chris81964:
I took delivery of two Tesla Smart Lithium Ion batteries. Watch the Unboxing video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tuwhLRqsNg

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Oga Pranil.

Please can you shed light on how this would work? Routing power from AVS30 to a power contactor such that the AVS only allows voltage within the preset range while the contactor handles AC loads over 30amps.

Just today I was with a client who got 400v AC through one of his A&E 10kva Servo Stabs - burnt the transformer and board plus he switched it to bypass and blew his Sukam inverter board as well.

I was telling him how an AVS 30like device could help prevent high voltage from frying the Servo Stab in the first place but the 30Amps rating on the AVS was a limiting factor since the Servo was rated 10kva.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Yes boss.

You seem to have the older charge controller firmware but the latest web server and networking updates

earthrealm:


yeah curious to hear his explanation too, though i dont really need lightening surge protector, as phcn usually takes power during rain storms, its the 370v am scared of, as it seems to be a common error with phcn, as it occurs once or twice a year in my area

S007:
Awesome thread. This thread has inspired me to embark on my DIY solar project. Many thanks to everybody who contributes/educates people here.

For people who order things regularly on aliexpress, how long does it take to receive the ordered items in Nigeria?
Is there any issue with customs?
Which freight company do the suppliers normally use?
Is it better to use a logistics company to ship from China?

Answer to these questions will be very much appreciated as I need to get some items for my upcoming solar project.

mank1234:


Thanks boss. When uploading customs settings in my CC, the first attempt usually fails but second attempt succeed. I'm sacred that same may happen with the firmware update (update was through Ethernet not serial cable).

How do I recover from this if it happens? Any fall back procedure to recover?

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Hmmmmm - it is strange that your custom settings update via Ethernet always fails the first time around.

The things I would check;

1) Functional Ethernet crossover cable between PC and CC - eliminate hubs or switches in between
2) Your IP addressing scheme - do you use DHCP or fixed IP addresses? I prefer fixed IP addresses - set your PC and CC to be on a common subnet e.g. CC as IP 192.168.1.10 & subnet 255.255.255.0 and PC as IP 192.168.1.20 and subnet 255.255.255.0
2) When you launch MS View
a) First you detect the CC (choose automatically connect)
b) You can then either right click the CC icon or use the menu to launch the 'Tristar MPPT Setup Wizard' and feed the wizard the correct CC IP address to use to connect with
c) Once successfully launched first 'Read TSMPPT' so you are sure you have a firm connection before you attempt to 'Edit' settings or 'Program TSMPPT'
3) Check DIP switch setting number 8 'Ethernet Security' is set to ON.

For firmware updates, it is impossible to do this over an Ethernet connection - only via a serial cable - once you have your cable connected between CC and PC, you can first launch MS View and attempt to 'automatically connect/detect' the CC - then after a successful connect, launch the Tristar MPPT setup wizard (this time choose the 'COM' port ID and not IP address) and attempt to 'Read TSMPPT' - if you are able to read the CC settings successfully then you can be confident you have a working serial cable and secure connection in place and confidently proceed to flash your firmware updates.

Before proceeding to launch the MS Load utility for flashing firmware updates, first close MS View, disconnect any Ethernet cables leaving only the serial cable connected and then restart the PC to release any locks on the serial COM ports.

Please note you use the MS Load utility for firmware updates and the MS View utility for custom settings, data logging e.t.c - both applications cannot be open at the same time else one application already connected to the serial port will lock out the other one and cause issues.

It looks daunting but pretty easy if done right - in case you brick it, the recovery method is still via a serial connection - just that now you would need a sound working knowledge of serial COM port IDs, BAUD rates e.t.c for a direct terminal connection to the CC.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
One general piece of info for MorningStar users.

The MS View software has a 'control reset' feature which is designed to restart the CC via software - I hear using this feature destroys the CC and MorningStar are yet to fix the flaw.

Indication is to manually disconnect or power down the CC and manually reconnect it to power it back up.

sinistrian:

LOL to think I almost used this function yesterday when I was fiddling around with the settings.

efuro:


Exciting
Those betteries seems longer and larger than I thought.

Another milestone Oga Chris

DMerciful:
Order from aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pc-smart-12v-3A-battery-charger-AC-110v-220v-plug-US-AU-eu-dc-12v-lithium/32597578907.html

babaegun:


@Nonoski
Hi,
How was the upgrade/installation? Do share the good news with us here.

chris81964:


Thank you. They are about 3 feet long. 36 inches. Weigh about 55lbs each. Think about it though. That is 62.5 AH at 48V in batteries. You can us 56 AH of it. Very Impressive. I hope all is well with you.

nonoski:

Yes I will.
The Outback Charge Controller and Midnite Combiner box MNPV6 I bought from Amazon via MallforAfrica just arrived yesterday. (I had to wait 3weeks +)

However I will be doing the installation this weekend.

For now I'm doing a lot of literature review, research and YouTube watching of videos coz I intend to do all the installation by myself.

I have tried reading over 140 pages of this thread.

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Oga Pranil.

Please can you shed light on how this would work? Routing power from AVS30 to a power contactor such that the AVS only allows voltage within the preset range while the contactor handles AC loads over 30amps.

Just today I was with a client who got 400v AC through one of his A&E 10kva Servo Stabs - burnt the transformer and board plus he switched it to bypass and blew his Sukam inverter board as well.

I was telling him how an AVS 30like device could help prevent high voltage from frying the Servo Stab in the first place but the 30Amps rating on the AVS was a limiting factor since the Servo was rated 10kva.

chris81964:
I took delivery of two Tesla Smart Lithium Ion batteries. Watch the Unboxing video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tuwhLRqsNg

pranil:


Congratulations - Welcome to the club.

Which inverter are you planning to use with it. I am curious about the BMS compatibility.

Also when commissioned please post the numbers of allowed charge and discharge current limits reported by BMS at temperatures above 30 deg c

nonoski:

Yes I will.
The Outback Charge Controller and Midnite Combiner box MNPV6 I bought from Amazon via MallforAfrica just arrived yesterday. (I had to wait 3weeks +)
However I will be doing the installation this weekend.
For now I'm doing a lot of literature review, research and YouTube watching of videos coz I intend to do all the installation by myself.
I have tried reading over 140 pages of this thread.

pranil:


Congratulations - Welcome to the club.

Which inverter are you planning to use with it. I am curious about the BMS compatibility.

Also when commissioned please post the numbers of allowed charge and discharge current limits reported by BMS at temperatures above 30 deg c

DMerciful:
Congratulations Oga Chris.
I just love lithium. Imagine a battery that is happier if not fully charged? So much energy in a small space with 80% DOD.... Lithium ti take over

chris81964:

Hello Pranil. I might get an Outback FXVR. The Victron works better with the BMS made by Batrium. Once we install I will keep you updated.

sinistrian:

How much is your DC clamp meter?

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Haha. See the ZHC balancer in there between the Combiner Box and CC. I have caught you now!!!! One of the people making the ZHC go out of stock on Amazon even till now

chris81964:


Thank you. They are about 3 feet long. 36 inches. Weigh about 55lbs each. Think about it though. That is 62.5 AH at 48V in batteries. You can us 56 AH of it. Very Impressive. I hope all is well with you.

NiyiOmoIyunade:

Lithium indeed is the way and the future, it just remains for the price point to get to a range where ordinary people can afford it as well as simplify all the complexities of BMS and LVD e.t.c

NiyiOmoIyunade:
Oga Chris.

Congrats on this new milestone.

I wanted to clarify that each battery is nominal 48v? How many cells in series are set to make up this 48v nominal? And what is the nominal voltage of the individual cells that are connected in series to make up one complete 48v battery?

They are EV batteries salvaged from a crashed or totaled EV. And the module was removed from the car how I got it. There are a total of 330 cells
Voltage nominal: 3.8V/Cell, 57.0V/Module
Charge voltage cut-off: 4.2V/Cell, 63.0V/Module
Discharging cut-off: 3.3V/Cell, 50V/Module

Second is shipping fees - Oga Pranil once mentioned that Lithium batteries are classified as HazMat - what is the cost profile looking like to get these across to Nigeria? Any other hurdles or challenges with customs/clearing?
They are classified as Hazmat. The last set of Lithium Ion Batteries that I brought in from Europe cost me a fortune to ship. I got raped. These I am bringing in from the US. I will update you when they deliver it to my office in Lagos. They quote sounds pretty reasonable. It is coming by sea. The average shipping cost in the US is about $200 per module.

Third, I somehow got the feeling watching your video that these batteries were repurposed for offgrid use from an EV although they seemed to come packaged like new? Is there scope to get/salvage these batteries still in good condition from EVs and thereby make some cost savings?

They come from low mileage EV. There are many EV with over 300000 miles. So yes they present significant cost saving per KWH.
Caution. This is where a very good quality inverter comes in handy, Or you have incredible knowledge of what you are doing. They don't recover very well from an over discharge and the can explode and catch on fire when you over charge them. A good BMS is also helpful to help balance he cells for high amp draw applications.

Please pardon my many questions - just trying to wrap my head around this Lithium technology thingy..
Keep them coming

kiekie1:


Good Morning Mr Chris, nice one as usual . keep us posted ! Cheers