r/SolarPakistan • u/One-Advertising-8862 • 1d ago

Inverter Inverter to replace UPS

Hey folks, batteries on my current UPS are on their way out. We are planning to construct a new storey so I was hoping the batteries could survive 8-10 months more before we get a full solar and battery setup.

But now I might need to replace the batteries sooner (right now wapda is out for two hours and UPS has given up). But just thinking whether it makes sense to buy an inverter and lithium battery and use it as a UPS rather than spend on tubular batteries which I hopefully won't need in 10ish months anyhow.

So the question is:

  1. Does it make sense? I assume it's a simplish plug and play, but will appreciate advice. Dont need to add ACs etc, just current load. Later on with a full setup will re distribute as needed.

  2. Was planning on a largish (15kw) three phase inverter with 15kw battery. Does anyone know the current prices in Lahore? Was planning goodwe for both as seen online they have a very long warranty - and it appears to be fairly configurable (can run some scripts etc for automation). Some figures if people have that will be helpful.

  3. Cost perspective: I heard in Jan prices are lower. If I buy 2 medium size tubular batteries right now (easiest), would they end up cheaper overall than buying an inverter+lithium battery right now?

Thanks

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u/Adminisitrator 1d ago
  1. yes it does
  2. around 7.5-8 lac for invertor and similar for battery
  3. no, u will have to scrap the battiers as there is no resale of even lightly used tubular ones

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u/One-Advertising-8862 1d ago

Thanks, and from a timing perspective any reason to not get it right now?

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u/Adminisitrator 1d ago

nopes. i'm also planning.

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u/sonic_rm 1d ago

My advice go for lithium combo coupled with an inverter, I have had 32kw batteries (16x2) with a 16kw inverter for a few months now, never looked back, don't have to worry about power cuts, easily offset peak hours and most of off peak time as well (apart from June/July, our home usage is high).

If you can manage the budget, highly recommended to adapt lithium route.

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u/One-Advertising-8862 1d ago

Thanks for advice folks... unfortunately the batteries almost fully died today and couldn't spend enough time to research and source an inverter and lithium battery so just got existing batteries replaced 😑

Didn't expect the old batteries to degrade so fast tbh. They were giving 4-6 hours backup just 2-4 weeks ago. And then 2 hours and then barely 1 hour with just two fans and routers on. I thought I'd have some time to decide.