₦airaland Forum

A question that comes up quite often with solar systems used in workshops and small businesses is this:

The inverter seems to handle the normal load without any problem, but once a pump, compressor or other large motor starts, the system suddenly goes into overload.

Why does this happen?

The important thing is that the power a machine uses while running is not always the same as what it needs when starting.

Motor-driven equipment can demand a much higher amount of power for a short period during startup.

So you could have a system that looks fine based on the normal running wattage, but the moment a large motor starts, the total demand suddenly goes above what the inverter can handle.

This becomes even more troublesome when office equipment and heavy machinery are all connected to the same side of the system.

For example, you may have:

Computers and internet equipment
Lights and CCTV
A water pump
Air conditioners
Compressors or workshop machines

If one heavy load causes a problem, you don't really want your computers, internet and security equipment going off at the same time.

That's why it can make sense to separate critical loads from heavy or less-critical loads when designing the system.

Some inverter systems provide separate AC outputs for this kind of load management. But this doesn't mean you can ignore inverter sizing — the starting requirement of the motors still needs to be within what the inverter can safely support.

There is a more detailed explanation here about motor startup surge and separating essential loads from heavy equipment:

https://www.svcenergy.com/stop-solar-inverter-tripping-dual-ac-outputs

I'm curious how installers normally handle this. Do you prefer separating the loads from the beginning, or simply choosing an inverter with a much larger surge capacity?

I have noticed that some inverter setups look okay until NEPA takes light and you try to use the fridge, freezer or pumping machine.

Lights, TV and fan will be working normally, then the fridge starts and the battery begins to drop fast. Sometimes the inverter will even start making noise.

Some people will blame the battery. Others will say the installer did not size the system well.

I’m not really a technical person, so I want to hear from people who have used theirs for some time.

Which appliance first made you realise your inverter setup was not enough?

And what did you later change?

[quote author=XPaul post=139511361]I want to ask if I can use a 12V LiFePO4 battery with inverter.

Bro, yes, you can use a 12V LiFePO4 battery with a 12V inverter, but don’t buy blindly.

The main thing is not only “12V”. You need to check whether your Luminous Zelio charging profile is suitable for LiFePO4. Some inverters are mainly designed for tubular/lead-acid batteries, so if the charging voltage or float setting is not suitable, the lithium battery BMS may cut off, or the battery may not charge properly.

Before choosing Wattcycle, HumsiENK, or any other brand, I would check these points first:

1. Make sure it is a 12.8V LiFePO4 battery with built-in BMS.
2. Check the recommended charging voltage of the battery, usually around 14.2V–14.6V.
3. Confirm if your inverter charging voltage matches that range.
4. For a 1kVA 12V inverter, the battery/BMS should support enough discharge current. I would look for at least 100A continuous BMS.
5. Don’t mix your old tubular batteries with a new lithium battery.
6. Warranty and local support are also important, not only the Ah rating.

If your MTN FiberX router is the only load and your two 220Ah tubular batteries now last only 2–3 hours, the batteries are most likely already weak, or the charging/wiring needs to be checked. A good 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 should normally run a small router for much longer than that.

This guide may also help you understand what a 1kVA/2kVA inverter can realistically carry in a Nigerian home backup setup:
https://www.svcenergy.com/fridge-inverter-battery-system-nigeria

It explains why you should not calculate backup only by Ah rating, but also by kWh, load wattage, inverter capacity, and surge power.

Trying to beat these crazy Band A tariffs or fuel prices? Alaba Market is full of "deals," but most 10KWh lithium batteries there are actually refurbished lead-acid or half-empty boxes.

Here is the "Gold Standard" test to save your investment:

1. The 85Kg Rule (The Real Weight): A high-quality 10KWh Lithium battery must have enough Grade-A cells to carry the load. For example, the SVC Energy 10KWh units we use for our commercial projects in Lagos weigh exactly 85kg. This is the benchmark. If an Alaba dealer tries to sell you a "10KWh" battery that feels suspiciously light or weighs only 50kg, walk away immediately. It’s either filled with sand or low-grade cells that will fail in months.

2. Local Support vs. WhatsApp Sellers: The biggest trap in Nigeria is buying a battery from a "ghost" brand. We’ve moved our clients to brands like SVC Energy because they hit that perfect mid-range sweet spot: you get top-tier technology without the "luxury" price tag. More importantly, they actually have physical warehouses in Lekki and Onitsha.

If your BMS has an issue, you don't go chasing a WhatsApp number that’s been disconnected; you drive to their office and get professional support.

Stop buying "Alaba Specials" that die before the first rain. If you have a quote from the market and it feels too good to be true, drop the specs and the weight in the comments. I'll help you check if it's a real 85kg beast or a plastic toy.

Stay powered up, Lagos!

kiekie1:
MSN all-in-one solar generators available.

- 500w / 1000wh in-built lithium battery "free solar panel inclusive"... 450k

- Sako 1000w / 2000wh in-built lithium battery "free solar panel inclusive" ... 900k

Bankyshinani:
Good evening all
Please, who can recommend a good and reliable 4kva inverter here?.....asking for a friend

Good Morning. Tell your friend that for a 4kVA setup, the absolute must is a Pure Sine Wave inverter with robust built-in protection. Our grid fluctuates wildly. A 4kVA will comfortably run a standard home (TVs, fans, lighting, laptops, and a moderate inverter fridge), but advise them to keep heavy heating appliances off it. Also, if they plan to use Lithium batteries, the inverter needs good communication protocols.

But honestly, the biggest trap in Nigeria is buying cheap inverters with zero after-sales. Once a sudden power surge fries the motherboard, the machine simply becomes useless scrap.

A friend of mine bought Lithium batteries from SVC Energy a few years ago, and they are still working perfectly today. Based on how rugged their batteries are, their 4kVA off-grid inverters should be very solid too.

More importantly, they actually have a local distributor and service center right in Lekki. If anything happens, you have real people to hold accountable, not just an email address. Hope these suggestions help your friend out!

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