₦airaland Forum

mctfopt:
If it charges on NEPA, then check the generator's output frequency and voltage. Some inverters won't charge if the frequency is lower than 46Hz.

In my early years of inverter use, I had two of those. They were lifesavers despite the horrid hum my ceiling fans gave off. Caused lines on my diehard CRT TV, even powered my fridge albeit with the compressor nearly going into thermal meltdown, forcing the use of external cooling. One was given out early (fixed then gave it out) while the other one is still alive about 20 years later, in a neighbour's shop. Each time they went to the repair shop, it was for charging issues, especially when charging high resistance/large capacity or failing batteries. Inverter side never had issues beyond blown fuses and noisy fans. Take note of the words in bold. Failure is invariably in the charging section.

theoilguy:
House,
I am in the market for a victron smartsolar charge controller.. I am torn between a 150v-100amps or a 250v-100 Amps.. Price wise, there is a $250 difference.. Is it worth the difference in price? Are they basically the same? What advantage does the 250v have over the 150v? I have researched extensively and yet to find anything on the internet that points towards an advantage of one over the other..

All comments would be appreciated..

Buy the 150V/100A CC. Thank me later. I'll say a few words so you don't think I'm speaking arbitrarily, mostly to correct a notion or two.

I try to comment as little as possible these days. Good words of knowledge and wisdom have been spoken. Knowing you won't exceed the power capacity of the CC (about 8kWp or 6kW). 25A @ 130-150VDC from your PV isn't too much for your 10mm² cable regardless of the distance within your yard (unless you're on a farm and talking acreage). Save some $$$ at the same time avoiding the temptation to tinker with dangerously high voltages. I've been shot down on this forum for saying this but at the same voltages, DC is a dread compared to AC; regardless, both can be lethal. I wouldn't bore you with my experience or the things I've seen happen to people, death inclusive. Engage in safe practices. Always.

The 250/100 is primarily a specialty type CC. People who live in temperate regions with freezing temperatures almost doubling VoC on subzero mornings. People who tinker with stuff and wouldn't want to rewire the array from the configuration used by the string inverter. The occasional constraint on domestic PV array location. Mostly commercial use otherwise. Typically, as the difference between VoC and nominal bank voltage widens, the conversion efficiency of the CC lowers. It's weird Victron doesn't have this limitation.

And no, the CC does not exceed the 48V nominal bank voltage. VoC rate and nominal bank rating rarely are different specifications which are predetermined at manufacturing. Never connect any Victron CC to a 96V nominal battery bank. You'll roast your precious CC otherwise.

By the way. I've tried both CC variants for the sake of DIY and being a hobbyist (not 100A specs though).

Saipro:
Anyone having a properly functioning used Fronius Primo 3kvA or 5kVA for sale should reach out to me on O8O 239O 23O5 (call/whatsapp)

Still searching ...

Anyone having a properly functioning used Fronius Primo 3kvA or 5kVA for sale should reach out to me on O8O 239O 23O5 (call/whatsapp)

JUO:
Fangpusun 48v is 14w

Idle or under load? My Victron VE.Direct 48V is 12W too, under heavy loads (tare of 9W)

durodee:
True BUT the issue of "you better do better" is what chases some people away from solar energy thinking it's too expensive. People buy and use I PASS MY NEIGHBORS Gen readily just to power some things in the house and not use generator to power their fridge etc ever or buy a bigger generator. Must someone upgrade? No!! Or because of possible upgrade in the future allow Heat to suffer my head now? No again!!
I sincerely think she should and could use her proposed system as it is. If she so wishes to upgrade then let her ask for advice.
My view only. Half cooked meal is better than none.

You've raised good points. At times, one even works in the reverse direction (bigger to smaller) to minimize idle consumption when one has optimized loads and there's almost nothing left to tweak.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Hmmmmmmmm Oga Chris

Me sef just weak. Dem do bros strong thing na why im dey vex

Brand new
- open-box Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 (5kVA 48VDC) - ₦780,000 3 units left
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦60,000
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - ₦100,000 final one left
- Fangpusun display (for inverters and chargers) - ₦20,000 final one left
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - ₦130,000
- Midnite SPD 300V AC/DC surge protector - ₦47,000
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - ₦360,000

Used for less than year (then retired) but in excellent cosmetic & working order
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦40,000
- CyberPower CPS3500Pro inverter (3.5kVA 24VDC) - ₦100,000

Used a bit longer but in excellent working condition
- Victron MultiPlus 48/5000/70 inverter (5kVA 48VDC grid input not working) - ₦250,000

WhatsApp/Call O8O396l2l47

earthrealm:
Still waiting for this

I'm sorry for having omitted this altogether. I've dismantled that particular setup but would kind of "redo" it for illustrative purposes tomorrow morning.

mcTrinity:
I'll need the Midnite MNSPD 300 AC

Available

Call/WhatsApp O8O396l2l47

Brand new
- open-box Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 (5kVA 48VDC) - ₦780,000 4 units left
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦60,000
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - ₦100,000 final one left
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - ₦46,000
- Fangpusun display - ₦20,000
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - ₦130,000
- Midnite SPD 300V AC/DC surge protector - ₦47,000
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - ₦360,000

Used for less than year (then retired) but in excellent cosmetic & working order
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦40,000
- CyberPower CPS3500Pro inverter (3.5kVA 24VDC) - ₦100,000

Used a bit longer but in excellent working condition
- Victron MultiPlus 48/5000/70 inverter (5kVA 48VDC grid input not working) - ₦250,000
- my faithful PowerStar 3kW inverter; modified to enable the fan come on at lower temperatures - ₦80,000

WhatsApp/Call O8O396l2l47

gtech2sure:
Thank you for your contribution, i am also open to gain new ideas.

1 Please check what i posted. I said i don't want to go into energy loss calculation and that's why I skipped this. Discharge energy loss in lithium ion battery is 25-30% while discharge energy loss in lead acid battery is 50% so i'm still on point.
....

Losses are a moment-to-moment phenomenon you cannot escape. And things like DC transmission and PV conversion losses are independent of the chosen battery chemistry. Same goes for inverter inefficiencies. They must always be factored in. Failing in that regard forms the basis of many a failed installation and numerous DIY disappointments.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
...

Each will argue endlessly about which approach is best for the battery and quote tons of research on battery charge voltage and length of absorb time vs. battery capacity vs battery life.

I concur. Bottom line, my batteries seem fine. Lead chemistries are more than a bit less forgiving of partial charge states compared to Lithium chemistries, thus my worry.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
This is one of the flaws of Victron - they want to sell you a gizmo for every single thing.

It is pertinent to note that with Victron's default adaptive charging algorithm, they already absorb for too short a time to do any significant damage to your battery even with no temperature compensation unless you depleted the bank well below 50%

...

I often fear my batteries aren't getting enough charge as the Midnite Classic with WizBang Jr and End-Amps monitoring still charges the batteries a bit longer than the BlueSolars (even with End-Amps monitoring on the Victrons).

truthbetold22:
In all sincerity, you have the most inefficient system on this Forum. I am not sure why the other enthusiast choose to ignore but renewable energy is not a race or a competition of the largest solar array and largest battery bank. It is more a function of getting steady power at a reasonable and comparative price as opposed to relying on the national grid.

....

- An enthusiast does things which border neither on logic nor economics, rather on the quest to do, know and have. People amass things they don't even need on the trip. That's one consideration.
- Another legitimate reason could be preparation ahead for an imminent expansion.
- Or he simply has energy guzzling devices he has no desire to replace.

I remember being an early proponent of RE being about energy conservation and not generation on this forum. From the same people I learnt, some live off 800W of PV in an RV (usually augmented by propane or oil powered devices) while others literally are energy behemoths.

They all end on the same point, an affordable life of convenience. I run 3 homes of solar. My primary one is littered with LED and A+ rated devices thus runs on about 3kWp of PV. Yet another has regular devices on the same 3kWp with absolutely no complains. They fire up the dynamo as required and live happily.

I don't need to analyse Niyi's system to understand it. I know the man and I assure you he's in no way demented. I'm truly surprised he chose to list some of his appliances. There really was no need but that's maturity for you.

I'm fine with my bare bones system and everyone is happy. I'm the envy of many people on my street because I barely use 4kW/day thus can afford to give my neighbours power for some essentials via a current limiting breaker.

The same me would need 4× that power and 6× the battery capacity if I decide to power my ACs round the clock. Why burn when I can chill?

We have different desires and different needs. We as well have different ways of catering to them. If this short explanation doesn't cut it, I doubt anything else might.

Peace.
I'm out.

Saipro:
Brand new
- open-box Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 (5kVA 48VDC) - ₦780,000
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦60,000
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - ₦100,000
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - ₦46,000
- Fangpusun display - ₦20,000
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - ₦130,000
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - ₦47,000
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - ₦360,000

Used for less than year (then retired) but in excellent cosmetic & working order
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦40,000
- Victron Color Control GX - ₦150,000
- CyberPower CPS3500Pro inverter (3.5kVA 24VDC) - ₦100,000

Used a bit longer but in excellent working condition
- Victron MultiPlus 48/5000/70 inverter (5kVA 48VDC grid input not working) - ₦250,000
- my faithful PowerStar 3kW inverter; modified to enable the fan come on at lower temperatures - ₦80,000

WhatsApp/Call 080 3961 2147

Full discounts applied.
Thanks for the purchases

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Truly it was a struggle to the last day.

... - with this I became certain I was called to this profession indeed.

My back, upper arms and pocket still hurt though

Adventure of a lifetime. I'm truly impressed. Kudos!

earthrealm:
excellent, so did you install the diode?..and if yes..whats the specs of the diode.
i kinda feel you didnt install nada

Actually, I did. Not willing to willfully destroy a much beloved MN Classic 150. I'll post pictures later (typical makeshift stuff so don't laugh).

Brand new
- open-box Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 (5kVA 48VDC) - ₦780,000
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦60,000
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - ₦100,000
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - ₦46,000
- Fangpusun display - ₦20,000
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - ₦130,000
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - ₦47,000
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - ₦360,000

Used for less than year (then retired) but in excellent cosmetic & working order
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - ₦40,000
- Victron Color Control GX - ₦150,000
- CyberPower CPS3500Pro inverter (3.5kVA 24VDC) - ₦100,000

Used a bit longer but in excellent working condition
- Victron MultiPlus 48/5000/70 inverter (5kVA 48VDC grid input not working) - ₦250,000
- my faithful PowerStar 3kW inverter; modified to enable the fan come on at lower temperatures - ₦80,000

WhatsApp/Call 080 3961 2147

earthrealm:
hmmm, would you be kind enough to provide data backing your claims, about bad things that could happen. we are all here to learn.
......
@ceaser...the borehole is yet to be drilled, am just gathering data/planning, so am open to suggestions/ideas/improvements to my proposed plans etc

A lot of people have considered it and as well done it. It's the natural progression of thought when you have surplus PV energy generation and have starved DC loads.
It can be done and I've done something similar for some years now. I contacted Midnite and I was told I was doing it the wrong way and they wouldn't honour warranty unless I inserted a blocking diode between the load and the input to the CC (to prevent a power pull on the CC). And we've all lived happily ever after.

Saipro:
You're right. Was a spur-of-the-moment listing. I expected to be taken up on it.

Here it goes:
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 60k
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - 100k
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - 46k
- Fangpusun display - 20k
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - 130k
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - 47k few units left
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - 360k

Used for less than year (then retired) but in perfect working order are
- [s]Victron VE.Can 150/70 MPPT charge controller - 140k[/s] Sold
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 150/85 Blue Solar MPPT charge controller - 160k[/s] Sold
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 40k
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 800VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 90k[/s] Sold
- Victron Color Control GX - 150k

This is not a distress sale. Just a surplus/retired-on-account-of-upgrade listing
WhatsApp/Call O8O 3961 2147

- I have a small shipment of new open-box Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 (that's 48VDC 5kVA) available for 800k each.
- I'm also selling my faithful PowerStar 3kW inverter. It's has the "Saipro mod" to enable the fan come on at lower temperatures. 80k fixed minimum price. You can pay more if inclined to.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
cc Saipro

Thanks for the mention !

Saipro:
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 60k
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - 100k
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - 46k
- Fangpusun display - 20k
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - 130k
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - 47k 8 units left
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - 360k
- Midnite Classic 250 Kangaroo Special - please call for price

Used for less than year (then retired) but in perfect working order are
- [s]Victron VE.Can 150/70 MPPT charge controller - 140k[/s] sold
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 150/85 Blue Solar MPPT charge controller - 160k[/s] Sold
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 40k
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 800VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 90k[/s] Sold
- Victron Color Control GX - 150k last unit

This is not a distress sale. Just a surplus/retired-on-account-of-upgrade listing
WhatsApp/Call O8O 3961 2147

Thanks for the patronage!

adrusa:
Today, I was feeling foolish brave and I took the plunge and updated my fangpusun Victron clone charge controller to the latest victron firmware.

Which of the models? Most usually won't update that far.

Saipro:
You're right. Was a spur-of-the-moment listing. I expected to be taken up on it.

Here it goes:
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 60k
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - 100k
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - 46k
- Fangpusun display - 20k
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - 130k
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - 47k
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - 360k

Used for less than year (then retired) but in perfect working order are
- Victron VE.Can 150/70 MPPT charge controller - 140k
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 150/85 Blue Solar MPPT charge controller - 160k[/s] Sold
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 40k
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 800VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 90k[/s] Sold
- Victron Color Control GX - 150k

This is not a distress sale. Just a surplus/retired-on-account-of-upgrade listing
WhatsApp/Call O8O 3961 2147

Thanks for the patronage. Keep the calls/messages coming.

iykmon:
I need some clarification on why my batteries i have used for two years now are expanding and releasing Hydrogen gas.. i have two Solar charge controller to the batteries. Reason for the two charge controller was limitation to the rating on the charge controller. 40A and i had no fund to buy higher rating then.
Battery = 4 batteries
Charge controller= 40A each.
8 panels (4 {250w} and 4 {300w} )

- Charge voltage? Likely overvoltage charging
- I suspect the CC has no float trigger
- Without temperature compensation, a little over-voltage or even sustained bulk could lead to thermal runaway. Buckling of the plates leads to further buckling ... until bridges appear and an explosion becomes near inevitable.

You might want to consider discarding those batteries if their integrity can't be guaranteed.

Let's have pictures of your setup with the following highlights
- CC
- batteries
- panel arrays and connections

idsolar:
I believe Abunafiu is in Ilorin axis if I am not mistaking

Saipro is in Ilorin too but I'm more of a hobbyist. I'd rather teach you the DIY route to your destination. Reach out if you don't mind getting your hands dirty (and possibly learning how your setup works, in the process)

earthrealm:
Normal inverter == Has grid/gen input +inbuilt batt charger.This is about the commonest inverter in use in nigeria

Bro, your French is poor .

Grid tied inverters are special inverters designed to inject back excess power generated from solar panels, wind turbines etc into the grid..aka nepa, and you usually get paid for the power you injected.
Not for use in nigeria and many other 3rd word countries , as their grid/system doesnt support such

Try grid-tie operation in Nigeria and you'll probably kill a few NEPA folk during their maintenance runs. That's asides giving away power for free while stressing your inverter.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
I am not sure there is any demerit to having a shunt in line.

All the big names Victron, Bogart Engineering, Midnite all use a shunt - difference is what the shunt is made to handle e.g Victron and Bogart use a ~500A rated shunt - 500A at 48v nominal is ~ 25Kw - very few people pull that kind of power through their CC or inverter and Victron sells a 1000A and 2000A shunt upgrade as well.

....

Very correct. However, all 3 of the aforementioned manufacturers have meters able to use shunts up to 5,000A I think. I once got a 5,000 shunt for my Midnite before tossing it out. Couldn't even give it out for free (as you mentioned, almost no home user deals with that kind of capacity). Darn thing weighs a ton!

Saipro:
You're right. Was a spur-of-the-moment listing. I expected to be taken up on it.

Here it goes:
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 60k
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - 100k
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - 46k
- Fangpusun display - 20k
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - 130k
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - 47k
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - 360k

Used for less than year (then retired) but in perfect working order are
- Victron VE.Can 150/70 MPPT charge controller - 140k
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 150/85 Blue Solar MPPT charge controller - 160k[/s] Sold
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 40k
- [s]Victron VE.Direct 800VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 90k[/s] Sold
- Victron Color Control GX - 150k

This is not a distress sale. Just a surplus/retired-on-account-of-upgrade listing
WhatsApp/Call O8O 3961 2147

Thanks for the patronage. Keep the calls/messages coming.

mcTrinity:
Arg, boss you of all people know how this goes...

Biko, mbok, let's see the digits.
Thanchu sir

You're right. Was a spur-of-the-moment listing. I expected to be taken up on it.

Here it goes:
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 60k
- Victron BMV 702 (with shunt and cables) - 100k
- Fangpusun 100/50 MPPT charge controller - 46k
- Fangpusun display - 20k
- EpSolar (Epever) 150V 60A MPPT - 130k
- Midnite SPD 300V surge protector - 47k
- Midnite MNPV8HV-DISCO 4X disconnect/combiner box - 360k

Used for less than year (then retired) but in perfect working order are
- Victron VE.Can 150/70 MPPT charge controller - 140k
- Victron VE.Direct 150/85 Blue Solar MPPT charge controller - 160k
- Victron VE.Direct 375VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 40k
- Victron VE.Direct 800VA 48VDC inverter (no charger) - 90k
- Victron Color Control GX - 150k

This is not a distress sale. Just a surplus/retired-on-account-of-upgrade listing
WhatsApp/Call O8O 3961 2147

Barezzi:
That CC is one of the most useless in the world. I remember my travails with it. I quickly dispatched it with my trusted hammer.

You should have seen the smile of satisfaction on my face!

Thor's Mjölnir should be envious of your hammer by now.