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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2023/05/17 09:38]
frater_secessus [pass-through charging] |
lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2023/09/24 19:36]
frater_secessus [solar charging limits] |
| Words of wisdom: "These aren't aimed at people that know what they are doing." -- [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/dr387z/500w_aimtom_rockpals_500_solar_generator_review/f6jc7lz/|LastTreeStar]] | Words of wisdom: "These aren't aimed at people that know what they are doing." -- [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/dr387z/500w_aimtom_rockpals_500_solar_generator_review/f6jc7lz/|LastTreeStar]] |
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| | **TL;DR - These things are //EXTREMELY// expensive for the capacity, however they do offer a lot of convenience.** For those with plenty of money who value ease and speed over capacity and run-time, an argument can be made for these if your power needs are small-to-medium and you are only taking short trips in your vehicle. |
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| ====== Solar generators ====== | ====== Solar generators ====== |
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| [[https://amzn.to/2MZhjzi|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ug3IIF-zL._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] | [[https://amzn.to/2MZhjzi|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ug3IIF-zL._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] |
| "Solar Generators" ([[https://amzn.to/2E7EG71|power stations]], power packs) are self-contained devices that contain: | "Solar Generators" ([[https://amzn.to/2E7EG71|power stations]], power packs) are not actually generators. They are basically just a self-contained electrical system in a box, containing: |
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| * A battery pack, often lithium or AGM | * A [[electrical:12v:batteries|battery]], usually lithium |
| * USB outlet[s] and 12v outlet[s] | * USB outlet[s] and 12v outlet[s] |
| * An [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] | * An [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] |
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| The 33Ah **capacity** lead-acid battery in the example above is stated as 400Wh. This is technically correct but mixes units in a way that consumers may not understand. Consumers may also not realize that lead-acid chemistries are usually only drawn down to 50% [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|depth of discharge]], giving an actual usable capacity of 16.5Ah. In addition, lead-acid battery [[electrical:12v:battery_capacity|capacities]] are measured over 20hrs. With our example this means a **10w** continuous DC load in this case, or 9w from the built-in inverter. Loads greater than those will decrease usable capacity due to the [[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjNo6ayjbXgAhXJwVQKHZ7xAmAQFjAAegQIChAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPeukert%2527s_law&usg=AOvVaw0guPoMgsy0smO6ISiV1t32|peukert effect]]. | The 33Ah **capacity** lead-acid battery in the example above is stated as 400Wh.((volts x Amp-hours = watt-hours)) This is technically correct but mixes units in a way that consumers may not understand. Consumers may also not realize that lead-acid chemistries are usually only drawn down to 50% [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|depth of discharge]], giving an actual usable capacity of 16.5Ah. In addition, lead-acid battery [[electrical:12v:battery_capacity|capacities]] are measured over 20hrs. With our example this means a **10w** continuous DC load in this case, or 9w from the built-in inverter. Loads greater than those will decrease usable capacity due to the [[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjNo6ayjbXgAhXJwVQKHZ7xAmAQFjAAegQIChAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPeukert%2527s_law&usg=AOvVaw0guPoMgsy0smO6ISiV1t32|peukert effect]]. |
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| Nefarious marketers sometimes multiply each cell's Ah rating times the number of cells, resulting in a 3x inflation of Ah rating. \\ | Nefarious marketers sometimes multiply each cell's Ah rating times the number of cells, resulting in a 3x inflation of Ah rating. \\ |
| Inverters are typically rated on their //continuous// output but unscrupulous marketers may list the //peak// load, which is a temporary overload. | Inverters are typically rated on their //continuous// output but unscrupulous marketers may list the //peak// load, which is a temporary overload. |
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| ==== solar charging limits ==== | ==== solar input ==== |
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| | If the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|controller type]] isn't claimed to be MPPT it is likely PWM. |
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| | === solar charging limits === |
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| Many smaller units have quite restrictive solar input limits. | Many smaller units have quite restrictive solar input limits. |
