500+R12800 = R25300
Service interval	150 hrs	N/a
Cost to service	R 350.00	N/a
Total kwh produced/Yr	1095 hrs x 2kwh = 2190Kwh	1095 hrs x 2kwh = 2190Kwh
Total Running cost/Yr	2190 Kwh x 16.11 = R35250.90	2190 Kwh x R1.89 = R4139.1
Noise db	>100db	Silent

3 Year running cost
Generator/Inverter cost	Twice R9850x2 = R19700	R 12 500
Baterry cost	N/a	R3200x4 = R12800
Replace Batteries	N/a	After 10 years or 3500hrs full cycle
Replace inverter	N/a	N/a
Service costs	R350 x20 services = R7000	N/a
Total capital cost	R19700+7000 = R26700	R 25 300.00
Total cost for 6570 Kwh	6570 Kwhx R16.11 =R105842.70	6570 Kwhx R1.89 = R12417.30
Total	R105842.70+R26700	R12417.30 + R25300.00
Cost from eskom	N/a	R 12 417.30
	R132542.7 – eskom	N/a
	R132542.7 – R12417.30	N/a

	R 120 125.40	R 37 717.30