abunafiu:

Permit me to answer on behalf of George and dunka.
George has been the inspiration behind most of us.
yes dunka owns a set up. in terms of cost, I think his set up is even more expensive than mine.
I am aware George has been using his batteries since 2013 or even earlier and as at last week when we discussed he confirmed that the batteries are still working as new.
my batteries have been working since June 2014. I want to tell you that, I have been enjoying every moment with them.
as you mentioned earlier, draining Batteries to zero kills them in their prime.
kindly breeze tru the fta solar thread, I bet you will have more reasons to consider solar in your builds.

as for me, I hope to make my solar array 4000 watts by the time I complete my build. I intend to use it to construct a car park. due to scarcity of funds, Ill be using wood instead of galvanised steel to fabricate the legs/supports.

I have invested a lot in the journey into energy freedom. I currently enjoy 24hrs uninterrupted power supply in my house. you will be surprised that I use only maximum of 2 fans , 1tv, decoder and about 8 bulbs(7w led). occasionally pump water 1hp, I iron my clothes on demand (only when going out).
when out of gas, we cook with it till we buy gas the following day.
these are the reasons why I am sure if I get d proper materials, home automation will be very easy for me.
I need ideas especially now that the house is still under construction.

lastpage:


My major concern is the batteries.
I had an inverter some years back but the battery did not last that much long.
I guess sit has to do with my over-draining it as l do use it till "it runs out of juice".

Having learnt from others, l have a bigger setup now that is doing better but at the back of my mind, l still worry about the batteries.

Can you confirm that your batteries have used up to six years (the same set of batteries from inception) or did you have to change one or two among the set?
What make of batteries?

Thanks,



Lastpage!

Edited: just realised it was a post from another user.
But do you have a Solar setup yourself?

DUNKA:
Thanks Abu for your input. Yes I do have a 3kw solar set up.

DUNKA:
Thanks Abu for your input. Yes I do have a 3kw solar set up.

Mayor78:
Can somebody help to suggest the composition and equipments from solar energy that will allow me to have a minimum of 18hrs of electric power in the house enough to power at least two 1.5HP split unit, two fan, 2 televisions, standard fridge/freezer and couple of security lights/bulbs all at a time and bearing in mind the system will be 100% independent of any connections to external power generation systems PHNC or likes. Any help will be appreciated.

lastpage:


DUNKA,

Thanks for your response.

If l may ask: Is that battery set-up "inside' the house?
Are those flooded Batteries?
What is that B.I.G Black thing on the wall next to the window?

I have this challenge in relation to placement of the Panels.
I do not like them to obscure the beauty of my roofing (I placed a lot of emphasis on the use of Step-Tiles ) but the position of the Sun within the valuable charging hours is such that they have to be placed in such location for optimum charging.

I see yours too.
Is there "a way-round that bend", for those of us who will be going the Solar route on a build?

Thanks.



Lastpage!

Mayor78:

Well I wouldnt say anything yet on other quotes from this your builder but it is either you mistyped the cost of block levelling @ 125,000 or he may be refering to something else. How can he qoute 240k for blockwork from DPC to Lintel as at No. 7 then charge 125k for levelling as in No. 9 perhaps after the lintel except if he is talking of chaining after last blocks which usually is between 2-3 blocks after lintel depending on structural specifications. If he is talking of just block levelling, the quote didnt make sense @125k given his quote 9 of 240k from DPC to lintel which is usually between 9-12 blocks again depending on design.

Because hypothetically, assumming from DPC to lintel for your building is 10coaches, it then means that his qoute for each coach at that stage round the house is 24K per coach. If that is the case, then a 2or3 block leveling after lintel would workout at either 48 or 72k, which either way is far below the 125k he qouted.
If you happen to find any spurious quote on a qoutation, you will better be on the side of caution as other items qouted are most probably spurious too.

Again if variations are above 5-10% margin from the ordinary, accepting and qualifying the value and integrity of the quote is subjective but for me I wouldn't trust such builder and most likely not accept the quote.
I didnt comment on blockwork for foundation as at No.4 @180k because using the above calculations 4 or 5coaches from foundation would be between 96 and 120k respectively. For most bungalows 4coaches is ideal except if your site is around the Tomopolo's Niger Delta!!

Mayor78:

Well I wouldnt say anything yet on other quotes from this your builder but it is either you mistyped the cost of block levelling @ 125,000 or he may be refering to something else. How can he qoute 240k for blockwork from DPC to Lintel as at No. 7 then charge 125k for levelling as in No. 9 perhaps after the lintel except if he is talking of chaining after last blocks which usually is between 2-3 blocks after lintel depending on structural specifications. If he is talking of just block levelling, the quote didnt make sense @125k given his quote 9 of 240k from DPC to lintel which is usually between 9-12 blocks again depending on design.

Because hypothetically, assumming from DPC to lintel for your building is 10coaches, it then means that his qoute for each coach at that stage round the house is 24K per coach. If that is the case, then a 2or3 block leveling after lintel would workout at either 48 or 72k, which either way is far below the 125k he qouted.
If you happen to find any spurious quote on a qoutation, you will better be on the side of caution as other items qouted are most probably spurious too.

Again if variations are above 5-10% margin from the ordinary, accepting and qualifying the value and integrity of the quote is subjective but for me I wouldn't trust such builder and most likely not accept the quote.
I didnt comment on blockwork for foundation as at No.4 @180k because using the above calculations 4 or 5coaches from foundation would be between 96 and 120k respectively. For most bungalows 4coaches is ideal except if your site is around the Tomopolo's Niger Delta!!

parisbluefox:
I need advice from the house please....I'm about to commence with the construction of a 4 bedroom bungalow and the builder sent me the quotation below for labour/workmanship. Please I would like to know if the amount he's asking for is reasonable!

SITE LOCATION: AGBOR, DELTA STATE.


1. PEGGING:....................30,000
2. DIGGING.....................40,000
3. FOUNDATION CONCREATE BLINDING:.............40,000
4. BLOCK WORK ( FOUNDATION)............180,000
5. FOUNDATION FILLING AND COMPACTION:............70, 000
6. FOUNDATION CONCRATE FLOORING:...................100,000
7. BLOCK WORK FROM DPC TO LINTEL:....................240,000
8. CASTING OF LINTEL:.........................................50,000
9. BLOCK LEVELLING:......................................125,000
10.CARPENTRY WORK:...............50,000
11. IRON WORK:......................40,000

=====================================
TOTAL 965,000 NAIRA.

twinskenny:
prices of electrical cable has gone up again!!!!!

nawaoo

Mayor78:
Can somebody help to suggest the composition and equipments from solar energy that will allow me to have a minimum of 18hrs of electric power in the house enough to power at least two 1.5HP split unit, two fan, 2 televisions, standard fridge/freezer and couple of security lights/bulbs all at a time and bearing in mind the system will be 100% independent of any connections to external power generation systems PHNC or likes. Any help will be appreciated.

allCopacetic:


Efficiency is a paramount consideration in energy generation and utilisation.
We often worry more about generating energy than we do about efficiently utilising it,
It shouldn’t end with worrying about generating the energy, efficient use is also very important, infact just as important.

If I generate 1000w and utilise it at an efficiency of 60% while Mr B generates 700W but utilizes this at an efficiency of 85%; even though the later has a capacity that is 30% smaller, we will realize about the same amount of productivity or use.
When you finally decide on a setup put the following in mind:

Have an energy efficient consumption habit.

Install energy efficient lighting systems,
LED lamps- 35% more efficient than CFLS(spiral energy saving bulbs) and 85% more efficient than Incandescent lamps. I’m sure Mr Dunka can tesify to the benefit LED utilization, I can attest to his penchant for efficient lighting

Buy energy efficient appliances
Air Conditioning systems for instance account for one of the largest energy consumption in domestic setups. So even the slightest amount of efficiency improvement with them will result in reasonable energy conservation. When you buy Appliances generally, check for an Energy Star Label.
For ACs lookout for models with High Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). The EER indicates the relative amount of energy required to produce a specific cooling output, check the energy star site and research ratings on brands and models.
The link below shows the Energy Star 2016 list of the most energy efficient Central AC systems (brands and Models), with information on EER, Annual Energy Use, estimated Lifetime Operation Cost etc.

https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=most_efficient.me_cac_ashp

abunafiu:

you're simply the best.
I have no reason not to patronise you.
because I am sure of what I am buying.
you know what Ure selling.
sir, Pls keep up your attitude.
God bless you.

DUNKA:
Yes battery is inside the house and they are flooded batteries. The BIG black box is an Outback vfx 3048 inverter.
The only way is too take this into consideration at your designing stage so that the panels have optimum sunlight and not be seen

mufutau55:
What is the average labor charges per sqm for doing ceiling POP with the materials supplied by Client.
Just the labor charges. Thank you.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:
What is the average labor charges per sqm for doing ceiling POP with the materials supplied by Client.
Just the labor charges. Thank you.

Hajji M.

segcymoor:
It may surprise to average client that ordinary fence may required pilling





-------
This fence collapsed due to heavy flood and. Pilling is d best option

mavverick:
Haji

I dont know the current going rate, but at the beginning of the year N2,400 - N2,600 was the rate and I think N1,400 for cornice or the other one if you dont want full pop, you know what dollar is saying now for market, so I dont know. I do however hear from my Pop guy that its N3,500 last, he doesn't do client supplying materials as he claims that he doesn't want to be disturbing about 1 material or the other before he does his job.

I will advise you also, be extremely careful when supplying your own material. If some of these guys see that they are not making enough profit they might want to cart away with your materials (Bosun don teach them ) or even at worse waste it deliberately. I was warned when I was about to do my pop, hence why I had to go find a God fearing person even though such are rare these days.

Empiree:
I dont think i would bother myself supplying material. I'd prefer to let them do that. I would just pay for their quote. If i am not satisfied with it, i'd try other quotes before settling for quality and affordable one. As you rightly said, that's going to happen. They even tell you the material you bought is not original just to get their way

mavverick:
Haji

I dont know the current going rate, but at the beginning of the year N2,400 - N2,600 was the rate and I think N1,400 for cornice or the other one if you dont want full pop, you know what dollar is saying now for market, so I dont know. I do however hear from my Pop guy that its N3,500 last, he doesn't do client supplying materials as he claims that he doesn't want to be disturbing about 1 material or the other before he does his job.

I will advise you also, be extremely careful when supplying your own material. If some of these guys see that they are not making enough profit they might want to cart away with your materials (Bosun don teach them ) or even at worse waste it deliberately. I was warned when I was about to do my pop, hence why I had to go find a God fearing person even though such are rare these days.

mufutau55:
What is the average labor charges per sqm for doing ceiling POP with the materials supplied by Client.
Just the labor charges. Thank you.

Hajji M.

mavverick:
Haji
I dont know the current going rate, but at the beginning of the year N2,400 - N2,600 was the rate and I think N1,400 for cornice or the other one if you dont want full pop, you know what dollar is saying now for market, so I dont know. I do however hear from my Pop guy that its N3,500 last, he doesn't do client supplying materials as he claims that he doesn't want to be disturbing about 1 material or the other before he does his job.

I will advise you also, be extremely careful when supplying your own material. If some of these guys see that they are not making enough profit they might want to cart away with your materials (Bosun don teach them ) or even at worse waste it deliberately. I was warned when I was about to do my pop, hence why I had to go find a God fearing person even though such are rare these days.

lastpage:


Thanks for your response.

Let me ask: How do you cope with gas effusions from the batteries.... being in a confined space and being flooded batteries which have a higher tendency to give-off gas?
Would an exhaust fan in that room be of any use?

That Outback is a Munster!



Lastpage!

segcymoor:
It may surprise to average client that ordinary fence may required pilling





-------
This fence collapsed due to heavy flood and. Pilling is d best option

twinskenny:

Cc
Dominionng