Panels delivered on site for installation of a total of 18.815kW array in VI, Lagos.
Engineers on site and work begins tomorrow.

You can follow us on our facebook page 'PBASE Solar' for updates on this installation.

viazi:

Thanks Bro, the Luminous is a gift from a friend travelling abroad. Its only batteries that am shopping for right now. I think I will have to settle for Maintenance free batteries so as to save myself headache of many gadgets and maintenance. Someone recommended PRAG BATTERIES. Whats your take on the PRAG BATTERIES? Will this be ok for my Luminous without getting external chager.

The PRAG will be a better choice for you than the flooded. Go for it.

viazi:

@ Richmond,

Thanks for your advice? Are U saying that even with an external SMART BATTERY CHARGER as suggested above, it will still not be okay for me to use the Trojan Batteries with my LUMINOUS Inverter unless I deploy Solar? I do not have money for solar right now and besides I have PHCN Light upto 24 hours in every 3 days. Is the Equalization mandatory if I get all batteries new and connected at once? In the alternative what other batteries do U suggest? I really don't like the Idea of buying Batteries every year and this is the reason I wanted to opt for the Trojan (I.e can last for 10 years with Maintainance). Is it totally impossible to use this batteries with my Luminous?

Kindly enlighten me more.

Thanks again.

Yes it is totally impossible to manage trojan floded batteries with Luminous for so many rsasons. You'll end up loosing tge batteries.

I don't know d specifications if the suggested charger but if it meets the requirements 4 managing the battery and the cost is reasonable, the u can get it.

Goodnews to Cyberpower inverter users.

you can now update your firmware which comes with some good features with the highest being that the fan will not run permanently anymore. The only sad part of the news is that you ahve to carry your inverter to buyright in order to update it.

We have recently tried out a new inverter 'PRAG' from buyright in some of our installations. We have done a rigorous test with it and it's dependable. It has a couple of good features. Some are;

* Variable Charging current from 0 to 70/90amps depending on the model
* Pure 3 stage charging
* Desulphating feature which makes it a great guy for our trojan flooded batteries
* DIP Switch setting for operational mode settings
* The regular battery type selector for precise battery management.
* Temperature controlled fan (unlike their previous cyberpower)

So if you can't afford the premium inverters like Xantrex, Outback, Magnum etc this is a good mid level inverter for you.

As usual, we have great discounts for you on the advertised price if you buy from us (up tp 20% depending on the quantity).

for more details on this installation check our fb page PBASE Solar

abunafiu: It was a wonderful experience. An experience that will remain in my memory for a long time. Richmond74 hosted me as a guest for 3 days. During which I had d opportunity to see him install those panels up in one of his numerous sites at lekki. I had d opportunity to climb up d 3 storey building with him and observe.
I also had d privilege to meet some great nairalanders in d forum( though dey are silent readers ).... Also met one on one with Feasy1 ( d big boss) in one the sites. In fact, it was really a blessing.
I appreciate u Oga Richmond. More blessing.
Engr Joe and Mfon...God bless u guys...u're wonderful.
My brother, Mr Tunde....givers never lack. May u continue to flourish in health n wealth. Thank u sir.

Thanks Oga.

but next time do not climb a 3 story building without safety gear.
It was an honour to have you visit our installation sites. We've been entertaining a lot of other people who come to see our installation processes also. It's been my pleasure answering questions on site and a couple of DIYs guys have been inspired after visiting our site.

Here is one of our recent installations were the client decided to start things little at a time but not compromising on the quality. We advice him not to compromise on the battery and the inverter but can reduce the solar panel quantity since it can my added at anytime without any issue unlike the battery.

Here are the components that fitted into his phase 1 budget:

1.53kW Solarworld Solar Panels (6x 255W)
4.3kW Magnum MS4348PE Inverter.
Magnum ME-RC50 Remote
48V 410AH Trojan L16RE Lead-Acid Batteries (8x 6V 410AH)
60A Mornignstar Tristar MPPT Charge Controller
Morningstare Tristar TS-M-2 Meter
10kVA Provolt Servo Voltage Regulator
PBASE Solar DC Cabinet

My major attraction to this installation is the neatness of the board

I'll be posting some installation pictures soon to inspire you but for now you can visit our fb page 'PBASE Solar' to check out our recent installation jobs.

http://www.facebook.com/pbasesolar

help us 'like' the page

viazi: @All,
I have a 1.5kva (24V) Luminous inverter. I however have a problem of choice of batteries to buy to power it. Am divided between 2 specs of Trojan Flooded batteries as stated bellow:

1. TROJAN T105-RE Premium Line Flooded Lead Acid Battery 6V (225AH)20hr Rate X 4 pieces (4 Pieces)

2. TROJAN J185P-AC Signature Line Flooded Lead-Acid Battery 12V (205AH) 20hr x 2 pieces (2 pieces)

Kindly enlighten me of the best choice to make from these 2 options.(Price is not an issue here) Can the Inverter charge these batteries effectively? or I will need another Charger?

Thanks in advance

You cannot use trojan flooded with Luminous, Sukam, Genius etc. They will charge your battery to 70% and tell you fully charged thereby killing the battery overtime. Also they don't have equalization feature which you require for the flooded battery.
However, if you are incorporating solar to your system then you can go ahead as the charge controller (believing that you are using a pro) will handle the other aspects

tundebabzy:

For batteries, I'm still thinking of getting Trojan. From spec sheets, it seems they last longer than AGM batteries. However, the thought of fumes is a real turn off.

People make it look like this batteries open with acid. No. They are completely seald. There are no such fumes as you think. It's all populated by people who do not use flooded battery. except you get very close to it when you are equalizing it you will never notice anything. I'm not saying this because I sale Trojan flooded batteries but it is the truth. You can keep it anyway as long as you have cross ventilation. mine stays in the corridor inside my apartment. Totalgreen's own stays in a lobby just by his bedroom door inside the house.

Even the gell batteries also has some level of emissions. These also need ventilation.

So don't be afraid if you want to pick up our Trojan flooded.

Well we have to just take it up again.
From 84 back to 66. That's a lot of loss.
But who says we can't do it again?

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

Just to add to what abunafiu has said;
* is your load able to draw more than 630W?
* is your charge controller able to maximize the power of the panel?

geefivez: @all,
I observe some things in the new luminous 875Va I just bought. When I power the inverter, I discover that the cooling fan was not working. But when I later check it 30mins later, I discover it has started working. Is it normal like that or the inverter is not working well? I also discover when the inverter is on off mode. An amber light on the switch stay on. Please I need an expert advice on these.

Always read through your user manuals. The fan turns on after the temperature rises above a certain threshold. For the amber light check your manual.

shithapuns: APART from birla ecogen which is quite scarce...any body has an inverter that displays battery charge status and batt depletion status in percentages/?..........
i used an 800kva birla ecogen sometime ago and really loved this fxn....but got tired of the inverter cos of the long transfer/switch over time......and the fact that it was always blowing the main fuse periodically..and also the small power rating

Cyberpower -

DUNKA: what would u say of its reliability viz a viz cyberpower/ sukam?

Features - excellent (carbon copy of xantrex)
Reliability - Poor

It's a low cost product so you should expect everything a low cost product in Naija should be like

DUNKA: Please in yr dealings have you had any experience with MustPower inverters?

Yes.
If you look at my second picture on the previous page you'll see a 6000W MustPower there beside the Cyberpower

idsolar: @richmon thanks. buyright advertz 350k for it. is other items inclusv free? or how best to get it?

100A changeover/mcb, 40A MCB & 64A AVS are included for free.

One thing I forgot to mention about cyberpower flaws in may last review is the defective screen back-light. The screen back-light just disapears after few days of use on almost every unit I've seen.

idsolar: @thanks for ur response on d mount. pls i saw ur instaltn of cyberpower 7.5kva 48v. i am in d north & expctn a job in this realm and thinkn of using this. how s ur experienc of dis particular inverter

Well, contrary to other peoples opinion, I am very comfortable with Cyberpower generally. As you can see in some off my job pics I posted earlier, I use a lot of Cyberpower and I can testify to the fact that of all the common inverters in our market Cyberpower has an edge.

Some of the attractive features are:
- They are not that fragile.
The only time I ever repaired one of them was when someone wrongly bridged the output to input at the DB and powered it. All I needed to do was replace the cct board and it was up again uptill now. There is no inverter that wouldn't fry in extreme situations light this.

I have never had any reason to repair any of Cyberpower on any other kind of breakdown. I didn't say they are indestructible but they are certainly better than it's closest rival - sukam/mopower. I've had various cases of sukam just breaking down on thier own.

- Added protection.
Buyright supplies additional protection for the cyberpower:- 40A MCA, 2 Pole 100A CB/Change over switch and a 64A AVS all from ABB. These devices are great if you ask me. I've experienced them acting very well on lighting and on voltage fluctuations in various cases making the protections on the inverter itself redundant.

- Other features that makes it ok for me is the ability for you to adjust the charging current (from 15A to 50A), output voltage, batt cutoff voltage, etc.

The High Frequency versions do not come with these external protections so in many cases I've had to still provide external protection. The picture below is one of such. These ones are very fragile. They give up at the slightest fluctuation/lighting. The good thing is that a 5mins replacement of a N100.00 worth varistor always fix it up.

About the bulk Charging:,
Oga Georg has a very big problem with Cyberpower being bulk chargers only inverter. Well, look at it these way, for people that don't use solar panels and live in areas where they can't even get enough public power supply to do a 100% bulk charge talk less of getting unto float state, buying the expensive inverters may not really make sense if the 3 stage charging is your target. So many inverter users fall under this category and that's why make Cyberpower my choice. For those who can get beyond these level, I give them solar panel with Tristar with supplements the missing 3 stage charging and in that case, my Cyberpower still serves.

Cyberpower Flaw:
A very great feature I miss in Cyberpower Inverters is the NO LOAD POWER OFF feature. It just runs constantly with or without load.

Disclaimer: Everything I've written here is my personal opinion. You are entitle to yours. I am in no way advertising for Cyberpower nor for Buyright. I am not stocked with Cyberpower. I use other products both higher ends and lower.

George_D: richmon74,

looks like we have a deal then.
drop ur email or gsm let's talk outside of here.
thanks!

08023033135

George_D: richmon74,

if it can be used on 48v battery banks then i think i may need one too.

I can arrange one for you anytime you are ready

George_D: richmon74,

your experience with renewables is quite invaluable.

it is exactly the kind of turnaround we need on the thread.


ok, as for the prag stabiliser, unfortunately, it seems to be a case of who makes the loudest noise.
peeps don't even know that there are better alternatives in the market just because the other
competitors choose not to cover everywhere with adverts.


and, the battery selector switch seems to be quite innovative. can it be used on 48v battery banks
too?

My Oga Thanks for the compliment though.
I must say this thread is invaluable. I have benefited a lot from it and there are thousands of others who do not post anything here but are reading/using these informations daily.

Yes the switch can be used for a 48v and the current rating is 350A which is enough for you to play with. It is a Make-before-break contact design which allows switching between battery banks without power interruption

shithapuns: WOW COOL!.......how does the automatic work?..is it programmable or it detects when one banks juice is slow and switches to the other

It automatically combines the banks when there is mains supply to charge the batteries and disconnects them when mains supply is out leaving your preferred bank connected.

Has anyone noticed that google satallite map images of Nigerian cities are like 2 yrs out of date?

shithapuns: i have a battery bank {2 x 200amp) that i have used for about 2yrs.........now i want to increase my capacity and buy 2 x 200amp battery to form my 2nd bank...my qquestion is....can i combine both banks...say using the copper bar as george d used?

its a 24v inverter so the batteries will in in series n then parallel....the system would be connected to a 1kw 24v solar panel and a cc charge controller.....but my major concern is if i can combine the old and new battery bank............without the old battery affecting the life/performance of the new........am thinking since they are in different strings that the effect would be negligible...but am open to ideas/comments from folks here

In this kind of situation I use a BATTERY SELECTOR SWITCH to combine the banks while charging and run separate banks (one at a time) while inverting.
The switch is available in manual (1st pic) and automatic form (2nd pic)

20 KVA PRAG with 2 transformers

The major difference between the above servos and the PRAG 10kVA & 5kVA (I had to specify that because PRAG 20kVA is different, it has the same design with these ones) is the second toroidal transformer coupled to the servo motor. I have not yet found out what it does in the circuit (I will do sometime). But I just notice that the ones with this configuration have smoother output and are more durable.

The picture below shows the second toroidal transformer with the servo motor inside the BRIAN/NEUTEC

earthrealm: @kie ke..pls post pictures if possible and price of such stabs...do u know their lowest input voltage?.............I wonder why prag seems to be the stab of cjoice when peeps talk about >10kva servo stabs...seems the other makes aren't doing their marketing well...never heard of them..........happy with my prag...but pissed off at the 130v least voltage input...it keeps on tripping on/off whenever the voltage is in the 125 ~ 132v band..............I wish it was 80v or worst case 100v.

The first picture below havs 3 different servos on the left:

BTEC 10kVA
MEGA 10kVA
NEUTEC 5kVA

All of them have been working simultaneously for years now with very smooth output voltages (far better than PRAG 10kVA & 5kVA)

The second image is a BRIAN 5kVA with the same output characteristics of the above three.

The build and cct of the above servos are all the same. Just change of names.
I have particularly used the BRIAN 5kVA for 12yrs now. It's an excellent product. I have never had any reason to open it nor do anything on it (not even dusting it) for that period of time and I have supplied a lot of clients who are very happy with it for yrs now. Ironically, I have a friend of mine who has fried a couple of his in his office. So don't quote me to mean 'they are indestructible'.

earthrealm:

can anybody confirm if a 1.5kva luminoiusinverter /any inverter can power a 350liter double door fridge [haier
thermoccool]?...the chart on inverter.com.ng says it can......but want hands on experience pls

Yes it can. If you have other loads on it up to 30% before you try switching on the fridge, you might experience a trip off of the inverter (overload) but if the system is switching from public power there will be no problem.

idsolar: @richmon nice work. pls which solar mount are u using?

Custom made using flat bars

Funny set up
2.2kva Modified sinewave Cyberpower came in here at first as a temporally replacement (low cost) to the faulty system that was there before but eventually out performed the previous and became permanent. The only issue here is the charging time. An external 20A charger was later added to the unit.

simple 3.5kva cyberpower 200ah for a residence

A simple backup for a cyber cafe