₦airaland Forum

Moneyboyz:
I don't know how to set the charge controller.

It's all connected in parallel, 24v 200w x 6 in parallel

The setting in your charge controller needs adjustment. I have used this before. The interface is terrible.

You have to fiddle with the second button press it once, an item will start blinking on the display.
Now press the first button leave your finger on it for more than 10 seconds.
You will enter an interface that says L40 , H 40 or F35 written on the display
H40 is your bulk
F35 is your float
L 40 is your low voltage cut.
Use button one to increase each of this .
Finished press menu to exit

I don't use lithium, so I don't know their float voltage or bulk voltage...
And of course it is pwm.

odimbannamdi:
Must you guys always bring tribalism and religion into every single thing?? Didn't it occur to you that his decision could be based on his personality, fuelled by his experiences and NOT necessarily due to his ethnicity? Na wa! This is the reason why Nigeria keeps being backward. We keeping taking tribalistic and religious stand EVERYTIME

Why are you responding, he has a dirty agenda.

Trippledots:
Gassing you mean? Because both are different o.

Ok thanks.

superCleanworks:
yeah my life must be real messed up. I have never made front page. Oh my Lord my life is ruined. LOL
shey dem tell your papa say I be blogger or journalist abi I dey write to aim for front page. How much comes with it?

You are nasty

TechGeek777:
Thanks, does it mean balancer is still needed irrespective of equalization via CC?

Has long has your battery bank is in series, the voltage will eventually drift from each.
It is advisable right from the beginning.

toyeoye:
Thanks so much. So are hybrid inverters really the substitute for micro inverters? Trying to avoid the case where the inverter develops a fault and all systems shut down.

You ask about Micro inverters , like everyone mentioned the cost and availability is a no in Nigeria.

As for the hybrid inverter, some will give same operations as the micro inverter.
Now it has ironed before in the forum, if you are going for this , it is always good to have a back up , inverter in case the main hybrid is gone for repairs. Like someone suggested that all necessary precautions in protecting your inverter,
In fact both hybrid and standalone inverters.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
This your write up is gold! Always good to read someone who gets it!

I wanted to add some perspective about balancers.

HA02 balancers rated to move 5a of current but does so only so very briefly (stops as soon as the voltages converge but then voltage convergence is not SoC convergence!!!) and then drops to just tiny amounts much less than 1a which are insufficient to effect real SoC convergence in a real life moderate to large size battery bank.

Victron balancers and Fangpusun clones activate the balance only at high voltages and move about 0.7a (1a max) - the issue here is the amount of balance current is too small to help large differences in battery capacity and needs the batteries to spend a long time above the balance voltage for the balance to complete (impractical with solar charging and again only possible with a lot of time spent on grid/gen)

Net result - you want each 12v battery to get a full charge and spend some time soaking this charge in - it is unlikely to happen if the batteries are in series (one battery will always tend to overcharge) and so the only way to achieve good results is dedicate a 12v charger to each 12v battery string and let them do a thorough battery charge - whether you are equalizing flooded battery or 'controlled overcharging' GEL or AGM, this is the way to go - battery maintenance is best done at the single battery level and not in series.

The question then comes what to do with 2v and 6v standalone batteries. I have left that to the more vibrant new generation of enthusiasts to figure out

Niyi what you suggested is very true about 12v charger on individual battery, my previous 24v system this configuration worked very well for it.

But with the bank I have now, to incooperate such will be tasking . So what I deployed were each 48v 200ah bank has a dedicated 48v charger.

TechGeek777:
Appreciate bro for the numerous responses.

With a charge controller that accepts inputs, for equalization purpose, is the balancer still needed or does the equalization also acts as balancer?

Equalization is a process that is carried out once a month, to ensure all your batteries are adequately over charged. Even up to a point the distilled water may reach boiling point.

This is to ensure that your batteries don't sulphate, from inadequate charging .

And the batteries, within a battery bank all reach or past the bulk voltage set by your charge controller.

Now during this period of equalization the battery whose voltage has always been higher than the others will always be Infront during equalization and after equalization.

The balancer job essential is to redistribute charges from batteries that always get more charge, to the batteries that need it hence the balance. The equalization process is not sensitive to individual battery needs within a bank.

TechGeek777:
Okay bro, thanks. What does the balancer do?

Just like the names says, it redistribute charges between batteries, hence if a battery is getting more charge than the other, the balancer ensures all batteries are close to each other in charge or almost close in voltages.

toyeoye:
Good evening chairmen! I've been immersed in research lately as I try and get the best set-up for my house. I've read a lot about the importance of micro inverters but I've not come across anyone mention it here.

Is this not vital to longevity of anyone using solar or it's too costly or complex?

Thanks guys

Micro inverters are not common in Nigeria. Besides hybrid inverter has taken over Nigeria basically does the same converts dc to ac .

TechGeek777:
Thanks for the provision of the diagram for future reference.

Although yours is a complex system. My expected setup for now is 24v 1600va luminous inverter with two 150ah/200ah luminous tubular batteries.

Will I be needing this battery balancer for my anticipated 24v setup?

Get a balancer, it always necessary.

TechGeek777:
Thanks bro, understood!

This is the wiring diagram, apart from the battery balancers ,other minor wiring to ensure a well balanced bank . These was provided by @mctrinity a while back.

TechGeek777:
Thanks bro, understood!

You will also need battery balancers, about 3, for each 48v200ah bank. And there is wiring diagram I would drop to make sure things are even . I got it from this forum.

TechGeek777:
I don't really understand how this works and how 12 pieces 200ah will amount to 600ah.

Maybe using A * B methodology would help.

Can you please elaborate on it?

Look at it these way 12 batteries of (12v 200ah).
You will series 4 of the batteries this now gives you 48v 200ah bank. When you series voltage goes up.

Now do the same for the remaining batteries, you will have 3 different banks each 48v 200ah in value.

Now you will parallel the 3 battery banks each (48v200ah) together .

Now in parallel your capacity or ah of your battery increases so eventually end up with 48v 600ah single battery bank.

ojeysky:
Instead of you making degenerative statement you should have simply asked....you think I love to derate my cells for fun ba..... When I was pulling above 5kw clearly stated the equipments consuming the load and with the screenshot of 11% I clearly stated why my cells got down to that level. I could safely do all that without much fear of battery damage because am using lithium.... that was the point instead you started throwing abusive jokes at me.

Stop trying to play victim it's very childish. No one insulted you. You made a statement and I simply stated it is not good for battery life longevity.
You sound like a broken record, I am here for knowledge like serious seeking not to bullied and shoved with fallacy that you don't practice regularly.

To prove your points you regularly make sceneros that are not done everyday, when you asked me whether I make 100amps I told you the truth while at day you live like a king and night you live like a pauper.standard solar rules. I make averagely 120 amps instaneously.

. You attributed that to the sun God, I complain. No .
but I asked a simple question what you are powering at night if it is true that warrants 100amps till morning (na pure water factory).
You begin repeat soundtrack haba!!!!

TechGeek777:
Which brand of Tubular do you use?

My brother mecury

The question that is rattling everyone is why?.
Why would you derate your batteries such. What exactly do you want to achieve.
I did not get it then, that is why asked whether he has a pure water factory to supply light to at night.

The truth is no sane would do it regularly, whether lithium or lead. I keep saying it and I am glad people are speaking. Batteries are just storage units with a shelf life, in renewable energy the goal is to maximize the use of the shelf life (cycle) as long has possible.

Then this behavior we are seeing lately on the thread about lithium and lead is sickening.

How many times has it been said on this forum lithium is superior to lead in chemistry !!!.

To prove points you paint sceneros that you can't practice regularly, and you know a lot people make their decisions entering renewable energy from this forum.

We are all learning, we should all put brakes on all this absurd sceneros and remind newbies on best practices for longevity.

TechGeek777:
Hello bro,

1. Is you battery 150Ah * 4?

2. Which model of battery do you use, like Luminous, Trojan, Rita etc?

3. What's your solar array?

4. At what rate do you put/pull @C10 or @C20?

I wrote it up there 48v 600ah. How did you get your calculations (150ah *4).?

Tubular batteries.

I have 3 arrays each is maxed out 4200 watts.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Savvy folks like you should be wary of putting out info in this manner so as not to mislead non technical people.

One could run a 120a load on a 100Ah Lithium bank or a 100Ah AGM bank no trouble - in both cases the backup time will be super short (less than 1 hour) as peukert is real for all battery chemistries.

What am I trying to say? It is impractical to use a battery this way in a residential setting as people want a battery to carry them over several hours - practically, most people will not use their battery above an average C10 discharge regardless of the type.

With the Lithium packs, we all know that there is the integrity of the connections to consider as things may get hot very fast at high C rates - yes Lithium is the superior chemistry and will last longer than similar lead acid under harsh use conditions but no one I know uses his Lithium battery pack 1C or more in a residential setting.

Niyi you don't need to explain , there think people are gullible to everything. That was why I asked na pure water factory.

sethtsadopp:
I'll like to know, when planning an off grid system, should more focus me on a bigger battery bank or on a bigger PV Array? And Why?

both go hand in hand. There is not wrong in having a big battery bank and also having a large solar array to charge it. It is win win situation . Especially off grid. Think of it this way you virtually don't use your battery during the day time, at night you can use your fridge and tv.

ceaser:
150 amps instant draw from a well spec'ed bank of 48v 510 ah is not ABnormalUSE. It's called judicious use.

I'm not sure I can boldly say the same about similar bank of LA.

How much d'you think is drawn by EVs?

my brother did you not read ,what I wrote I said cheers. He has a pure water factory to operate at night, let him use it regularly.

ojeysky:
Bro that's not from your battery it's from the sun god....do it at night Bro and share screenshot, it's good we have similar AH capacity.

The obvious message that needs to be passed across to new entrants is that it's easier and safer to pull(or put) more current to lithium than LA without it having any negative impact on the cell. You can actually do 100A from a good 100AH lithium so long as the connection components are well spec'd for it.

If you say so , please keep drawing that load at night and come and tell us the outcome.
I have nothing to prove, go ahead Keep it up at night. Cheers.
Na money I use buy my battery, I treat them like babies. Don't abuse them they will abuse you back.

ojeysky:
You can't take that much from a LA of 510AH 48v and still be above 52v, so not as easy for LA.

You seem to like this LA and lithium talk.
The message is for new entrants into renewable energy.
You just stated your size of bank again, that is why you can confidentiality use all your appliances. Someone said you can get away using heavy load regular,with a smaller lithium bank, how? and why?.

Battery chemistry either lithium or lead has a shelf life or number of cycles before they pack up. If you have a large load on a small bank no time soon you go change naira to dollar.

And by the way I take more than 100 amps from my lead on good sunny day, my battery will sit comfortablly at 55v. While All the chores in the house being done.
My bank is a mere 48v 600ah,but my panel arrays do their job diligently

earthrealm:
lolz, true to a certain extent, but I strongly resist the temptation to explain the merits of a particular chemistry over another


........this diehard leadacid man, no wahala, carry go bro. you use/buy leadacid or lithium...e no dey put 1 kobo for my pocket

There is no where I stated I am a die hard lead acid person, there are a lot new entrants , that will jump into lithium ,with a small bank and think they can get away with what he stated. He has a big bank. You can do so much with it.

durodee:
Wow! This is very interesting. Can you give me the idea of the battery bank capacity of lead acid that you can comfortably draw 100amps plus for 5 hours on a stretch and the possible costs?
Thanks a million.

Here we go again. To All , this man has a big battery bank whether lithium or lead it's easy to take that much from your bank so far it is a big bank. The word is big bank .

Now to first timers entering renewable energy and you don't have his kind of large bank , you buy a small scale bank and try it , your cycle of battery will be halfed in no short time.

earthrealm:
The power of lithium..ur bank is 48v 510ah abi?.

Not only lithium , but a big battery bank.

samir101ng:
Hello House,

I am glad to hear the positive feedback from people on the sources we have identified for people to buy genuine products from authorized resellers. Here are a few more:

1. Index Batteries

https://www.multipower.com.ng/exide-battery.html

Multipower Solutions Limited
CONTACT Us
3, Ilupeju bypass, Olajire house, beside GT Bank ATM, within Health Plus Pharmacy Compound, Ilupeju, Lagos.
sales@multipower.com.ng
+234-7058992440

Are you looking to buy ORIGINAL Index/Exide batteries straight from the source. Multi Power is the authorized dealer of Index Batteries in Nigeria. Call or visit their address to confirm price and availability of their products.

2. Rita Batteries

https://wavetra.com/

Wavetra Solar Company
Wavetra Energy Head office:
15 Ajao Road off Adeniyi Jones Avenue
Ikeja, Lagos State.
+2348157171707
E-Mail: ask @wavetra .com

Rita Batteries are an affordable brand of lead acid batteries. But fakes are everywhere in the market. Contact their authorized Ritar batteries distributor in Nigeria for your genuine batteries. Check out their address and confirm their prices.

3. SRNE Solar

https://www.srnesolar.com/

HM Solar Co Ltd
10b Prince Jude Nwabueze Street, Greenfield Estate,
Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria
Olive Estate, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaiya Street, off navy gate
Satellite Town, Lagos
+2348034490636
+2347040329474
+2349050884061
hmsolarcoltd@gmail.com

Kindly contact Mr Ugo for your original SRNE inverters, charge controllers etc for an affordable setup. The SRNE range of inverters have built in MPPT reducing your costs. It was can also work without a battery. Just buy inverter, battery, solar panels and your good to go. I have personally bought products from him. Check them out.

That's all i have for now. Will dig up more as i check my solar research folder.

Cheers.

You too much.....

samir101ng:
For Team LifeP04 who are interested in purchasing either individually or in a group buy for Lithium Ion Phosphate (Prismatic) batteries, here is a list of reputable suppliers on Ali Baba who can supply you original batteries for your next solar setup. This is list based on recommendations from the DIY Solar Forums https://diysolarforum.com/ with reviews by people all over the world who have purchased their batteries including the Youtuber Will Prowse. Another Youtuber Andy from the Off-Grid Garage has also bought from such suppliers. Some of the suppliers listed can ship directly to Nigeria DDP (Direct Duty Paid) via ocean shipping to a warehouse in Lagos where you can go and pick up or via freight forwarder who will ship on your behalf. Be prepared for long wait though of over 90 days in some cases before your shipment arrives.

1. Shenzen Luyuan Technology Ltd

https://szluyuan.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.9114905.0.0.BLMWsZ

My top rated supplier. Why ? Because they match and batch the batteries by internal resistance and use Grade A LifeP04 EVE Cells directly from EVE. This comes at a premium however but you are guaranteed that your batteries are the cream of the top of cells. They test and ship the batteries DDP to Nigeria to warehouses in Lagos and Kano. Chat Amy Wan to get a quote.

2. Docan Technology (shenzhen) Co., Ltd

https://docantech.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.9114905.0.0.BLMWsZ

Another top rated supplier of LifeP04 cells. They do not have a freight forwarder to Nigeria though but you can make your own arrangements for shipping or they can recommend one for you for shipping to a lagos warehouse. Contact Sandy Zou to get a quote.

3. Shenzhen Basen Technology Co., Ltd

https://basen.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.9114905.0.0.BLMWsZ

Premium LifeP04 cells available at affordable prices direct from an original supplier. Contact Ms. Gloria BASEN to get a quote.

4. Shenzen Qishou Technology Ltd

https://qiso.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.9114905.0.0.BLMWsZ

LifeP04 cells supplier with over 7yrs experience on AliBaba. Contact Ms. Amy Peng for a quote.

5. Shenzen Deriy New Energy Technology Ltd

https://dery.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.9114905.0.0.BLMWsZ

A newer supplier on the LifeP04 block but with good prices and availability. I believe some Nairalanders have had business with them before so will appreciate any reviews they may have. Contact Ms. Selina Li for a quote.

So, there you have it Team LifeP04. All these suppliers listed above are on AliBaba with reviews and ratings. Kindly fully register on AliBaba with your address and ID if you intend to do a purchase. Multiple payment channels are provided so pick your choice. All types of LifeP04 cells are available from 105ah, 160ah, 280ah(LF280k), 304ah. All suppliers specify Grade A cells but i can only personally confirm for Shenzen Luyuan. Contact them and start the conversation.

Cheers. Dropping some charge controllers and inverters next.

Keep it rolling, more grease to your elbow.

lovediehatelive:
Sorry I didn't upload it.

Here's the photo

Do hard reset, disconnect wires of the panels first, then remove the wires of the batteries. Wait a minute then Replace the battery wires , then panels.

SmartPolician:
Yes, it's a good decision. We need that USD to stabilise our economy. Other countries are moving away from crude oil and are increasingly depending on gas. The good thing is that we have natural gas in abundance.

If Nigeria doesn't expand her FX earnings, $1 may hit 1k before Buhari leaves office. I think the problem of this government is that their media team doesn't explain all this to Nigerians.

Please can you explain why we that have the natural gas in abundance,can give it out but Nigerians can't afford it

lovediehatelive:
Sorry I didn't upload it.

Here's the photo

Does it come with a Manual

sethtsadopp:
Almost everyone I know using Solar has been complaining about the weather. I say let me come and ask how you guys here are coping (especially those off grid) ? Are you guys supplementing with generator? Do you haave oversized panels? Asking so I know how to plan ahead do such seasons.

My brother that's why it is necessary to plan very well for this period . Not only over sized panels this is of no value when it is cloudy or virtually no sun.
Your battery bank should be big enough to last you through this period. To make matters worst in my area nepa have seized to exist for 2 weeks. With no sun.

All my neighbors are on gen 24hrs.
Have not used gen in months, they have even packed up because of lack of use.
The only thing I am missing in this period is heavy duty use,like hot plate and water heater . In short step down your routine.