Monday, March 25, 2024

Are Solar Generators Any Good

Do Solar Generators Work In The Winter

Are solar generators any good for full time Van life? I think not !!

Solar generators will work in the winter, as long as there is daylight. The amount of solar power you need to go completely off grid will depend on how much power you use. An average home will need about six thousand watts of solar to go completely off grid. If you want to backup a refrigerator and maybe a freezer, and power a few lights, then one thousand five hundred watts might be sufficient to handle that, depending on the quality of inverter, and if you have enough solar panels and batteries.

Anker 757 Portable Power Station

$1,399.99 generator only at

Until the EcoFlow Delta 2 showed up, the Anker 757 was our category winner for a medium-sized solar generator. It is still a strong contender, with LiFePO4/LFP battery chemistry and a good combination of features and performance at its price point. A 1,200 Wh LFP battery and six AC ports on its 1,500W inverter, plus a wide variety of USB and other DC outputs make it a versatile and capable unit.

The Anker 757 does, however, lack the app management features of its competitors, it has no expansion capability and the unit is heavy for its size. Considering the inverter and battery size, we also felt the DC input capacity only 300W was anemic, making for slower charging than its competition. However, Anker boasts one of the best warranties in the industry, at five years, so it may still be a good choice for those who intend to use it heavily.

Go Renewable With 1600w Solar Charging

EcoFlow’s suite of solar products give you a cost-effective renewable energy source to stay powered. You can use solar energy to charge DELTA Pro in just 2.8-5.6 hours. DELTA Pro has a wide voltage range from 11-150V, which makes it compatible with 90% of third-party solar panels with Solar connectors. And when the weather gets unpredictable, the smart maximum power point tracking automatically adjusts, maximizing your solar generation at any time of the day.

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Slow Solar Charging And Limited Dc Input

Another drawback of the Natures Generator is its slow charging speeds. With ideal sunlight, this device charges via solar panels in 10-15 hours, which essentially means that you cannot fully charge it in a typical day. Although you can charge by wind 24/7, highly variable charging speeds make it difficult to fully charge your batteries or predict when they will reach capacity.

The built-in charge controllers limit inputs of 200W of solar or 300W of wind power. Compared to other solar generators, this amount is on the low end of high-powered devices and makes it hard to capture enough sunlight to sustain electricity use in vans, RVs, or off-grid cabins.

If you plan to charge your solar generator at home before camping trips or other outings, then the Natures Generator 10-15 hour AC charge time is not ideal. In fact, many solar generators can charge their batteries in a fraction of the time.

Best Solar Generators In 2022 Reviewed

500W Continuous/1000W Peak Solar Generator SG550 with Solar Panel 100W ...

The sun is among the best sources of energy at our disposal. Its renewable, clean, and thanks to solar panels, its simple to capture and reserve. Solar power is especially beneficial if youre off the grid, camping, or looking for the safest, most environmentally-friendly generator.

A solar generator offers low running costs and no fumes. With one, you dont have to worry about emitting hazardous toxins into the environment like you would with a fuel-powered generator. The benefits are clear, but choosing the best solar generator can be challenging unless youre an expert.

Thats where we come in.

Well go over the best EcoFlow solar generators in 2022 and what benchmarks to consider to narrow down your buying decision. Lets get down to it!

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Con #1 The Initial Price Point

As with many items, the initial cost of a solar generator varies significantly depending on how large of a solar generator you intend to get.

The least expensive systems cost around $150-250, whereas the largest solar generators can cost in the thousands of dollars.

Some examples of great solar generators on Amazon and their price points include:

The cost of the solar generator often depends on the size of the battery and overall power output, the number of panels it may come with, and the quality of the product you are purchasing.

For you, the price might turn you away. However, it is critical to see how the perks affect the price. Sometimes, a big investment will pay off for your pockets in the long run.

You Use A Lot Of Outdoor Gear That Requires Power

Jackery portable solar generators are at their best when youre using them while on the go. They make it possible to charge up your outdoor gear and use appliances while camping or enjoying a multi-day outdoor adventure.

Jackerys devices are even powerful enough to support RV, van, and cabin life. With one of our solar generators, you can bring a touch of comfort to any outdoor experience.

The best part is, you dont ever have to worry about running out of fuel since your generators portable solar panels will always be able to create more energy for you to use as long as the sun is shining.

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Best Overall: Goal Zero Yeti 1500x Portable Power Station

Output: 2000 watts | Weight: 43 pounds | Dimensions: 19 x 14 x 14 inches | Output Ports: 2 USB-A ports, 1 18 watt USB-C, 1 60 watt USB-C PP, 1 6mm port, 1 12 Volt , 1 12 volt HPP, 2 120 Volt AC inverters

Need to power your laptop, phone, power drill, coffee maker, and refrigerator all at once? The Goal Zero Yeti 1500x is a high-capacity power station that supplies electricity with the touch of a button or the Yeti 3.0 app. Weighing in at 43 pounds, its a solar option for those living the van life or to provide back-up energy when power lines go down.

The lithium battery supplies 1500-watt hours, so you can charge your phone a hundred times or run a refrigerator for up to a day. Its industry-leading 2000-watt AC inverter is one of the most powerful on the market, making it our top overall pick. The integrated MPPT charge controller increases efficiency by 30% when recharged with a compatible Goal Zero solar panel. Everything is backed by a two year warranty.

Oupes 1800w Solar Generator

Inergy Flex 1500 Expandable Solar Generator Any Good?

$1,199.99 generator only at , $2,099.99 with 4 100W panels at

With a design very much like Jackerys but with LiFePO4/LFP cells under the hood, the Oupes 1800, which offers 1,488 watt-hours of battery capacity and an 1,800W AC inverter, sits between the Jackery 1000 and 2000. It may fit the bill, though it doesnt offer as long a warranty, nor does the brand have as long a history in power stations.

We hooked the Oupes up to Jackery and Geneverses 200W panels and cabling and its own floppy four-segment 100W panels, which also appear quite similar to Jackerys in design, and got good results all around. That said, wed probably look to more established brands for this sort of product.

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How To Safely Use A Portable Solar Generator

Its important to know the safety precautions to take when using a portable solar generator.

While solar powered energy is significantly safer than using a gas-powered generator, there are still some precautions you need to take.

1. Read the operating manual thoroughly before installing your generator and solar panels. This manual will inform you more clearly on the specific aspects of your equipment and how to install and operate them safely.

2. Always check power cords for frays and breaks. Youre still running electricity here, so a broken line or frayed end can burn someone or even cause a fire.

3. When you need to maintain your solar panels, never climb onto them. While it might seem like you need to for getting leaves and debris off, you could seriously damage the panels or yourself by climbing on them. Use a secure A-frame ladder instead and a solar-panel-safe cleaning tool.

4. Remember that when the sun is shining, the solar panels are collecting power and generating electricity. Opening the utility disconnect switch does not stop this process. Always treat your equipment as you would live wires and sockets.

5. Do not use extension cords with your generator. Instead, plug the appliances directly into the outlets on the generator.

6. If you plan to install a transfer switch, have a licensed electrician do this for you. This requires an electrical permit and inspection in most areas.

How Long Will A Solar Generator Last

The longer a solar generator will last, the more valuable it is.

After analyzing ten popular solar generator models from various brands, I came upon the following three conclusions relating to the average overall lifespan of a solar generator:

  • The average solar generator will last 6.52 years when using one battery lifecycle per day before reaching 80% of its original battery capacity. This means that it can last even longer than the stated years but its battery size will continue to decline over this period.
  • On average, solar generators with LiFePO4 batteries will last 13.02 years when using one battery lifecycle per day. At the same usage rate, solar generators with lithium-ion batteries will last 2.19 years on average.
  • Although the solar generators solar panels will typically last from 25-35 years, the battery within the power station will likely last for a shorter timespan. The power stations battery type and frequency of use will determine how long the solar generator as a whole will be functional.

The previous conclusions came from my calculations below.

Not everyone will use their solar generator in the same fashion as another, so I calculated two separate averages one for frequent users and one for more moderate users .

Model

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Types Of Solar Generators

There are two types of solar generators: Solar Backup Generators and Portable Solar Generators.

Solar Backup Generators are permanently installed and wired to your homes electrical panel. They turn on automatically when the power goes out and provide backup power for as long as the sun is shining.

Portable Solar Generators are small, self-contained units that can be easily transported and used in various settings. They have built-in batteries that store solar energy when there is no sunlight available.

Take It Everywhere You Go

Jackery 1000W Continuous/2000W Peak Portable Solar Generator SG880 with ...

Gas-powered generators need an IC engine and a fuel tank, both of which add serious bulk to the whole rig.

Solar generators, on the other hand, use lithium batteries that make the total package much more compact and portable.

You dont see any carrying handles on gas generators, eh?

Read More:

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How Much Does A Solar Generator Cost

These devices vary in price depending on the type of panel used and how powerful the panels are. Portable solar generators with less than 2,000 watts of power typically start around $100.

If you need more power, expect to pay at least $200-$300 for a solar generator with between 2,000 and 3,500 watts of power. If you need even more than that , expect to spend around $400 or more on a portable generator.

Leoch Solar Generator For Off

In the end, we are bringing yet another great option that can be used as an efficient backup power source for outdoor applications, as well as in your workshop. It is made by LEOCH and made available at a comparatively affordable budget than other similar options.

The LEOCH Portable Power Station is our last choice for the best solar generators for off-grid living. In terms of specification and power, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to LEOCH Portable Power Station. It has a built-in battery of 18620 mAh capacity and works with an output wattage ranging up to 2000 watts. Therefore, this unit can be used for a wide range of heavy electrical appliances such as hair dryers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and even electric vehicles. As for the outputs, the LEOCH Portable Power Station offers support for up to 13 simultaneous connections with a combination of AC, DC, and USB ports.

Since this is also a premium option, LEOCH has decided to introduce the highly reliable LiFePO4 battery on this unit. This battery offers up to 3000+ charge cycles, offering reliable performance for years to come. It is also backed by a built-in BMS that protects the battery and avoids problems caused by an improper power supply. For clean-energy charging, the LEOCH Portable Power Station can be connected to up to six 100 watts solar panels at a time, bringing the charging time as low as 4 hours even with such high battery capacity.

Best Feature:

Pros:

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Titan Solar Generator: Should You Buy It

While the Titan has its advantages in terms of durability and sheer size, it’s such an impractical battery that its hard for me to recommend.

If youre just trying to get your home through a power cut, you simply dont need this much power.Instead, Id recommend the Jackery Explorer 500. Its a hell of a lot cheaper than the Titan and will still help you to power your smartphones and laptops during a power cut.

It even has a low-power built-in LED flashlight which makes it ideal for blackouts.If that doesnt sound like enough power for you, you could try the Jackery Explorer 1000 instead.Both Jackerys are actually portable and easy to carry around, complete with a sensible number of inputs and outputs for what youd need in a power outage situation.

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It Seems Like Overkill

Allpowers Solar Generator 500 / 606 – Review …. It’s Good.

In a power cut situation, do I really need 6 AC power output slots, 6 USB ports, and 4 DC outputs?

Im trying to run a couple of things in my house, not produce Coachella.

Yes, its ultra-convenient to have so many inputs and outputs on a solar generator, but it just starts to feel like overkill.

For me, Id rather they get rid of a few slots and make the whole thing smaller.

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Can I Charge A Solar Generator For Van Life With A Gas Generator

Since a gas generator provides power, there’s no reason why you could not charge the power station part of your solar generator with a fuel-run generator. The question becomes, “Why would you?” the point of investing in a solar generator is to take advantage of the clean, free solar energy coming from our sun and not to burn more fossil fuels. You would only need to charge your solar generator with a gas generator if there was a dire emergency. Also, you can check the differences between them here.

How Many Plugs Are On The Patriot Power Generator

The output availability on the patriot generator is surprisingly lacking, however. The outputs contain only two AC ports , which is quite low for the size of the inverter. You can really only 2 things plugged in at once on the patriot power generator which is not ideal in an emergency situation.

I think 4Patriots might have done this purposefully so as to prevent users from overloading the system, however Im a bit confused with this decision. Also included are two DC outlets , and four USB outlets for phone chargers, lights etc.

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How To Choose A Solar Generator

One trend you might see in this lineup is the importance of zeroing in on a solar generator thats built for the task you have in mind. Anything more could be overkill, whereas anything less might be useless. Take the time to do a little math to figure out how much power youll need to pull from the generator and for how long. This is likely the most critical first step toward deciding which solar generator suits you best.

One thing worth notingseveral solar generator manufacturers engineer their devices to achieve peak performance when paired with their brands accessories. That couldnt be more evident than when it comes to solar panels. While there are several solar panel makes and models available, and connections between panels and generators are almost universal, you might not experience the same recharge rate with off-brand panels as you would with panels specifically designed for your unit. That said, unless you purchase an all-in-one kit, there will likely be an extra cost when you shop.

The same is true for batteries. If youre considering a model with expandable capacities, know that batteries arent always inexpensive, and like anything else, they dont last forever. Work within your budget to determine exactly just how much power youre going to need for specific situations and let that dictate how many reserve cells you need to purchase.

Jackery Portable Power Stations Review: Key Features Explained

10 Best Solar Generators for Camping

In this section, I will talk specifically about the 6 variants of Jackery unit and who each one might be better suited to.

I also want to review individual features of the Jackery units.

These are key criteria by which you would compare portable power stations to see how well they stack up.

Understanding each one and how well Jackery performs will help you decide whether they are the right brand for you, and if so, what size to go for.

So, first up â¦

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