₦airaland Forum

mank1234:
I don't know if theirs work as I envisioned.
Step 1 (AC to DC conversion): grid power (170v to 280v) is converted to DC and smoothen to approx. 48vDC to charge the battery. The load is powered though the battery.
Step 2 (DC to AC conversion): the battery power is converted back to AC to power connected equipments.


When the battery is fully charged, net current flow to battery is approx zero even though the load appears to be powered from it. Thus, when grid fails the load is simply still being powered by the battery. The battery and the inverter share same DC bus.

It does appear to me that that is the architecture they use in the zero transfer time inverter. Otherwise it would be near impossible to achieve zero transfer time.

The MK can be paralleled and has lower Voc capability but lower efficiency ( 90% in Inverter mode)

The GK has higher efficiency (93%) and can also work without battery but higher SOC and no paralleling possible

FrustratedMonk:
Very interesting thread. Pranil and other Victron gurus in the house,
I'm interested in setting up ESS comprising the following Victron equipment;
A. 1 x 8Kva Quattro
B. 1 x 250/100 Smartsolar CC
C. 16 x 330w Canadian mono panels in 4S4P configuration (Already owned)
D. 1 x 250/60 Smartsolar CC
E. 12 x 280w mono panels in 6S2P configuration (Already owned)
F. 1 x Venus GX
G. 1 x Lynx Power-in/Distributor/shunt
H. 800Ah AGM battery bank (Already owned)
I. Relevant breakers, combiner boxes and cables
J. Sumec 6.5kva diesel generator (Already owned)

This is the setup i have in mind, but using the Quattro and 2# SCCs.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/08b28bd3994d148851fb7252689006da6e0ef3400ca02b7580098dbb113bed47.png?w=800&h=487

Anything else i need to purchase?
Do you think i should get the Anti islanding device?
* I'm looking at using 20 to 30% of the battery for self consumption, and the balance during grid failure.
* All Essential loads will be on AC out 1, and the remaining loads on AC out 2
* Grid to AC in 1, and Generator to AC in 2 limited to the gen capacity
* Timers to regulate some of the essential loads to keep below inverter capacity
* I have 5# water heaters on the essential bus on timers, and only one operates at a time.
* All the kitchen loads are on the essential bus, timed where necessary
* Infact, the only loads not on the essential bus are the ACs. They constitute ALL the non-essential loads
Thanks.

a. Anti Islanding preferred but your ESS performance will depend on the distance from nearest transformer and cabling size .
Try using LOM2 setting to achive stable operation

b. I doubt if the 8 KVA quattro will work with 6.5 KVA generator . It may not be stable. depends on the AVR in the machine

keep the FAQ in the mind https://www.victronenergy.com/live/multiplus_faq


c. I would suggest to move the heaters to nonessential loads and use generator in powerassist mode where necessary

It is much better to store the energy as hot water than in battery and than convert back at lower efficiency to heat water ( AGM battery 70 % efficiency) , victron 90% so approx 40 % energy loss if your PV production was stored in battery and reconverted back .

olaade21:
Thanks � Pranil, would this work for 4 pcs of 12v 200Ah. Or best suited for just 2.

Also, series or parallel. Which connection would be best for a small setup.

Looking to get this for a small office instead of the Must Power inverter.

Will appreciate your response.

Can charge max at 15 Amps so best suited for 2 pieces of 200 AH ( 5 KWh) as it will take reasonable 6 hours or more to fully charge a discharged battery but if your neap is fairly stable you can go for a bigger battery

Specially as in case of office it will get fully charged over weekends

olaade21:
Anyone using the Schneider Homaya 1500va 24v Solar Hybrid inverter System.

Would love to see reviews. Would be great to buy 2 and stack it to double the power.

Cannot be paralleled !

It is the same as the luminous NXG 1500 -( schneider bought luminous ) quite good product for small home as as large UPS system .

desiji:
So to Giving back my Installation:
. My Solar Systems comprises of the following
1. 15 Pieces of EcoDelta 280Wp Poly Solarmodule
2. 1 complete all in one Inverter FSP502PV-230F-48v Off-Grid
3.100m of Solar cable 4mm black
4. ECO-WORTHY 6 String PV Combiner Joint Box & 15A Circuit Breakers for Solar Panel
5. pylontech US2000B plus 48v
6. ICC software for monitoring
7. Diverses Circuitbreakers and accessories

Where did you buy Pylontech from ? Dealer ? They may not honour warranties in Nigeria based on my eqnauiries last year

Ativ:
I have my eyes on Pylon Tech lithium batteries. Wonder if there is any importer in Nigeria. Don't want to go through the hassles of shipping and clearing.

solardepot should start bringing in BYD by December - My personal experience has been good with BYD

https://www.solardepotng.com/lithium-deep-cycle

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Please does anyone know where I can lay hands on a VARIAC type device here in naija?

Basically, I want a device where I can turn a knob and output a variable AC voltage between 140v and 300v - I intend to use the device to calibrate AVRs and voltage protection devices.

Many thanks

check RS components UK site if you find what you like I can forward you the local official distributor

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/

You have to use VPN to acess site

Namzy:
I can confirm if you put only solar setting under charger priority it will stop charging from utility even when utility is available and no solar panels connected.
Meanwhile I downloaded several manuals over time and all are same [for pf 0.8] those newer models with pf1 have similar manual except now the included equalization setting although I don't think it's available in Nigeria because gennex and ipowerplus are pf 0.8. The only manual difference for pf 0.8 is for same equalization that is available for only 4kva and 5kva models although the ipower plus 5kva model my parents use dont have the equalization setting. So basically all pf 0.8 axpert use same manual minus the equalization setting that is available to some 4 or 5kva models. The issue of firmware is not discussed in the manual although you can change the firmware of the 5kva models as it is readily available. I am yet to see Firmware for models 3kva and below

Yes on Solar priority the battery gets charged only on solar unless dropping below a low voltage setpoint ( adjustable) separate from battery low voltage ( stop inverter-alarm) setpoint

You can also choose SBU priority where the first priority is Battery then solar and then NEPA.


Also newer firmware have solar balance enabled option ( option 31)where you can decide if solar is first used to power loads or charge battery

earthrealm:
no need re-inventing the wheel, the earthing copper tape is readily available and cheap, i bought 1yard/meter about 1500 naira..think 25mm width

I think for 1000 Amp you need atleast 50 x 10

indigene:
I am a DIY solar installation enthusiast, I have been a able to successfully executed over 8 projects, but having come close to install 20 panels of 325watts 30v to a luminous 10kva 180v. How are the solar panels connected to achieve 180v output.?

If you are using sukam or similar Indian CC then the CC is rated at 415 VoC so you can safely put 9 325 watt panels in series.

However, I would advise using the linemates gloves while working and Schindler 250 V DC surge arrestor before the DC breakers/fuses to avoid both life-threatening issues and serious fie incidences in future

or better ask somebody who has working experince of HV volatges like ex NEPA electritian

it is better to link to datasheet or post an image of the solar panel nameplate if you need deatiled calculations

Personally, I have bought many items from him and he has always responded to all my technical queries. I normally choose him not because of the price but of the speed of delivery and his willingness to go to lengths to find exactly the product you need from all the available supplier's vendors.

To his credit, he is one of the few suppliers who actually understand the product and the application

mrsdaniel:
Quite a lengthy funny story .. The Kiekie1 we all know and for few who have met with him isn't all as entailed here although can always be busy which isn't abnormal . Blocking might be triggered by personal reasons but I believe he will intelligently reply the house as usual as a popular man . After airing your personal grievance, he lost a deal with you but not with others . Going far saying "NEVER recommend" looks absolutely ridiculous as a tree dosnt make a forest! So many here read and know the industrious , straightforward, trusted marketer ! In the open market system, I bet you can't be friend to all as he deals with different kind of people daily ! Am sure most will only read , smile and likers always like at any comic relief post which I tag this ! The said marketer is one I have met with in person , if most know him, he only started posting WhatsApp NUMBER recently as he always believes in calls and fast transaction which is not an issue so far as he delivers ! You posted he doesn't contribute but you seriously lied because I myself have never seen you contribute reasonably before coming here to childishly post on a stale lost deal . He contributes , doesn't really spam as most do read/follow his updated posts incase you don't know , transact with him consciously or subconsciously before you even posted about him ! Alaba gates is widely open for you to save few rants incase you don't know .. Let sleeping dogs rest as this lil issue has been treated in past and he still remains RESPECTED by the fathers of the house and noble silent readers of this forum ! We await your diplomatic reply soon Sir Frankie

CC: GeorgeD , Pranil , Chuckdee , Barezzi , Saipro , Abunafiu , Dam5reey , Hisenjos and all other Old founding Ogas in the house

I recently came across a very nice document by ABB or USE of ELCB/RCCB and applications.

It is written in simple laymen terms with additional technical information for those interested.

Worth having a look as the safety in electrical installation especially Residential should be the first priority

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fJ01G53B2PqPh1pcOxPIc4lAeCY_7gMJ/view?usp=sharing

remizvxcq:
Problem solved as suggested, with ve.Direct cable.

Great �

nonoski:
No problem but I would have loved to know the name/brand so I can check their reviews on amazon.com and ebay.com to be sure of multiple user experience

If budget allows victron bluesolar with ccgx or raspberry pi.

OUTBACK launched the new skybox - simply wow - unfortunately only US specs now

5 KW bidirectional - 48 V Battery - 3 AC input/output - grid generator and backup load

Specialty is backup load ( will also work without battery only using PV without grid)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxv72BqJhnE

https://www.altestore.com/static/datafiles/Others/Outback_Skybox_Specsheet.pdf

http://www.outbackpower.com/products/true-hybrid-energy-system/skybox

makavele:
CC: Pranil

As Niyi correctly said. Put inverter inline with NEPA and load and if available select UPS mode on inverter . Most of the loads like TV/DSTV decoder or computer will continue functioning happily without switching off

if the load is mission critical an APC line interactive UPS like Backup ups pro should be used.

Trippledots:
Hi, anyone pls?

Yes > I have been using it for over 3 years to choose between nepa and inverter for a 1.5 ton AC and washing machine without any issues

Namzy:
Any one using the make sky blue mppt cc. Seems it has great reviews and highly affordable

Yes I had the 40 amp model for 2 years
quite good on efficiency and ease of settings but highly doubt durability based on how it is constructed - ( fan cooled with plenty of holes in casings)

tivta:
Is this for a house or factory? Estimated cost?

for a house - my own cost is around 7 million but built around 5 years and one Quattro is on loan from office

five years back I decided to buy solar panels and components for my wife and my bday every year instead of any other gifts and the final result is the system. Only thing i will add over time is additional storage to completely eliminate the gen use

Barezzi:
Congrats Pranil!
This is gorgeous!! I dey show your house to chop Sadhya

With a 10kwh Lithium bank, how frequently does your genny kick in?

not frequently may be once in 3 days . since nepa has been good 9 part of the reason i chose ess and fronius ) otherwise the solar just idles away during day when nepa is there

but then again apart from the washing machine and weekend ac use the house sees hardly 500 watt - 1000 watt as all machines are energy efficient ( Led bulbd, automatci ac , lights fridge control etc)

DUNKA:
Please house I need your views/opinion on this issue below.
If you wanted an Axpert 3kva inverter and a dealer had sent you pictures and agreed on the price and you sent the dealer the agreed funds awaiting delivery.

Dealer then confirmed that inverter had been sent. Fine no problem only at the point of collection the inverter you discover that the dealer sent you MustPower 3kva inverter without informing you.

Please how would you handle this? How would you feel?

I kindly need your candid thoughts on the above scenario.

if it was an honest mistake in shipping /transport and dealer is ready to replace it ASAP I think no hard feelings on either side but if it was done on purpose I think you should bring it to light on this forum and take the appropriate action

The system if finally online

After waiting for the Y inverter board to be replaced due to different firmware and my vacation the system went live on Saturday . Everything seems to be running fine. small tweaking is still going on
The main components

3 x 5 KVA Victron Quatrro
6 KVA fronius symo
250 /70 CC Victron Smart Solar
150/70 CC Victron Blue solar
Venus GX
BYD PRo 10 KWh 48 V
Zeihl 1001E islanding relay
Carlo Gavazzi 3 phase energy meter ( modbus)
Victron Lynx 1000 Amp busbar
Various panels making up 2926 Wp ( Solar world) , 3400 Wp ( Canadian Solar) , 2440 ( yahsun)
20 KVA caterpillar Generator

The system is running ESS ( grid parallel) with 350 watt import allowed no export allowed. That way all teh solatr produced is consumed by teh loads even if NEpa is present.

In absence of NEPA the Generator autostarts/ Stops if the battery is below 60 % ( during day) or below 80 % ( during night)

ESS in action - youtube link -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb5A0IgOV5w

remizvxcq:
A 2014 hack that ports old model BMV600 series to a raspberry pi
https://fab13n.github.io/elorn/software/2014/05/11/raspi-1.html

Victron would do well to point out very clearly on their BMV product pages, the need to purchase a Ve.Direct cable! Or just ship one inside the box of every BMV sold.

ve direct is useless unless you have ccgx or venus . -
you can operate the cc with built in display, bluetooth dongle ( cable is bundled with it), vedirect to usb and pc (cable is included) or use default settings with the rotary switch

normally people buy their cables based on the length from venus /ccgx ( 0.5 meter to 10 meter availabe) and purchase all the cables at the same time

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICTRON-ENERGY-SPECIALITY-INTERFACE-CABLES-FREE-EU-Delivery/302321780267?hash=item4663c8462b:m:mg2X9hsTSFG7QrUlI3y6LeQ&var=601157911383


**** use the drop down to select various cables*****

remizvxcq:
pranil, thanks
Presumably, the cable needed should be ve-direct port of CCGX to ve-direct port of the BMV
part ASS030530310 https://www.victronenergy.com/cables/ve.direct.cable
gbp21.47 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victron-Energy-VE-Direct-cable-10m/dp/B01F9ESJVI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537184625&sr=8-2&keywords=victron+ve.direct+cable+10m

Can anyone share the pin sequence for the ve-direct cable because I would like to try to hack a 4-pin audio cable that I got from an old PC?

the cable is correct but you cannot hack it unless you have the connectors which are proprietary .

it is not that expensive compared to bom involved and you can easily get it locally from komponenets in rack 9 lagos) - google is your friend. ):

remizvxcq:
Thanks for the feedback. I hope no-one noticed the wrong times reported in my post above. 2:80pm indeed, not. It was 10:00am, 1:40pm and 2:08pm. Anyways....

The bmv712smart does a very good job of keeping track of the battery bank voltage and SOC. It is only necessary in the current system because of the presence of the Outback Flexmax FM80. The rascal is the MultiPlus, which needs to be physically switched off anytime PHCN resumes, and then restarted, before its SOC% adjusts to the reality of solar charging by the OFM80. I suspect that this may be due to the settings. I do not presently have ESS or any of the virtual assistants engaged: Just OFM80 connected to DC in, PHCN or genset changeover to AC in, the critical house loads are on AC1 out, and the non-essential loads on AC2 out.

The MultiPlus also does not assign any figures to the DC power display, although I have 3 computer DC fans and a 12v LED light connected directly to the busbars. Can anyone help resolve this? I can manually calculate the DC loads, but I would like to see it on the CCGX display.

However, I do not presently have a Ve.Direct cable... I will be ordering some Victron and Fronius products shortly. If anyone else is interested, please let me know so that I can bulk-buy and pass on the savings. Lagos 10-day delivery will be gbp4.75/kg while 21-day delivery will be gbp11/kg

all your problems will be solved once bmv is connected to ccgx

after connecting the BMV

1. set the BMV is the monitor in CCGX - See image --submenu settings - system setup

2. Switch on also has DC system - submenu settings system setup

That way the CCGX used the current from battery and Multi to calculate current taken by loads. Beware though since you are using flexmax the BMV will not report all current produced during day as some of it will be consumed by multi and load.
if you want close monitoring you will have to change CC to Smart/blue solar from victron

bigrovar:
I have the ccgx to be over rated. I had a chance to go with it when I was looking at logging and remote monitoring options. For the price it is nothing more than a portable victron connect. Logging real time logging and data collection and aggregation can only be gained if linked up with victron vrm service and the option for Internet connectivity are very very limited for the device. The biggest draw back is not being device agnostic. It is designed to integrate with victron product alone and would thus only work in victron ecosystem. It is for these reason that I settled to using a Pi and Emoncms for my logging and I have not regretted over 4 month down the line.

I beg to differ There are few functionalities which cannot be easily replicated in a PI and emoncms without hours of progarmming and extra hardware. I will name some of them as an example . However it is true that it is designed for victron ecosystem ( victron products , Fronius
inverters ocenvolt generators,

The price refecltes the software development and maintainance /support cost and not necessarily hardware cost which is essentailly a raspberry pi with additional IO devices

1. Using to control ESS ( energy storage system) CCGX manages the battery SOC and export-import power - Battery over Cabnbus , Energy meters over RS485TTLUSB, Fronius over LAN and multi over Ve Bus - that is a complex set of protocols to develop and mainatin

2. Start and stop of generators based on Battery, Load, grid condition including conditions set as per the time of the day with a real-time clock . As you will know unless separately added and programmed A Raspi does not have real-time clock deriving it's time from the internet on everyboot .

3. additional inputs such as Tank level sensor, temp sensors ( on Venus GX), Additional isolated Inputs outputs all need development cost and money


If you need these functionalities then there is no real alternative and CCGX is bang for the buck. for a simple off-grid systme with Lead acid battery and inverter, i agree it is an overkill

But then unlike many companies, Victron does not prohibit you from making your own implementation w( using raspberry pi) and even opensourcing the source code

remizvxcq:
Thanks for welcoming me.

I want to share a recent experience of using Outback Flexmax FM80 within the Victron ecosystem.
Issue: Victron CCGX (using the Multiplus as the default battery monitor) is confused by solar charging of battery bank by a non-Victron charge controller.

10:00am PHCN is off. OFM80 is charging the battery bank. Even in bright sunlight, with the OFM80 charging the battery bank upwards, the CCGX is reporting depletion of the battery bank SOC%. CCGX reports correctly that battery voltage is changing in line with the reports of the OFM80 and the BMV712Smart, but the CCGX SOC % is not correct.
1:40am PHCN resumes, and Multiplus switches to Float. OFM80 and BMV712 and CCGX reports similar voltage. But CCGX continues to show depleting SOC% levels even with both solar charging and PHCN charging going into the inverter, and battery voltage is going up!
2:80pm Eventually, the MultiPlus is switched off and restarted. After a brief pause, the SOC jumps from 55% Bulk to 85% Absorption. Within next 10 minutes, it jumps from 86% Absorption to 100% Float.
Recommendation
1. a Ve.Direct cable between the BMV712Smart and the CCGX that enables the BMV to be the reference battery monitor instead of the MultiPlus.
2. Alternatively, a contactor which stops and restarts the MultiPlus after a few minutes in order to enable the SOC algorithm within the MultiPlus to catch up. This would however mess with the UPS function of the MultiPlus, and adds complexity.


current system: 3.18kWp Solar Array = 9x270w Trinasolar Mono & 3x250w Solarworld AG Poly; Victron Multiplus 5kVa; Outback Flexmax FM80; Quanta Amaron 200AH@48v; 7.5kVa Kipor diesel genset; Gas cooker; Energy efficient appliances; Passive cooling & heating of buildings.

a Ve direct cable is enough from BMV to CCGX . Also ensure that CCGX the battery monitor is selected as BMV and not multi.

Multi uses only voltage and it's own current for SOC while BMV has an overview of entire battery. There is no need to use the multi as battery monitor .

Also, make sure that BMV is correctely set ( including sync) refer this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReljfO3k6M

BMV is one of the best battery monitors out there

Komponents and Solutions Rack will be holding a renewable energy solutions training next week. . Please find attached the following documents which you will need to complete your registration for the training

It is paid ( 65,000 NGN ) training mainly on RE on grid solution and Fronius inverters


https://www.dropbox.com/s/xc987bf4aer8r6s/fronius%20training.zip?dl=0

[url]https://www.pv-tech.org/products/hoymiles-mi-1200-microinverter-is-first-single-phase-microinverter-designed
[/url]

Hoymiles MI-1200 microinverter is first single-phase microinverter designed for 4 solar panels

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Nice one Oga GeorgeD. I never knew that was even possible to do.

The e-panels I saw cost about the price of 4 Midnite SPDs sha. Will still do more research on it though.

If one could find out the working principle, one might rig something similar up at much lesser expense.

if the CC and inverter allow you can ground one leg of both the arrays and use one MSNPD to reduce the risk by 50 % or more

Saipro:
Pranil is back!
Your vacation hasn't gone unnoticed. Welcome back.

still not back but got some free time now

bigrovar:
First of all, ipoweplus is not an Axpert Mks clone. It IS axpert Mks in all but name. It was made by Voltronic the axpert Oem for zinox Nigeria.

Secondly and to your earlier question. Most Indian inverters do have settings for tubular batteries. However I have not observed the difference between charge profile when you use for example tubular charge settings on the Indian inverters. I once wrote to sukam to ask if their inverter is capable of equalisation and I was told it does though in close to a year of using the inverter I never once observed it carry out equalisation (maybe it did but I never observed it)

And you are right on one thing tubular battery is the dominant battery in India the way AGM dominate Nigeria. The reason is because it was built specifically for Indian environment and they are installed with after sale services incorporated in pricing so when you buy a tubular battery you get periodic maintenance visits from the seller to carry out water top up maintenance. Another reason why the battery seem to last in India is because at 1.2kw per Capita compared to Nigeria which has 20w per Capita Indians have much better access to reliable electricity than Nigeria hence 1 layer of battery bank is sufficient for most homes. The highest battery capacity is 150ah to 180ah so the 15A dc current charge output of Indian inverters is just adequate for the battery (that is 10% of the battery capacity at c20) . When you add all this and reliable power you will u understand why batteries in India will last longer when used with Indian inverters.

Not equalising a battery won't kill it over night. It will just whittle down its capacity and lifespan. A battery can last for 4 years but have less than 40% of its original capacity left .another can last for 4 years and still have over 80% of original capacity left. Users of both batteries will boost about their batteries lasting for 4 years and would be right. You just need to ask yourself which of the 4 year camp would you rather be at?

very nicely and accurately put .