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Thread: RFI: solar generators

  1. #1
    Site Supporter rob_s's Avatar
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    Nov 2011
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    RFI: solar generators

    Figured this deserved it’s own thread outside of the gas generator thread.

    Seems like this tech is pretty mature now. Looking at this combo at the moment.

    ROCKPALS 300W Portable Power Station, 280Wh CPAP Backup Battery Pack UPS Power Supply 110V Pure Sine Wave AC Outlet, QC3.0 USB, 12V/24V DC, LED Flashlight for Camping, Home, Emergency

    Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger for Suaoki Portable Generator / 8mm Goal Zero Yeti Power Station/Jackery Explorer 240, Webetop Battery Pack/USB Devices, with 3 USB Ports

    I’m assuming the 300w rating applies to the AC and means it would be sufficient to run a 150watt electric kettle, among other things.

  2. #2
    Site Supporter NEPAKevin's Avatar
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    We have two lead acid units. A small (400) and bigger (1200?) that was sold as a kit which came with folding solar panels and a cart to haul the thing around. I picked these up as back ups to our gas generators and used them when the power was out to keep the coal stove, alarm, etc. powered up if we had to leave the house, so my experience is pretty limited. I have never even used the solar panels as we mostly used the battery packs during outages which typically happen during bad weather, ergo no sun. One time I did take the small unit to work to power up one of the computers during an outage and while it would work for a desk top and monitor, the printer would overload it. Another failure was leaving a small fan running that helps the coal stove circulate warm air which drained the battery fairly quickly. In hind sight, it would probably be a better idea to experiment when the power is on to see what works and doesn't. <thread drift> FWIW, for cooking, heating water, etc. those small camp stoves (Jetboil, etc) that run off propane or butane fuel bottles work pretty well and weigh a lot less.

  3. #3
    Member paperman's Avatar
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    Oct 2019
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    RFI: solar generators

    This is a good channel to look for reviews since he actually fully tests the system. And you if your handy some good diy instruction.

    Not quite what you linked to.

    https://youtu.be/EAvMnN6pbG8

    https://youtu.be/8k1URSZZ9uY

    https://youtu.be/342oXnGh54k

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Pretty good price on this little solar generator. The LifePO4 batteries are vastly superior to Jackery lithium Ion batteries.

    https://www.amazon.com/BLUETTI-Porta...dp/B09WW3CTF4/
    #RESIST

  5. #5
    anybody have a recommendation for a solar panel that can fit nicely in a small backpack with my other emergency gear? I'm just trying to keep my light, cell, GPS unit charged. Or charge my pocket battery pack, and I can power the electronic devices using the battery pack. Ideally, it's smallest footprint would be ipad sized

    eta: something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger...12YUJJM8&psc=1
    Last edited by theJanitor; 06-06-2022 at 06:41 PM.

  6. #6
    Site Supporter
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    I have that one, it does ok, takes about 14-16 hours to fully charge my 20000 mAh battery pack. But that is when I set it up on my back deck at an optimal angle, and reposition it to follow the sun during the day. I don’t know if you were planning on hanging it on your backpack the way they do in the ads, but I don’t think that would be very effective.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by theJanitor View Post
    anybody have a recommendation for a solar panel that can fit nicely in a small backpack with my other emergency gear? I'm just trying to keep my light, cell, GPS unit charged. Or charge my pocket battery pack, and I can power the electronic devices using the battery pack. Ideally, it's smallest footprint would be ipad sized

    eta: something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger...12YUJJM8&psc=1
    I’d throw a more usefully sized solar generator with a folding 200w panel in your “go vehicle.” Don’t get a Jackery.
    #RESIST

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by LittleLebowski View Post
    I’d throw a more usefully sized solar generator with a folding 200w panel in your “go vehicle.” Don’t get a Jackery.
    thanks, LL. but I'm mostly planning to be away from a vehicle. So I'm looking for something to top off my GPS, Phone, and rechargeable light. I'm not carrying more supplies than a few days anyway, so I don't need a huge bank of power. And like anything else. If it gets too bulky or heavy, I end up leaving it behind.

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by theJanitor View Post
    thanks, LL. but I'm mostly planning to be away from a vehicle. So I'm looking for something to top off my GPS, Phone, and rechargeable light. I'm not carrying more supplies than a few days anyway, so I don't need a huge bank of power. And like anything else. If it gets too bulky or heavy, I end up leaving it behind.
    That’s a tough call. I’d ponder more batteries, but your head is in the right place. You are low altitude where you’re at so you get lots of sunshine, yeah?
    #RESIST

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by LittleLebowski View Post
    That’s a tough call. I’d ponder more batteries, but your head is in the right place. You are low altitude where you’re at so you get lots of sunshine, yeah?

    Yeah, I'm not in sunshine deficit

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