Backup Power Systems

Backup Power Systems

What It Runs

Examples of Costs

Buying Tips

1A—Battery backup with inverter/charger for short blackouts of

12–48 hours: $2,350

1B—Single-battery backup with inverter/ charger for very short outages of 3–6 hours: $250

Essential AC loads only. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and small DC appliances.

Critical loads only. DC sump pump, DC ventilation fan. DC lighting—preferably LED, not halogen—plus AC for charging cell phones,

fax and small computers, emergency radios, medical devices, even small well pumps.

Battery bank: $725 (16 KWhr) Inverter/charger: $1,400 (1,100 W)

Transfer switch: $225

(50 Amp, 240 V).

Single battery power system: $250—on cart

(60 Amp/hr) with 1,200 W inverter for 110 V. AC, also built-in charger. Also capable of jump starting vehicles.

Remember you must manage your electrical load. Operate even your most efficient appliances wisely,

so that you have essential power as long as possible.

Choose deep-cycle batteries, best connected in series, not in parallel.

Choose a modern inverter/

charger of suitable quality

and surge capacity.

Choose a deep-cycle battery. Ensure that inverter/charger has suitable power quality and/or surge capacity for the load.

Remember to keep the unit charged. Check for a charger with a trickle mode to avoid overheating.

2—Car, RV, or truck as backup generator

plus DC/AC inverter

(must be grounded):

$110–$5,500

Essential AC loads only. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and even a microwave.

300 W inverter: $110, engine can be off.

1,000 W inverter: $550, engine must be ON

(limited by rating of vehicle components, important not to let car battery run flat).

5,000 W truck power system: $5,500.

Magazine and Internet searches include Canadian Sol magazine, U.S. Homepower magazine, RV/ trailer/boat catalogues.

3—Single PV panel and battery system

normally DC only, could

add small inverter for AC:

$885

Power for a weekend cabin. Efficient lights, small DC appliances, radio/TV, CD player, cell phone, small pumps/fans, car vacuum, tools.

Solar power kit: $650 (45 W) Battery: $125 (220 Amp/hr) Inverter: $110 (300 W) Excludes costs of DC appliances.

Small marine 12 V

water pumps for bilges

may be suitable for sumps.

Sources include marine,

boat and yacht suppliers,

RV/trailer and auto-truck

centres.

4—Twin PV panel and battery system

with inverter/charger to

convert DC to AC: $3,780

Power for a small cottage (as in # 3 above) and some larger AC appliances, such as microwave, vacuum, water pumps.

Solar power kit: $2,400 (150 W) Battery bank: $580

(700 Amp/hr)

Inverter: $800 (1,750 W)

Installation costs not

included.

Sources include Canadian solar energy and equipment suppliers, Canadian Solar Industries Association.

5—Portable generator must be grounded and should be connected via auxiliary breaker panel:

$660–$2,500

Preferably essential AC loads. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and some appliances.

500 W AC generator: $660

3,000 W DC generator:

$2,200 (including AC

inverter)

5,000 W AC generator:

$2,500.

Sources include hardware stores, building supply and rental centres, generator sales and service specialists.

6—Fixed generator gasoline, diesel, propane. Must be installed by a licensed electrician: $3,925

Preferably essential AC loads. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and some appliances.

6,500 W AC generator:

$3,700 2-cylinder liquid

cooled, less noise.

Transfer switch: $225

(50 Amp, 240 V).

Installation costs not

included.

To reduce generator running costs consider adding a battery bank with an inverter/charger (see # 1 above).