VULCAN:
@McTrinity,
Thanks for responding.

I currently have 12X 2V but have never enjoyed it as I never got 6hrs from sundown with just 3 fans, energy saving bulbs and on rare occasions one of my fridges for an hour or two connected to inverter. It appears installer sold me refurbished batteries for the price of new.

I have a 24V/50A Roy Solar and 3.4Kva Bluegate Inverter

Now I am in the process of ordering 8X12V Gaston while I decide which cost effective inverter and charge controller to move to. Nepa is good in my area and 12hrs+ a day is the norm so the aim of inverter is just to avoid having to go back and forth when Power goes on and off in the middle of the night. I also hate the noise of gen. Lol

Thanks

"cost effective" means you're not considering the premium brands.

well, oga Niyi has given a good personal review on the Mustpower (which is one of your options), so you can go ahead with it.
And since you're getting 8 batteries of 12v, it means you're going for 48v (4kva, probably)

As for SCC, you can go for Fangpusun Flexmax (outback clone) or fangpusun Blue series (victron clone) or go for Epsolar (iTracer) or Epever (eTracer).

PERSONALLY, I prefer Epsolar/Epever. though some gurus here have given the top score to fangpusun.

for any of the CC, the size will depend on the size of your solar


Nevertheless, whatever you're getting, get from a reputable source.

Cheers

jazzman2:


This is North American split phase 120v/240v, 60Hz system. Not compatible with our single phase 230v, 50Hz system.

yeah.... Thanks Jazzman.
much appreciation

zellfoxx:


Yes. There's no L1 and L2. Just L.
Looks like yours is a split phase model which i believe is supposed to supply just 120VAC if you wire just one leg (L1 in your case) input and output with neutral.

Mine is the Conext SW 4048 230V
What model is yours?

SW 4048 120/240v

zellfoxx:
Good afternoon fellow Solar enthusiasts

Does anyone have personal experience installing the Schneider conext sw 4048 inverter. Was going through the AC wiring diagram in the manual and discovered there is no AC input neutral. I purchased the pre-wired AC switchgear (which omitted the AC input neutral line in the pre-installed wiring).

Is the SW4048 neutral bonded to ground inside the inverter?

have one I'm still wiring... see pics. Is yours different?

IS "ROY SOLAR" THAT BAD

For some weeks now, there's been some bad reviews on Roy Solar charge controller....


well, I won't outrightly say it is good or bad. Nevertheless, I have 2 Roy solar I've been using going to 3 years now and no issues whatsoever.

see attached pictures. one is for East facing panels and the other for west facing panels. the CCs always absorbs at 14.4, boost charge at 13.8 and floats at 13.5v. And the two are almost always at synch, in terms of their reading (1st pic)

I have a client that was using Roy solar on 8 batteries with 4 pcs of Mpower 250w panels on a 48v system. Back then, I've seen about 21A on a sunny day. Though after 2 years he upgraded to 16panels with MPPT. for those two years, the ROY served him and his batteries aren't dead. Have 2 more clients like that.

oga Niyi made a vital point in his last reply about "Source"
As long as RE is concerned and as long as this nation is concerned, substandard and rebranded products are everywhere. it boils down on your source.

I knew a man that, after 8 years, changed his Deka 12v/210Ah battery. he still bought Deka and after 5 months he said I should come and help him check his batteries that they are no longer performing well. Two of his 6 batteries (24v system) have deviated.
he's using magnum MS4324.
same load, same inverter, same usage...

I once shared on this forum how I bought original sunshine panels and few months after that I bought another set for upgrade only to discover the new ones were rubbish. same brand, same nameplate, same size... different cable and different connection box

SOURCE!!!

so those that complain about the Roy, I believe, they must have gotten a fake one. I don't know why it didn't serve them.

it's been serving me and just last 3 months, I dumped the mopower 900VA/12v for mopower 1600va/24v. changed to 24v system and the same ROY controllers are serving. just waiting for the batteries to die so I can move to 48v,,, with MPPT of course (Lolz)


so Vulcan,
like someone advised, read up on MPPT and PWM... the gurus here have explicitly and argumentatively explained their differences. it's either you google their differences or you start going back on the pages and actually read their practical differences based on various experiences.

But anytime, anyday MPPT rules...

In summary, I'm not saying you should go for Roy or not go for Roy. just sharing my PERSONAL experience.

cheers

VULCAN:
@mcTrinity,Thank you for your detailed response.

Have been using solar for two years now and after spending a fortune have only had substandard results obviously due to the ignorance of the installer. I am trying to start over again but no longer inclined to spend huge sums just to power a few items in my home. Apart from the 3.4KVA Bluegate inverter, I will also be changing the Charge controller but as I'm not yet decided on whether to upgrade to a 48V system i would like to know your thoughts on a cost effective brand whether 24V or 48V and either PWM or MPPT.

Gurus in the house are also implored to drop advice.

Thanks

what are the intended loads on the inverter system?

how many batteries do you think you can afford?? 2? 4? 6? 8?

VULCAN:
Reading this thread gave me headache. It's like listening to engineers from Starfleet Enterprise discussing warp drive problems.

I really don't see Solar Inverters taking its place as a viable alternative to NEPA as the knowledge base required to enjoy smooth service is unknown to 99% of installers in Nigeria, so people will keep having issues with their systems!

I'm having some issues with my setup but it seems too mundane for the high calibre brains here.

So let me just ask a simple question. Between Mopower 3.5KVA/48V and Mustpower 4KVA/24V, which one is more reliable?

hello Vulcan,

I can't literally tell you which is more reliable as I've not installed Mustpower before.

Nevertheless, I can tell you that I have clients that have been using Mopower for long now without issues. One uses his to carry his fridge and freezer, water pump (1.5hp pump), washing machine and including basic loads (TV, decoders, fans, lights). and of course, the heavy loads are not loaded at the same time, except for fridge & freezer; the fridge and freezer or washing machine are knocked off before the water pump is used.

Also have one that uses his for fridge, electric sowing machine and basic loads....

and so on and so forth......

And trust me, I believe there are also guys here that has good review for Mustpower. Just that I'm a fan of USA/German and Indian products. Not really into Chinese brands.

However, Mopower and Indian products alike have one major and serious setback: LOW CHARGING CURRENT.

I'm yet to personally see an Indian inverter that has a charging current above 20A (usually 16A max for Mopower/Sukam). All the clients that I mentioned above have substantial solar system to effectively charge their battery and supply the loads

so if you're going for mopower, just make sure you're going for a Solar system that can conveniently charge your battery.

Aside the low charging profile, Mopower is very good and rugged.

other experienced gurus can share.

Cheers

GeorgeD1:


mctrinity,
seems you missed the part in my post where i said i don't charge with phcn.
i only put on the inverter charger to confirm the output dc current yesterday
morning after which i promptly went back to solar only mode.
the 50% charge rate was set a long time back and has remained so even
though i hardly use that feature.

OK boss, now I comprehend..

Thanks...
Cheers

GeorgeD1:


ok looks like it's the input amps that can go as high as 100a and above.
my own inverter is set at 50% charge rate and as at this morning i'm
seeing 32 amps dc output meaning max charging amps (100% setting)
would be something around 64 amps dc.

thanks for the observation. have corrected my post accordingly although
i hardly charge with shore power (phcn, gen, etc).

Oga George D1,

Good morning sir... please, I thought you're using 3 strings of 12 batteries (I sit to be corrected).

How come you set your charging at 50%?

zeestone99:


Reach me for your batteries... Gracias

Price list
Batteries batteries batteries
Quanta - 124k
Monbat - 124k
Spectra - 110k
Nxt index exide - 120k
Gaston - 115k
Long - 120k
Call/whatapp 08117398294 to order now

OK sir...

considering Quanta or Eastman Tubular Gel... will let you know if I settle for Quanta.

cheers

S007:


I have an almost exactly similar setup.
I have 16 340W Canadian solar panels in a 4X4 configuration.
Pt100 charge controller
48V, 630AH Trojan batteries.
MS4348 Inverter
Magnum Panel and other accessories.

The solar panels are well capable of charging the batteries. CC wakes up as early as 7am. Even on cloudy days, batteries are on float by 1pm. PHCN supply is terrible in my area. I never bothered to connect it to the inverter. AC input breaker is permanently switched off on the Magnum Panel. Inverter charging on the remote is left disabled.

I encourage you to go for it. This system will give you peace of mind. Mine is a DIY.

thats good....

thanks very much. I appreciate

Barezzi:
It doesn't make any difference, as the cc will simply clip the current.
Operating the cc at max current is another matter entirely as opinions vary.

Some say it'll shorten its life, others swear it's built into the design for it to function continuously at max.

I agree with you I'd put max 20 330w panels(4S5P) on the cc.

yes you're correct... The manual stated it's rated for 6.6kw but larger PV array may be used since its current limited to 100A.

Nevertheless, I'll go with advice of 20# maximum to be on a safe side. I just can't fittin't shout.. lolzzz

Thanks

S007:


MS4124PE - 105A DC /24V System @25degreeC
MS4348PE - 55A DC /48V System @ 25degreeC
PT100 - 100A /Charge controller

I use MS4348. I never charge with PHCN though.

thanks...

that's what we (myself and client) are trying to achieve; to charge without PHCN. Already gotten 16# of Canadian 330w panel with PT-100. About to acquire 12# of 12v/200Ah battery.

trying to confirm if at worst weather situation, the Magnum will be cable of charging the 3 strings.
looks like I'll make the panels 20# or 24# since I'm looking at about 18A for each string with the Magnum MS4348

GeorgeD1:


it's about 100 amps max but you can throttle it
to whatever current you want using the magnum remote.

Thanks very much Big bros...

tried browsing it and I'm seeing different things. saw 55ADC in one of their catalog. Also saw 60ADC in MS4048 manual

Thanks...

Good day house..
please, does anybody know the maximum charging current of Magnum MS4348?
thanks

Good day house..
please, does anybody know the maximum charging current of Magnum MS4348?
thanks

hello Niyi,

please for a 48v system, how many Hao2 will I need for 3 strings and for 2 strings?

Thanks

kiekie1:
HURRY ! DiSCOUNTED PRICES !!!
CANADIAN 340w Mono panels
340w. N
Solar world 325w mono panels. Made in Germany
..N84,000 (9 units in bulk)
Must Powerstar inverters (VIL series)
1000w 12v. N85,000
1500w 12v. N95,000
2000w 12v N110,000
3000w 24v. N150,000
4000w 48v. N220,000
5000w 48v. N250,000
6000w 48v. N280,000
10000w 48v. N700,000
10000w 48v HYBRID. N800,000
EP ever 40a 12-24v mppt with MT50 ...N
EP Solar (i-tracer) 60amps mppt..... ....... N125,000
Pro solar roof mount set .....N30,000
UNI-T DC/AC true RMS clamp meter.....N22,000
DC voltage led meter .........N4,000
Prag products; 10-150kva (45-270vac input) servo or relay stabilizers
Discounts on all our Prag product online prices
DC breakers 10-63a ....N3-4k
DC breakers 63a double pole....... N7k
USA trojan battery 12v 200a (J200RE) -N128,000 "promo price quantity above 1"
USA trojan battery 12v 205a (AGM) -N......
If you are for AGM SMF batteries :
-kung Long battery 12v 200a N.....
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NOTE: USA trojan sealed agm 6v 315a (L16) battery is now in stock , promo price ....... N148,000
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Quanta 12v/200Ah @124k??
that's very interesting... very good

dapsyra:

0905 728 5592

Thanks very much

please, anybody has Ola28's number...
it's urgent
thanks

kiekie1:

Feel free to contact us for detailed enquiries & supplies
Contact: Smartcell global services 081-350-31951

I need price... will need 8-12pcs
thanks

Good morning...

to the sellers; who deals on Eastman battery?

NiyiOmoIyunade:
No reason why it would not work - the diagram attached looks more like you are using two separate combiner boxes though - one for the positive side of the string and the other for the negative side or perhaps it is one huge box.

For me breaking the positive connection and using a common bar for all the neutral connections is sufficient although one may argue there is still some voltage potential on the negative side when you trip the positive breaker.

You really do not want to use an AC rated breaker in a DC application no matter how oversized the AC breaker is relative to the DC load - while it may work you just never know when the breaker will fail to extinguish the DC arc and cause a fire.

The 4 panels in series comment jumped out at everyone - be sure to know that your CC can safely handle the high voltage as DC overvoltage is the quickest way to destroy a CC - my MorningStar CC fairly often throws the 'High Array Voltage, Current Limiting' alarm which means panel VoC went above the 115/125vdc range and this is on a 3 panels in series string using 330w panels.

Thanks Niyi

it's two separate breaker box. one for the circuit breakers and for the neutral bar

thanks for the advice on the DC/AC breaker selection...

The CC is PT-100 and has a higher Voc range of 188-240VDC.

The lower range (Vmp, not even Voc) is 73 VDC, at which the CC won't work. with 3 in series, the Vmp might be hitting the lower range

Thanks bro

Barezzi:
Add a surge protection device.
4S4P? I'm sure you've done your homework.

For up to 250v voc, consider the Victron Energy Smartsolar 250/100 CC.

The SCC is PT-100. The high Voc range is 188-240 VDC @48V

Thanks
Cheers

abunafiu2:


the improvised design is going to work. I have personally used it on several occasions. (I didn't have the patience of waiting to see the attached picture cos of poor network here).
my worry now is the issue of 4 by 4 configuration. kindly inform us the type of Mppt controller ure using.
I pray it's the classic such that you enable the hyper voc function to protect it from once in a while 150v ➕ voc during cool weather.

abunafiu2:


the improvised design is going to work. I have personally used it on several occasions. (I didn't have the patience of waiting to see the attached picture cos of poor network here).
my worry now is the issue of 4 by 4 configuration. kindly inform us the type of Mppt controller ure using.
I pray it's the classic such that you enable the hyper voc function to protect it from once in a while 150v ➕ voc during cool weather.

abunafiu2:


the improvised design is going to work. I have personally used it on several occasions. (I didn't have the patience of waiting to see the attached picture cos of poor network here).
my worry now is the issue of 4 by 4 configuration. kindly inform us the type of Mppt controller ure using.
I pray it's the classic such that you enable the hyper voc function to protect it from once in a while 150v ➕ voc during cool weather.

The SCC is PT-100

Thanks

Good evening house,

I'm trying to improvise a PV combiner box using 4 circuit breakers and breaker box.

Attached is a sketch of how the connection will look like.

The PV combiner box is for 16# of 325w panels (4X4 configuration)

The circuit breakers located in the breaker box will be rated 16A (DC) or 32A (AC)

Correction is strictly welcomed...

Thanks

abunafiu2:
Battery Manufacturers and Battery Dealers in Nigeria:
You guys especially the Dealers are not helping the renewable energy industry to grow in Nigeria.
So many substandard batteries sold in the market without any form regulation by the authorities.
I am afraid, if this trend is not checked, the industry will die a slow death as more Nigerians are getting scared of tapping the endless opportunities presented by going SOLAR .
Industry giants, please save the Industry.

my brother, the thing is becoming something else. Systems are failing. "trusted" brands are backing up

I bought 250w sunshine panels from my Lagos supplier early 2016. few months later, I bought another set of the same 250w sunshine panels from the same guy to add to the former ones...

when I was trying to join the new sets to the old sets, I had a shock of my life. first of all, the cable of the new ones were very light and were breaking like no man's business... and it dawned on me that they were aluminum cables coated with copper colour. and even seem like 2.5mm

I now took the pain of bringing all the new ones down to change the cables (yeah, you can change panel cables) .. I was hit by another wave of shock; the back connection was looking like something that was constructed by an apprentice..
(don't worry, pictures will be attached)

I now took another pain of bringing down the old ones and I had to take their pictures. The connection of the old ones was robustly constructed.. and the cable was pure copper (tinned copper) with silver color and very thick; looking like 6mm.

I fittin't just shout!!!

The 1st and 2nd pictures shows the new (fake) sunshine panel cable and connection respectively.
the 3rd and 4th picture shows the old (original) sunshine panel cable and connection

SAME BRAND! SAME RATING! SAME SUPPLIER!
DIFFERENT QUALITY

People are just trying to frustrate the Renewable energy in Nigeria...

God help us

nonoski:
Over the weekend I tried to do a lot of wiring and installation
Pic 1 - solar panel array mounted
Pic 2 - solar panels extended to the Combiner Box using Mc4 connectors
Pic 3 - Combiner box mounted
Pix 4 - negative of the solar panels connected to the busbar

More pictures loading

very good... professionally executed.
well done

kiekie1:


Hello,
I have a similar fluke which reads only AC currents .. Isn't your fluke working well ?

Putting them up for sale at affordable price ;

Fluke 321 with pouch bag

Overview:

Fluke 321 and 322 are designed to verify the presence of load current, AC voltage and continuity of circuits, switches, fuses and contacts. These small and rugged clamp meters are ideally suited for current measurements up to 400 A in tight cable compartments. The Fluke 322 also offers DC voltage measurements and has a higher resolution for loads below 40 A.

Price : 10k

Contact ;
Smartcell global services
081-350-31951

the one you have in the pic, does it measure DC AMP?

nonoski:

Thank you for the quick response
Using Rapidtables website
I will experience a 5v drop between the pv and cc using 16mm2 flex in a distance of 51 meters and cool tem. I'm willing to accept that loss coz the difference in price between 16mm2 and 25mm2 flex multiplied by 51meters is quite a lot of money.

Please what size of cables should I use between the CC and battery bank?

Attached below is a picture of the 100 amps DC breaker which I think I can convert to a two pole, is the 100 amps rating too large for the purpose?

Thank you Sir

kindly, patiently and meticulously go through Niyi's response again... he basically answered the questions you're repeating.

Nice one oga Niyi... more wisdom to your brain

NiyiOmoIyunade:
UniT UT210E will go for NGN22,000/Unit. Delivery within Lagos will be an additional 2k/3k depending on distance/location.

I usually only ship based on 'firm orders' to prevent inventory build up - so I would expect a 5k deposit to firm up any order.

And that is a trusty old Fluke you got there

lolz...

will need it April ending... how can I reach you?

I stay in Eket, Akwa Ibom State

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Yes but sadly sold off the last piece just two days ago.

I will have one or two new pieces on ground in two weeks time.

This model is the UniT UT210E - it does AC and DC amps readings up to 100amps off the clamp as well as AC and DC voltage readings and resistance/continuity measurements as well as having a non-contact AC voltage detector (like a posh tester so you don't touch a live circuit. It does not do AC Frequency (Hz) readings. You would need a different UniT model for that.

Though a low budget chinese product the UniT UT210E is a very capable performer with it's readings well in line with the more premium Fluke, Agilent, Amprobe, Klein e.t.c meters. It has been heavily reviewed on various forums and found not wanting in performance as well as very good value for money.

Just for laughs , I am including a picture of my growing collection of Fluke and Amprobe meters. I am finding accurate metricing/metering to be a favorite pass-time for me.

You may reach out freely to firm up an order for the UniT

good... what's the price like? .

the one in the pic is the one I currently have