At yesterday’s event we were talking about using a battery pack instead of a generator to provide 230V AC supply for our download kit. Our usual setup for Regional level events would be two laptops and two mini-printers. Obviously the laptops can use their built in batteries for a while (not sure how long) while the printers need power throughout (or at least, from when the first finishers start arriving).
Obvious benefits are no noise or fumes, plus the generator seems wasteful in the sense that it provides more power than we need.
Has anyone got experience of using a battery pack with a 230V AC supply for this purpose? What capacity have you found you need? Does the battery perform well enough in cold conditions? Any other considerations we should be aware of?
Replacing generator with battery pack
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
In WAOC we have done this for years (I don't recall us ever having a generator while I've been doing download). We use the smaller square-ish wheelchair batteries in general. A full size leisure battery (N.B. not car battery) was found to be overkill. Never had any issues in cold weather (except for hands doing the typing!).
- sborrill
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
FVO have just purchased an Anker PowerHouse II 400 to run events instead of a generator. So far it has managed no bother running 2 splits printers & 3 laptops concurrently as well as a network switch. It would be useful to have 2 x 3 pin sockets, but we've never got close to the max 300W output. It seems to work fine so far (and lasted more than the whole day) and didn't mind the Scottish cold/damp November weather.
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- forest grump
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
sborrill wrote:In WAOC we have done this for years (I don't recall us ever having a generator while I've been doing download). We use the smaller square-ish wheelchair batteries in general. A full size leisure battery (N.B. not car battery) was found to be overkill. Never had any issues in cold weather (except for hands doing the typing!).
The battery we use is Yuasa NPC24-12 (https://www.tayna.co.uk/industrial-batt ... /npc24-12/) which we have in a Yuasa carry case. We have a charging connector and cigarette-lighter socket (to connect an inverter to) permanently attached.
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- sborrill
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
SYO has been using leisure batteries and inverters for at least 5 years now, rather than a generator. As long as the leisure battery starts the day charged, they work fine and no problems in the cold.
Martin Ward, SYO (Chair) & SPOOK.
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Spookster - god
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
If you got something like this:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batteries/leisure-batteries/halfords-leisure-battery-hlb750-466910.html
Which has 100Ah capacity. With a nominal 12.6v, that's 100*12.6=1260W/h.
If you attach it to an inverter which delivers 150w, and is 90% efficient, then it will run for 1260*.9/150=7.56 hours. Call it 7 hours which is plenty for most orienteering events.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batteries/leisure-batteries/halfords-leisure-battery-hlb750-466910.html
Which has 100Ah capacity. With a nominal 12.6v, that's 100*12.6=1260W/h.
If you attach it to an inverter which delivers 150w, and is 90% efficient, then it will run for 1260*.9/150=7.56 hours. Call it 7 hours which is plenty for most orienteering events.
- Excelman
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
Not sure it is as simple as this?
For most leisure batteries the recommendation is to never discharge them below c. 20-30%.
And how long it lasts will surely depend on the load you take from it? A single laptop and download station may be fine, but adding printers (which will pulse every time they operate) or a screen or a second laptop must decrease the available time.
At the November Classic, which admittedly was Emit not SI, their leisure battery ran out at about midday, only about halfway through download, and they had to start up a generator.
For most leisure batteries the recommendation is to never discharge them below c. 20-30%.
And how long it lasts will surely depend on the load you take from it? A single laptop and download station may be fine, but adding printers (which will pulse every time they operate) or a screen or a second laptop must decrease the available time.
At the November Classic, which admittedly was Emit not SI, their leisure battery ran out at about midday, only about halfway through download, and they had to start up a generator.
- Snail
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
Snail wrote:At the November Classic, which admittedly was Emit not SI, their leisure battery ran out at about midday, only about halfway through download, and they had to start up a generator.
A second leisure battery, for use as a reserve, might have been better.
Martin Ward, SYO (Chair) & SPOOK.
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
Yes, clearly for an important event you’d want to work out your power requirements beforehand. Once you’ve added in a TV, Nespresso machine, and waffle iron, then things are getting out of hand!
- Excelman
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
Thanks everyone. Good to know this is being done and is working well, and interesting to see the different approaches taken.
- ricardito
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
For an event that doesn't require multiple computers or printers then the SI Droid app on an Android phone or tablet will work fine for as long as the internal batteries or bluetooth printer allows. The only problem is that it does not support Age Classes. It seems the Swedish developer didn't see that as necessary. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.joja.sidroid.event.full&hl=en_GB&gl=US
- John-O
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
Just posting back with the outcome for anyone interested (!).
Having done a few measurements on our equipment we eventually went for an EcoFlow River Pro, a 720Wh unit. This should be more than capable of running a medium sized (regional) event with two laptops and two printers over 4-5 hours, or even a longer day (e.g. regional champs or other national event) subject to a bit more experience.
While arguably over-spec’ed, it gives us some additional confidence that we won’t be left in the lurch towards the end of a long cold day, and also the possibility to consider adding “extras” like a big screen (are they allowed again now?) or wireless access point for live results.
It had its first outing at a local event on Saturday, with one laptop and one printer, and more than met expectations.
Having done a few measurements on our equipment we eventually went for an EcoFlow River Pro, a 720Wh unit. This should be more than capable of running a medium sized (regional) event with two laptops and two printers over 4-5 hours, or even a longer day (e.g. regional champs or other national event) subject to a bit more experience.
While arguably over-spec’ed, it gives us some additional confidence that we won’t be left in the lurch towards the end of a long cold day, and also the possibility to consider adding “extras” like a big screen (are they allowed again now?) or wireless access point for live results.
It had its first outing at a local event on Saturday, with one laptop and one printer, and more than met expectations.
- ricardito
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
Our club also got an EcoFlow River Pro and at yesterday's (Sunday) event
it ran (for 5hours):
2 Laptops (one with very little battery charge at the start)
2 Epson Thermal printers
1 Network hub
kept the Club phone and Zettle unit topped up.
Using just over 1/3rd of the available capacity.
it ran (for 5hours):
2 Laptops (one with very little battery charge at the start)
2 Epson Thermal printers
1 Network hub
kept the Club phone and Zettle unit topped up.
Using just over 1/3rd of the available capacity.
- MIE
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
MIE wrote:Our club also got an EcoFlow River Pro and at yesterday's (Sunday) event
it ran (for 5hours):
2 Laptops (one with very little battery charge at the start)
2 Epson Thermal printers
1 Network hub
kept the Club phone and Zettle unit topped up.
Using just over 1/3rd of the available capacity.
That’s pretty much exactly what I was guessing at based on 16% drain in about 3.5 hours with a single laptop and printer at our event - good to know, thanks!
In reality I think it will handle pretty much anything we could reasonably ask of it.
- ricardito
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Re: Replacing generator with battery pack
So, asking as a complete ignoramus on all things electrical but willing to learn, what is the difference please between this and a leisure battery - especially pros and cons?
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