₦airaland Forum

bassdow:
see eh, though haven't used such brands both personally and for clients, would make a general comment.

AnyOne who want to give you such information, need be sure they have done the above to avoid unintentionally misLeading you

When you buy super low quality item such as inverter and charge controller, to be on safe side, try limit their load to about 60% of whatever the capacity stated on it's sticker even if it's enGraved on it's body.

To test if the situation with your SmS abi MMS inverter is excess load, try switching off everything and leave just 1 or 2 light bulbs on and see if the fan goes off after a while or it continues staying ON . Your test should last like 10-minutes to give it time.

Normally, the FAN ought to only come up when there's need for cooling which should only happen when the system is stressed e.g loaded close to it's max.

Another reason could be the inverter is installed in enviroment where airFlow is low hence need for constant cooling.

Another thing you need understand is, even for quality brands, especially for inverters, there's something called powerFactor which often tells how much actual power is available for use.

Just like some phone would say and even show you a memory of 8GB but it's Operating system is occupying about 3GB already hence what's left for the user ain't more than 5GB. Same with RAM and others.

A 10KVA inverter could end up giving just 7KW which is just like 7KVA; science student abeg spare me the long grammar and just understand what I meant, and not bother pointing out 7KW ain't same as 7KVA as that's not neccessary here.

Unfaized:
Hi. Just got your notification. I am sorry I lost access to the email on this account. But you can go ahead and ask your questions here if you don't mind.

bassdow:
see eh, though haven't used such brands both personally and for clients, would make a general comment.

AnyOne who want to give you such information, need be sure they have done the above to avoid unintentionally misLeading you

When you buy super low quality item such as inverter and charge controller, to be on safe side, try limit their load to about 60% of whatever the capacity stated on it's sticker even if it's enGraved on it's body.

To test if the situation with your SmS abi MMS inverter is excess load, try switching off everything and leave just 1 or 2 light bulbs on and see if the fan goes off after a while or it continues staying ON . Your test should last like 10-minutes to give it time.

Normally, the FAN ought to only come up when there's need for cooling which should only happen when the system is stressed e.g loaded close to it's max.

Another reason could be the inverter is installed in enviroment where airFlow is low hence need for constant cooling.

Another thing you need understand is, even for quality brands, especially for inverters, there's something called powerFactor which often tells how much actual power is available for use.

Just like some phone would say and even show you a memory of 8GB but it's Operating system is occupying about 3GB already hence what's left for the user ain't more than 5GB. Same with RAM and others.

A 10KVA inverter could end up giving just 7KW which is just like 7KVA; science student abeg spare me the long grammar and just understand what I meant, and not bother pointing out 7KW ain't same as 7KVA as that's not neccessary here.

adibo:
Just wanted to ask for your experience with the lithium battery you are using. Don't want to offend anyone, that's why I wanted to ask you about it privately

Dam5reey:
Haisic 25.6V 9kwh, In for Science!

KA24DETT:
---

Actually, you are very correct. Most 10 kVA inverters (I have 10 running in my business) only output about 8 kW. Anything above that triggers the overload alarm from the inverter.

This is my experience running a solar-based power generation and distribution system in Nigeria over the past 22 months (2-year anniversary in March 2026). We have a 400 kW solar array and a 310 kWh battery bank (8 pieces of Felicity 17.5 kWh, 8 pieces of Valto 17.5 kWh batteries, and 2 pieces of Felicity 15 kWh batteries). Daily load requirement is 560 kWh (0.56 MW), Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

1. Nothing beats efficiency. If you have AC fans, sell them and buy DC fans. Use inverter ACs, LED bulbs, inverter fridges and freezers. Use induction cookers instead of electric hot plates. The more efficient you are, the less power your panels need to generate, especially during the rainy season.

2. You can’t really have too many panels. If you have the capital, buy more panels. Overpaneling pays off in the shoulder months — April, May, and October — when extra surface area captures diffuse light and stretches production. No one beats physics: the deep rainy season will always humble you. I have a diesel generator for rainy days since my loads are constant.

3. It’s cheaper to design on a 48V platform, if you are starting from a clean sheet. Smaller gauge wires and controllers can harvest more energy from your solar array.

4. Never buy lead-acid batteries. No matter how cheap or attractive the deal looks, buy LiFePO₄. If you have ₦300k, buy ₦300k worth of LiFePO₄ and upgrade later when you have more funds. It’s like traveling by horse versus driving a modern car — night and day. The BMS in LiFePO₄ is such a leap in technological advancement that it made lead-acid batteries obsolete. Yes, it’s everything and much better.

5. Hybrid inverters are very good, if you have the funds. Most hybrid inverters support 500 V Voc, allowing longer series strings and smaller gauge wires.

6. Turning off fridges and freezers at night reduces battery drain. Using frozen containers or bags of pure water inside helps retain cold and slows temperature rise while they’re off.

Solar is not a replacement for generators. It requires mental work, calculations, and most importantly, tempered expectations. Rainy season is brutal.

Valto has visited my site and has been very supportive of my business. His customer service has been excellent since my first battery purchase.

This reflects my company’s experience. Take it for what it is — n = 1. I went with LV instead of High voltage system, it was a business decision. The Jury is still out.

KA24DETT:
---

Actually, you are very correct. Most 10 kVA inverters (I have 10 running in my business) only output about 8 kW. Anything above that triggers the overload alarm from the inverter.

This is my experience running a solar-based power generation and distribution system in Nigeria over the past 22 months (2-year anniversary in March 2026). We have a 400 kW solar array and a 310 kWh battery bank (8 pieces of Felicity 17.5 kWh, 8 pieces of Valto 17.5 kWh batteries, and 2 pieces of Felicity 15 kWh batteries). Daily load requirement is 560 kWh (0.56 MW), Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

1. Nothing beats efficiency. If you have AC fans, sell them and buy DC fans. Use inverter ACs, LED bulbs, inverter fridges and freezers. Use induction cookers instead of electric hot plates. The more efficient you are, the less power your panels need to generate, especially during the rainy season.

2. You can’t really have too many panels. If you have the capital, buy more panels. Overpaneling pays off in the shoulder months — April, May, and October — when extra surface area captures diffuse light and stretches production. No one beats physics: the deep rainy season will always humble you. I have a diesel generator for rainy days since my loads are constant.

3. It’s cheaper to design on a 48V platform, if you are starting from a clean sheet. Smaller gauge wires and controllers can harvest more energy from your solar array.

4. Never buy lead-acid batteries. No matter how cheap or attractive the deal looks, buy LiFePO₄. If you have ₦300k, buy ₦300k worth of LiFePO₄ and upgrade later when you have more funds. It’s like traveling by horse versus driving a modern car — night and day. The BMS in LiFePO₄ is such a leap in technological advancement that it made lead-acid batteries obsolete. Yes, it’s everything and much better.

5. Hybrid inverters are very good, if you have the funds. Most hybrid inverters support 500 V Voc, allowing longer series strings and smaller gauge wires.

6. Turning off fridges and freezers at night reduces battery drain. Using frozen containers or bags of pure water inside helps retain cold and slows temperature rise while they’re off.

Solar is not a replacement for generators. It requires mental work, calculations, and most importantly, tempered expectations. Rainy season is brutal.

Valto has visited my site and has been very supportive of my business. His customer service has been excellent since my first battery purchase.

This reflects my company’s experience. Take it for what it is — n = 1. I went with LV instead of High voltage system, it was a business decision. The Jury is still out.

Dam5reey:
Haisic 25.6V 9kwh, In for Science!

KA24DETT:
---

Actually, you are very correct. Most 10 kVA inverters (I have 10 running in my business) only output about 8 kW. Anything above that triggers the overload alarm from the inverter.

This is my experience running a solar-based power generation and distribution system in Nigeria over the past 22 months (2-year anniversary in March 2026). We have a 400 kW solar array and a 310 kWh battery bank (8 pieces of Felicity 17.5 kWh, 8 pieces of Valto 17.5 kWh batteries, and 2 pieces of Felicity 15 kWh batteries). Daily load requirement is 560 kWh (0.56 MW), Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

1. Nothing beats efficiency. If you have AC fans, sell them and buy DC fans. Use inverter ACs, LED bulbs, inverter fridges and freezers. Use induction cookers instead of electric hot plates. The more efficient you are, the less power your panels need to generate, especially during the rainy season.

2. You can’t really have too many panels. If you have the capital, buy more panels. Overpaneling pays off in the shoulder months — April, May, and October — when extra surface area captures diffuse light and stretches production. No one beats physics: the deep rainy season will always humble you. I have a diesel generator for rainy days since my loads are constant.

3. It’s cheaper to design on a 48V platform, if you are starting from a clean sheet. Smaller gauge wires and controllers can harvest more energy from your solar array.

4. Never buy lead-acid batteries. No matter how cheap or attractive the deal looks, buy LiFePO₄. If you have ₦300k, buy ₦300k worth of LiFePO₄ and upgrade later when you have more funds. It’s like traveling by horse versus driving a modern car — night and day. The BMS in LiFePO₄ is such a leap in technological advancement that it made lead-acid batteries obsolete. Yes, it’s everything and much better.

5. Hybrid inverters are very good, if you have the funds. Most hybrid inverters support 500 V Voc, allowing longer series strings and smaller gauge wires.

6. Turning off fridges and freezers at night reduces battery drain. Using frozen containers or bags of pure water inside helps retain cold and slows temperature rise while they’re off.

Solar is not a replacement for generators. It requires mental work, calculations, and most importantly, tempered expectations. Rainy season is brutal.

Valto has visited my site and has been very supportive of my business. His customer service has been excellent since my first battery purchase.

This reflects my company’s experience. Take it for what it is — n = 1. I went with LV instead of High voltage system, it was a business decision. The Jury is still out.

jstemmanex:
Great work chief.
Are you planning a teardown or capacity test.

Would be interested if you plan selling off afterwards

Dam5reey:
Hopefully.. but won't come cheap sha.

blessed2012:
Hi all,

Please I want to move from Tubular to Lithium batteries, 5Kwh. Assist me with any reliable and cost effective plugs.

Thank you.

KA24DETT:
---

Actually, you are very correct. Most 10 kVA inverters (I have 10 running in my business) only output about 8 kW. Anything above that triggers the overload alarm from the inverter.

This is my experience running a solar-based power generation and distribution system in Nigeria over the past 22 months (2-year anniversary in March 2026). We have a 400 kW solar array and a 310 kWh battery bank (8 pieces of Felicity 17.5 kWh, 8 pieces of Valto 17.5 kWh batteries, and 2 pieces of Felicity 15 kWh batteries). Daily load requirement is 560 kWh (0.56 MW), Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

1. Nothing beats efficiency. If you have AC fans, sell them and buy DC fans. Use inverter ACs, LED bulbs, inverter fridges and freezers. Use induction cookers instead of electric hot plates. The more efficient you are, the less power your panels need to generate, especially during the rainy season.

2. You can’t really have too many panels. If you have the capital, buy more panels. Overpaneling pays off in the shoulder months — April, May, and October — when extra surface area captures diffuse light and stretches production. No one beats physics: the deep rainy season will always humble you. I have a diesel generator for rainy days since my loads are constant.

3. It’s cheaper to design on a 48V platform, if you are starting from a clean sheet. Smaller gauge wires and controllers can harvest more energy from your solar array.

4. Never buy lead-acid batteries. No matter how cheap or attractive the deal looks, buy LiFePO₄. If you have ₦300k, buy ₦300k worth of LiFePO₄ and upgrade later when you have more funds. It’s like traveling by horse versus driving a modern car — night and day. The BMS in LiFePO₄ is such a leap in technological advancement that it made lead-acid batteries obsolete. Yes, it’s everything and much better.

5. Hybrid inverters are very good, if you have the funds. Most hybrid inverters support 500 V Voc, allowing longer series strings and smaller gauge wires.

6. Turning off fridges and freezers at night reduces battery drain. Using frozen containers or bags of pure water inside helps retain cold and slows temperature rise while they’re off.

Solar is not a replacement for generators. It requires mental work, calculations, and most importantly, tempered expectations. Rainy season is brutal.

Valto has visited my site and has been very supportive of my business. His customer service has been excellent since my first battery purchase.

This reflects my company’s experience. Take it for what it is — n = 1. I went with LV instead of High voltage system, it was a business decision. The Jury is still out.

Trippledots:
Hi,

Can we link up? I'm interested in this business model although on a smaller scale.

blessed2012:
Hi all,

Please I want to move from Tubular to Lithium batteries, 5Kwh. Assist me with any reliable and cost effective plugs.

Thank you.

bassdow:
NO

Unfaized:
Contact local builders here for 'reliable and cost effective' 5kwh.

Valto and Mrreed.
There's another guy Isangjohn or something but I haven't seen his post in a while.

bassdow:
You've spoken well enough BUT I wanna point out a couple of things that a lot of us misUnderstand especially when we try to cut corners by being dirt cheap.

1. Hybrid inverters:

A lot of CHEAP hybrid inverters are actually just a standard inverter and a charge controller sharing same room (casing).

A lot of them can't even byPass the Battery, let alone prioritize power coming from Solar panels over the battery's own.

Another is, the moment you start using an external charge controller, it doesn't matter much if the hybrid inverter is the quality one that is smart, it automatically looses a lot of those core advantages that separates it from the standard inverter. You could try using the internal along with the external charge controller BUT still, not much difference if we being honest.

A lot of the InVerterS (both hybrid & standard) are just UPS with masks.

of course Hybrid inverters are more delicate THAN the standard (nonHybrid) inverters. Of course there are a few hybrid inverters that try to combine the PROs of both categories BUT they are super super expensive. SOo expensive a lot of rich people would think more than thrice before buying them.

personally, I never begin using hybrid Inverters for several reason including the fact I am completely offGrid. No ned paying massively for features I never would need. I no even get fuel generator sef.

bassdow:
Reliable + Cost effective in same paragraph. More interesting is you didn't even state a max budget abi you never hear the phrase abi song "Chicken cost, depends on who price am" .

KA24DETT:
You’re absolutely right—quality matters with hybrid inverters, but the real advantage is the 500 V Voc. Higher voltage means lower current and smaller-gauge wiring. A 9s3p string (27 panels) would push excessive current on a low-Voc system (around 160 V).

For smaller installations with fewer than 9 panels, I prefer an external charge controller—it offers redundancy and is cheaper and easier to diagnose or replace if something fails. Anything above 9, its now a question of more charge controllers or running a hybrid inverter. Utility charging of battery can be advantageous if you live in an area with very low nepa rate.
At the end of the day, it still comes down to overall system efficiency. The more efficient your appliances and loads are, the smaller and less expensive the entire system needs to be. I’ve even seen a user here running a very well-designed 12 V system for about five years—can’t remember his name—but that setup worked because he was extremely disciplined and efficient.

AyobamiOluwole:
No joy
😂😂😂😂😂

No be this Trippledots guy gba 400k or so from some other guy here the other day. He better delete his account.

A good name is better than 400k, sorry, I mean silver and gold 😂.

KA24DETT run o.

dollarnaira:

I don laugh tire.
See huge energy up there but still using "efficient appliances" aka low watt energy.
No be sense be that?

Here, total bed time night load is less than 60w --- 5 security bulbs, 2 rechargeable fans. Plan your energy with low wattage appliances.

bassdow:
and I also run both 12v and 48v systems.

my 12v system is so so efficient I completely skipped using an inverter - na from Charge Controller / battery directly to LOAD and have been doing so since 2014 powering

1. DC Fans - at least 3 or 4 of them remain ON the entire Night,
2. DC lights (me too cheap so tey I dey enter Arena market go buy used LED torchLights use am do light-Bulb)
3. Laptops (Core i5 and i7) and external monitors (2pcs) - they are ON 24/7 even when I go to bed, they enter sleep mode else always ON
4. Even Television and outdoor antennae
5. Few other small loads.

These are more than basic loads required by most very low income homes yet a lot of them either spend more than their yearly rent, or spend so much more to get way less. Seriously, having small sense makes sense sha.

@KA24DETT , You still never intLoDuce yaSef

KA24DETT:
Na you be efficiency baba. Three DC fans running all night are more efficient than even one AC fan. Most people don’t really understand how efficient DC fans are compared to AC fans — the energy savings can be up to 80%.

When I installed a solar system for my uncle (Big family ), I changed his house fans from AC to DC. Night usage dropped immediately:

Before (AC fans): Average
60W per fan × 5 fans × 12 hours = 3,600 Wh per night

After (DC fans):
25W per fan × 5 fans × 12 hours = 1,500 Wh per night

That’s about 2,000 Wh saved every single night — power you don’t have to drain from your battery bank.

Automatically, your system now needs:

smaller batteries

less inverter stress

fewer panels

This is why I always push DC fans.
You save everywhere from Day 1.

Qasa AC/DC fan on Jumia is around 60k. Maybe cheaper in the market. You will save the cost of purchase on batteries and panels from Day 1.

Bros, i have always been on this thread for more than a year but i rarely post. I summarized my business experience to help others.

bassdow:
You guys should stop this please. He did nothing a lot of you guys haven't and wouldn't do .

A lot of us condem things when we not in position to benefit from it.

Even JesusChrist said let He who hasn't SINned cast the first stone. Some (actually most) of una wey dey claim Holier-than-thou go open una own asoRock if dem give una common NEPA bill of una compound manage. na just opportunity a lot of us never get.

AyobamiOluwole:
No bro, not everyone is like you or him in that aspect.

Not at all. A thief is a thief to a person who is not a thief. But a thief is a brother to another thief.

bassdow:
Abeg speak in clear terms make we no who we go attack or vex for. no use grammar confuse person abeg.

AyobamiOluwole:
No joy
😂😂😂😂😂

No be this Trippledots guy gba 400k or so from some other guy here the other day. He better delete his account.

A good name is better than 400k, sorry, I mean silver and gold 😂.

KA24DETT run o.