George_D: bodejohn,

sukam is a good inverter but don't fall for that marketing gimmick.

unless you're using flooded lead-acid (wet cell) batteries you don't really need any
battery equaliser. however should you need to equalise your batteries at any point in time
you could always do it through your solar charge controller - provided you are using a high
end brand with embedded features like the tristar mppt.

bodejohn:

Oga Geroge, the equalizer i am talking about is quite different from the one you explained.
Sometimes the voltage of batteries in a series string can be different from each other.
The "battery equalizer" i am talking about ensure that the batteries are the same voltages to prevent undercharging and over charging.

See more details in at this link: http://www.mygadgetsmall.com/shopping/inverter-and-solar-accessories/sukam-battery-equaliser/prod_360.html

George_D:

hello bodejohn,

i think we are both saying the same thing. the battery equalisation function is embedded in the tristar mppt charge
controller. i don't know if same applies to your own brand of controller though. if yes, then you do not need an
external equaliser for your batteries. but if no, then perhaps you may need to go for it.


p.s: nice pictures there for your setup. however you will need a good battery rack for your batteries. its not too
advisable placing your inverter directly on top of your batteries.

bodejohn:

Thanks again, Oga George.
I will relocate the inverter away from the top of the batteries.
One more question, i discovered that the dc voltage reading off my fluke meter and charge controller under the same condition is different. Infact it is almost 2volts. You know 2volts in batteries is a big gap in terms of determining the approximate level of SOC. When the inverter says 48.5v the fluke meter gives 50.4volts.
Have you noticed this difference in your sukam? Which of the readings would you rather trust, sukam or fluke meter?

fikfik: uncle Bodejohn, please what make are your charge controllers and how many amps? how many array you have on each (how many solar panels).

With 12 no 250 watt panels what recommended MPPT charge controller I should put (8 battery 48V array) in hybrid charging setup.

Where can i get solar panels and mronign start charge controller?

Thanks

abunafiu: Bodejohn, for how long have u been using those batteries in d picture. What amp hr capacity?. At 30% load, how many hours back up have experienced- with respect to %soc. I need 2 know this so that i can start planning my inverter portability.
Do you mean u connected ur 5 panels in series. Pls clarify stating ur panel specification.pls tell us as well the maximum charging current you've achieved so far @ 48v.

earthrealm: @bodeohn...just some clarification

could you confirm if you can connect the output from ur 2 diff strings/charge controller to the same battery bank?

or do you hv 2 diff batt banks and inverters that the 2 strings of solar panels are powering?

abunafiu:
Bodejohn, you have not given the parameter such as vmp, imp etc of ur panels. Kindly do sir.

bodejohn:

Oops, I didn't know you require that much details. It is however not a new installtion, the panels are already on the roof and I am not sure of when I will have time to check those parameters you require.

George_D:

fikfik,

i have 12 pcs of 260ah batteries in total. my panels are all 200w each.


for 8 batteries you can start with 4 pcs of 200w panels and increase from there.

fikfik:

Uncle George, where do you get your suntech from or joy panel? can i use a 45amp MPPT for 12 250Watt panels?

bodejohn:

Oops, I didn't know you require that much details. It is however not a new installtion, the panels are already on the roof and I am not sure of when I will have time to check those parameters you require.

fikfik:

Uncle George, where do you get your suntech from or joy panel? can i use a 45amp MPPT for 12 250Watt panels?

George_D:

@bodejohn,

its always beneficial to take a snapshot of module nameplates which you are installing. that way you have a
record of its specs for future reference. you could even write them down somewhere on your desktop. that way it
becomes useful when you want to expand (add to your array) or maybe when you're overhauling your system. by
that time you won't need to climb to the roof again just to check your panels specs.

bodejohn:


The only data i need from the panels are the wattage and the Vmp which i already know and wouldn't need to climb the roof to check anytime soon. The current ratings are almost irrelevant because of the MPPT controller I am using. The reason i have 5 panels in series is because my charge controller requires a minimum of 65v to work properly with my 48V battery bank. If you need these figures for any other reason or comparison, i can oblige you when i have some more time by taking the snapshot and uploading it.

George_D:

i get by panels from vitus in lagos. he is at alaba international.

contact him on: 08039644115

tell him warriman referred you

yes, you can use a 45a mppt controller for 12pcs 250w panels, however, like abunafiu told you, your best bet is to use a
60a mppt controller for future expansion.

George_D: bodejohn,

contrary to your assertion, you actually need more than the wattage and vmp of your solar panels.
when you are adding panels to your existing array, then a difference of voc of even 5v becomes very important.

abunafiu:
65v for 48v?, kindly give me a link to view the spec of the controller

bodejohn:

Na Chinese controllers me dey use o, if you no mind.

bodejohn:

Na Chinese controllers me dey use o, if you no mind.

abunafiu:
boss pls send. Even if ur controller is aba made.....all that matters here is the knowledge shared. As chief george once said, 'so far as its working according to specification, it doesnt matter' . Your experience on these chinesse products will definatly make many of us follow u. Lets keep the green flag flying.

fikfik:

Ok, thanks boss. The Morning star MPPT someone offered me 105k for 45A this a good price? and 125k for 60Amp. (no display)

What size of DC circuit breakers should one get? 40A?