Now that we’ve accepted that load shedding will be with us for the foreseeable future, South Africans have found ways to keep the fire going, their tech working and their meals warm as blackouts continue.
Forget the loud heavy generator, South Africans are quickly turning to uninterruptible power sources (UPS), inverters, and wind and solar solutions to make sure their plans continue when Eskom suddenly switches the power off.
South Africans on social media platforms are sharing ideas and gathering resources to make sure Eskom’s problems become less of their problem as they enjoy some downtime this festive season.
A tweet by Don Petty Cash (@iamkoshiek) asked people to share their UPS, inverter and solar solutions earlier this month, including “any advice” and the response was useful.
South Africans posted the products they’re using, including some valuable advice that you might need to consider when getting an alternative power solution.
The posts on products and the advice below are from people on Twitter. We can’t guarantee that their advice will help you. However, we have tested some products in Stuff‘s load-shedding issue. Get a copy for more tech available to help you during load-shedding.
Here’s how South Africans are keeping the lights on this festive season and beyond.
After nearly a month of use, I formally vouch for this product Gizzu 296. Paid R4,700 on Black Friday but range from R5,500-R9,000 so shop wisely. Slams 4hr loadshedding with 40% battery spare with 65cm TV, AppleTV & Soundbar with subwoofer. Runs desktop PC or iMac 27″ for 6 hrs. pic.twitter.com/PupMTE2jRK
— Frog Boiling Slowly 🐸 (@dwaine_van) December 17, 2022
Lasted all weekend with, no stoppage even after 4 hours of loadshedding at a time pic.twitter.com/WnZYd7V4Q9
— Gills (@gpricey23) December 18, 2022
Maybe i should try it out, the Lalela inverter has been a disappointment – started ou fine but now (3 months later) it can’t handle a router and smart TV for 2hrs. pic.twitter.com/R2RNQQFo8M
— Wesley H Molefi (@Hlalele_Wesley) December 18, 2022
5KW Sunsynk Inverter (one of the best in the market). 5KW Hubble AM-2 Lithium Battery (trusted SA brand). Longi panels with a total capacity of 2750W. Powers everything except stove & geyser during Loadshedding – Inverter still powers them to save electricity when there is power. pic.twitter.com/nTWlBfFC9k
— Skhulile Mdaka (@Skhu635) December 18, 2022
Read More: Stuff to get you through the darkness
My 5kw Inverter and Lithium iron battery. Runs everything in the house, except the stove. But gas stove takes care of that. Roughly 10hrs of power (take care to switch unnecessary things off) for a long unexpected power outage. Panels coming in Feb. pic.twitter.com/e5ACIL8CWM
— Brad_Marais (@bradmarais) December 18, 2022
2x5kw inverters, 5x5kw storage, 18 panels, gas stove, gas geyser(hot water on demand).. fridge/dishwasher/dryer/washing machine/ pool pump/electric fence ..summer off grid.. winter average usage eskom 3-4kw to top up batteries.. pic.twitter.com/7QY30U5x13
— kgare84 (@Kgare84) December 18, 2022
We spent about 18k for this setup. It runs the lights plugs for Tv, Dstv, wifi and some plugs in bedrooms. I would suggest people go for lithium batteries instead of gel. Batteries deplete quickly as they are not made for load shedding. pic.twitter.com/bpfuyMnb8E
— 式 itwo (@i_two) December 19, 2022
Read More: Eskom gives in and grants the City of Joburg a break from load shedding
Bought this from one of the auctions for R2800 in August and I have no complaints.
Use it for lights, charge phones and laptops and also TV. pic.twitter.com/XWByETKgTb— T H E _ M A N🕴️ (@thabiso_jtee) December 17, 2022
I use on of these, and it cost me 900 pic.twitter.com/FgbU0uNB5O
— Tshepang Sekgobela (@letmebreak_you) December 18, 2022
I use this fellow, bought from Builders. 55″ smart tv, router, explorer ultra connected. Works fine! Overuse will deplete the batteries quicker, and they are very pricey to replace. Perfect for stages 2 and 4, stages 5 and 6 are diabolic. pic.twitter.com/dCYLPX6YBg
— Dee (@D_Selai) December 18, 2022
Bit of a fan noise but otherwise awesome. 1 hr charge 8 hr use running just about everything. Ecoflow Delta. Can power microwave and kettle. pic.twitter.com/Yv8ouCgRbc
— TNinjaZA (@TNinjaZA) December 17, 2022
14 x 540w panels, 8.8kva Sunsynk inverter and 10kw lithium Freedom Won battery. Running the entire house, 2 fridges, chest freezer, 30000BTU of aircon and 2000w geyser on a smart WiFi switch set to run 1hr twice during the day, water stays boiling hot throughout. pic.twitter.com/Ixn6VOMChc
— Just_A_Fokken_Ducking (@Just_A_Ducking) December 19, 2022
Got 6 solar panels with battery & inverter. Powers the whole house except the stove, kettle & microwave.I believe they are all weather panels even on a cloudy day we still have power. My father got the supplies but we had to get an installer in order to get the COC pic.twitter.com/sarIOxFIpG
— ezakoMalila 🇿🇼🇿🇦 (@z_hlobo) December 18, 2022
The tweet continues to gain more responses on Twitter.
We’ve tested some of these and more. Build your own load-shedding survival kit with the help of this issue of Stuff.
