How to avoid buying a fake inverter battery in Nigeria

How to avoid buying a fake inverter battery in Nigeria

Make sure you only buy from a genuine source.  The price of inverter batteries has tripled in the last six years.  For example, in 2016 the average cost of a good 200AH Deep Cycle battery was N40,000, but in  2022 the cost is N145,000. 

The cost and popularity of inverter batteries continue to increase, giving fraudsters the opportunity to sell fakes at low prices.  In this article, we will show you how to spot fake inverter batteries in Nigeria and avoid becoming a victim.

Unrealistic Price

It is very important to have a very good understanding of the inverter battery prices in order to reduce the chances of being scammed in Nigeria.   Price is one of the easiest ways to spot a fake inverter battery.   It’s probably a fake if the price is too good to be true as in many areas of life.

Buying a new 200Ah Deep Cycle battery in 2022 prices currently starts about N145,000 or a new 100Ah Deep Cycle battery N85,000 anything lower needs some scrutiny.   

If someone offers you a brand new 200ah inverter battery at a price that is a lot cheaper than the current market value. You should ask yourself why? There are many reasons but the most important is the price is hiding something. What you might ask?  The answer normally shows itself when you try to use the battery. We have listed the most common below….

Incorrect battery capacity

One of the most common tricks used by fake inverter battery sellers is to label batteries with the incorrect capacity.  For example a  battery with a label and packing which says 220ah when in reality the capacity of the battery is 150ah. Which has a price difference of N17,000

Whenever you buy a new inverter battery anywhere in the world, the first thing you should do (after fully charging) is test the battery’s capacity. Did the battery last for the number of hours with the recommended load?                                                                             

The Mercury Battery Backup Calculator was designed to help you determine how long your inverter battery or bank of batteries is supposed to last on a full charge with recommended load.  

For example if you have a 1.6KVA Inverter 24v , 2x  200ah 12v Deep Cycle batteries (connected in series for 24v 200ah) and you wish to power a load of 250 watts, you can enter the following values into the calculator to determine how many hours backup you should be getting.

From the above results you should be getting approximately 12 hours non stop backup with a continuous load of 250 watts (at 80% depth of discharge)

When you buy your batteries and run your test, and for example you only get 8 hours backup, you should immediately return the batteries to the point of sale for a replacement or refund. However, sellers either deny or set up shop somewhere else.

bove results you should be getting approximatly 12 hours non stop backup with a continuous load of 250 watts (at 80% depth of discharge)

When you buy your batteries and run your test, and for example you only get 8 hours backup, you should immediately return the batteries to the point of sell for a replacement or refund.

Cheap Packaging

A good inverter battery brand takes care when it comes to packaging and spends a lot of money on presentation. Be wary of batteries that are poorly packaged, can’t fit into the box, or use cheap materials like sagging brown cardboard. In the same way, if you get a product with no packaging at all, it’s normally a fake or second hand.

No Warranty

You should never buy a new inverter battery from anyone who does not provide a warranty.  Not providing a warranty means that the seller is not confident in the product.  You will have no recourse if you have any problems with your battery without a warranty.

Mercury Inverter batteries are made in India and are of the highest quality. Mercury’s products are rigorously designed, tested, and manufactured to meet its high quality and performance standards. All Mercury batteries come with a certification of the industry’s safety standards.

To fully enjoy the benefits of an inverter batteries: Make sure you only buy from a genuine source:

never buy a new inverter battery from anyone who does not provide a warranty.  Not providing a warranty means that the seller is not confident in the product he/she is selling.  You will have no recourse if you have any problems with your battery without a warranty.

Mercury Inverter batteries are made in India and are of high quality. Mercury’s products are rigorously designed, tested, and manufactured to meet its high quality and performance standards. All Mercury batteries are also certified to meet safety standards.

To fully enjoy the benefits of an inverter battery: Make sure you only buy from a genuine source: