Solar Generators - any members on site share experience and knowledge on what to purchase what run away from

[rodneyn]

Seems like they’re is a lot of advertisement on Solar generators. I have gas unit but my son believes we need solar generator. I ask fellow members to share thoughts on what is worthy of purchase.

 

[bmaverick]

Seems like they’re is a lot of advertisement on Solar generators. I have gas unit but my son believes we need solar generator. I ask fellow members to share thoughts on what is worthy of purchase.

Depending on your ideal use, they can be a help or just a fad.

Buying the Harbor-Freight Thunderbolt 100W solar power KIT, an inverter, a battery and small dolly cart, you can be just as portable and run so much too.

 

[ponytug]

Depending on your ideal use, they can be a help or just a fad.

Buying the Harbor-Freight Thunderbolt 100W solar power KIT, an inverter, a battery and small dolly cart, you can be just as portable and run so much too.

I'm with @bmaverick; it all depends on what issue you are trying to address.
A little power to charge cell phones and portable devices from after a thunderstorm? After the blizzard / hurricane hits? (You don't list where you are in your profile; it can help getting better answers...)
Something to take a charge from your generator and the sun so you don't need to listen to your generator as much?
Keeping your relatives happy?

It all depends...

All the best,

Peter

 

[MattB4]

Problem is that solar generators are not generators but battery power packs with an inverter plus a SCC (Solar charge controller). Thus rather limited in power since it takes a lot of batteries (even LiFePO4) to contain much power. Yes, you can hook up solar panels to them for battery recharge and some load carrying capability. Keep in mind that ratings for these are often based on the inverter and not how much total power they have. A 3000 watt inverter is only as good as the supply you give it. Loads drive supply needs.

If you really are interested in PV (solar) there is a lot to learn and probably a good place to start would be over at the solar DYI forum DIY Solar Power Forum.

 

[rodneyn]

Problem is that solar generators are not generators but battery power packs with an inverter plus a SCC (Solar charge controller). Thus rather limited in power since it takes a lot of batteries (even LiFePO4) to contain much power. Yes, you can hook up solar panels to them for battery recharge and some load carrying capability. Keep in mind that ratings for these are often based on the inverter and not how much total power they have. A 3000 watt inverter is only as good as the supply you give it. Loads drive supply needs.

If you really are interested in PV (solar) there is a lot to learn and probably a good place to start would be over at the solar DYI forum DIY Solar Power Forum.

Thanks for the link will visit Otto learn more. Never thought of building portable unit either. That might be more cost effective. Keep the ideas coming thanks again.

 

[Snobdds]

I just got one this summer to run my cabin. I have a blueddi 2000w model. It's fantastic, it runs everything in the cabin, seamlessly. It has all but replaced my Honda 2000w generator. I only use the Honda for tools now.

I have 400w of solar and it recharges every day.

I think it makes perfect sense to use a battery pack with solar to make, store, and use energy. It's nice to have a totally contained unit.

I highly recommend one.

 

[Spindifferent]

Very happy with my Jackery products: Jackery Best Solar Generator, Portable Power Station & Solar Panels

They do have occasional discounts on Amazon, Costco, big box hardware stores.

Add up your loads to determine the generator/backup system size needed...

 

[MattB4]

Over the years I have dabbled in solar power. Presently I have an off grid setup with grid as backup. 3300w of solar panels, 2-3000w, 120vAC AIO's (All in ones) and 24vDC 400ah of LiFePO4 storage. This provides most of my daily electrical needs. Happy to answer any questions on PV that someone might have.

I do find a lot of deceptive practices in the solar industry and also a lot of misinformation. There are many of these solar "generators" being marketed that play fast and loose with what they are and what they can do. For instance I have seen one on TV called the Patriot Power 2000X generator. What exactly is it? A whole lot of marketing hype

1-100w solar panel- At best if it develops for the standard 5 hours/day production it gives you 500wh. to recharge the battery. With no other loads it can do it in 3+ days. Need more solar or the grid to recharge in a realistic time frame.

1612wh battery - not knowing the voltage it is hard to figure amp-hour but a 100ah battery at 12vDC =1200wh 1.6kWh worth of power from the grid likely costs you about 25 cents.

2000w PSW 120vAC inverter. (Incidentally digging out the specs on their website is real difficult since they are deliberately obscuring stuff.)

All this for $3000. Ridiculous over priced components in an attractive package.

 

[etpm]

Stay away from Patriot Power stuff. My wife bought some stuff from them without asking me to check them out first. The stuff was way over priced and over hyped. I could go on and on but won't. They are charlatons and should be avoided.
Eric

 

[Oaktree]

Buying the Harbor-Freight Thunderbolt 100W solar power KIT, an inverter, a battery and small dolly cart, you can be just as portable and run so much too.

Are those any good? I bought a HF solar maintainer a few years back and it was useless. Voltage output was lower than the battery voltage.
100W doesn't seem like much. Might run a radio or charge a cellphone or something, but not likely much else.

 

[MattB4]

A lot of folks get there first solar experience with the HF kits. They however are not the best buy. Typically you can get 100w RV panels on Amazon or Ebay for around $60. Be careful though since there is some scam merchants that sell misrated panels. 100w panels are generally about .45 square meters in size. This is because Panels must be rated based on STC (standard test conditions) of 1000w per square meter of full sunlight. The Panel's watt rating is directly correlated to the efficiency of the panel such as 22%. Thus 1000w at 22% = 220w for a 1 square meter size.

RV panels, or 12 Volt panels, are so named because they can charge a 12vDC battery and often used on RV's. In order for them to do this they will have a Voc spec of around 22vDC and a Vmp rating of around 18vDC. Voc (volt open cell)is the voltage the panel will read in sunshine with no loads attached. Vmp (volt max power) is the voltage the panel has when it is producing at maximum. 18vDC is sufficient to charge a 12vDC battery that might reach 15 volts during types of charging. Panels produce nothing without being loaded other than a Voc reading.

In order to take the power from panels to use charging a battery at correct voltage and amount of total charge you need a charge controller.

So if you make your own setup you'll need; Panels, SCC and battery. All of these are easily sourced. If you want AC from your DC battery you'll need an inverter. The one thing you should keep in mind is that

Watts=Volts X Amps.

A 1 amp draw from a 120vAC inverter output is 120w however the battery sees that as 10a draw since it is 12vDC. (still 120w but different voltage) Thus if your battery has a capacity of 50 amp-hours it can provide that 10a for ~5hours.

 

[techman]

I picked up a pair of EcoFlow Delta Pro units along with external batteries, for a total of 14+ KWH, 120/240 power. They are factory refurb (sold by EcoFlow) and ran about $ 7500 for everything. These will be for short term power outages. Longer outages I will start my 10KW Kubota genset. It makes like easy for myself and my wife to bring back power quickly without hassle. The equipment was all in like new condition, and shipping was free (good since everything was about 400 lbs). Using the same transfer setup with a selector for battery or genset.

 

[newbury]

There is a lot going on in the solar panel field AND the electrical storage (batteries) field. UNLESS you have an immediate requirement it might be better to ease into it unless money is no object.
Another factor in the U.S. is taxes. Rebates and tax savings seem to come and go.
IF you have a good "gas" generator setup perhaps the best route would be to task your son to write a proposal outlining your houshold needs and what to get.

 

[bmaverick]

Are those any good? I bought a HF solar maintainer a few years back and it was useless. Voltage output was lower than the battery voltage.
100W doesn't seem like much. Might run a radio or charge a cellphone or something, but not likely much else.

The battery maintainer from almost anyone these days are not worth it.

Yes, the HF 100W kit is a level above the solar beginner. The kit uses the automotive/RV trailer Essex connectors. Rather simple and ease of use. The kit's charge controller can handle upwards of 3x 100W panels. So, you can grow the system. I didn't just run out to get it on a whim either. Grab the coupon and look for the best prices. They run sales typically in December and a month in the 1st quarter typically.

I have the 100W kit and a Renology panel as well. This runs all of the farm needs like fence energizers, all lighting in the barns, goat water bucket warmers, charging the Ryobi 20V power tool batteries via a 150W inverter off the battery bank.

Now, MattB4 has an excellent point, it's not just the panels, it's how to do the math to charge the battery bank. And it depends on the battery technology you choose or what your wallet can afford.

Now, I tend to cheat some. I can take a charged Ryobi power tool battery and a DC-DC convertor of 24VDC to 12VDC and power things twice as long nearly. It's more incredible this way as 20VDC lithium power tool batteries are plentiful.

And you can setup a battery bank to be DUAL output power of 24VDC and 12VDC simultaneously too.
point A= 12V for legacy components
point B= 24V for modern components
point C= ground

If you fabricate your own Edison batteries, you can make these combinations too.

 

[rodneyn]

The battery maintainer from almost anyone these days are not worth it.

Yes, the HF 100W kit is a level above the solar beginner. The kit uses the automotive/RV trailer Essex connectors. Rather simple and ease of use. The kit's charge controller can handle upwards of 3x 100W panels. So, you can grow the system. I didn't just run out to get it on a whim either. Grab the coupon and look for the best prices. They run sales typically in December and a month in the 1st quarter typically.

I have the 100W kit and a Renology panel as well. This runs all of the farm needs like fence energizers, all lighting in the barns, goat water bucket warmers, charging the Ryobi 20V power tool batteries via a 150W inverter off the battery bank.

Now, MattB4 has an excellent point, it's not just the panels, it's how to do the math to charge the battery bank. And it depends on the battery technology you choose or what your wallet can afford.

Now, I tend to cheat some. I can take a charged Ryobi power tool battery and a DC-DC convertor of 24VDC to 12VDC and power things twice as long nearly. It's more incredible this way as 20VDC lithium power tool batteries are plentiful.

View attachment 831120

And you can setup a battery bank to be DUAL output power of 24VDC and 12VDC simultaneously too.
point A= 12V for legacy components
point B= 24V for modern components
point C= ground

View attachment 831121

If you fabricate your own Edison batteries, you can make these combinations too.
View attachment 831122

Wow, tremendous amount of experience is being shared not sure I could reciprocate on this subject For some time. I am novice until I experiment based on the shared suggestions provided . I do Thank everyone for their input of good and bad. That is half the battle investing in right hardware for Solar generator and supporting Solar array. Definitely couple of lines of thought one on build your own and other on prebuilt unit knowing best to buy. I had looked closely at Percon and Ecoflow following by Bluetti. Thinking 2000 watt inverter with at least 4800 watt surge. I Like newest battery offering that withstand over 3k cycles of recharge. Concerned this battery will not take charge unless it’s above freezing is a concern. My goal is supplement to 9000 W LPG generator. Circuits I can’t energize on gas generator I can use the Solar Generator to address other needs.

 

[bmaverick]

Wow, tremendous amount of experience is being shared not sure I could reciprocate on this subject For some time. I am novice until I experiment based on the shared suggestions provided . I do Thank everyone for their input of good and bad. That is half the battle investing in right hardware for Solar generator and supporting Solar array. Definitely couple of lines of thought one on build your own and other on prebuilt unit knowing best to buy. I had looked closely at Percon and Ecoflow following by Bluetti. Thinking 2000 watt inverter with at least 4800 watt surge. I Like newest battery offering that withstand over 3k cycles of recharge. Concerned this battery will not take charge unless it’s above freezing is a concern. My goal is supplement to 9000 W LPG generator. Circuits I can’t energize on gas generator I can use the Solar Generator to address other needs.

Westinghouse makes a very reliable 9000+W Dual fuel LPG and gas generator. Just run it on LPG and it will stay clean.

Westinghouse EGD-WGEN9500DF-GTKIT WGen9500DF - 9500 Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Portable Generator CARB w/ GFCI & Wireless Remote & GenTent® Rain/Wet Weather Safety Canopy

Buy Westinghouse EGD-WGEN9500DF-GTKIT Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Westinghouse WGen9500DF - 9500 Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Portable Generator (CARB) w/ GFCI & Wireless Remote & GenTent® Rain/Wet Weather Safety Canopy ratings before checking out.

www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com

Or if you have ample storage for diesel, then get a tractor PTO genset. 10Kw, 12Kw or higher.

 

[ponytug]

Wow, tremendous amount of experience is being shared not sure I could reciprocate on this subject For some time. I am novice until I experiment based on the shared suggestions provided . I do Thank everyone for their input of good and bad. That is half the battle investing in right hardware for Solar generator and supporting Solar array. Definitely couple of lines of thought one on build your own and other on prebuilt unit knowing best to buy. I had looked closely at Percon and Ecoflow following by Bluetti. Thinking 2000 watt inverter with at least 4800 watt surge. I Like newest battery offering that withstand over 3k cycles of recharge. Concerned this battery will not take charge unless it’s above freezing is a concern. My goal is supplement to 9000 W LPG generator. Circuits I can’t energize on gas generator I can use the Solar Generator to address other needs.

Yes bad things happen to lithium batteries if they are charged below 0F. Keep them warm.

Good luck!

Peter