oyb:


I have two or more lg inverter acs. They have a low starting current, but they still consume power. My inverter batteries are on their last legs, and I doubt the inverter will run 30 minutes with one.

The users best suited to inverters are those with spartan lifestyles. That estate is for nigerian rich, who are energy hogs.

You are basically using an inverter system without solar panels so your inverters are usually charged with PHCN or ur Generator and i guess you are not using any charge controller in ur setup so how can you regulate how much you are taking from ur batteries. to be really effective you have to pay attention to details which is very difficult and needs a lot of calculations

bigrovar:


even the normal batteries sold in Nigeria can be used and expected to work well with solar. Offgrid solar systems can be very flakky and the devil is in how u use your system, sizing your loads to be in sync with what you generate. My own offgrid setup which I DIY is working 24/7 plus minimum of 8 hours Freezer and Fridge time and yet battery is usually cycled at about 35% depth of discharge. My battery voltage has never dropped before 12.3v since I starting using the system about 2 years ago

This is good to hear.

Do you mind sharing info on the batteries?

Like bigrovar said: The devil is in the details and this what i have been agitating about which country in this day and age dosen't use wattage Ratings in their Equipments?
Which way Nigeria

desiji:

You are basically using an inverter system without solar panels so your inverters are usually charged with PHCN or ur Generator and i guess you are not using any charge controller in ur setup so how can you regulate how much you are taking from ur batteries. to be really effective you have to pay attention to details which is very difficult and needs a lot of calculations

You want to regulate how much you are taking from your batteries - that's dead easy, put off any high energy load. You do not require reams of calculations to do that.

An air conditioner, no matter how economically friendly it is, will reduce the runtime of the batteries it is serving.

desiji:
Like bigrovar said: The devil is in the details and this what i have been agitating about which country in this day and age dosen't use wattage Ratings in their Equipments?
Which way Nigeria

Just about every appliance has an info plate where you can confirm its wattage or running current. Don't know where you are getting the idea that equipment, most of which is not even made here doesn't come with wattage.

bigrovar:


Because it is not easy to get A++ appliances in Nigeria. Our regulators do not mandate appliance importers and manufacturers to include energy ratings in their products and as such it is very hard to know how energy efficient whatever appliance you are getting really is.

When I started my journey to renewable energy about 2 years ago, I went out of my way to ensure the appliances I got for the house had good energy star rating. It was a very stressful experience. What makes things even worse was how hard it is to even get the power consumption of devices sold in Nigeria. Even on the major e-retailers from Jumia to Konga, very few items have watt consumption has part of their specifications. I had to make do with taking a watt meter with me to any mall to physically check watt consumption before I make any purchase. Its that bad

I'm surprised to read this. All these appliances come with name plates which indicate wattage or current. There is also a limit on what you can test in the shop.

One of my Big reason for wanting to go offgrid is also with the ability to use high end equipments so how do you cope with the heat back at home if i can't at least run 2 A/C for a minimum of 6hrs it is a no no so that is why i am sciencing the shit out of my system (excuse the language)

44chux:
.

Using 4mm cable for sockets and 2.5mm for lighting and 35mm amoured for supply resulting in cost of 3.3mil for a 4bed duplex ...

the above may have been ok...if you bought inferior/non reputable cables...........but if you bought original cables like coleman, then its a sure overkill.

i loved the learning points u highlighted...wish other people would come post theirs...so newbies like us could learn

bixton:
you complain about faults in your work. What mix ratio did you use in your block moulding when using stone and sharp sand and what mix ratio did you use in casting your tank stand?

Stop seeking relevance!

I shared my REX (Return On Experience). Do you have any?

Stick to giving construction cost estimates.

44chux:

Stop seeking relevance!

I shared my REX (Return On Experience). Do you have any?

Stick to giving construction cost estimates.

. If I want to seek relevance I know where to do that.
I quoted you based on what you posted. You joked about your responses.
You can keep your experiences to your self.
I do not know how many years experience you have in the field but I have been in the field since 2004 and not by proxy.
If you know the ethics of your profession as an engineer you'll know it's against the rules/regulations for you to do advertisement on social forums.
I leave you to your antics.
Have a wonderful day.

@AdewaleID
Got my email? Sent you one thru your @hotmail.com Thx.

Hajji M.

earthrealm:



the above may have been ok...if you bought inferior/non reputable cables...........but if you bought original cables like coleman, then its a sure overkill.

i loved the learning points u highlighted...wish other people would come post theirs...so newbies like us could learn

I did what any "OVER SABI" newbie engineer would have done:

I asked for electrical load calc sheet, it was N/A (not part of the building plan)

I asked for factor of safety in wire selection, they said it was the standard (a generic rule of thumb)

I asked for the disadvantage of increasing wire guage, there was no known disadvantage at the time other than cost

bixton:
. If I want to seek relevance I know where to do that.
I quoted you based on what you posted. You joked about your responses.
You can keep your experiences to your self.
I do not know how many years experience you have in the field but I have been in the field since 2004 and not by proxy.
If you know the ethics of your profession as an engineer you'll know it's against the rules/regulations for you to do advertisement on social forums.
I leave you to your antics.
Have a wonderful day.

See kettle calling pot black!
Since 2004? In construction or fixed odds?

rabcnesbit:


Hello, thank you for your advice. I am most grateful. You did not advise as to number of bags of cement that will be required. Also, what are the pros and cons of doing soakaway/septic as single unit as opposed to separate units (ie. which is better)? Also, channelling the waste water (from kitchen,laundry, bathing) to any existing drainage, is that legal, and will that lead to any potential problems in future? Many thanks

. As long as your drainage flows freely without impediments it is okay and legal to do that. But you can confirm such from the sanitation authorities within your locality. Based on number of bags for plastering you can use this to have an idea.....(standard room of 12X12 will use 6bags for plastering as long as your walls are in order of alignment).
The pits all serve the same purpose. Government regulatory standard demands you do separate but you can opt to do it as a single unit. There's no big deal about it.

44chux:


See kettle calling pot black!
Since 2004? In construction or fixed odds?

. When you go looking at people's profile it shows your level of maturity. What I do with my private life is my personal business.
We all have other curricular activities we indulge in .....I am certain you have yours.

allCopacetic:

I hate to say I told you so, but...I told u so (even though you were blessing my akkant)
Definitely an Overkill... But on the flip side, you're in the ultimate safe position. all your cables will be on paid vacation for the rest of thier life... Just "chilling"

I give it to you.

But you never mentioned the conduit pipe diameter was a constraint.

bixton:
. When you go looking at people's profile it shows your level of maturity. What I do with my private life is my personal business.
We all have other curricular activities we indulge in .....I am certain you have yours.

I noticed you didn't bother to profile people either, when you tried to score a cheap point with Oga Hajji over pop thickness.

I will report you to Oga EgunMogaji

44chux:


I give it to you.

But you never mentioned the conduit pipe diameter was a constraint.

And the reason why I stayed with regular gauges

We learn a lot from being involved.

spyder880:


I agree in totality, from 1985 till 1999, Nigeria was one hell of a confused country, the military leaders made sure they kept running from pillar to post, mouthing one popular mantra after another, shifting goalposts, stealing the country blind and sending the loot overseas. In fact, the looting in the military era surpasses all you see today. Can you even ask them question like we do to politicians today? There was no accountability, no direction, no good policies and the leaders were so unqualified for leadership that you will be shocked.

The problem of Nigeria today is as a result of the stunted growth we witnessed in those military years where we had to suspend the constitution and made decrees which today is still looking to people like its the way. Our democratic values were thrown away and replaced by brute force, flogging, frog jumps and other forms of punishment subjugated the masses and we are still feeling the trauma till date. Human rights was thrown into the dustbin. Those military leaders are still around as our leaders, in the state government, federal legislature and federal government, those military men are still around, and I think that's where our problems are. People who seized power and later retired into civilian lives did not acquire any form of training for democratic values, they see everything as force, and that's why they have no diplomacy, no negotiation skills and certainly, no regards for the poor masses.

The hangover of the economic blunders committed during the military years may take us another 30 years to clear. Then, it was only the head of state making economic policies with a "selected few" who might be incompetent. I cannot forget the attachment to IMF suggestions, the mindless borrowings to eat, the neglect of the manufacturing sector, or the power sector, the lack of foresight to plan for the millions of young people who have gone into higher education, the deliberate attempt to kill industries, which led to brain drain. Men just stood up and ran away to other countries because Nigeria could not care about us.

Let me tell you about my most visible comparison about the two types of government, I started a media campaign for the past 5 years for the construction of my community road, after several writings and topics, I am sure the information got to the right quarter, and today, my community is getting a brand new road done as we speak. Can I try this in a military regime?

See as I dey write like a civil servant, abeg let me disappear to my site jare

"I agree in totality, from 1985 till 1999, Nigeria was one hell of a confused country"
I left home 1987 regarding electricity I will take the Nigeria I know 1`985 to 1987 before I left home to the Nigeria electricity of today

44chux:


I did what any "OVER SABI" newbie engineer would have done:

I asked for electrical load calc sheet, it was N/A (not part of the building plan)

I asked for factor of safety in wire selection, they said it was the standard (a generic rule of thumb)

I asked for the disadvantage of increasing wire guage, there was no known disadvantage at the time other than cost

dude no vex, they gba you big time

basic rule of thumb
1.5mmsq for lighting cct [10amps]
2.5mmsq for ring cct [30 amps breaker]
4mmsq for ac [20 amps breaker]


your 35mmsq cable is 90kva/125a range

when i am designing for commercial facilities i tend to oversize because there is often the possibility of expansion over the years, in which case the existing infrastructure can no longer carry the load. for domestic facilities however, no change is expected , and so i leave within design parameters

44chux:

I noticed you didn't bother to profile people either, when you tried to score a cheap point with Oga Hajji over pop thickness.

I will report you to Oga EgunMogaji

. If you really followed my responses regarding POP then you'll not be saying such.
There's a big difference between being trying to get things straight and becoming a nuisance.
What you choose is up to you and who you report to is your damn business.

oyb:


dude no vex, they gba you big time

basic rule of thumb
1.5mmsq for lighting cct [10amps]
2.5mmsq for ring cct [30 amps breaker]
4mmsq for ac [20 amps breaker]


your 35mmsq cable is 90kva/125a range

when i am designing for commercial facilities i tend to oversize because there is often the possibility of expansion over the years, in which case the existing infrastructure can no longer carry the load. for domestic facilities however, no change is expected , and so i leave within design parameters

My Brother na the matter oohh. We are still saying the same thing, that I was only presented with a "basic rule of thumb" and not the actual load calc sheet.

Which ever way, I would still do them differently next time.

Thanks for response.

44chux:


My Brother na the matter oohh. We are still saying the same thing, that I was only presented with a "basic rule of thumb" and not the actual load calc sheet.

Which ever way, I would still do them differently next time.

Thanks for response.

with energy saver bulbs you can probably run all your lights in a house on a single circuit [not recommended, but doable]
a 10a circuit can carry 2200w [cable is rated for 22a] your genuine energy saver bulbs typically come in 8w, 14w,22w sizes/w is ok for homes

oyb:


with energy saver bulbs you can probably run all your lights in a house on a single circuit [not recommended, but doable]
a 10a circuit can carry 2200w [cable is rated for 22a] your genuine energy saver bulbs typically come in 8w, 14w,22w sizes/w is ok for homes

I was concerned with the worst case scenario like when using a pro audio amp, tradmill, mobile air compressor, massage chair, electric heaters, electric iron, fast battery charger etc and not best case scenario

44chux:

I was concerned with the worst case scenario like when using a pro audio amp, mobile air compressor, massage chair, electric heaters, fast battery charger etc and not best case scenario

Let me come and B going

erico2k2:

Let me come and B going

Na the matter.
A friend almost burnt a rented apartment when he plugged the water tank pumping machine into a 13amps socket inside the palour when the outside dedicated 15amps socket outlet got damaged (The wire melted and caught fire b4 the breaker tripped.) I had to rewire and repaint most of the house.

When you have 3rd parties and even 4th parties using ur equipment, rules and restrictions become difficult to enforce.

I have a home workshop and home studio.

44chux:

Na the matter.
My friend almost bunrt a rented apartment when he plugged the water tank pumping machine into a 13amps socket inside the palour when the outside dedicated 15amps socket outlet got damaged (The wire melted and caught fire b4 the breaker tripped.) I had to rewire and repaint the whole house.

When you have 3rd parties and even 4th parties using ur equipment, restriction become difficult to enforce.

I have a home workshop and home studio.

We learn daily, Im a mechanical Engineer by profession but I got no clue when it comes to electrics ina building I B novice OO as we call it back in the days in ESUT, Im going to devote a set time to get familiar to these stuff as my current build is the only one I have supervised from setting out to its currents stage,I try small I hail myself..The safety of a house is so important that one can not be complaisant have resolved in decking all ceiling in all kitchens in any house that will be built under my name hence forth, even at my Dad's I had to enforce this same thing.
Kitchen is where fires are deliberately lit.Also all cooking gas cylinders outside and piped fru wall to kitchen.I have seen the effect of not doing this 1st hand in a compound directly opposite my current house we live in @PH.

.

erico2k2:

We learn daily, Im a mechanical Engineer by profession but I got no clue when it comes to electrics ina building I B novice OO as we call it back in the days in ESUT, Im going to devote a set time to get familiar to these stuff as my current build is the only one I have supervised from setting out to its currents stage,I try small I hail myself..The safety of a house is so important that one can not be complaisant have resolved in decking all ceiling in all kitchens in any house that will be built under my name hence forth, even at my Dad's I had to enforce this same thing.
Kitchen is where fires are deliberately lit.Also all cooking gas cylinders outside and piped fru wall to kitchen.I have seen the effect of not doing this 1st hand in a compound directly opposite my current house we live in @PH.

We learn everyday. I encourage you to continually take fire and general safety seriously.

"It's unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you loose a little - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes loose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done!

If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

~ John Ruskin (English Critics and Writer)

44chux:


We learn everyday. I encourage you to continually take fire and general safety seriously.

"It's unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you loose a little - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes loose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done!

If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

~ John Ruskin (English Critics and Writer)

yesoooo

I didn't deck my kitchen.

I consider it a waste of resources in light of lighter fighter retardant materials in the market which are available in Nigeria.

Brabus and I discussed it in the past.

One has to follow the path that's most comfortable for one, it's only money and we can't take it with us

44chux:

Na the matter.
A friend almost burnt a rented apartment when he plugged the water tank pumping machine into a 13amps socket inside the palour when the outside dedicated 15amps socket outlet got damaged (The wire melted and caught fire b4 the breaker tripped.) I had to rewire and repaint most of the house.

When you have 3rd parties and even 4th parties using ur equipment, rules and restrictions become difficult to enforce.

I have a home workshop and home studio.

hmmm. the real question is what corners were cut while wiring that house
1) if there is overload on the cable, the breaker should trip first
2) in all honesty, a water pump is max 2hp 1500w . a 13amp socket should carry that easily.

of course everything i've posted assumes the house was wired in a competent and honest manner.

unfortunately, i have seen that even artisans who i have seen to be competent will cut corners if they feel they can get away with it.

and the proliferation of fake /substandard materials . . .

there was one instance where for three months straight we kept getting fire alarms in a site server room. we could not figure out the problem.
then one day we took the server room raised floor apart and we found that an ac supply cable had been joined. the joint was the source of all the smoke triggering the fire alarms.

artisans cutting corners.