Become an Inverter agent, reseller or Consultant. THIS IS HOW (Part 2) by Don Abiodun Odedeyi

let's continue to make business borderless irrespective of location or status. 

Read profit making inverter business previous edition by clicking here

2. Battery

You don’t just buy an inverter, you also need to buy an inverter battery as that is where the power inverter derives its energy.

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. 

This means an SMF battery can be installed indoors making them very convenient.

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 up to 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.

When you buy an inverter, make sure you know the minimum number of battery required.

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 or 150 Ah battery can be managed.

For example, for our example load above (375VA approximately 400VA), a fully charged 200 Ah battery can theoretically deliver 6 hours of power while a fully charged 100 Ah battery can only manage 3 hours.

So, a 12V input inverter will require one 12V battery.

3. Solar Panel (optional)  

The Solar Panel charges your battery ensuring you have enough energy when needed. Depending on the capacity of the Solar panel, it can charge the battery, while still providing power for your appliances. Solar inverters can also charge your batteries via generators or public power supply.

For home and office applications there are basically two types of Solar panels to choose from:

1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels
2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrytalline solar panels were the first type of solar panel and have benefited from years of research and development. They are usually black and the most popular in the market. The cells are made from a single continuous Silicon crystal hence the name.

The polycrystalline solar panel consists of solar cells made from multiple crystals of Silicon. They are usually blue and are cheaper than monocrystalline solar panels. They are also said to have a better temperature tolerance than mono panels.

You can also install the solar panel with a solar tracker that will automatically tilt the solar panel depending on the angle of the Sun ensuring you catch the highest amount of sunlight irrespective of the time of day. However, such an installation is complicated, costs a lot, and requires frequent maintenance.

A Solar panel can last between 10 and 25 years, however it degrades over time. For example a solar panel could offer 10 years at 90% of rated power, 20 years at 85% rated power, and 25 years at 80% rated power.
This means that if you bought a 200W panel with the degradation rating stated above the panel will offer 180W after 10 years, 170W after 20 years, and 160W after 25 years. Degradation can also be rated in percentage degradation per year. e.g. 1% per year, 1.5% per year, or 2% per year.

Inverter Installation

Except, you have above average electrical skills, you will need a technician to install your inverter. Thankfully, some retailers and online stores that sell inverters offer options with the installation kit, making installation easier for you or a trained technician.

The installation accessories come from the manufacturer of the inverter who ensures everything works well. When buying an inverter it is always advisable to take-up the installation kit.

The cost of the installation kit may be incorporated in the cost of the inverter or you will have to pay separately for it. Make sure you are present to inspect the installation.

Make sure that the cabling connecting the inverter to the battery is as short as possible. This will reduce energy losses.

It is also important to know that a lot of current moves (it could be double or triple digits) from the battery to the inverter, so make sure everything is properly sealed with no naked wires to prevent electrocution.

Installation cost for inverters ranges from 5,000 to 25,000 Naira depending on the complexity of the system.

Where to get them
1. Inverter

https://www.jumia.com.ng/catalog/?q=800va+inverter

http://www.konga.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=800va%20inverter

 
2. Battery

http://www.konga.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=200%20Ah%20smf%20deep%20cycle%20battery

https://www.jumia.com.ng/catalog/?q=200ah+deep+cycle+battery

http://www.datacommexpress.com/khxc/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=RA12-200D

https://jiji.ng/272-deep-cycle-batteries

http://www.mygadgetsmall.com/shopping/inverters/deep-cycle-batteries-for-inverters/cat_68.html

 
3. Solar Panel (optional)

 https://market.jumia.com.ng/solar-panels/

https://www.konga.com/js-collections-200w-solar-panel-2514165

http://www.kara.com.ng/sukam-200w-24v-solar-panel

Go out... get clients, become a project manager, get electrical experts who do the connection and make cool money.

For questions, comment and clarification, feel free to contact me via email.... I am online 24/7. Thanks 

ODEDEYI Abiodun
Business Consultant, Investment banker
Twitter @donabiodun,
abiodunodedeyi@gmail.com