makavele:


And if your experiment goes south and you blow up the inverter what happens?

lol I am sure she did not intend to post this in this group. Probably the other solar forums

makavele:


And if your experiment goes south and you blow up the inverter what happens?

You will be talking to my lawyers...hihihi (just kidding)

Obviously it becomes my liability and will have to pay for it. Surely its not a destructive testing experiment though, just wanna confirm it can pick up a set of new loads!

Mercury inverters come with overload protection by the way

DaniellaDokubo:


You will be talking to my lawyers...hihihi (just kidding)

Obviously it becomes my liability and will have to pay for it. Surely its not a destructive testing experiment though, just wanna confirm it can pick up a set of new loads!

Mercury inverters come with overload protection by the way

All inverters come with overload protection . . . but some will fail/disappoint you . . depending on quality of inverter and the kind of load applied ...
If it inverter fails during your experiment, would you be willing to buy it at my "own price" or a direct replacement (because I might not want it repaired) >>>??
Finally, science requires sacrifice . . . close your eyes and get one for yourself, take a leap of faith . . we all did !

makavele:


All inverters come with overload protection . . . but some will fail/disappoint you . . depending on quality of inverter and the kind of load applied ...
If it inverter fails during your experiment, would you be willing to buy it at my "own price" or a direct replacement (because I might not want it repaired) >>>??
Finally, science requires sacrifice . . . close your eyes and get one for yourself, take a leap of faith . . we all did !

Sure I will have to buy it off. Meanwhile i am needing a used one not brand new on sale

makavele:


And if your experiment goes south and you blow up the inverter what happens?

LG mono X 2 is Lg electronics high quality mononcrystalline module .

We have about 280w in stock.

brought to you by back 2 back distribution Nigeria Ltd ....https://www.back2back.ae ..

Ijeoma660:


Here is my little story...

21/01/18 Successfully mounted my PV array with 4 x 250wp, 3kw cc
04/02/18 I increased my Solar array to 6nos with the addition of 2 x 325wp PVs
09/02/18 Replaced my 4 x 200AH very old batteries with 2 x 200AH
09/03/18 One full month, I have not used my generator. i only support the system with PHCN.
10/03/18 For the first time we did not have PHCN for a full 24hours and I have depended on Solar all through the day and night with TVs and fans running on auto cruise.

The attached picture is my readings around midday!

Congrats to all of us.

PS: I have contributed my little quota in minimizing greenhouse gas GHG emissions and reducing the impact of global warming to preserve the planet for your kids, my kids and our grand kids to have a world to live in...

Hmm, what brand of CC are you using?

Ijeoma660:


Here is my little story...

21/01/18 Successfully mounted my PV array with 4 x 250wp, 3kw cc
04/02/18 I increased my Solar array to 6nos with the addition of 2 x 325wp PVs
09/02/18 Replaced my 4 x 200AH very old batteries with 2 x 200AH
09/03/18 One full month, I have not used my generator. i only support the system with PHCN.
10/03/18 For the first time we did not have PHCN for a full 24hours and I have depended on Solar all through the day and night with TVs and fans running on auto cruise.

The attached picture is my readings around midday!

Congrats to all of us.

PS: I have contributed my little quota in minimizing greenhouse gas GHG emissions and reducing the impact of global warming to preserve the planet for your kids, my kids and our grand kids to have a world to live in...

Hello,
Congrats on your solar set up . I guess you are on a 12v system and 60a cc , its best you tag your cc 60a instead of 3kw used for 48v, whilst your current cc takes 800w max for 12v designs ... I deduced total 1650w PV array from your post, your cc will only take 800w excluding losses to be factual !
Congrats once again and welcome to the solar club

Hello house ,
I have some clients who keep asking of where to repair their power star light inverters , voltron inverters etc . pls feel free to contact me for most fault comes with pop up error codes as displayed in snapshot below .. If its an error code that entails repair , we are at your service whilst those that needs complete board replacement will also get due attention ... Thanks

Contact:
Smartcell global services
081-350-31951

sharks776:


Hmm, what brand of CC are you using?

Surprisingly it is nameless. But I figured its a clone of Voltronic series.

Purchased it for 80k.

kiekie1:


Hello,
Congrats on your solar set up . I guess you are on a 12v system and 60a cc , its best you tag your cc 60a instead of 3kw used for 48v, whilst your current cc takes 800w max for 12v designs ... I deduced total 1650w PV array from your post, your cc will only take 800w excluding losses to be factual !
Congrats once again and welcome to the solar club

So if I convert to a 24v system will it take the excess being dumped?

Ijeoma660:


So if I convert to a 24v system will it take the excess being dumped?

Yes, Your setup is 12v 400AH I guess,

If you wish to take advantage of excess power above the capped 800watts, then your setup must be 24V 400AH(4 batteries), instead of 24v 200AH (2 batteries)..

That is 24V @ 60AMPs.. then you can get above 800watts from the panels.

On the other hand your setup is just perfect as you will be getting close to 800watts most of the time..

You should be able to get more power out of your current PV array but to do so will require you to purchase a new inverter (24v) and dump the old one and depending on your future expansion plans you may also need a new CC or set once and for all the type/spec of panels you would be acquiring going forward.

The reason is because you have 4 × 250W panels and then 2 × 325w panels. Given that these were nominal 24v panels being used in a 12v nominal battery system, you could have them in parallel and get maximum juice out of them (1650w capacity) but CC limits you to around 800w maximum.

Moving to a 24v battery system you have to make a design choice - stay with your 'all PV panels in parallel config' in which case you may be able to release most of your 1650watts but suffer the downside of not enough voltage to get your batteries to absorb OR go to a 2 panels in series config which now caps you around 1500w but you always have sufficient MPPT headroom to get your batteries through absorb.

I am holding many things (equipment loads, battery state of charge e.t c) constant for simplicity.

I would recommend the series config with 2 pairs of 250w panels in series and then the pair of 325w panels also in series. One MPPT CC will only track one maximum power point for the entire PV array so you may find your 325w panels in series behaving more like 250w panels hence your max potential power available is 1500w of which you may expect to release an average of 1200w instantaneous on a very good day.

For future upgrades you must decide to either phase out the 250w panels or the 325w panels - which one you should keep or dispose depends heavily on the ultimate size of system you wish to grow to or if you purchase a new extra CC, you place all the 250w panels on one CC and all the 325w panels on the other CC.

The big question to ask right now is do you need the potential extra 400w (1200w - 800w) you may get from your panels if you move to 24v? Are you willing to purchase a new inverter e.t.c especially if you usually get sufficient on grid power to keep your batteries topped off.

Ijeoma660:


So if I convert to a 24v system will it take the excess being dumped?

@mcTrinity @NiyiOmoIyunade

I don't know how this chat might contribute to your discussions earlier on here...

The data attached are Battery State of Charge Estimates at different Electrolyte Specific Gravities and No Load/At Rest Battery Terminal Voltage.

The idea is that you can disconnect all loads and charging sources from a battery for at least 2 hours and then take the electrolyte SG and/or battery voltage readings and from there infer how much power as a percentage of total AH capacity is left available for use in the battery.

They are just estimates and this set is especially optimistic I would say - some authorities consider a battery below 12v to be fully spent for all practical purposes.

In very simple terms, in order to charge a battery you must raise the voltage of the charger/current source above the battery terminal voltage so that current can flow to the point of least resistance (the battery). In practice any voltage above 13.4volts should charge a 12v battery but to get a proper complete charge you generally go into the 14volts to 16volts terrain depending on battery type/chemistry. This is the point I have been agonising over and for which Oga GeorgeD and McTrinity have been trying to help.

For the popular Quanta batteries do we charge at the generally accepted conservative Absorb setpoint of Max 14.2volts per 12v battery or do we follow the manufacturer's recommendation which appears unusually low at 13.8volts per 12v battery?

Ijeoma660:
@mcTrinity @NiyiOmoIyunade

I don't know how this chat might contribute to your discussions earlier on here...

NiyiOmoIyunade:
You should be able to get more power out of your current PV array but to do so will require you to purchase a new inverter (24v) and dump the old one and depending on your future expansion plans you may also need a new CC or set once and for all the type/spec of panels you would be acquiring going forward.

The reason is because you have 4 × 250W panels and then 2 × 325w panels. Given that these were nominal 24v panels being used in a 12v nominal battery system, you could have them in parallel and get maximum juice out of them (1650w capacity) but CC limits you to around 800w maximum.

Moving to a 24v battery system you have to make a design choice - stay with your 'all PV panels in parallel config' in which case you may be able to release most of your 1650watts but suffer the downside of not enough voltage to get your batteries to absorb OR go to a 2 panels in series config which now caps you around 1500w but you always have sufficient MPPT headroom to get your batteries through absorb.

I am holding many things (equipment loads, battery state of charge e.t c) constant for simplicity.

I would recommend the series config with 2 pairs of 250w panels in series and then the pair of 325w panels also in series. One MPPT CC will only track one maximum power point for the entire PV array so you may find your 325w panels in series behaving more like 250w panels hence your max potential power available is 1500w of which you may expect to release an average of 1200w instantaneous on a very good day.

For future upgrades you must decide to either phase out the 250w panels or the 325w panels - which one you should keep or dispose depends heavily on the ultimate size of system you wish to grow to or if you purchase a new extra CC, you place all the 250w panels on one CC and all the 325w panels on the other CC.

The big question to ask right now is do you need the potential extra 400w (1200w - 800w) you may get from your panels if you move to 24v? Are you willing to purchase a new inverter e.t.c especially if you usually get sufficient on grid power to keep your batteries topped off.

Sorry to ask again coz I had asked earlier cos there seems to be conflict in opinions reading throu the thread.

I have 12nr solar panels 300w rated. My inverter is a 3.5kva 48v and battery 48v 200AH.

Would it be better if I connect my solar panel 2 in series (2*24v) and 6 strings in parallel
OR
I should connect 3 panels in series (3*24v) and 4 strings in parallel.?
Ps: the Panel Voc is 38.8v and Isc is 10.21a

And please is the fangpusun 80a a good CC coz a friend is offering me at a good price.

Ijeoma660:


Here is my little story...

21/01/18 Successfully mounted my PV array with 4 x 250wp, 3kw cc
04/02/18 I increased my Solar array to 6nos with the addition of 2 x 325wp PVs
09/02/18 Replaced my 4 x 200AH very old batteries with 2 x 200AH
09/03/18 One full month, I have not used my generator. i only support the system with PHCN.
10/03/18 For the first time we did not have PHCN for a full 24hours and I have depended on Solar all through the day and night with TVs and fans running on auto cruise.

The attached picture is my readings around midday!

Congrats to all of us.

PS: I have contributed my little quota in minimizing greenhouse gas GHG emissions and reducing the impact of global warming to preserve the planet for your kids, my kids and our grand kids to have a world to live in...

.

You have gained from your steadfastness being on the thread. It beautiful to have you report back your experience.

It is sad to know many enjoy reading without making few contributions or success stories.

enjoy your investment with chilled bottle of drinks powered by solar.

niyiomoiyunade,
in my own opinion, 14.2v seems a more plausible setting given the xteristics of lead-acid that
we are all familiar with but again, the manufacturer may know something more about his own
product that we don't hence their seemingly lower absorb voltage recommendation.

24hours electricity can be achieved if one clearly indentify his or her basic needs.
What are these basic needs, 24 hours lighting based on pure LED light fitting based 9watts 40 units, a family deep freezer, water dispenser cool only, 5 units of 40inch LED TVs, lumped together deoders, laptops, 6 standing fan@30 to 50watts.
Set ups 10 units of 290watts mono solar panels
1 unit of 5KVA 48volts hybrid inverter 60 ammps mppt charger built in.
8 units of 200AH 12volts gel batteries.
You must have money for this private setup.
We have achieved over 160 to 280kwh of sold solar power. You must have the fragrance of money to ask for quote

I agree with you Sir.

Just need more facts and support to quench that nagging feeling that I may be overcharging...

I will be very happy when all the customer warranty periods elapse with no incident

GeorgeD1:
niyiomoiyunade,
in my own opinion, 14.2v seems a more plausible setting given the xteristics of lead-acid that
we are all familiar with but again, the manufacturer may know something more about his own
product that we don't hence their seemingly lower absorb voltage recommendation.

Your solar panels are basically a charge/power source. Because you have a 48v nominal battery system you can expect to see your batteries needing Absorb voltages in the range of 56.4v to 59.2v depending on battery chemistry.

Deriving from above, in order to charge your batteries properly/completely, your solar panels must generate at least that Absorb voltage plus a 7v to 10v margin minimum (this is a rule of thumb) added on top to allow for losses in the cabling, vagaries in PV panels power and voltage output e.t.c.

If we take the battery upper charge limit of 59.2v and add on 10v safety margin we are at 69.2volts or roughly 70volts as minimum solar voltage. Tieing this into another popular rule of thumb that says each 12v battery requires minimum 17.5volts (or 18volts) in solar panel voltage to charge properly, we establish that your 48v (4 pieces 12v batteries in series) batteries need at least 17.5v × 4 = 70volts in solar panel voltage to charge properly.

So in your case that has panels with VoC of 38.8v, one could infer VmP of around 30volts to 35volts max. You would need at least two panels in series to have any hope of charging your batteries at all.

What is right for your setup will now depend on your type of Charge Controller - with a PWM CC 2 panels in series is all you need but with an MPPT CC you may want to gain more voltage headroom to maximise the MPPT boost factor and hence do 3 panels in series. All these are subject to your specific CCs operating and voltage limits of course.

Once your inverter nominal voltage is fixed at 48v then everything else derives from there. Whether to use a 2 panel in series or 3 panel in series config would depend on your panel VmP and Charge Controller type/limits/preferences.

I hope this clarifies? If you revert with the actual VmP of your panels then we should be able to offer you more definitive advise.

nonoski:

Sorry to ask again coz I had asked earlier cos there seems to be conflict in opinions reading throu the thread.

I have 12nr solar panels 300w rated. My inverter is a 3.5kva 48v and battery 48v 200AH.

Would it be better if I connect my solar panel 2 in series (2*24v) and 6 strings in parallel
OR
I should connect 3 panels in series (3*24v) and 4 strings in parallel.?
Ps: the Panel Voc is 38.8v and Isc is 10.21a

And please is the fangpusun 80a a good CC coz a friend is offering me at a good price.

Complete reply in a small package. Bravo.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Your solar panels are basically a charge/power source. Because you have a 48v nominal battery system you can expect to see your batteries needing Absorb voltages in the range of 56.4v to 59.2v depending on battery chemistry.

Deriving from above, in order to charge your batteries properly/completely, your solar panels must generate at least that Absorb voltage plus a 7v to 10v margin minimum (this is a rule of thumb) added on top to allow for losses in the cabling, vagaries in PV panels power and voltage output e.t.c.

If we take the battery upper charge limit of 59.2v and add on 10v safety margin we are at 69.2volts or roughly 70volts as minimum solar voltage. Tieing this into another popular rule of thumb that says each 12v battery requires minimum 17.5volts (or 18volts) in solar panel voltage to charge properly, we establish that your 48v (4 pieces 12v batteries in series) batteries need at least 17.5v × 4 = 70volts in solar panel voltage to charge properly.

So in your case that has panels with VoC of 38.8v, one could infer VmP of around 30volts to 35volts max. You would need at least two panels in series to have any hope of charging your batteries at all.

What is right for your setup will now depend on your type of Charge Controller - with a PWM CC 2 panels in series is all you need but with an MPPT CC you may want to gain more voltage headroom to maximise the MPPT boost factor and hence do 3 panels in series. All these are subject to your specific CCs operating and voltage limits of course.

Once your inverter nominal voltage is fixed at 48v then everything else derives from there. Whether to use a 2 panel in series or 3 panel in series config would depend on your panel VmP and Charge Controller type/limits/preferences.

I hope this clarifies? If you revert with the actual VmP of your panels then we should be able to offer you more definitive advise.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Many thanks for this Sir.

I myself have seen a similar document that made me more confused because it mentioned 13.8v boost voltage as the upper cap

Please how do you interprete the boost voltage guidance especially the upper/over voltage limit?

Is it 13.8v per 12v battery or between 13.8v to 14.2v per 12v battery?

I think the 13.8v is the absorption start point and 14.2v is when absorption ends. Some chargers use absorption end point voltage to among other things decide when a battery is well and truly done with absorption stage. Most AGM batteries set this to 14.4 however Quanta know best the composition of their battery and they know best why they set the 14.2v. If I were using their battery. I will set my absorption voltage to 14.2. The higher the voltage the less chance of sulphation (since agm can't be equalised)

Many thanks Sir.

This makes perfect sense.

bigrovar:


I think the 13.8v is the absorption start point and 14.2v is when absorption ends. Some chargers use absorption end point voltage to among other things decide when a battery is well and truly done with absorption stage. Most AGM batteries set this to 14.4 however Quanta know best the composition of their battery and they know best why they set the 14.2v. If I were using their battery. I will set my absorption voltage to 14.2. The higher the voltage the less chance of sulphation (since agm can't be equalised)

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Your solar panels are basically a charge/power source. Because you have a 48v nominal battery system you can expect to see your batteries needing Absorb voltages in the range of 56.4v to 59.2v depending on battery chemistry.

Deriving from above, in order to charge your batteries properly/completely, your solar panels must generate at least that Absorb voltage plus a 7v to 10v margin minimum (this is a rule of thumb) added on top to allow for losses in the cabling, vagaries in PV panels power and voltage output e.t.c.

If we take the battery upper charge limit of 59.2v and add on 10v safety margin we are at 69.2volts or roughly 70volts as minimum solar voltage. Tieing this into another popular rule of thumb that says each 12v battery requires minimum 17.5volts (or 18volts) in solar panel voltage to charge properly, we establish that your 48v (4 pieces 12v batteries in series) batteries need at least 17.5v × 4 = 70volts in solar panel voltage to charge properly.

So in your case that has panels with VoC of 38.8v, one could infer VmP of around 30volts to 35volts max. You would need at least two panels in series to have any hope of charging your batteries at all.

What is right for your setup will now depend on your type of Charge Controller - with a PWM CC 2 panels in series is all you need but with an MPPT CC you may want to gain more voltage headroom to maximise the MPPT boost factor and hence do 3 panels in series. All these are subject to your specific CCs operating and voltage limits of course.

Once your inverter nominal voltage is fixed at 48v then everything else derives from there. Whether to use a 2 panel in series or 3 panel in series config would depend on your panel VmP and Charge Controller type/limits/preferences.

I hope this clarifies? If you revert with the actual VmP of your panels then we should be able to offer you more definitive advise.

Thank you Sir for replying me
The VmP of the panel is 31.8v and the Imp is 9.43a

I intend to use an Mppt Charge Controller (Fangpusun 80a mppt or Victron Bluesolar mppt 150/75a) I'm yet to choose.

So I think I will go with 3 panels in series connection since I'm using an mppt.

On the bolded part
my current inverter charge current is 53.4v and charging current is 11.4a are you saying that my batteries requires a higher charge voltage?

House,

Kindly assist in appreciating team Zeestone for the successful completion of my 6000kW capacity solar system project. The level of professionalism and trust exhibited was unprecedented from the purchase of all the material, transportation and installation. Thanks for the good commendations from the guys here especially GeorgeD and Niyi who gave me a high level of comfort to stake with them.

Gracias!

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If your inverter's maximum charge voltage is 53.4volts then you are definitely under charging your batteries except you are cycling them very very lightly or you checked the voltage at the tail end (Float stage) of the charge cycle.

All battery manufacturers specify at a minimum 2 stage charging for their batteries - a constant current (boost charge phase) that attempts to put maximum amps into the battery and this stage usually gets the battery to about 70 to 80% of AH capacity and then a constant voltage (absorb charge phase) which is essentially a current limiting phase that holds voltage constant and varies the amps going into the battery to just enough to maintain the absorb voltage setpoint.

Absorption phase can last anywhere from 2 to 16 hours although most chargers will cut off after 8 hours - the absorb phase is that place where those last remaining amps are forced into the battery until full.

After absorb is the float or maintenance charge phase where just enough current to offset battery self discharge makes it into the battery.

Absorb phase is typically at between 14.1volts to 16volts per 12v battery depending on battery chemistry. If your inverter does not go above 13.4volts per 12v battery it is likely one of those indian design inverters like Su-kam e.t.c which seem designed with float service/light cycles/battery standby applications in mind

nonoski:

Thank you Sir for replying me
The VmP of the panel is 31.8v and the Imp is 9.43a

I intend to use an Mppt Charge Controller (Fangpusun 80a mppt or Victron Bluesolar mppt 150/75a) I'm yet to choose.

So I think I will go with 3 panels in series connection since I'm using an mppt.

On the bolded part
my current inverter charge current is 53.4v and charging current is 11.4a are you saying that my batteries requires a higher charge voltage?

gen2ty:
House,

Kindly assist in appreciating team Zeestone for the successful completion of my 6000kW capacity solar system project. The level of professionalism and trust exhibited was unprecedented from the purchase of all the material, transportation and installation. Thanks for the good commendations from the guys here especially GeorgeD and Niyi who gave me a high level of comfort to stake with them.

Gracias!

zeestone; oya my share; one time

gen2ty:
House,

Kindly assist in appreciating team Zeestone for the successful completion of my 6000kW capacity solar system project. The level of professionalism and trust exhibited was unprecedented from the purchase of all the material, transportation and installation. Thanks for the good commendations from the guys here especially GeorgeD and Niyi who gave me a high level of comfort to stake with them.

Gracias!

no pictures to wet our appetites?

congrat zeestone

earthrealm:


no pictures to wet our appetites?

congrat zeestone

Indeed. (To inspire.)

Congrats, everyone.

........
P34c3
.....
..

gen2ty:
House,

Kindly assist in appreciating team Zeestone for the successful completion of my 6000kW capacity solar system project. The level of professionalism and trust exhibited was unprecedented from the purchase of all the material, transportation and installation. Thanks for the good commendations from the guys here especially GeorgeD and Niyi who gave me a high level of comfort to stake with them.

Gracias!

You mean 6 Megawatts