Charpell Inverter and Solar Energy, H120, Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos, Lagos (2026)

Charpell.com is focused on getting every Nigerian the right Inverter, Batteries and Solar Energy to provide backup electricity for their home and office. We understand that Buyers face problems when choosing the right products that will suit their needs, that’s why we are here to provide you solutions. We do this by writing variety of articles on the latest reviews, load tests, comparisons, news a

nd opinions. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and encourage discussion. Don’t hesitate to ask us a question about our products and we will try to guide you to the right path.

23/04/2015

Introducing the Solar Charge Controller

Definition: A charge controller limits the rate at which electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries. It prevents overcharging and may protect against overvoltage, which can reduce
battery performance or lifespan, and may pose a safety risk. It may also prevent completely draining ("deep discharging") a battery, or perform controlled discharges, depending on the battery technology, to protect battery life. Other names for charge controller are charge regulator or battery regulator

Why a Charge Controller is necessary
Since the brighter the sunlight, the more voltage the solar cells produce, the excessive voltage could damage the batteries. A charge controller is used to maintain the proper charging voltage on the batteries. As the input voltage from the solar array rises, the charge controller regulates the charge to the batteries preventing any over charging.

How is the the Charge Controller Installed?
Its installed between the Solar Panel array and the Batteries where it automatically maintains the charge on the batteries using the 3 stage charge cycle. The Power Inverter can also charge the batteries if it is connected to the AC utility grid or in the case of a stand alone system, your own AC Generator.

Now that you have understood what a charge controller is, let's go into the two types of charge controllers and their advantages or disadvantages.

There are currently two dominant charge controller technologies on the market: MPPT and PWM. While they both match your power source's voltage to your battery voltage, they do so in different ways, which makes them suited for different types of applications. Regardless of the renewable energy source for your power, the benefits and disadvantages of each technology do not change (though the specific controllers you can use may).

PWM Charge Controllers
Because they are less complex, PWM controllers are less expensive than MPPT systems. They are a great choice for systems where your battery and panel voltages are matched.

MPPT Charge Controllers
MPPT solar controllers are considerably more elaborate than PWM controllers. The optimum voltage for battery charging changes as the battery's state of charge changes, and the panel's output varies depending on temperature, available sunlight, and more. The MPPT charge controller matches these two voltages and can result in up to 30% more efficient charging. This means a good MPPT solar charge controller can delivery the same level of charge with fewer panels, a tremendous benefit. While only a small part of system price, a MPPT solar panel charge controller can leverage the rest of the system to better performance.

10/04/2015

How to Buy an Inverter
Inverters are Electronic gadgets that converts energy stored in a battery to AC current that will power your appliances. Their major selling points are their low noise and emission free operations as well as their convenience. This article will guide you on how to buy an inverter in Nigeria for backup power at home or in the office.

First, Reality Check
The first question to ask yourself is do I actually need an inverter? Or is an inverter what I actually need? This question is important because while inverters are alternatives to generators they are not quite as versatile. The first challenge for an inverter is that you need to charge the batteries.

You need electricity to charge the battery and if you live in a country like Nigeria where public power supply is not steady you may not get enough public power supply to charge your battery, which could result in poor performance of the inverter or inability to use the inverter at all.

The ideal person to buy a power inverter is someone who has at least 12 hours of public power supply per day or someone who already has a power generator, but wants a noise free alternative. For example, I use my power generator during the day and use my inverter at night because they operate at low noise and are night-friendly. The generator also charges the inverter battery while it is on.

It is also important to note that power inverters are more suited for resistive loads like your household and office electronics like TVs, Computers, Printers, lights, etc. Inverters are not good with inductive loads, so if you are going to be operating lots of machines with motors in them, a generator may be better, except you can find an industrial grade inverter.

Inductive loads like Refrigerators, Freezers, and Air conditioners can be powered by an inverter, just make sure you buy one with high enough capacity and capable of handling their high start currents.
Your Power Needs
Once you are sure you need a power inverter, the next stage is to calculate your power needs.
Simply note the gadgets that you will be operating on the inverter. For example, typical load may be 1 TV set, 1 decoder, 1 DVD player, 1 Fan, 1 Laptop, 3 light points.

Then note the power ratings of each of the gadgets. You can find the power rating at the back or side of the gadget. You can also check the manual. For example for the load above:
1 TV set (100w)
1 Decoder (20w)
1 DVD Player (20w)
1 Electric Fan (70w)
1 Laptop (20w)
3 energy efficient light points (90w)
Total Load = 320w
After calculating your total load, the next step is to derate the inverter to create some allowance for flexibility and to ensure it does not over work itself. To derate, just multiply your total load by 2. In the example above 2 x 320 = 640w. So, you will buy an inverter with a power rating of 640w or higher like an 800VA Inverter.

Type of Battery

The best battery for your inverter is the SMF deep cycle inverter battery. SMF stands for Sealed, Maintenance Free. Though you can use the normal car battery, but they emit poisonous fumes which could have long term impact on your health. SMF batteries also last longer than other types of battery.

They may cost more, but we recommend you buy an SMF battery for your inverter.
Number of Batteries Required
An inverter is usually rated in this pattern X VA/Y V, where X is the rated power output and Y is the input voltage required. For example an 800 VA/12 V inverter will give output power of 800 VA and require an input voltage of 12V. Similarly, a 1.5 KVA/24V inverter will output 1.5 KVA (1500 VA) and require 24V input.

Since batteries usually come in 12 volts voltage, the 800 VA/12 V will require a minimum of one 12V batteries, while the 1.5KVA/24V inverter will require a minimum of two 12V batteries connected in series. In the same vein, a 3.5KVA/48V inverter will need a minimum of four 12V batteries.
What Battery Capacity
Batteries come in different capacities. The higher the capacity, the longer a battery can last before getting discharged, given similar loading. A 200 Ah (Ampere-Hour) battery is recommended though a 100 Ah battery can be managed. For example, for our example load above, a fully charged 200 Ah battery can theoretically deliver 7 hours 30 minutes of power while a fully charged 100 Ah battery can only manage 3 hours 45 minutes. Note that this are theoretical values, actual values may be less.

To increase the capacity and use time, you connect more batteries in parallel. For example, connecting two 200 Ah batteries in parallel will result in a theoretical energy capacity of 400 Ah and increase the theoretical use time to 15 hours. Note that to connect batteries in parallel you must account for the input voltage.

So, a 12V input inverter will require one 12V battery in each parallel set, a 24V input inverter will require 2 12V batteries in each parallel set, a 48v input inverter will require 4 12V batteries in each parallel set and so on. Hence, a 48v input inverter will require 8 12v batteries for 2 parallel sets and a 12 12V batteries for 3 parallel sets.

15/02/2015

0.8kVA/12V INVERTER

Overview
This is a 12V inverter which is ideal for a small to medium Flat. It only requires one 200AH [or two 100AH] Deep Cycle Battery. The inverters run in fully automated mode, driven by high-level
technology. Charging proceeds automatically, once supply is available to the inverter. Manual intervention is not required. Charging process stops automatically once batteries are fully charged. The inverter also automatically goes into supply mode, immediately public supply (or generator) is off. No intervention is required, unless inverter has been deliberately switched off. Its digital system ensures the user is constantly provided information on the working status of the equipment. This is by digital information displayed on the LCD panel.

Features:
The inverters run in auto mode, protecting the inverter and battery bank, delivering the power backup you need without manual intervention or disruption of your work and providing you digital information on performance status.

What appliances can it run?
This is only an estimate.

Remember:

Appliances of may vary, it’s ideal for an engineer to evaluate your need and determine the appropriate capacity of inverter to match it.

How many Hours will it last?
Running your Inverter with 100Ah battery [1]: 4 Hours
Running your Inverter with 150Ah battery [1]: 6 Hours
Running your Inverter with 200Ah battery [1]: 8 Hours

Price Structure
Total cost of set-up has the following components:

Inverter cost
Cost of battery bank
Cost of cabling and accessories
Battery rack, if required
DC breaker, if required
Installation cost/labour
Transportation cost, if applicable

Price Options

0.8KVA PRO + 100AHbattery = N80,000
0.8KVA PRO + 200AHbattery = N91,000
0.8KVA PRO + 200AHbattery + Installation= N95,000

Warranty
The inverter is supplied with a full year manufacturer’s warranty, fully valid in Nigeria. That largely takes any risk off a buyer. One year of protected use of an equipment is enough indication that the manufacturer is confident of the quality of the product. Any calls in the warranty period will only attract transportation/admin costs.

Installation
Product installation is done by fully trained engineers who will ensure proper installation. That, as would be expected, is a necessary condition for the warranty to apply. We can send installers to any location within the country, at extra cost to the buyer. Specific cost will depend on details of work and location.

Address

H120, Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos
Lagos
234

Website

http://www.charpell.com/

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