How to Choose the Right Inverter with Battery for Your Home?

Nigeria primarily suffers from a power outage problem. It poses a significant challenge in this particular nation. Therefore, making inverters and batteries critical for all types of modern homes. If you are experiencing frequent blackouts or want to enjoy uninterrupted electricity, selecting the right inverter with a reliable battery is crucial. 

With numerous brands and models available on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which one works best for your home. This blog will help you make an informed choice. If you are planning to buy tubular battery in Nigeria, we will certainly highlight a trusted name like Star Plus Battery.

Steps to Choose the Right Inverter with Battery for Your Home

Step 1: Assess Your Power Needs

Before purchasing an inverter, calculate the total load that you need to support during a specific power outage. Kindly add up the wattage of critical appliances like

• Fans

• Light Bulbs

• Televisions

• Laptops

• Wi-Fi routers

• Refrigerators

For instance, let's say your total load is around 800 watts; you will require an inverter system that can handle at least that much, preferably with some buffer for future additions. 

Step 2: Choose the Right Inverter Capacity

Typically, inverter capacity is primarily measured in Volts-Amps (VA). However, to determine the correct capacity, divide the total wattage by the power factor (usually around 0.8 for homes).

For instance

800 watts/o.8=1000 VA (or 1kVA)

So in such cases, you do need a 1kVA inverter or of much higher capacity.

Step 3: Pick the Right Battery Type

Inverters never work alone; they require a good battery to store and supply power. There are mainly two primary types of batteries for inverters.

• Flat Plate Batteries

Flat Plate Batteries are mainly cheaper, but they aren't ideal for prolonged power outages. Indeed, it has a shorter lifespan and higher maintenance.

• Tubular Batteries:

They are best for deep discharging and prolonged power backup. Mostly, it lasts for a prolonged period, i.e., up to 4-5 years, and requires less maintenance. 

Ideal for Nigerian conditions

If you still plan to buy tubular battery in Nigeria, ensure it is from a reputable battery brand, such as Star Plus Battery.

Primarily, it manufactures robust tubular batteries designed to handle extended periods of backup and frequent discharging, making them ideal for homes with irregular power supplies. 

Step 4: Consider Battery Capacity

However, battery capacity is primarily measured in Ah(Ampere-Hour). The higher the Ah, the longer your inverter will function and run.

For basic needs (lights + fans): 100 to 150Ah.

While for extended usage (TV, Wi-Fi, and fridge): 200 Ah or more.

Therefore, brands like Star Plus Battery primarily offer 220Ah tall tubular batteries, which are suitable for households that require extended backup hours and stable performance. Most of these batteries come with thick tubular plates, lower maintenance needs, and warranties up to 24 months. 

Step 5: Buy from Reliable Brands and Dealers

Always avoid cheap or counterfeit batteries. Therefore, choose an established brand known for quality and after-sales service. 

In a country like Nigeria, Star Plus Battery is one of the few brands that manufacture locally, ensure superior quality control, and offer easier availability of the parts. When planning to buy a tubular battery in Nigeria, ensure you purchase it from certified dealers or directly from the brand's website or authorized outlets.

Step 6: Check Warranty and Support

1. Check Warranties:

Always check for the warranty period and aim for a minimum of 18 to 24 months. There is availability of customer service and replacement. 

2. Access to Proper Installation and Maintenance Support

Star Plus Battery, for instance, not only offers a strong warranty but also has a growing network of service professionals across Nigeria just to assist with support, replacements, and inquiries.

Star Plus Battery, for instance, not only offers a strong warranty but has a growing network of service professionals across Nigeria to assist with support, replacements, and inquiries.

Bonus Tips

Go Solar-Ready

If you plan to install solar panels in the future, ensure that your inverter and tall tubular batteries are compatible.

Monitor Your Usage

At times, overloading your inverter can reduce the cycle life of the battery.

Keep it Ventilated

Always install your inverter and battery in a well-ventilated area just to prevent overheating issues.

Concluding Thought

Choosing the right inverter and tall tubular battery can save you a considerable sum of money, time, and frustration. However, for Nigerian homes, a well-known tubular battery is a must. If you plan to buy a tubular battery in Nigeria, Star Plus Battery stands out as a high-performance choice. 

The products are primarily designed for Nigerian conditions, offering durability, performance, and peace of mind. Indeed, make your power backup investment count; choose wisely and enjoy uninterrupted comfort within your home.

Star Plus Battery: Nigeria’s No. 1 Tubular Inverter Battery Brand

Tubular batteries are widely used in inverters across Nigerian homes, offices, and industries. Star Plus Battery is the best brand, offering a 220Ah tubular battery to meet various power needs. Our tubular batteries are robust and can provide users with an uninterrupted power supply. 

Star Plus Battery is committed to delivering high-quality energy solutions. We are recognized for our exceptional customer service and high life tubular battery. Whether it's for backup, solar use, or heavy-duty applications, our batteries perform well. Our Star Plus Tubular Battery is one of the most trusted choices in Nigeria. We strive to foster lasting relationships with our customers by upholding trust and delivering value.

 

How to Check the Health of an Inverter Battery

 

Inverters and inverter batteries are used in various applications to keep the power running when there are power issues like an outage. When the inverter battery stops performing the way it should, it drains the device’s power. It may also unnecessarily harm your device. So, knowing that your inverter battery is performing correctly is paramount. That way, you can determine if there is a fault in it and take the necessary steps to correct it. 

Thus, periodically checking the health of the battery is essential, and here is how to do it. There are different types of inverter battery, but the method for checking their health primarily consists of these eight steps. 

1. Charge the Battery Fully

First, charge the inverter battery fully to ensure that it doesn’t discharge during the check. This forms the first step to checking the health of your inverter battery. Use a charger to deliver a full charging current for 24 hours. This will make sure any fluctuations due to short circuit is resolved entirely.

2. Unplug the Battery

After the battery has been fully charged, disconnect it from the inverter and check for irregularities. Make sure the battery is free from any load connected to it. Also, it’s crucial to ensure that both positive and negative loads are disconnected to avoid accidental reverse polarities arising. 

3. Check if the Terminals are Clean

Check if the battery terminals are clean. Check for any dirt or grime on the battery terminals. If you find any, clean them with a clean and dry cloth. Clean terminals are important to make sure there is proper contact with the meter, which will lead to proper reading. A secure connection is vital to avoid discrepancies in the preliminary test. 

There are different types of inverter battery, but the terminals must be kept clean at all times. 

4. Check Acid Levels

A battery with good health has an optimum acid level in it. For a sealed lead acid battery, you can use a special meter to check the acid levels in different cells. This will help you determine any leaks or damage to the electrolyte solution inside these batteries. It also helps determine how much charge is left in the batteries for future use. 

5. Assess the Acid Color

Once you have checked the acid levels, you now have to check the acid color. You can use special test strips available in different colors showing different pH levels. The acid color and density should also be visually checked. The denser and darker the color, the higher the acid content. A battery with good health has a colorless acid. 

6. Check Voltage and Specific Gravity 

Inverter batteries are charged using a charger. A loss in capacity can be determined by verifying the voltage and specific gravity of the battery. Charge your 220Ah tubular battery fully and use an electronic meter to check the voltage and see if the voltage fluctuations are consistent. Too many changes in voltage can cause problems with the battery. The fluctuations in the specific gravity should also show consistent readings. It should not vary too much. 

7. Check for Faulty Connections

Sometimes, the terminal connections of a battery can become loose or disconnected and cause issues. To check, apply a low load current to the battery. If your 12v 220Ah tubular battery remains functional after this test, it is likely a connection is loose. 

It can happen that some components have been exposed to water or direct sunlight, causing corrosion at the terminals. Any component coming in contact with it also gets corroded, and in such cases where the connections are weak, they will not be able to carry as much current as they usually do. 

The excessive heat produced during charging and discharging may even damage the battery, leading to subsequent failure. 

8. Check the Surface for any Dust 

Check the surface of the battery for any cracks or damaged areas. Any impact or shock to the battery may damage the internal components and make it useless. 

Conclusion

It is important to make sure that your inverter battery functions optimally so that your inverter and appliances continue to function properly. That’s why checking your battery is important. Follow the above steps to check your battery health and ensure it’s running the way it should.