₦airaland Forum

bassdow:
should in case you find it difficult getting a casing, you could just meet any welder, ask them where you could buy (New or Used) metal plates. Buy the required thickness (tell them what you intends doing with them and they would recommend you a suitable thickness); give the job to a welder to create the casing to your liking.

That's if you're scared of using wood.

Mind you, building a high capacity battery such as the kind done by @tDoctor isn't recommeded for everyone as some sort of prior knowledge is required. No go create wahala while trying to save pennies.

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I agree. When I started, I did not know much, but have learnt a lot over time.
There are things to consider when building a high power battery:
1. Cable size
2. Busbar
3. Protection (breakers)

sirneyo2005:
You are on point especially top balancing currently facing top balancing issue because getting a good DC adjustable power supply is vary hard pls where did you get your battery casing can you post the link thank you

No link. Bought in the market 800x600x270 electrical cabinet, taking into considerations the dimensions of sixteen 314ah cells.
I have reconnected my lead acid back. I'm allowing the bms to balance the cells, so the LFP is just balancing. When they cells are within a good range, I will reconnect the LFP. I don't have the energy to disconnect the cells and top balance them.

litaninja:
Can you also try looking at power cabinets? They are metal and already fabricated, come in various sizes, you can fit in the cells and pad the rest of the space. You'd probably need to reinforce one side or the floor to support the weight of the cells

Dam5reey:
This is better

This is what I came up with. Thanks to everyone who helped me decide.

My thoughts on DIY Lithium
1. It is stressful. Only embark if you do not mind the stress. It is NOT a walk in the park.
2. You must know basic electricity principles. If you do not know how to check for continuity with a multimeter, it may be best for you not to continue. Read well and research before embarking.
3. First builds come with mistakes (I did not top balance, so my BMS is currently being overworked. Thinking of opening the case to charge some cells individually. Tips will be appreciated).
4. If you do not already have tools and materials from other projects, it may NOT be cheaper than buying, for the first build. I could cut down costs because I had materials from other projects e.g. 250A MCCB.
I cheaped out on the terminals; I used the hanger that came with the electric cabinet.
5. It is FUN and you will learn a LOT - wiring, behavior of materials, tools, etc. Subsequent builds will be much faster.
6. Before you use cheaper materials, do your research o. I abandoned the wooden box I created and went for metal after suggestions on this thread, because this is my first LFP build. Mrreed and Valto can use wood because they are experienced and have some design secrets first timers do not have. Safety first, if you are a first-timer.
7. Double-check everything. I went through all the screws again before deploying, only to find out two were not well tightened.
8. Youtube videos from foreigners are mostly useless when it comes to procuring materials. A lot of the things they have there, we do not have or are difficult to source (e.g. fire-resistant cement case and fire-resistant graded wood). Seek local threads for guidance.
9. Eat well before embarking. Drilling and cutting are not easy.
10. Stop working whenever you are tired, before you drill or cut yourself.

Dam5reey:
This is better

Yep. I agree, and it looks good. Thanks

litaninja:
Can you also try looking at power cabinets? They are metal and already fabricated, come in various sizes, you can fit in the cells and pad the rest of the space. You'd probably need to reinforce one side or the floor to support the weight of the cells
Edit: Thinking something like this hxxps://www.youtube.com/shorts/xH6lMd_cML0


Edit: The guys that fabricate enclosures for "local" sound equipment like Amps might also be able to help. The form factor is similar and the components can be quite heavy so the metal is strong enough to handle it. Small adjustment to the measurements and they should be fine. You may be able to find them at Mushin, Arena or Alaba International

Thanks for confirming. I have already begun thinking in that direction. I also have some metal from an old shelf, and I'm thinking of a welder who can do a good job. DIY is stressful, but the things you learn from it are irreplaceable.

HeavenlyBang:
Mrreed, Valto, and Isangjohnson all build and cell good batteries with metal cases.

Thanks

Trippledots:
Talk to Mr Reed

Where is your location?

Thanks. SE.

Really looking for anyone that sells DIY metal boxes for building 48v lithium batteries. Metal fabrication is stressful in Nigeria (many welders are anti-excellence). Jiji and online searches have not provided anything helpful. I'll be happy if anyone can give me a contact

BigDickProblems:
Hmm just my one kobo.

HDF on its own is a fire Hazard o. This is 15Kwh, God forbid something happens, the wood will fuel the fire. I think steel or aluminum is best. Batteries with this high rating usually comes in enclosed steel but plastic coating in case of an issue. Just a little advice and nothing more.

My fears exactly. I have finished constructing the HDF box, but I am uneasy. I intend to run water heaters and AC on the thing, and even though I plan to use a BMS, safety is paramount for me.
Do you know anyone here that sells DIY metal boxes?

Penuelseun:
Yes it is, hope it is lifep04 and not li-ion

Yes it is. I'm planning to run heater, AC, on it. Is it safe? I'm going the DIY route.

Please house, I need a fast answer on this. Is wood safe for a 48v 15kwh lithium battery enclosure? I'm planning to use HDF wood. Any one with experience? MrReed, Valto, Dam5reey, Bassdow, Everyone?

Is this thread okay? No one has posted since.

Tdoctor:
Nairaland bot sir? Why are you banning me? I'm just asking where I can get fairly used IP cameras. I did not post any prices. Na waa o!

I'm particularly interested in H*KVision and D?hua. I don't know if these camera names are keywords for banning

Nairaland bot sir? Why are you banning me? I'm just asking where I can get fairly used IP cameras. I did not post any prices. Na waa o!

Is the price for this product (Deye HV String Inverter 100kW 3-Phase (SUN-110K-G03)) on Fouani real? Its like 4m+? Can anyone explain?

bassdow:
Also, Difference between Lithium batteries, and Tubular / LeadAcid batteries ain't much - You think it's much because they want you to THINK so. Major difference is DOD which is 50 in non Lithium based batteries and 80 in Lithium batteries.

Bro. That 30% difference in DOD is much o. That is the major reason I'm considering lithium, in addition to the faster charging. The only thing I don't like about it, is it's volatility and fire prone-ness.

clevermugu:
1. why suggesting used solar items in 2025 ?

2. suggesting separate Cc and used inverter, yet another redacted belief , when he easily get himself a good 48v hybrid inverter and save money.

3. suggesting tubular to someone in 2025, when lithuim battery prices has crashed.

i still stand on my earlier post. anyone in this thread who follows the opinion of this guy @bassdow, gonna learn ,and will learn in a hard way!

1. Bro. It's good we know that people have diverse opinions. A lot of my solar system is used. I got good unbelievable deals for used items of premium products. I'll rather buy a well-used Victron inverter than a Growatt inverter.

2. I will not use a hybrid inverter. Recently, my CC spoilt and I simply replaced it, without any interruption of my power supply. Hybrid inverters are a no-no for me, unless as a backup to a non-hybrid inverter.

3. I am using tubular. For people who are not ready to be careful, tubular may be the better option. Lithium is not all pros; it has its cons, which few are willing to discuss.

We will not all agree when it comes to solar energy principles. That is what this forum is for. Cancelling all bassdow has to say; someone who has used solar for circa 20 years, is somehow.

bassdow:
my batteries all 100% filled today despite the heavy down pour. As at 9:45am, was reading 1-watt from one of my setUps but at the moment, all filled up. We don conquer today. Better days ahead though redundancy at standBy

Redundancy is not free or cheap. Ordinary solar is stressful, talk more of redundancy.

Bye bye to the sun today. On grid we stand

bigrovar:
The micro Inverter was considered to help support the Multiplus by helping to left part of the heavy loads. It also allows me to add more PV without having to buy yet another CC. It was also quick "cheap"

1. Please, where did you get the micro inverter? In Nigeria or outside? It would seem a good option for what I want to do.

2. Second, are you using Victron Smartsolar or Bluesolar?

Your system is eye-candy.

I'm tired.
125A supposed CHINT breaker is tripping at 80-85A
Buying original things is a bother in Nigeria. Bought from a person who seems to sell 'original' chint
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Please, any original breaker seller here?

Please, can anyone explain why tubular batteries are almost as expensive as LFP batteries in Nigeria, whereas outside the country, they are mostly one-third the price of LFP? Is there something I'm missing or am I looking at misleading data?

bassdow:
As per those who might want to know the kind of fan to use, the fans inside small DVD players and laptops and similar are the sort to use. They're mostly just 5v.
Of course there are chargeControllers that comes with FAN but I tend to dislike those types as they most times lack passive cooling (using those large heatSinks) hence should the FAN fail, your device is at risk.
Also if your chargeController is within an airy place, and you not constantly nearing it's max specification, you really don't need FAN inside it.

Don't forget, for those who values Warrantee + Guarantee, the moment you open up that device for the first time, you loose them

The fans can be put above the controller. For mine, I did not open anything. I just put it above the heat sink. I agree with you that controllers with heat sinks are usually recommended. Adding a fan, improves the overall life span of the device as it is suggested that the life of electrical components reduces by half with every 10 degree Celsius increase in temperature.

bassdow:
except those doing it knows what they doing, they shouldn't bother. it's one thing to be able to do it probably with external help BUT what about observations that requires dynamic thinking and actions.

I agree that combining the lithium and lead requires expertise. If you are not an expert and do not want to bother your head, don't do it.

Personally,
I think it is good to add a fan to a charge controller that only has passive cooling. Ever since I added a fan to my charge controller with passive cooling, I have been seeing outputs greater than I used to see. Many of these devices are made without any field testing in our climate (how many video game characters are Africans? They don't care about us like that). So, we have to make adjustments based on how we see these devices behave in our climate.
For instance, I had a wifi device I had to add a small fan to because it continuously overheated.
Just dropping my two cents on this.
...
Meanwhile, it is very possible to use a lithium battery and a lead acid battery together, with some important considerations and relays to cut off the lithium and/or lead acid battery (esp. lithium). Many people have done it outside the country with zero issues.

Also, you can get Techland number on Jinko website for authorized Nigerian dealers

finebois:
please what size of DC cable did you use for this setup. I also planning to change my rubbish panels to better ones. Also how can I get solar panels from techland

I think its 6mm - four panels in series, three times.

bassdow:
do you mean something like "STS Check Prepaid KWH Meter" ?

No too sabi this one Ooo. na once once I see things such as this

There are plenty STS meters on Jiji but most of them don't have a website with documentation. I need a device that is reasonably cheap with proper documentation for the RS485 protocol.

Anybody know where I can get a grid meter with RS485 capabilities

alosbaba007:
I will get in touch with him on the details

Thanks. Waiting for your response