Read the full article on signs your lithium battery may be failing this harmattan season

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As the dry season and harmattan period approaches, many solar users in Nigeria begin to experience unexpected power drops, battery shutdowns, or sudden system failures. Lithium batteries are strong, durable, and far better than traditional lead-acid batteries—but they are not immune to harsh weather conditions.

In fact, harmattan can quietly weaken your lithium battery if you’re not paying attention.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how to prepare your solar system for the harmattan season (You can interlink it as: Read: How to Prepare Your Solar for Harmattan). Today, we’re going deeper into the most overlooked part of your solar setup—the battery—and the early warning signs that it may fail this dry season.

Understanding these signs now can save you money, stress, and prevent a total blackout when you need your system the most.


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Why Dry Season Affects Lithium Batteries

The harmattan period is dry, dusty, and extremely hot during the day. Lithium batteries perform best around 15°C – 25°C, but Nigeria’s dry-season temperatures can rise above 40°C in some areas.

This heat affects:

Battery lifespan

Charging efficiency

Internal cell balance

BMS (Battery Management System) performance


When lithium batteries stay in high heat for too long, they begin to degrade faster. That’s why noticing early signs of failure is very important.


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7 Signs Your Lithium Battery May Fail This Dry Season

1. Your Battery Drains Faster Than Usual

If your battery used to last all night but now drops from 100% to 70% within 1–2 hours, something is wrong.

Possible causes:

High heat reducing efficiency

Weak or aging cells

Dust accumulation affecting charge input

BMS limiting power output


Don’t ignore this. Fast discharge is usually the first warning.


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2. Your Battery Suddenly Cuts Off Under Small Load

If your system shuts down when you switch on basic appliances like fans or lights, your lithium battery may be entering protection mode.

This can happen when:

The battery temperature rises above safe levels

The BMS detects internal imbalance

Cells are weakening


Protection mode is a safety feature, but frequent shutdowns mean failure may be close.


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3. Your Battery Refuses to Charge Fully

If your battery sticks at:

50%

70%

85%


And refuses to reach 100%, it’s a clear sign of:

Cell imbalance

BMS restrictions due to heat

Weak capacity


This is very common during harmattan when panels struggle and batteries heat up.


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4. Overheating at Normal Use

If your battery feels unusually hot—even when powering small loads—it is being stressed internally.

You may notice:

A burning smell (dangerous)

Very hot casing

Increased fan noise (if it has a cooling fan)


Overheating is the biggest enemy of lithium batteries during dry season.


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5. Your Battery Voltage Drops Suddenly

Normal lithium batteries maintain stable voltage. If the voltage randomly drops from:

52V to 48V

25V to 20V (depending on model)


…this can indicate:

Cell deterioration

Weak BMS

Internal resistance increase


Sudden voltage drops usually end in battery failure if not attended to.


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6. You Notice Your Inverter Warning You Constantly

Your inverter may show:

“Low Battery Voltage”

“Battery Protection Mode”

“High Temperature Warning”

“Battery Error”


These warnings become more common during harmattan because the heat and dust affect the full system.


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7. Unusual Sounds or Smells

Lithium batteries are normally silent. If you notice:

Clicking

Hissing

Popping

Metallic smell

Burnt smell


Turn off your inverter immediately. This is a clear danger sign.


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What to Do Now — Before Your Battery Fails Completely

1. Move Your Battery Away From Heat

Relocate it to:

A cool corner

A shaded wall

A room with ventilation

Anywhere away from sunlight and heat sources


Lithium batteries perform better in cooler environments.


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2. Clean Your Solar Panels and Improve Dust Control

Dust reduces charging efficiency, forcing the battery to overwork.

Use:

Soft cloth

Mild water

No chemicals


Clean early morning or evening (never under hot sun).


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3. Do a Professional Battery Balance Check

If your battery is aging or showing signs of imbalance, a solar technician can:

Re-balance the cells

Check the BMS

Diagnose weak cells


This small step can extend your battery life.


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4. Reduce Heavy Appliance Usage During Peak Heat

Between 12 pm and 4 pm, solar systems are under the most stress.

Avoid:

Freezers

Pressing iron

Water pumps

Heavy cooking appliances


Allow your battery charge properly during the day.


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5. Don’t Allow Deep Discharge

Never let your lithium battery drop below:

20%

Preferably 30%


Deep discharge shortens lithium lifespan and causes irreversible damage.


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6. Update Your Inverter Settings

Make sure:

Battery type = Lithium

Charging voltage matches your battery

Temperature protection is ON


Wrong inverter settings destroy lithium batteries faster.


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7. Plan an Upgrade if Your Load Has Increased

If your load has doubled, but your battery hasn’t—failure is predictable.

Consider upgrading to:

24V/48V lithium

Higher Ah capacity

Additional battery packs


Solar batteries work best when not overloaded.


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Final Thoughts

Lithium batteries are strong, long-lasting, and perfect for Nigerian homes and businesses—but the harmattan dry season puts extra pressure on your solar setup.

If you start seeing any of these signs early, don’t panic. Most issues can be solved with:

Cooling

Balancing

Reduced load

Proper charging

Professional checks


And if you want more survival tips for solar systems this season, don’t forget to read my previous post:
“How to Prepare Your Solar for Harmattan Season.”

Taking small steps now can protect your battery investment for years.

About the Author
Ekeson Collins is a solar technician and renewable energy consultant with practical experience installing solar systems for homes, shops, SMEs, and entertainment businesses across Nigeria. He specializes in lithium battery health, inverter maintenance, and cost-saving renewable solutions for Nigerian climate conditions.

Location: United States

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