₦airaland Forum

Dabss:
You guys are over estimating his power needs please. There is no way he will be charging 100 phones at a time. Even if he is charging at full capacity the phones won't all start charging at the same time so some will already be full. A 2.5kva inverter is more than enough and I think his best option will be a mobile power station that can support at least 2000W solar input.

Most chargers don't pull more than 10w, he should just look for ones like that.

I think 4 620w panel will be enough

Hello Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and i must say i have learnt so much. Thank you to everyone who have ever contributed.

Striaght to my question: I am not trying to power the whole house: just basics:

phones
laptop
2 fans
1 bulb

I saw mentions of sachet inverters and battery setups, but I am not sure if that’s the best option or if there’s a simpler route. The technical details are a bit overwhelming.


I’ve also come across lithium batteries and hybrid inverters.

At this point, I’m just tired of inconsistent exoensive power and need a simple, reliable solution to get by and have peace.

Is it possible to achieve this on a very small budget? What would you recommend?

Thank you

adibo:
Good morning all. I have three 475w jinko solar panels. I am thinking of adding more but I am yet to see 475w Jinko solar panels, I have searched everywhere from fouani to Gennex to the guys on this thread as well as TikTok but no one seems to have. Gennex mentioned that they have but the lowest they have is 620w.
Can I connect 620w or 500+ solar panels with my 475w solar panels? Will it be safe or will it cause any issues? Cus I was told there might be issues due to different voltages or current

Also, if anyone has original Jinko solar panels here, kindly indicate. Or, is it safe to connect solar panels from other brands to my Jinko panels?

no issue. it's one of the reasons I rarely suggest any 4xxw variant outside 400w and 450w

in your situation, no issue add 500w or 450w. Don't bother much about the cons as it's very irrelevant here. Only add more than 500w if you plan to later phase out the 475w solar panels else it's unnecessary waste of money

EronzRichie:
Hello Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and i must say i have learnt so much. Thank you to everyone who have ever contributed.

Striaght to my question: I am not trying to power the whole house: just basics:

phones
laptop
2 fans
1 bulb

I saw mentions of sachet inverters and battery setups, but I am not sure if that’s the best option or if there’s a simpler route. The technical details are a bit overwhelming.


I’ve also come across lithium batteries and hybrid inverters.

At this point, I’m just tired of inconsistent exoensive power and need a simple, reliable solution to get by and have peace.

Is it possible to achieve this on a very small budget? What would you recommend?

Thank you

if those Fans are DC fans or if planning to change them to DC fans even if for USEd ones, then you don't need any inverter here. Of course the Light would also be DC which costs about 1,000 naira

Just cheap 12v (Lithium or leadAcid) battery, and PWM / MPPT Charge controller + (2pcs of USEd 350w / 400w / 450w or 1pcs of NEW 500w) solar panels + 1 bundle of NEPA wire (Aluminium cable) mostly sold down the street.
In fact you could procure everyThing USEd to keep costs very very low. Ensure the Solar panels are at least halfCut Mono and not the old version.

This approach is VERY VERY Efficient

NB: if your laptop's charger has a center pin, then you need spend between 1,500 naira to 5,000 naira to get it to work flawLessLy with this system.

Dabss:
You guys are over estimating his power needs please. There is no way he will be charging 100 phones at a time. Even if he is charging at full capacity the phones won't all start charging at the same time so some will already be full. A 2.5kva inverter is more than enough and I think his best option will be a mobile power station that can support at least 2000W solar input.

OP has been told already BUT still wants to go overBoard hence what's given. To me, an inverter of 2.5kva can even handle 200 phones daily with the freezer. From experience, there's hardly a time about 50 phones are plugged in at a time even if total daily charging averages 200 phones.

To me, would suggest @WhiteAngels001 goes for used inveerter to keep the cost low.

Also, when cost difference between a 2.5kva and 3.5kva or 4kva ain't far enough, na to just go for the bigger 3.5kva or 4kva.

bassdow:
no issue. it's one of the reasons I rarely suggest any 4xxw variant outside 400w and 450w

in your situation, no issue add 500w or 450w. Don't bother much about the cons as it's very irrelevant here. Only add more than 500w if you plan to later phase out the 475w solar panels else it's unnecessary waste of money

Good morning, thanks for the advice. I remember your advice then, just that the challenge of removing these 475w panels and replacing with bigger ones is much. That's why I decided to just keep to the ones I have.

The major challenge I am facing right now is that I can't find any Jinko panels anywhere. Whether 450w, 475w, 480w, or 500w. The lowest I have seen is from Gennex which is 620w. I have asked even some popular TikTok dealers, but they said they don't have. I called fouani, they said they will likely have stock again this week, so, maybe I will have to wait for them then.

If I can safely add a 500+w panel to my current 475w panels, that will be fine, I don't mind the extra cost, especially if I have no other options. I just want my panels to get to around 2850w so I can comfortably charge my battery to 100% daily

Dabss:
You guys are over estimating his power needs please. There is no way he will be charging 100 phones at a time. Even if he is charging at full capacity the phones won't all start charging at the same time so some will already be full. A 2.5kva inverter is more than enough and I think his best option will be a mobile power station that can support at least 2000W solar input.

Baba, phone charging is no small business o especially if you are in a busy or student area, I have a client who started with about 20 phones using a 3000w satchet psw inverter with 24v 100ah battery and 2pcs 455w solar panels and 60a powmr charge controller, he used it for less than 2 months before needing an upgrade as the inverter cannot keep up with his load. Now he has changed the inverter to 4.2kw with 2 extra 455w solar panels, but the power still goes off in the evening during periods of low sunshine as his load is now nearing 2kw

EronzRichie:
Hello Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and i must say i have learnt so much.

So what exactly have you learnt if you are gonna ask such a basic question?
Some of us are just quite funny.
😂😂😂😂😂😂

adibo:
Good morning, thanks for the advice. I remember your advice then, just that the challenge of removing these 475w panels and replacing with bigger ones is much. That's why I decided to just keep to the ones I have.

The major challenge I am facing right now is that I can't find any Jinko panels anywhere. Whether 450w, 475w, 480w, or 500w. The lowest I have seen is from Gennex which is 620w. I have asked even some popular TikTok dealers, but they said they don't have. I called fouani, they said they will likely have stock again this week, so, maybe I will have to wait for them then.

If I can safely add a 500+w panel to my current 475w panels, that will be fine, I don't mind the extra cost, especially if I have no other options. I just want my panels to get to around 2850w so I can comfortably charge my battery to 100% daily

would have suggested USEd solar panels BUT their price difference ain't that encouraging.

i don talk am before, it's CHEAPer manufacturing larger capacity solar panels hence these people are forcing it down our throats

Penuelseun:
Baba, phone charging is no small business o especially if you are in a busy or student area, I have a client who started with about 20 phones using a 3000w satchet psw inverter with 24v 100ah battery and 2pcs 455w solar panels and 60a powmr charge controller, he used it for less than 2 months before needing an upgrade as the inverter cannot keep up with his load. Now he has changed the inverter to 4.2kw with 2 extra 455w solar panels, but the power still goes off in the evening during periods of low sunshine as his load is now nearing 2kw

...and what bottleNecks can you spot in your friend's earlier setUp ?

EronzRichie:
Hello Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and i must say i have learnt so much. Thank you to everyone who have ever contributed.

Striaght to my question: I am not trying to power the whole house: just basics:

phones
laptop
2 fans
1 bulb

I saw mentions of sachet inverters and battery setups, but I am not sure if that’s the best option or if there’s a simpler route. The technical details are a bit overwhelming.


I’ve also come across lithium batteries and hybrid inverters.

At this point, I’m just tired of inconsistent exoensive power and need a simple, reliable solution to get by and have peace.

Is it possible to achieve this on a very small budget? What would you recommend?

Thank you

.

Thank you so much sir.

I appreciate this setup advice. Yes, I am planning to be cost effective and I can sure change to DC Appliance(s).

My laptop has a USB Charger point, but I will do more research on Dc Chargers if possible.

Thank you once again.

bassdow:
if those Fans are DC fans or if planning to change them to DC fans even if for USEd ones, then you don't need any inverter here. Of course the Light would also be DC which costs about 1,000 naira

Just cheap 12v (Lithium or leadAcid) battery, and PWM / MPPT Charge controller + (2pcs of USEd 350w / 400w / 450w or 1pcs of NEW 500w) solar panels + 1 bundle of NEPA wire (Aluminium cable) mostly sold down the street.
In fact you could procure everyThing USEd to keep costs very very low. Ensure the Solar panels are at least halfCut Mono and not the old version.

This approach is VERY VERY Efficient

NB: if your laptop's charger has a center pin, then you need spend between 1,500 naira to 5,000 naira to get it to work flawLessLy with this system.

EronzRichie:
Thank you so much sir.

I appreciate this setup advice. Yes, I am planning to be cost effective and I can sure change to DC Appliance(s).

My laptop has a USB Charger point, but I will do more research on Dc Chargers if possible.

Thank you once again.

even without using your laptop's USB port, you can still reCharge your phones successfully. Can still power your TV and few other loads.

Good thing is, should in future you decides to add a Fridge / Freezer, or some other loads that ain't easy converting to DC, na to just add an inverter and probably add more batteries. You end up loosing nothing and reUsing all you got already

one thing I noticed about 12v and 24v inverter is that the ac output nor they shock like nepa or generator but they are still able to do what nepa or Generator does and even better, I remember when I mistakenly touch the ac output for my 12v inverter then the tin just they shock small small like TV antenna, I just mistakenly touch naked wire now for my 24v inverter the shock pass 12v own small but not much like nepa or gen I just they wonder how the tin fit take they power Gen power ac and even hot plate . oyibo na witch

bassdow:
TlDr
- 4.2kva haisic inverter= 350,000 naira. A used one would be CHEAPer. Also 2kva would also work and is CHEAPer + less Solar Panels
- 24v 4.4kwh Lithium battery= 550,000 naira or 2pcs leadAcid battery (USEd)= 300,000 naira
- 6pcs 550w halfCut Mono Solar panels (NEW or USEd)= About 120,000 naira each (NEW) or 95,000 naira each (USEd)
- Solar cable= going by your budget, na NEPA wire of at least 35mm go work for you. A bundle should be enough.
- Skip mounting rails due to budget constraints; Binding wire or Concrete nails in the right hands would do a good job.
- You can't skip breakers (at least 2pcs) and surge protector
- Battery cable (A lot of batteries don't come with one hence budget for one)





If you got here, means Above wasn't enough for you, enjoy the ePistle below;

Since you intend running mostly day time, you need more of Solar panels than battery + still need give enough headRoom for days with dull weather

As per which is better between Hybrid vs non Hybrid inverters, would say that's a personal decision though most people prefer Hybrid inverters because they get to skip purchasing an externnal charge controller which could be pricey when quality is considered.
Another is, it lets them run more solar panels at high voltage.

Yet there are those who prefer nonHybrid inverters mostly because they're more durable and someWhat forgiving when stressed.

Another is, between a hybrid and nonHybrid inverter, chances of successfully repairing a non Hybrid inverter is mostly (always) much Higher than a hybrid inverter. At certain stage, even with a hybrid inverter, you might have to eventually use an external charge controller.

At end of the day, decission remains yours to make.

That being said, since you got the space + security and someWhat the budget, would suggest the below which ain't any diferent from what I suggested earlier

For batteries : you have options of either leadAcid or Lithium based batteries.
If going Lithium, and don't know reliable lithium battery sellers or how to identify quality ones, would suggest you buy from those who sell in here like Valto and mrReed so should the battery mess up, the group could drag them. 24v 4.5kwh is about 700,000 naira or 24v 8.5kwh which is 1.1 million naira last we bought from Valto. There's also mrReed who's much cheaper for 24v 8.5kwh of around 820,000 naira. You still could go for mrReed 24v 4.4kwh which is about 550,000 naira.
The batteries could be more cheaper depending if coming with wooden or meatlic box.

BUT if going for used Tubular or Dry cell batteries that's still in good condition, 300,000 naira should get you about 4.8kwh (that's 24v 200AH) which when coupled with enough solar panels, should really really serve you even in fairly poor weather.


Inverter : a 3.5kva to 5kva hybrid inverter from any average brand should do e.g Haisic 4.2kw. Reason I'm suggesting Hybrid inverter here is that most have direct Solar priority feature hence so long the load ain't bigger than what's coming from the Solar panels, they work your battery less. Non Hybrid inverters work somewhat similarly BUT not in same manner. And a haisic 4.2kw inverter can handle more than 6pcs of 600w solar panels

Solar Panels : Here you need at least 6pcs of 550w solar panels OR 8pcs of 450w or 400w solar panels. Ensure it ain't the old versions.

Solar cables : Copper is always the best BUT then, it's price could make one look for alternatives and yes, Aluminium would work BUT you need a thicker one to do same work as Copper. You need 10mm Copper cable or minimum of 35mm Aluminium cable (NEPA wire) which is much CHEAPer than 10mm Copper cable.

Don't forget, you still need breakers and other accessories to protect your investment. For mounting accessories, going by your budget, you could skip those so the big Small budget could better focus on more important things.

A small note on Surge protectors: Don't spend money buying surge protector if it wouldn't be connected to ground. Have seen those which weren't, Wonder what they're expected to do.

@BASSDOW
Which
24v 4.4kwh Lithium battery is 550k

bassdow:
OP has been told already BUT still wants to go overBoard hence what's given. To me, an inverter of 2.5kva can even handle 200 phones daily with the freezer. From experience, there's hardly a time about 50 phones are plugged in at a time even if total daily charging averages 200 phones.

To me, would suggest @WhiteAngels001 goes for used inveerter to keep the cost low.

Also, when cost difference between a 2.5kva and 3.5kva or 4kva ain't far enough, na to just go for the bigger 3.5kva or 4kva.

I'm honestly getting even more confused with this comment. It's not like I had made up my mind on which to go for between a mobile power station (solar generator) and a proper solar set up. I just wanted to know which is going to be more cost effective and reliable and also stand the test of time.
So if you guys actually suggest that going for a trusted solar generator will serve my need and last well, then I'll settle for it. But if you still suggest otherwise, I'll do as you suggest

WhiteAngels001:
I'm honestly getting even more confused with this comment. It's not like I had made up my mind on which to go for between a mobile power station (solar generator) and a proper solar set up. I just wanted to know which is going to be more cost effective and reliable and also stand the test of time.
So if you guys actually suggest that going for a trusted solar generator will serve my need and last well, then I'll settle for it. But if you still suggest otherwise, I'll do as you suggest

Thing is, an All-In-One never gives room for growth + is rarely as performant as the shatndard solar setup where you buy your batteries, inverter, solar panels, etc all separately.

The only adjustment raised by @Dabss is capacity of the system (more like why go for inverter of 4.2kva when 2kva should do) BUT that shouldn't be much an issue.

BUT if at end of the day, you decides going for the All-In-One, it's still your choice.

capnies:
@BASSDOW
Which
24v 4.4kwh Lithium battery is 550k

That's price range to give idea of price. Doesn't mean you get it at that exact price point.

When I mentioned exact prices, I included names of Valto and mrReed because it's latest prices we got from them between Mid March and 3 days ago.

osayuwamwen:
one thing I noticed about 12v and 24v inverter is that the ac output nor they shock like nepa or generator but they are still able to do what nepa or Generator does and even better, I remember when I mistakenly touch the ac output for my 12v inverter then the tin just they shock small small like TV antenna, I just mistakenly touch naked wire now for my 24v inverter the shock pass 12v own small but not much like nepa or gen I just they wonder how the tin fit take they power Gen power ac and even hot plate . oyibo na witch

Don't now much here BUT sure one reason is: The amount of Current in Solar based inverter which generates via solar panels + battery is not as huge as that coming from NEPA or Generator.

But even at that, are you sure say na REAL electricity shock you abi na static shock you receive ?

If we check am well, fit be say that setUp ain't grounded and there are some leakAges that gingered you. This is even more possible when using transformerLess inverters lacking issolation transformer.

Valto:
12v 4.2kwh lifepo4 lithium battery 475k/500k/530k, (depends on bms used)

How much is this now chief?

this 24v inverter is grounded am just trying to change my wall socket, while the inverter is on, and I also notice same tin while using a 12v sachet inverter then, they don't shock like nepa or Gen and they even give out complete 220v

bassdow:
Don't now much here BUT sure one reason is: The amount of Current in Solar based inverter which generates via solar panels + battery is not as huge as that coming from NEPA or Generator.

But even at that, are you sure say na REAL electricity shock you abi na static shock you receive ?

If we check am well, fit be say that setUp ain't grounded and there are some leakAges that gingered you. This is even more possible when using transformerLess inverters lacking issolation transformer.

Cutezt:
How much is this now chief?

550k with JK 200A 2A active balancer Bluetooth bms only t

Good day house, longest time. I am a staff of Fouani Nigeria. We have high-end inverters and lithium batteries at discounted prices. Ask me any questions

Available components

Growatt 48v 5kw SPF HVM
Growatt 48v 6kw SPF ES plus
Deye 48v 6kw inverter
Pylontech 5kwh
Pylontech 16kwh
Growatt 5kwh
Deye 5kwh

Do we have anyone using this battery here? Is it a good battery?

Opistorincos:
Good day house, longest time. I am a staff of Fuaoni Nigeria. We have high-end inverters and lithium batteries at discounted prices. Ask my any questions

Available components

Growatt 48v 5kw SPF HVM
Growatt 48v 6kw SPF ES plus
Deye 48v 6kw inverter
Pylontech 5kwh
Pylontech 16kwh
Growatt 5kwh
Deye 5kwh

You writeup sound suspicious. Prove me wrong

Penuelseun:
Baba, phone charging is no small business o especially if you are in a busy or student area, I have a client who started with about 20 phones using a 3000w satchet psw inverter with 24v 100ah battery and 2pcs 455w solar panels and 60a powmr charge controller, he used it for less than 2 months before needing an upgrade as the inverter cannot keep up with his load. Now he has changed the inverter to 4.2kw with 2 extra 455w solar panels, but the power still goes off in the evening during periods of low sunshine as his load is now nearing 2kw

I took this very wasteful route before.

Tell him to buy QC 3.0 DC charging modules. If he have patience, order from temu or AliExpress.... But if patience no dey, buy from jiji and have it waybilled to your location

To power it, take it to electrician to soldier live/Neutral wire directly in the back where the pin indicates because the thing gets quite hot with power pin and power pins spoil easily...

So take the charging modules to electrician to soldier live/neutral wire to the back ... Now connect all the wires by polarity to the charge controller or battery and boom ... No need for expensive chargers again

If a charging module burn (very rare) just take it to electrician to repair it.

Don't mind my haphazard method... I connected all the live together and put the neutral I to the socket so I can just pull out the neutral wire to turn off a particular charger.

You can buy wall light switch and call electrician to wire it for you so you can be turning a particular charger on/off by just pressing the switch

Penuelseun:
Baba, phone charging is no small business o especially if you are in a busy or student area, I have a client who started with about 20 phones using a 3000w satchet psw inverter with 24v 100ah battery and 2pcs 455w solar panels and 60a powmr charge controller, he used it for less than 2 months before needing an upgrade as the inverter cannot keep up with his load. Now he has changed the inverter to 4.2kw with 2 extra 455w solar panels, but the power still goes off in the evening during periods of low sunshine as his load is now nearing 2kw

They don't really understand the energy movement.. A 20000mah power bank is roughly 74wh.. A 5000mah battery is roughly 18wh . Now do the maths of having 10 power banks and 15 phones when the sun is out. Daz 1kwh of power.. do you think your 4.5kwh can handle such load. Piple 15kwh de off here sef. @bassdow.. it's ok to start small with a gud system that u can scale up ad time goes on. Phone charging biz na power jam power.

brightk:
They don't really understand the energy movement.. A 20000mah power bank is roughly 74wh.. A 5000mah battery is roughly 18wh . Now do the maths of having 10 power banks and 15 phones when the sun is out. Daz 1kwh of power.. do you think your 4.5kwh can handle such load. Piple 15kwh de off here sef. @bassdow.. it's ok to start small with a gud system that u can scale up ad time goes on. Phone charging biz na power jam power.

Power banks dey draw power no be small

brightk:
They don't really understand the energy movement.. A 20000mah power bank is roughly 74wh.. A 5000mah battery is roughly 18wh . Now do the maths of having 10 power banks and 15 phones when the sun is out. Daz 1kwh of power.. do you think your 4.5kwh can handle such load. Piple 15kwh de off here sef. @bassdow.. it's ok to start small with a gud system that u can scale up ad time goes on. Phone charging biz na power jam power.

My major worry is People overSpending even before having slightest idea of how feasible the Business would turn out to be.

Make e start with the (USEd) 3.5kva or 4.2kva or 5kva inverter first. Later if need be, e upGrade. there are people averaging 200 phones daily, there also are those barely receiving a total of 50 phones a day.

Make e no go invest money wey e go struggle to reCoup in over 2 years. Let's be honest with ourSelves, there are lots of such business out there. A lot of them, long before dem even stock, Me ma don already know. problem be say, a lot of them na mostLy Oga dey Open for Madam for whatEver reason. Some can't even stay up to 6-months. A lot of business ideas makes sense in your head until you put in in action, then you begin to surprise wetin happen

oweniwe:
Power banks dey draw power no be small

Phone's power banks charge via USB whose spec is bascially 5v at most 2Amps

A 2kva inverter can handle over 20pcs of such concurrently. Add the freezer, and some headRoom then you see why getting started with a 3.5kva or 4.2kva or 5kva is already more than enough for a business idea One is yet to know how feasible it would turn out to be.

Opistorincos:
Good day house, longest time. I am a staff of Fuaoni Nigeria. We have high-end inverters and lithium batteries at discounted prices. Ask my any questions

Available components

Growatt 48v 5kw SPF HVM
Growatt 48v 6kw SPF ES plus
Deye 48v 6kw inverter
Pylontech 5kwh
Pylontech 16kwh
Growatt 5kwh
Deye 5kwh

Don't you think anyOne of us can have such writeUp like you did above ?

If you want people to believe you, the contact details you shared in here ought be on fouani's website. That way, people know YES this person is one way or the other affiliated with fouani

brightk:
They don't really understand the energy movement.. A 20000mah power bank is roughly 74wh.. A 5000mah battery is roughly 18wh . Now do the maths of having 10 power banks and 15 phones when the sun is out. Daz 1kwh of power.. do you think your 4.5kwh can handle such load. Piple 15kwh de off here sef. @bassdow.. it's ok to start small with a gud system that u can scale up ad time goes on. Phone charging biz na power jam power.

You are wrong to do your maths that way and you also don’t understand the energy movement.

Let’s be generous to say that the owner uses a 15Watts chargers in his shop:

10 power banks = 15Watts by 10 = 150Watts
15 phones = 15Watts by 15 = 225watts

Total running loads at a time = 375watts per 1 hour.

Meaning that on the system is 375watts an hour. Nothing like 1kwh of power.

The power banks will take 5hours to completely charge while the phones will at most be filled in 2 hours. That 5 hours is enough to get your battery full and still charge those devices if you calculate well.

The duration of how long he runs the 375watts is most importantly based on his solar panels and battery bank. If he has solar panel of 1kwh, don’t forget that the generation of power on an ideal day is about

1k watts by 5hours =5kw

Meaning he has 5kwh per day. While his load is 375watts which will run for about 13hours a day. Meaning that 10 hours is enough for 20 power banks and the remaining 3hours (375watts by 3 hours) is enough for 75 phones.

Do your maths this way, gather enough research to know how many customers you will likely get a day and buy your set up that matches it.

Back to the shop owner and many others like him, they just don’t know the maths too, and they don’t like to ask before they get into it. Chikina.