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he Great “500W RM100” Scam — Solar Edition

What’s Happening?

You walk into a shop or scroll Shopee, and you see this:

• 50W solar floodlight → RM100
• 500W solar floodlight → Also RM100 😲
  You think: “Wah, more power, same price. I smart buyer today.”
  But in reality: You just bought a 20W LED in a box labeled 500W.

🛠 Why It’s a Giant Misleading Game

1. The “Wattage” Is a Fake Label
   • Most of these products don’t actually consume or emit 500W of power.
   • “500W” is just marketing fluff, with zero relation to actual output.
   • Real 500W LED systems cost hundreds of ringgit and need a beefy power source.
2. Panel Size = Truth Teller
   • If your 500W lamp comes with a tiny little panel (smaller than an iPad)… bruh, it’s a toy.
   • A real 500W system would need around a 300–400W panel, which is big — at least 1m x 1.5m.
3. Battery is the Bottleneck
   • Many of these “500W” units are running on tiny lithium-ion pouch batteries, no better than a cheap power bank.
   • Runtime? 1–2 hours max before the brightness dies off like a sad birthday candle.
4. Weight Reveals the Lie
   • As you said — heavier lights with bigger panels and metal cases are usually the real 50W models.
   • The light unit, heatsink, and battery all add mass — if it feels light, it’s not packing real power.

🧪 Real Talk Comparison

📍 Why It’s Happening in Kuching (and elsewhere)

• Importers dump containers of cheap lights from China (AliExpress, OEM factories).
• No real enforcement or labeling standards.
• Everyone’s racing for lowest price, not quality.
• Many shops don’t even test the lights — they just re-sell and push volume.

🛡 How to Outsmart It

1. Ignore the Wattage on the Box
   • Always look at:
     • Panel size
     • Battery specs
     • LED type (SMD2835, SMD5730, COB, etc.)
2. Ask for Lumen Output
   • Real floodlights will list brightness in lumens.
   • A true 50W LED = around 3500–4500 lumens.
3. Check Battery Type & Voltage
   • If it says 3.7V → small, low-power
   • 12V or 6.4V LiFePO4 = better quality
4. Buy from Shops Who Actually Test Their Products
   • If the seller can’t explain battery capacity, panel wattage, or runtime — don’t buy from them.

⚡️ Business Edge?

If you’re selling or advising others:

• Educate with side-by-side demos
• Use runtime testing + light meter comparisons
• Offer “Truth Tested” badges:
  “This 50W light runs 8 hours. Here’s the test video.”
  People trust visible proof, not wattage on a sticker.