₦airaland Forum

abunafiu: For the first time since I started using trojans, i decided to test how long it will last. I plugged in the following from 5pm yesterday and I plan to off them by 6am this morning.
1. A fridge and freezer.
2. 5 ceiling fans
3. 5 energy saving bulbs.
4. Tv and Dstv ( put off between 10pm and 4am).
The batts were discharged from 51v to 47.1v.
I intend to measure d batted soc by 6am by putting off all loads for few minutes and measure( best done after several hours ).
My sukham displayed 30% load all tru and d cooling fan was blowing all tru.
Note, what I am doing is not the best for trojan( if u want a very long years of service). I simply want to see how far it can go.
I pray make sun dey 2mrw because it will take up to 3 days of charging to return those charges due to my low PV power.

The time is 5:55am.
The batts discharged to 47.0v
Putting of the inverter now to see what's left as soc .....
As u can see from the pix, when I switched off, d batts went up from 47.0 to 47.6...............48.1v.
This is to further establish what Richmond posted few weeks ago about measuring batt soc.if not for d recent hacking of Nairaland that lead to huge data loss, d soc chart would still be there. @richmond74, kindly repost d pix.
As at d time I finished typing this post , its reading 48.2v which corresponds to 45-50% soc which also corresponds to 55 - 50% dod.
Am waiting for those using Trojans before me to vet my results posted.

For the first time since I started using trojans, i decided to test how long it will last. I plugged in the following from 5pm yesterday and I plan to off them by 6am this morning.
1. A fridge and freezer.
2. 5 ceiling fans
3. 5 energy saving bulbs.
4. Tv and Dstv ( put off between 10pm and 4am).
The batts were discharged from 51v to 47.1v.
I intend to measure d batted soc by 6am by putting off all loads for few minutes and measure( best done after several hours ).
My sukham displayed 30% load all tru and d cooling fan was blowing all tru.
Note, what I am doing is not the best for trojan( if u want a very long years of service). I simply want to see how far it can go.
I pray make sun dey 2mrw because it will take up to 3 days of charging to return those charges due to my low PV power.

c0ogumo: May I ask why you want to sell it? and How much?

Am selling for no any reason other than me thinking that my Trojans are being starved of charges. The Sukham is designed to charge maintenance free batteries only.
I can assure anyone out there that its devoid of any fault and It became operational early October last year. The heaviest load I have used it for is my 1hp pumping machine. It has been treated like a baby all d way.
BTW I have sent u a pm on ur BBM handle.

I am considering putting up my 3.5kVa Sukham for sale.
Interested buyers 08090658808 whats app available.

As I wrote in one of my recent posts. The performance of the T-105RE batteries is highly impressive. So I have decided to double my current battery bank . Richmond was there as usual as he delivered another set of 8 T-105RE batteries to me few days ago. I just completed equalisation using my tsmppt controller and had connected them in parallel both the new and previous set of batts. my battery bank is now 48V @ 450AH.
As usual, I shall keep u guys posted .

As for my current 1200w solar panels, its obvious they can't do much to charge the batts not even up to absorption.
I was tipped by Richmond to revert to the 3*3 configuration of panel arrangement. I was able to use only 9 out of my ten panels ( making 1080w)..the last one is not connected. I was surprised at the performance. When I was using 2*2 arrangement , my average yield was between 13 and 15 amps with 21amps max and equalisation voltage was never above 60.2v...... but now with 3*3 configuration I get average of 15 and 17amps and some times 22.5amps max. When I calculated the efficiency...the maximum with 3*3 configuration was 108% ie 1170/1080 watts....while the equalisation voltage is now above 61v infact , I saw 61.4 and my target is 62v.

My plan now is to get note panels( double my current PV strength ) as I was made to understand I need nothing less than 90 amps to charge my battery bank from 100% dod but I don't think I will ever go above 50% dod so by the time I get an average of 40 amps( around 2000w panels) my batts will never be short of charge.

To be honest !... I agree with juo where he pointed out that the batteries drain fast when using light load . however, in my own case my system voltage is 48v so the effect was not felt that much and was better than my previous Safepower 200ah. Another reason for this might be temperature as I discovered a little shortage of backup time about 3 days ago when d weather was cold(18°C). The overall reason as stated by the manufacturers is that the batteries perform at peak after 50-100 discharge cycles.
The batts are to be equalised before being put use( download and read the manual from trojan website)...there is a lot to learn from the manual.
I was able to get 5 litres of distilled H²0 on standby just in case I notice water shortage though am not expecting any for now till about 3months from now since am not a heavy user.

Let me use this medium to show my appreciation to George_D who has always been sharing his experience on his journey to energy freedom. He has been a source of inspiration...not to me alone but many other silent readers on the thread.

Hello friends, its been tough episode in the history of our dear thread. I have personally tried to dig out my recent post but the anti spam feature keeps putting me out.
Here is my post where I gave a summary of my experience with the trojan batteries I recently acquired tru richmond 74.


My observations so far with my T105 batts.

Firstly, a summary of my previous set up.
1.2 Kw joy solar panels.
3.5 kva Sukham.
TriStar mppt 60a charge controller .
4 batts ( safe power ) 200ah each .

problems with d above set up.
I discovered one of the batteries usually charge up to 15v while others are within normal range of 14.1 and 13.7. I felt this was an abnormal situation . I did a lot of research but I was not satisfied with my findings . I called some senior members on this thread to share their experience with charging with d Sukham 3.5k. A member told me he experienced d same but all he does was swapping the battery position every week.
I wasn't satisfied and went ahead to buy the Sukham batt equaliser as against Richmond's advice , the equaliser was a total waste of money. All I wanted d equaliser to do is to help maintain equal battery voltage along d series battery connection.
I later observed that the Sukham abnormal charge has a relationship with d PHCN supply and sunlight intensity. when d PHCN supply is steady( not fluctuating), I get a perfect charge. when there is no PHCN but bright sun, my controller charges perfectly. but when there is unsteady PHCN and high sun, the battery will charge to 15v plus and d controller will be flashing HVD high voltage disconnect .

I owe this to totalgreen and Richmond who never got tired of my questions and complains .

personally, I discovered ( I may be wrong) that d Sukham is too powerfull for the Safepower batts or d Safepower batts are substandard or d Sukham has a poor charging algorithm.

Upon installing the Trojans, I was instructed by Richmond to equalise immediately which I did bearing in mind all necessary precautions.
I have observed so far with d Trojans that my Sukham is no match for them as it struggles to get the batts to absorption (14.5-14.7). With this , d problem of abnormal charging is gone. Another problem was expected which is undercharging. Since d Sukham can't get to absorption, it means d battery life will be shortened. Thank God, I already had a TriStar 60a mppt to complete d job and take s batteries beyond absorption (equalisation).
For the past three days now, I have been observing equal batt voltage across d series.
My conclusion (I may be wrong ) now is that to enjoy trojan batts to d fullest, u need a high end inverter/charger/controller . Trojans are built to be charged by smart chargers capable of equalisation.
Today , regardless of d PHCN supply or sun intensity , the batteries are being given d right amount of charge.
I shall update u as I make more discoveries.
Pardon me as am unable to upload pictures as am using my phone. BTW anyone who can recommend a good picture resizing application for android so that I can easily upload.

NB : I had to change d settings of d charge controller tru d dip switch to flooded configuration.

Welcome back from a long break due to data loss.

This is not easy. Na wa o. Data loss is a great loss. Well congrats to all. I wonder what what it will look like withoutour great forum

I am writing a thesis on INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS in computer networks. in the course of d research ,I discovered that a software called SNORT is usually used for such operation. I have downloaded the snort and installed but av been unable to use it. I av also gone tru d manual but I couldn't use it. I am sure of getting help from members of this forum. I shall be grateful for ur urgent assistance as I am hitting my deadline soon.
thanks.

I am writing a thesis on INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS in computer networks. in the course of d research ,I discovered that a software called SNORT is usually used for such operation. I have downloaded the snort and installed but av been unable to use it. I av also gone tru d manual but I couldn't use it. I am sure of getting help from members of this forum. I shall be grateful for ur urgent assistance as I am hitting my deadline soon.
thanks.

I am writing a thesis on INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS in computer networks. in the course of d research ,I discovered that a software called SNORT is usually used for such operation. I have downloaded the snort and installed but av been unable to use it. I av also gone tru d manual but I couldn't use it. I am sure of getting help from members of this forum. I shall be grateful for ur urgent assistance as I am hitting my deadline soon.
thanks.

thank God for journey mercy.
wish u safe trip back to area.

JUO: now in ore looking for something to eat. typical naija food

safe journey Oga me.
abeg buy something for me o.
make sure u buy plenty solar panels.

RipVanWink: i have 1kw original usa panels, but am getting only 630w max from them...wht could be wrong?

I suggest u revisit ur installation. review d position if d panels . shading may be a cause. also u should observe some angle of inclination by facing south....I mean a position where d sun shines most in ur area.
all said above assuming u connected d panels correctly.
can u give details of d panels individually and how u connected series /parallel.
what type of controller and wires u used. distance BTW d stuffs installed.

happy new year my good friends on this thread..

I discovered a significant drop in output of my system so I climbed up to see what's happening.
the problem was dust . all I did was to use a big hand size foam and clean. although not easy but I stretched as far as my arm could reach.
the result was a significant improvement .
I hereby recommend u observe ur panels for dust.
If u reside very close to an untarred road...am sure Ure already a victim.

nice thread. very funny. lovely picks. Pls don't dull this thread.

abt d prag. i actually opened the stab to see whats in it. well i was satified. i then connected separate meters to display the input and output

the good part. output was nwvwr above 230 irrespective of how high d inpiut was.

the output however was fluctuating as d input was fluctuating.even at 210 input the output kept rotating btw 225 and 215.
the prag is not 100% perfect but for now its d best alternative available.
my century relay stab ususly outputs 245 wit input of 140 which was responsible for a fault on one of my inverters.

So I have noticed this flaw since day one of use...but I felt its still ok provided ur input doesn't go below 140 when d output also goes below 180.
Guys please enjoy ur prag

I got them for 1k each. since then am still searching but no one has it there again. I was simply lucky that day.
I assumed u were in lagos. any volunteer who lives closer to ladipo can try to get it for u. I only visit when I need auto spare parts.

earthrealm. I tried replying but mailer demon responded. . akinade has d timers too. I got mine from a warehouse at ladipo market lagos. I was lucky then so I bought the remaining three then. plan a visit...u may be lucky.
u may contact akinade for info on how he got his. tx.

earthrealm. kindly pm me for info on d timed socket. u can also refer to a particular post by Dozie(am not sure) where he posted pix of d timer.ur whatsspp contact will help bridging Comm gaps.
tx.

@pdozie.....from the excel sheet on display...its obvious ure loosing substantial solar power that xhould have been stored on those batteries. the vmax solar of 120v plus us on the high side. it should be un the rsnge of 70s for max mppt efficuency.
as earlelier said by bodejohn..connect in pairs.
i will look up for the batt rejuvenator.

hmmm...this solar thing be like money ritual....once ure in...no going back.
u keep upgrading till u get tired...from one tin to anothet..
the best part is the results are clear.
no going back o...av tasted 25hrs steady power.

too bad....not at this time....one of my four batteries is dying.......

colleagues...SOS.....ASAP.

pdozie....from my personal experience... i suggest u revert to 2 by 2 config for best results with ur morning star mppt. so only one more 250w panel u need now before any major upgrade. refer to my recent post on my upgrade for confirmation. tx.

sukham commission successful. charge controller displaying 1160W . out of 1200W...thats 96 percent efficiency. investment worth it.

delivered....unpacking...report back soon

\stiill firing...1150W as displayed by my controller. total pv power is 1200w. . power loss has been grately reduced by my upgrade. oga george thanks for d call yesterday. am still waiting for my sukham....its almost 3pm now and my bp is getting high.

this morning inthe spirit of upgrading...i climbed up thr panels and changed to 2 by 2 config. i made a shocking dicovery. one of my panels had been dead outputing less than 20v insted of 36v. i was cofused and i consoled myself. i removed the panel and connected the remaining 8. on getting down i decided to get dirty by opening the back cover. i discoveref water had damaged the connecting plates. that discovety brot great relieve...at least problem i dentified. i scrspped the rusted part and resoldered . my panel is back. i returned up in joy and istalled the remaining two now making ten up there. on completing the installation i can now boast of 1050w as displayed by my controller. my name plate power is 10 by 120w panels. so on a cloudy day like today..an getting 1050...i think thats ok.

morale of my story....guys pls watch out for the rubber that protrcts the panel terminals from water contact...ensure that its firm. mine was already open that how water gained access.

pictures soon as my sukham is less than two hours from here.

hi everyone....i dont want to be leftout in the upgrading train. i av decided to upgrade to 3kva sukham. i .

longest time my peeps. . hope my people dey enjoy their solar. phcn transformer in my ares got fried agaim yesternite. cant imagine how life would be like without those panels on my roof. am encouraging others. God will bless ur pockets to go solar too.
oga george....i raise cap o.

visitor30: @ All and most especially SUV,Pdozie,daze07,JUO,femiolorun & abunafiu, am new on the thread and I would like to say a big thank you for all your contributions here. I just finished going through the entire thread and I want to say it has been very educative and informative.

I have been wanting to go the inverter way for a long time now and procrastination has always been my issue. I finally decide to kill it and am ready to start my project on owning/using an inverter.
Usage will be to power basic household appliances (1no 51" Samsung Plasma TV, 1no 32"LG TV, 2no ceiling fans, 12no 18W energy saving bulbs, 1no laptop, 2no BB phones & 1no Samsung galaxy tab).
Note the above will be the maximum load capacity to be run at any given point in time, which will not be exceeded but rather can be reduced, say when we are using just one of the TVs, and also the other fan will go off as well as some of the bulbs.
Advice on the best inverter to use (Capacity/Make); no of batteries for a start and considering future battery bank expansion to give longer hour usage. We do have more than 6hrs of power supply from PHCN on a daily basis.
Your contributions will be highly appreciated as well expert advice from the inverter pros in the house. Thanks!

Nice way of puting across ur question,
Products (sukham, genius, luminous, safepower are all GOOD>
Capacity- 800VA is ok but you will surely regret not buying 1500VA because, the enjoyment is almost unlimited for u with 1500VA based on the load u quoted. Whereas, 800VA will only power the loads u listed conviniently but think of when u have a visitor or when u want to use a LASER JET printer, then ur 800va WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT.

NOTE ur pocket is the main determinant. with 800va, u,ll get not less than 4hrs back up if u use 200AH batt at ur listed loads(every thing all at once).
1500VA- you can add more emergency loads as they come and u'll get not less than 10hrs with ur listed loads(presentl all at once)

Hope this helps, dont mind my typo as usung my phone........

specco: Yes. Thanks to abinafiu and femeolorun. I recently introduced a friend to this inverter technology and he just accepted it and recently acquired a 5kva Inverter and 8nos 200ah batteries to go with it, but when I asked the man (ie Installer) whether he'll connect the 8 batteries in parallel or in series and he said that it would be in series and that series connection is better. I should have asked him to explain to me why he prefered one over the other but I never did because I was interrupted by a call and I left the place afterwards. That prompted my earlier post because I want know the advantage of series connection over parallel connection if there's any to guide me as I intend getting my no2 battery soon. For example,I know that 1nos 200ah 12 v battery gives 2400wat hr and with a 300watt load it gives me approx. 7hrs . Now with 2nos 200ah 12 v batteries, which connection will give 4800wat hr or more. Parallel or Series? Or it does'nt count like that? I hope you get my drift in this post. Thanks

Most likely ur friends inverter is a 5kva @ 96v system. Inverters come in various types and capacities. Ranging from 12v to 96v or more. Since ur inverter is 12v, adopting series connection automaticaly gives u 24v which is too high and unsuitable for ur inverter. Parallel connection will make ur voltage remain at 12(with double ah).
So generally speaking, ur inverter system voltage will determine if u will series or parallel connect additional batteries. In all ur charging time will be doubled. Hope this helps.