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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2023/09/24 20:58] frater_secessus [Solar generators] |
lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2024/05/03 15:10] frater_secessus [manufacturers] |
| ====== Solar generators ====== |
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. | ===== TL;DR ===== |
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| **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 ====== | |
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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}}]] |
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* **voltage** - 22Voc is a common voltage limit, effectively limiting one to [[electrical:solar:panels#panel_voltage|12v nominal]] panels. | * **voltage** - 22Voc is a common voltage limit, effectively limiting one to [[electrical:solar:panels#panel_voltage|12v nominal]] panels. |
* **current** limit - 3A is a common input current limit on smaller, less-expensive units. With PWM controllers the max power harvestable will be 3A x [internal battery voltage], which can be as low as 9v. 9v x 3A 27w. MPPT controllers with the same limit might run the panels at 18v: 18v x 3A = 54w.((minus DC-DC conversion losses of ~5%)) | * **current** limit - 3A is a common input current limit on smaller, less-expensive units. |
| * With PWM controllers the max power harvestable will be 3A x [internal battery voltage], which can be as low as 9v. 9v x 3A 27w. |
| * MPPT controllers with the same limit might run the panels at 18v, the Vmp: 18v x 3A = 54w((minus DC-DC conversion losses of ~5%)) |
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===== manufacturers ===== | ===== manufacturers ===== |
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| [note: see [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/1cjab0x/popular_portable_power_stations_sorted_by_per/|this reddit post]] comparing larger units by Wh/$, etc. ] |
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The most common "premium" brands are [[https://amzn.to/318LNad|Jackery]] and [[https://amzn.to/3tx8hh4|Goal Zero (Yeti)]]. [[https://amzn.to/3bVt6g9|Bluetti]] is also gaining traction with a loyal following, and there are less-famous brands like [[https://amzn.to/3cDSGW0|Rockpals]], [[https://amzn.to/3sd001L|ExpertPower]], [[https://amzn.to/3s4j7L9|Aimtom]], [[https://amzn.to/3qZtYET|Nexpow]], etc.((Cheaper units may be high-value rebadged units, or they may be lacking features. Read and understand [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator#specifications|the specs]] so you know what you are buying.)) They tend to be named after the watt-hours((Wh)) of battery capacity((at 100% [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|DoD]], unrealistic)), or sometimes by the inverter output rating. | The most common "premium" brands are [[https://amzn.to/318LNad|Jackery]] and [[https://amzn.to/3tx8hh4|Goal Zero (Yeti)]]. [[https://amzn.to/3bVt6g9|Bluetti]] is also gaining traction with a loyal following, and there are less-famous brands like [[https://amzn.to/3cDSGW0|Rockpals]], [[https://amzn.to/3sd001L|ExpertPower]], [[https://amzn.to/3s4j7L9|Aimtom]], [[https://amzn.to/3qZtYET|Nexpow]], etc.((Cheaper units may be high-value rebadged units, or they may be lacking features. Read and understand [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator#specifications|the specs]] so you know what you are buying.)) They tend to be named after the watt-hours((Wh)) of battery capacity((at 100% [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|DoD]], unrealistic)), or sometimes by the inverter output rating. |