zeestone99:
Been away for a while, im happy these thread keeps on giving me beautiful contents. Chuckdee ur setup is such a badass especially with the plex and kodi stuff u and bigrover (anoda chairman) integrated, oga George ( founding father, father of all nations) keep on updating us on ur installation, many r waiting to learn a few tins from u sir, my fellow installers I greet u all. Peace

I have fairly use 250watt panel for sale ...limited quantity available

Sold

DMerciful:
http://nickelironbatteries.tictail.com/product/us-nife-battery-12v-100ah
http://encell.com/fused-iron-batteries/

Even for lead acid there are 2v 500AH people buy 12pcs to give 24v

Thanks for the reference I will look into it.

Good day guys, I want to do a DIY Solar installation with the help of friend tomorrow to my 24v inverter (2x 200ah batteries + 1.5KVA Inverter already installed). I just got delivery of 4 x 300w Mono Solar, 40a MPPT CC and Roll of 16mm cable.

Please what is the best connection to use Parallel or Series+Parallel for best performance. Thanks.

ebocoms:
Good day guys, I want to do a DIY Solar installation with the help of friend tomorrow to my 24v inverter (2x 200ah batteries + 1.5KVA Inverter already installed). I just got delivery of 4 x 300w Mono Solar, 40a MPPT CC and Roll of 16mm cable.

Please what is the best connection to use Parallel or Serial+Parallel for best performance. Thanks.

Series Parallel. 2 × 2 configuration, 2 strings. Ensure it doesn't exceed the max input voltage of your CC.

babaegun:
Hello guys,

What is the best solar panel inclination on a horizontal surface? Just want clarification. I learnt its equal to ones latitude and Nigeria is (Lat. 9N , 8E) which means the solar panel must be at angle 9 degrees.

Hope that is ok for Abuja.

For fixed installations, use the latitude of ya location.
It's 5 degrees here in calabar.
Or you can adjust it twice a year (March & September) at +/- 15 degrees of ya latitude.

@Barezzi

Thanks. I appreciate your response.

so my 4 units of 200ah flooded batts are not performing well...after 2 days of just led tv, energy saving bulbs and 2 ceiling fans used intermittently..the voltage will drip to 48.8v, when fully charged, hygrometer reading shows electrolyte status is ok, and meter readings show similar voltage +/- 0.2, apart from a load tester...is there any way i can resolve this issue?

when hooked to the inverter and using normally, individual voltages are almost same with just 1 unit being 0.2v lower
they are lumionous flooded 200AH bought from a dealer here last year, i am expecting it shud last upto 5 days, hr after phcn goes..voltage quickly drops to 50.4v and then later settles at 50v after about 4hrs...with a load of abt 180 to 320w

on another note, who has 40/45amp charge controller for sale?..new or used with waranty?

earthrealm:
so my 4 units of 200ah flooded batts are not performing well...after 2 days of just led tv, energy saving bulbs and 2 ceiling fans used intermittently..the voltage will drip to 48.8v, when fully charged, hygrometer reading shows electrolyte status is ok, and meter readings show similar voltage +/- 0.2, apart from a load tester...is there any way i can resolve this issue?

when hooked to the inverter and using normally, individual voltages are almost same with just 1 unit being 0.2v lower
they are lumionous flooded 200AH bought from a dealer here last year, i am expecting it shud last upto 5 days, hr after phcn goes..voltage quickly drops to 50.4v and then later settles at 50v after about 4hrs...with a load of abt 180 to 320w

Even though I don't used FLA ba3, I assume one of ur ba3 is suffering which is typical of traditional ba3 set up of series & parallel. That culprit ba3 has been carrying twice loads as d 1st ba3 in series which means you may soon replace it probably 3 yrs early than the rest.

Consider changing d + output terminal from ba3 to inverter to another ba3, - output to another ba3 and do equalisation charge
Consider also the use of bus bar between ba3 bank & inverter if ur using multiple 48v ba3 banks @ 200AH.
Routine swap of ba3 in every 4-6 months will not be a bad idea.

My Best wishes.

earthrealm:
on another note, who has 40/45amp charge controller for sale?..new or used with waranty?

In addition to ur earlier post. I know some enthusiast will take me on it but it may fall true dat some of these ba3 are over-rated for Nigerian market. 200AH ba3 may actually be 180AH or less even with SON seal or LOGO.
So to enjoy 5 days of off-grid, consider over sizing ur bank.
On d condition dat u have powerful mppt firing @ 98% conversion efficiency to maintain ur ba3 in good shape.
Like big wigs here have said few months ago. In crease the abosption time of ur FLA 2-3hrs. U may soon find out that ur ba3 will fall in line in no time at all

efuro:


Even though I don't used FLA ba3, I assume one of ur ba3 is suffering which is typical of traditional ba3 set up of series & parallel. That culprit ba3 has been carrying twice loads as d 1st ba3 in series which means you may soon replace it probably 3 yrs early than the rest.

Consider changing d + output terminal from ba3 to inverter to another ba3, - output to another ba3 and do equalisation charge
Consider also the use of bus bar between ba3 bank & inverter if ur using multiple 48v ba3 banks @ 200AH.
Routine swap of ba3 in every 4-6 months will not be a bad idea.

My Best wishes.

MY SETUP IS series 48v 4kw mustpower and i equalize every month or 3weeks,at 62v.its solely a phcn setup..no solar as phcn is fairly decent in my area 12 to 16hrs daily.
will consider swapping the batteries around to see if there would be any change, though i doubt.i also hv a desulphator permanently hooked up to the bank.
am guessing the batts may hv a factory defect, as my other set of mecury flooded are performing beta.

another thought occured to me: who else use mustpower 48v or even 24v?.
on setting 6 -- open lead acid battery, wch i normally use...the batt display voltage rarely goes over 52.8v, but going by the manual it shud hv been 14.8 x 4 = 59.2v, is this normal?...
its only when am on equalize mode that it reads 61.2v, instead of 15.5x4= 62v.
fellow mustpower startlite users abeg come chook mouth for this mata

earthrealm:


MY SETUP IS series 48v 4kw mustpower and i equalize every month or 3weeks,at 62v.its solely a phcn setup..no solar as phcn is fairly decent in my area 12 to 16hrs daily.
will consider swapping the batteries around to see if there would be any change, though i doubt.i also hv a desulphator permanently hooked up to the bank.
am guessing the batts may hv a factory defect, as my other set of mecury flooded are performing beta.

Are the Mercury flooded batteries also hooked to the Mustpower inverter? If no then consider checking the charging system of your inverter and also remove the desulphator and carry out all possible test to discover what could have been the cause.

Cheers

Ferdiwar:


Are the Mercury flooded batteries also hooked to the Mustpower inverter? If no then consider checking the charging system of your inverter and also remove the desulphator and carry out all possible test to discover what could have been the cause.

Cheers

nope the mecury setup is a different setup..its in the village, uses solar to charge, no phcn.
have no clue how to check the charging system, i know it charges...based on the display screen charging current and voltage.
will remove the desulphator and see if anything changes

earthrealm:
so my 4 units of 200ah flooded batts are not performing well...after 2 days of just led tv, energy saving bulbs and 2 ceiling fans used intermittently..the voltage will drip to 48.8v, when fully charged, hygrometer reading shows electrolyte status is ok, and meter readings show similar voltage +/- 0.2, apart from a load tester...is there any way i can resolve this issue?

when hooked to the inverter and using normally, individual voltages are almost same with just 1 unit being 0.2v lower
they are lumionous flooded 200AH bought from a dealer here last year, i am expecting it shud last upto 5 days, hr after phcn goes..voltage quickly drops to 50.4v and then later settles at 50v after about 4hrs...with a load of abt 180 to 320w

My guess are those batteries do not get enough cycle charge especially absorption charge. Very few inverters can actually do proper and adequate absorption charge for flooded batteries.. Those batteries should have at least 58v charge for at least 1 hour (2 hours recommended depending on depth of discharge) during daily absorption charge. Not doing this would lead to Sulfation which I think is the case with your battery (hence why hydrometer says all is fine)

You might want to change your charging source to something which can properly charge your battery.

earthrealm:
another thought occured to me: who else use mustpower 48v or even 24v?.
on setting 6 -- open lead acid battery, wch i normally use...the batt display voltage rarely goes over 52.8v, but going by the manual it shud hv been 14.8 x 4 = 59.2v, is this normal?...
its only when am on equalize mode that it reads 61.2v, instead of 15.5x4= 62v.
fellow mustpower startlite users abeg come chook mouth for this mata

Well you just found the culprit right there its either you (if your inverter supports it) use a custom setting with absorption voltage set to battery specification or get a second charging source which would support the settings for your battery.

earthrealm:


nope the mecury setup is a different setup..its in the village, uses solar to charge, no phcn.
have no clue how to check the charging system, i know it charges...based on the display screen charging current and voltage.
will remove the desulphator and see if anything changes

The mercury is performing better not because it is a better product but because it is getting the proper charge.

efuro:


In addition to ur earlier post. I know some enthusiast will take me on it but it may fall true dat some of these ba3 are over-rated for Nigerian market. 200AH ba3 may actually be 180AH or less even with SON seal or LOGO.

BINGO. BTW this is not just a Nigerian factor. In fact a research which I was part of in France showed that most batteries do not have near the capacity displayed. The problem is: It is very hard for manufacturers to guarantee battery capacity. Battery capacity varies by so many factors hence many manufacturers work with margin of error. During our test when we go 5 lead acid batteries and used special equipment to discharge them at a constant Amp at c20 in 25C temperature. Only US battery, and Trojan came tops with +5AH of stated AH. some batteries had a deficit of close to -80AH from stated capacity.

You can image the situation in Nigeria where we don't even have regulators. I usually assume my 220AH tubular battery is actually 180AH and I discharge it so that 50% DOD is actually 90AH not 110, People should apply similar caution with their batteries.

babaegun:
Hello guys,

What is the best solar panel inclination on a horizontal surface? Just want clarification. I learnt its equal to ones latitude and Nigeria is (Lat. 9N , 8E) which means the solar panel must be at angle 9 degrees.

Hope that is ok for Abuja.

Abuja is 81 degrees vertical tilt. That is the optimal inclination for a permanently mounted solar panel (oriented towards true south).

5days? You try . Anyways tell us the make of the inverter so we can know if the self consumption of the inverter is consuming most of the power

earthrealm:
so my 4 units of 200ah flooded batts are not performing well...after 2 days of just led tv, energy saving bulbs and 2 ceiling fans used intermittently..the voltage will drip to 48.8v, when fully charged, hygrometer reading shows electrolyte status is ok, and meter readings show similar voltage +/- 0.2, apart from a load tester...is there any way i can resolve this issue?

when hooked to the inverter and using normally, individual voltages are almost same with just 1 unit being 0.2v lower
they are lumionous flooded 200AH bought from a dealer here last year, i am expecting it shud last upto 5 days, hr after phcn goes..voltage quickly drops to 50.4v and then later settles at 50v after about 4hrs...with a load of abt 180 to 320w

I have....new...whatsapp me(see my signature)

earthrealm:
on another note, who has 40/45amp charge controller for sale?..new or used with waranty?

Must power self consumption is about 100w. factor it into ur calculation of load.

earthrealm:


MY SETUP IS series 48v 4kw mustpower and i equalize every month or 3weeks,at 62v.its solely a phcn setup..no solar as phcn is fairly decent in my area 12 to 16hrs daily.
will consider swapping the batteries around to see if there would be any change, though i doubt.i also hv a desulphator permanently hooked up to the bank.
am guessing the batts may hv a factory defect, as my other set of mecury flooded are performing beta.

I use must power. Great inverter but high self consumption due to its huge xformer

earthrealm:
another thought occured to me: who else use mustpower 48v or even 24v?.
on setting 6 -- open lead acid battery, wch i normally use...the batt display voltage rarely goes over 52.8v, but going by the manual it shud hv been 14.8 x 4 = 59.2v, is this normal?...
its only when am on equalize mode that it reads 61.2v, instead of 15.5x4= 62v.
fellow mustpower startlite users abeg come chook mouth for this mata

DMerciful:
I use must power. Great inverter but high self consumption due to its huge xformer

100 effing watts!!!!!, and the clowns wrote <25w on the manual, ...damn!.
so pls clarify the dc voltage on the display when its charging, what charging/batt setting do you use, what type of battery do you have

@bigrovar most common inverters dont charge with 58v for a 4 batt setup, prag is even 13.3v, mustpower stated 14.8v but i dont see that when my batts are charging

earthrealm:


100 effing watts!!!!!, and the clowns wrote <25w on the manual, ...damn!.
so pls clarify the dc voltage on the display when its charging, what charging/batt setting do you use, what type of battery do you have

@bigrovar most common inverters dont charge with 58v for a 4 batt setup, prag is even 13.3v, mustpower stated 14.8v but i dont see that when my batts are charging

The charging voltage increases gradually,

The 14.8 is the supposed Max charging volltage when on routine charge (when not equalizing)

If you dip your​ battery so much and start charging, just note how the DC voltage on the display increases and more juice gets into the battery untill it gets to absorbing unto float

Please who has a brand new 48V MPPT solar charge controller for sale?

SolnergyPower:
Please who has a brand new 48V MPPT solar charge controller for sale?

flex max Fangpusun 60a 155k

Thank you but my budget is less than 100k.

JUO:
flex max Fangpusun 60a 155k

earthrealm:


100 effing watts!!!!!, and the clowns wrote <25w on the manual, ...damn!.
so pls clarify the dc voltage on the display when its charging, what charging/batt setting do you use, what type of battery do you have

@bigrovar most common inverters dont charge with 58v for a 4 batt setup, prag is even 13.3v, mustpower stated 14.8v but i dont see that when my batts are charging

the manufacturers are all liars. My luminous 1.5kva Self-consumption is 40w, this is 960wh in 24 hrs. Believe me I have seen one unless 7.5kw cyber-power consume 350w. How do you expect your batteries to do 5 years with this?

DMerciful:
Must power self consumption is about 100w. factor it into ur calculation of load.

JUO:
the manufacturers are all liars. My luminous 1.5kva Self-consumption is 40w, this is 960wh in 24 hrs. Believe me I have seen one unless 7.5kw cyber-power consume 350w. How do you expect your batteries to do 5 years with this?

That is to say that the best way to switch off you system of it is not on a 24hours working capacity is to off the battery to the inverter

Konnektions146:


The charging voltage increases gradually,

The 14.8 is the supposed Max charging volltage when on routine charge (when not equalizing)

If you dip your​ battery so much and start charging, just note how the DC voltage on the display increases and more juice gets into the battery untill it gets to absorbing unto float

errrm, sorry .want to make some clarifications, must be the 2 days that i had my gen on to charge my inverter than confused me...something i hvnt done in more than 6months.
so on gen the mopower charging voltage remained on 51.6v and current on 22amps, no matter the setting [i blv cos the batt was low, the charging algorithm is making it charge the batt slowly, or it doesnt like the not so clean gen power?], it stayed like this for 3hours...

phcn later brought power, and i was now monitoring the display like a hawk...i saw the voltge go as high as 59.6v and 31amps [something i dont recall ever seeing b4 unless on equalize setting], it later settled to 53.6v and current abt 2amps, wch i believe is float.
seems mustpower has only 3 stage charging, unlike prag that has 4 stage.
i am using the 15.1v setting now, and not the 14.8v i have always used...lemme watch and see if there is any improvement

@juo & all, how do u calculate the self consumption of the inverter....wch device do u use?

earthrealm:



@bigrovar most common inverters dont charge with 58v for a 4 batt setup, prag is even 13.3v, mustpower stated 14.8v but i dont see that when my batts are charging

We are saying the same thing

JUO:
the manufacturers are all liars. My luminous 1.5kva Self-consumption is 40w, this is 960wh in 24 hrs. Believe me I have seen one unless 7.5kw cyber-power consume 350w. How do you expect your batteries to do 5 years with this?

The sukam falcon plus 1.6 kva 24v uses 25w against the 30w advertised in the manual. Its one of the reason I love that inverter.

earthrealm:



@juo & all, how do u calculate the self consumption of the inverter....wch device do u use?

I use a battery monitor with watt/Amp counter. Previously used a watt meter that comes with a shunt. The device is not bidirectional hence it can only read one way. I set it up between inverter and battery to read watts inverter takes takes from the battery. To know the idle load of the inverter. All I need do is

A: Turn off the load output of the inverter and check the watt meter readings.. Since the inverter becomes the only load on the battery the watt meter gives me its idle load.

B: Put an AC killawatt meter on the inverter out and read how much load in watt is on the inverter. Compare it to how much load the inverter takes from the battery. The difference gives me the inverter self consumption load.

Now I use the victron energy watt meter which is much more sophisticated than the previous device. This one is multi directional as it shows what goes into and out of the battery. The device easily shows me the inverter without stress. The former option is much cheaper though.