Portable Solar Generators

[MONSTERKEN]

Is anyone using one? What brand would you recommend? How well do you like it? I've been doing some research on this subject and the brands that keep coming up are Jackery, Bluetti, and Ecoflow.

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[Pushbutton2]

Is anyone using one? What brand would you recommend? How well do you like it? I've been doing some research on this subject and the brands that keep coming up are Jackery, Bluetti, and Ecoflow.

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I'm watching.
In the same boat.
CPAP a Deer lease

[MONSTERKEN]

From what I have seen from the past week of doing research I am really leaning towards the Jackery 1000. But I'll probably buy different solar panels, and not the Jackery panels.

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[Aggie13]

I was given a Jackery 240 as a gift last year, have used the heck out of it, much smaller than I anticipated it to be, granted its one of the smaller versions.

Most of what I use it for is charging phones, and running small electronics (small fans at the hunting cabin, DVD Player and small TV, etc.)

As with gas generators it all depends on what you want to run, and for how long.

So far I'm pleased with the quality, has spent a lot of time in the truck under my seat bouncing around and hasn't had any issues. I also really like the display and how it tells you Output and Input Watts as well as remaining battery percentage, it really helps keep track of how much it has left so you can plan accordingly.

[MONSTERKEN]

I was given a Jackery 240 as a gift last year, have used the heck out of it, much smaller than I anticipated it to be, granted its one of the smaller versions.

Most of what I use it for is charging phones, and running small electronics (small fans at the hunting cabin, DVD Player and small TV, etc.)

As with gas generators it all depends on what you want to run, and for how long.

So far I'm pleased with the quality, has spent a lot of time in the truck under my seat bouncing around and hasn't had any issues. I also really like the display and how it tells you Output and Input Watts as well as remaining battery percentage, it really helps keep track of how much it has left so you can plan accordingly.

Awesome. My plan is to mainly run LED lights in my cabin with enough room to possibly power a microwave for meals. I'm tired of running dull lanterns for lights. I do have a gas generator to power my 500w halogen work lights for critter processing at night time, but then the problem with that is I have to walk outside to the dog house to shut it off before I crawl into bed, and then vice versa in the morning. So the portable power bank is my next option. Thank you for your input.

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[Bh_liberty]

Awesome. My plan is to mainly run LED lights in my cabin with enough room to possibly power a microwave for meals. I'm tired of running dull lanterns for lights. I do have a gas generator to power my 500w halogen work lights for critter processing at night time, but then the problem with that is I have to walk outside to the dog house to shut it off before I crawl into bed, and then vice versa in the morning. So the portable power bank is my next option. Thank you for your input.

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Remote start for gas generator is extremely handy


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[Aggie13]

I will add, that if you're only going to be using it for a weekend at a time, it might be cheaper to just go with a LiFePo battery and a separate inverter (essentially all the Jackery is, is just a battery, charger, and inverter in one box)

I got a 100Ah(1280Wh) LiFePo battery, inverter, charger and cables for about $750 so if its going to be a permanent system that's probably the best option. 75% of the cost for 120% of the capacity just need to know a bit on how to set the system up.

[Texas Grown]

I picked up a duel fuel gen earlier this year. And now looking at these battery backups also. Some can be charged from more than just solar panels. Some can be charged from 110v outlets and fuel gens. Course I've been getting lost in the rabbit hole on the whole solar/alternative energy/off grid thing sometimes.

[91cavgt]

I will add, that if you're only going to be using it for a weekend at a time, it might be cheaper to just go with a LiFePo battery and a separate inverter (essentially all the Jackery is, is just a battery, charger, and inverter in one box)

I got a 100Ah(1280Wh) LiFePo battery, inverter, charger and cables for about $750 so if its going to be a permanent system that's probably the best option. 75% of the cost for 120% of the capacity just need to know a bit on how to set the system up.

This is the route that I took. If you know electrical and don’t mind putting together some stuff yourself then you can save a LOT of money. I put together a small one with 16 ah lithium cells, an old jump start box that had a built in air compressor, power inverter, along with a 12v power outlet and USB outlet, added an AM/FM/Bluetooth radio with antenna and speakers, and added a solar charge controller. Had less than $150 invested and worked good but ended up taking it apart to use parts on other projects. I’m thinking about building another one just because it was super handy to have a small one like this.

[Aggie13]

This is the route that I took. If you know electrical and don’t mind putting together some stuff yourself then you can save a LOT of money. I put together a small one with 16 ah lithium cells, an old jump start box that had a built in air compressor, power inverter, along with a 12v power outlet and USB outlet, added an AM/FM/Bluetooth radio with antenna and speakers, and added a solar charge controller. Had less than $150 invested and worked good but ended up taking it apart to use parts on other projects. I’m thinking about building another one just because it was super handy to have a small one like this.

Very Interesting, do you have any pictures of this setup? I have an Old Jump Starter/compressor Box that had the internal SLA battery go bad that's just been sitting around, can't bring myself to throw it out since everything else is still good, might end up repurposing it to something like this

[91cavgt]

Very Interesting, do you have any pictures of this setup? I have an Old Jump Starter/compressor Box that had the internal SLA battery go bad that's just been sitting around, can't bring myself to throw it out since everything else is still good, might end up repurposing it to something like this

This is the only thing I have on it. Just a video showing the features and I talk about the batteries I put in it.

[ame="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ea__K-uAS5w"]Some of my projects, part 1 - YouTube[/ame]


Skip to the 7:00 minute mark.


Now, one thing that I did not put in here is a BMS to ensure no over or no over discharging took place. I’m kicking myself because I had a 40 amp BMS laying around that could have been used. See, the el cheapo MPPT charge controller ended up failing which allowed full solar panel voltage of over 18 volts to charge the lithium cells. This lead to an extended over voltage event which destroyed several of the 8 pouch cells that I used. Otherwise, it was well worth the effort to convert it over to lithium power.

[Big pig]

My small lightweight ryobi generator is quiet and will run forever on a tank of gas.
It has a cell phone plug too
Not cheap, but it sure comes in handy around the property and the lease.

BP

[Aggie13]

Now, one thing that I did not put in here is a BMS to ensure no over or no over discharging took place. I’m kicking myself because I had a 40 amp BMS laying around that could have been used. See, the el cheapo MPPT charge controller ended up failing which allowed full solar panel voltage of over 18 volts to charge the lithium cells. This lead to an extended over voltage event which destroyed several of the 8 pouch cells that I used. Otherwise, it was well worth the effort to convert it over to lithium power.[/QUOTE]

Pretty awesome, I'll keep that in mind. I have very much learned that you get what you pay for with a lot of the lithium specific electronics now a days. It's an investment but worthwhile in my opinion