The new crop of portable power banks that can be recharged with solar

[LittleLebowski]

It seems like COVID19 has spurred a lot of interest and development in this area. I was eyeing this one (https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Generator-Foldable-Charger-Notebooks/dp/B092YV8JRG/ref=pd_sbs_5/137-8272004-4316858?pd_rd_w=hwKEo&pf_rd_p=f8e24c42-8be0-4374-84aa-bb08fd897453&pf_rd_r=8GQ3KTDWPFGANER69B4V&pd_rd_r=d1c161ad-8e20-4f29-a983-b2c8cb3115b5&pd_rd_wg=y1i2i&pd_rd_i=B092YV8JRG&psc=1), has anyone here purchased something like this? I was impressed when I read one review that mentioned it ran a microwave.

73695

[awp_101]

In for information. Looks like that’s only $30 more than just the solar panel set without a power bank I’ve been looking at.

[rob_s]

I hear a LOT about goal zero from the various woodworking/maker youtubes I watch. Pretty sure that's because most of them are sponsored.

Ignoring the bias for that particular brand, it's certainly something I'm very interested in as well based on what I see them doing and talking about.

I will say that based on our campervan experience with solar, that aspect isn't all it's cracked up to be just yet.

[rd62]

Interested in this

[NEPAKevin]

I have two older Goal Zero units that use regular acid batteries (heavy) and the large storage unit does a good job holding a charge but the small one seems to dissipate on its own every few months. The large unit came as a package with a set of folding solar panels but it's easier and faster to just plug it into the ac charger.
If they weren't so expensive, the "solar blankets (https://www.offgridtrek.com/collections/solar-blanket)" seem like a good choice for portable set ups.

[rob_s]

I have two older Goal Zero units that use regular acid batteries (heavy) and the large storage unit does a good job holding a charge but the small one seems to dissipate on its own every few months. The large unit came as a package with a set of folding solar panels but it's easier and faster to just plug it into the ac charger.
If they weren't so expensive, the "solar blankets (https://www.offgridtrek.com/collections/solar-blanket)" seem like a good choice for portable set ups.

I believe that Goal Zero is now doing something where they have a "charger" (Power Stations (https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/power-stations/)?) with the smaller/lighter/newer battery tech but then have "storage tanks" (Expansion Kits (https://www.goalzero.com/shop/kits/48kwh-yeti-expansion-kit/)?) that are meant to remain stationary that use the older/heavier/cheaper lead acid. Kind of a neat solution IMO.

[rob_s]

https://youtu.be/3MHdmc5fGQI

[Gadfly]

Tagging in for info….

Just bought a Honda EU2200i for hurricanes and such, and found it won’t run my portable AC. So may be looking for something a little bigger. BUT, I am curious about this solar battery set up, even though I know it is not AC rated.

[NEPAKevin]

I believe that Goal Zero is now doing something where they have a "charger" (Power Stations (https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/power-stations/)?) with the smaller/lighter/newer battery tech but then have "storage tanks" (Expansion Kits (https://www.goalzero.com/shop/kits/48kwh-yeti-expansion-kit/)?) that are meant to remain stationary that use the older/heavier/cheaper lead acid. Kind of a neat solution IMO.

I saw something where people are repurposing used or refurbished Electric Vehicle batteries to make their own powerwalls. Also saw were there have been catastrophic failures.


Tagging in for info….

Just bought a Honda EU2200i for hurricanes and such, and found it won’t run my portable AC.

Depends on the size of your AC, but some people get by with two small generators and a parallel kit. Another option is one of those AC conversions (soft start? hard start capacitor? something like that) that they use in RVs to deal with the initial power demand.

[SecondsCount]

There is a guy I work with that has a power bank on order. He geeks out out this stuff and I'll ask him if it does what he needs.

I met a guy last week that had a small AC unit on his trailer and was running it off a power pack. I think it was a Goal Zero, or at least the solar panel he had was.

[RoyGBiv]

Following

[LittleLebowski]

So if I had the money, I’d be curious to see if the solar cell/battery bank setup is more handy and easier to operate than say a light and handy 1kw inverter gasoline powered generator like this (https://www.amazon.com/Offex-Industrial-Projects-Inverter-Generator/dp/B07C2YX3JF/ref=sr_1_77?dchild=1&keywords=inverter+generator&qid=1625176546&refinements=p_36%3A-40000&rnid=2661611011&sr=8-77). The problem is that you can get a 2000w Champion inverter for about $50 more (https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Power-Equipment-100692-Ultralight/dp/B0812PNK3X/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=inverter+generator+champion&qid=1625176687&sr=8-3), but I can’t help thinking that we need more 1000w inverter gasoline powered generators. However, we don’t have a lot to choose from and the few that are available are all fairly expensive and not worth over a much cheaper solar cell/battery bank setup or a readily available 2000-2500w inverter gasoline inverter job.

[LittleLebowski]

I’m awaiting a verbal review from a forum member regarding this device and a solar cell.

https://www.amazon.com/EF-ECOFLOW-Flashlight-Generator-Emergencies/dp/B08H1TYFFP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1OMGFBD76Y1AP&dchild=1&keywords=ecoflow&qid=1625189676&sprefix=Ecoflow%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-3

[whomever]

We have a Jackery 240 (https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Portable-Power-Station-Generator/dp/B07D29QNMJ/) and a non-folding 50W panel (the panel is the type you'd permanently install on the roof, aluminum frame, etc, except smaller - it's 2x2 feet or so ... when we use it we're traveling in a pickup so don't need it to fold up small).

Relative to a generator:
-on the one hand, only 240W and a full charge gives you way, way, way less electrons than a generator and gas can.
-on the other hand, it gives you the watts it will as long as the sun shines, no carrying gas cans, zero noise etc

It fits in a 50 cal ammo can with various other bits, e.g. a charger for AA's and 18650s.

It's lighter and more convenient than a lead acid+solar controller+inverter. It's probably more expensive, because when one component fails I doubt it can be economically repaired.

Our use case is car camping trips. We have rural land where we go for extended stays. It can e..g charge the electric chainsaw batteries,on cold nights it runs a heating pad for the geriatric pooch, and of course it will keep phones etc charged as an afterthought.

[LittleLebowski]

I’m awaiting a verbal review from a forum member regarding this device and a solar cell.

https://www.amazon.com/EF-ECOFLOW-Flashlight-Generator-Emergencies/dp/B08H1TYFFP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1OMGFBD76Y1AP&dchild=1&keywords=ecoflow&qid=1625189676&sprefix=Ecoflow%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-3

Ok, here’s the word from our forum member and bestselling author (https://www.amazon.com/J.-L.-Bourne/e/B002BLQ6G8?ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_byln). Absolutely recommended, he has gotten use out of it in an area with significant weather related power issues and he relates that the newer ROCKPALS folding solar panels (https://www.amazon.com/ROCKPALS-Foldable-Kickstand-Parallel-Upgraded/dp/B08CDNFH7M) are the way to go with these little power stations.

[NEPAKevin]

Home Depot has Jackery and some other brands of solar panels and battery boxes on their daily deals page (https://www.homedepot.com/SpecialBuy/SpecialBuyOfTheDay?mi_u=90444736&sfalias=VA_Hero_SBOTD&cm_mmc=hd_email-_-SBOTD-_-20210717_sbotd_3872091-_-VA_Hero_SBOTD&et_rid=90444736&mi_cmp=8b0d00f80c5ac909&mi_sc=t). Have to scroll down past the week wackers, etc.

[orionz06]

I hear a LOT about goal zero from the various woodworking/maker youtubes I watch. Pretty sure that's because most of them are sponsored.


They hit a few markets VERY hard, enough so to leave me a little suspect without knowing anyone that's used one. A YouTube woodworker friend doesn't have one, I checked, but they've got errythign else from that marketing circuit.

[MickAK]

I saw something where people are repurposing used or refurbished Electric Vehicle batteries to make their own powerwalls. Also saw were there have been catastrophic failures

This is something I have planned, but I have an old block building on my property that's ideal for the purpose. I don't think most insurance companies would be too thrilled with it otherwise.

[rob_s]

thought this might be relevant to the thread...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTEGXwE8mM8

[SecondsCount]

thought this might be relevant to the thread...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTEGXwE8mM8
These new systems make it a lot easier.

I'm currently running my shop off grid- doing it with a bank of 12V AGM batteries, a big sine inverter, and solar.

It will be interesting to see how long these new systems last with a constant charge/discharge.