Most Nigerians don’t know this, but your solar battery can fail years earlier than expected simply because of one wrong setting on your charge controller.

You may have:

The best solar panels
A strong inverter
Expensive lithium or tubular batteries
Even a professional installation

…but if this ONE setting is wrong, your battery will:

Overcharge
Undercharge
Swell
Heat up
Lose capacity
Or die completely

Today, I’ll show you the exact setting you MUST fix — and how to set it correctly.

Let’s dive in.

The Hidden Setting: Battery Type Selection

Most charge controllers come with these battery type options:

Li (Lithium)
FLD (Flooded battery)
SLD (Sealed AGM/GEL)
USER (Custom settings)

If this is set wrongly, your battery is in danger.

✔ Why this setting matters

Each battery type has specific:

Charging voltage
Float voltage
Absorption voltage
Cut-off limits
Boost time
Temperature tolerance

When you select the wrong battery type:

❌ A lithium battery may overcharge

Lithium batteries CANNOT tolerate overvoltage. One wrong volt can:

Swell the battery
Ruin the BMS
Permanently reduce capacity

❌ A GEL/AGM battery may undercharge

If undercharged over time, lead-acid batteries will:

Sulphate
Lose capacity
Fail prematurely

❌ Flooded batteries may boil

Wrong absorption settings = water loss = damaged plates.

This is why your battery might be dying fast — and you never knew the cause.

How to Set the Correct Battery Type (Very Important)

✔ 1. Lithium (LiFePO4) Battery Setting

If you use:

LiFePO4
LFP battery
Lithium solar battery

Select:
“Li” or “Lithium” mode

If your charge controller does NOT have lithium mode, switch to:

USER (Custom)
Then set:

Bulk/Absorption: 14.4V (for 12V battery)
Float: OFF or 13.6–13.8V
Boost duration: 0–20 mins

Lithium batteries DO NOT need equalisation.
Turn it OFF.

✔ 2. GEL / AGM Battery Setting

Select:
“GEL” or “SLD”

Typical values:

Bulk: 14.2–14.4V
Float: 13.6–13.8V
Equalization: OFF

✔ 3. Flooded Battery Setting

Select:
“FLD”

Typical values:

Bulk: 14.6–14.8V
Float: 13.5–13.7V
Equalization: ON (depending on manufacturer)

What Happens When This Setting Is Wrong?

Here are the common problems Nigerians face without knowing the cause:

🔥 Fast battery drain

Incorrect charge voltage = incomplete charging.

🔥 Battery swelling

Mostly happens when lithium batteries are set to “FLD”.

🔥 Inverter low-voltage shutdown

Caused by undercharging.

🔥 Solar not lasting till morning

Because the battery never charges fully.

🔥 Overheating

Triggered by overvoltage.

🔥 Short battery lifespan

Your battery can die in 6 months instead of 5 years.

This is why this single setting is a lifesaver.

How to Know the Correct Battery Specs

Before setting your charge controller, check:

The battery label
The battery manual
Manufacturer’s recommended voltage settings

Or simply use a solar sizing tool like the Globisun Solar App which includes proper battery configuration guides.
👉Download Globisun for proper solar sizing and battery setup

Bonus: 3 More Things You Must Set Correctly

1. Low Voltage Protection (LVP)

Set this too low, and you destroy your battery.
Set this too high, and the inverter keeps shutting off.

Recommended LVP:

Lithium: 10.5–11.0V (per 12V)
AGM/GEL: 10.8–11.2V
Flooded: 10.5–11V

2. Temperature Compensation

Lead-acid needs it.
Lithium does NOT.

Turn OFF temperature compensation for LiFePO₄.

3. Maximum Charging Current

Lithium can handle higher charge; GEL cannot.

Typical rule:

Lithium: 0.3–0.5C
AGM/GEL: 0.1–0.2C

Final Word: Don’t Ignore This Setting

Most Nigerians destroy their batteries unknowingly through:

❌ Wrong charge controller settings
❌ Wrong battery type selection
❌ Wrong voltage
❌ Overcharging
❌ Undercharging

But with the correct battery type setting, your battery will:

Charge correctly
Last longer
Hold power till morning
Avoid swelling
Maintain good performance for years

This One Setting on Your Charge Controller Can Save Your Battery Life