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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2020/05/20 11:36] frater_secessus [Charging from solar panels] |
lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2020/11/22 17:52] frater_secessus [internal AGM batteries] added 1000 usb quirk |
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These devices are packaged for convenience and are usually much more expensive than the components bought separately. Sometimes manufacturers use non-standard panel connectors to keep customers in an expensive "walled garden", referring to normal, non-proprietary panels as [[https://inergytek.com/pages/support|"off_brand"]].((COUGH [[https://amzn.to/2SpgjbR|inergy]] COUGH)) | These devices are packaged for convenience and are usually much more expensive than the components bought separately. Sometimes manufacturers use non-standard panel connectors to keep customers in an expensive "walled garden", referring to normal, non-proprietary panels as [[https://inergytek.com/pages/support|"off_brand"]].((COUGH [[https://amzn.to/2SpgjbR|inergy]] COUGH)) |
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| The overall proposition can be summed up by the title of a Bob Wells video, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFOZ6aetIPc|Should you Buy a Jackery Power Station? Super Easy but Super Expensive]]. |
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The terms //solar generator// and //generator alternative// are marketing terms with no real meaning: the units do not //generate// power. | The terms //solar generator// and //generator alternative// are marketing terms with no real meaning: the units do not //generate// power. |
* a person who camps on relatively short outings | * a person who camps on relatively short outings |
* who can charge from shore power when away from the camper | * who can charge from shore power when away from the camper |
* and who does not need to run devices in the camper when the owner is charging the unit | * and who does not need to run devices in the camper when the owner is charging the unit elsewhere |
===== specifications ===== | ===== specifications ===== |
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====Charging from solar panels==== | ====Charging from solar panels==== |
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Charging these devices from solar panels will probably be [[electrical:solar:output|slower than you might expect]]. | Charging these devices from solar panels will probably be [[electrical:solar:output|slower than you might expect]]: |
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| * in the absence of an [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|mppt controller]]((sometimes present on higher-end devices)) [[electrical:solar:output#charge_controller_type|panel output will be hamstrung by battery voltage]]. You may see a device listing 60w max input but specifying a 100w panel for use with it, and now you know why. |
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* in the absence of an MPPT controller((sometimes present on higher-end devices)) [[electrical:solar:output#charge_controller_type|panel output is hamstrung by battery voltage]]. You may see a device listing 60w max input but specifying a 100w panel for use with it, and now you know why. | |
* devices with 3S lithium cells will hamstring the panels even worse((3S Li voltage can be as low as 9v, and maxxes around 12.5v.)) | * devices with 3S lithium cells will hamstring the panels even worse((3S Li voltage can be as low as 9v, and maxxes around 12.5v.)) |
* long wire runs (as seen with portable panels set outside) result in voltage drops | * long wire runs (as seen with portable panels set outside) result in voltage drops |
* sunlight is limited to a certain number of hours. Some units require more hours of charging than there are hours of sunlight in a day. | * sunlight is limited to a certain number of hours. Some units require more hours of charging than there are hours of sunlight in a day. |
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Poly panels will typically [[http://bdp.mousetrap.net/index.php/2019/11/13/pwm-loves-poly/|make more power]] on norma non-MPPT-equipped devices due to poly's lower voltage / higher current. Devices with internal [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|mppt controllers]] will use both panels equally well because they decouple battery and panel voltages. | Poly panels will typically [[http://bdp.mousetrap.net/index.php/2019/11/13/pwm-loves-poly/|make slightly more power]] on normal (non-MPPT) devices due to poly's lower voltage / higher current. Devices with internal MPPT controllers will use both panels equally well because they decouple battery and panel voltages. |
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both panel types)) | |
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Note: it is possible to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXNW-4fNZVk|place a small DC-DC converter between the panel and input port]] to get the panel up near max power. Doing so will make it even more important to manually disconnect the panel when charging is complete. | Note: it is possible to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXNW-4fNZVk|place a small DC-DC converter between the panel and input port]] to get the panel up near max power. Doing so will make it even more important to manually disconnect the panel when charging is complete. |
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| ===== quirks ===== |
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| The Jackery Explorer 1000 flashlight appears to [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/jz0j7a/feature_or_bug_interesting_quirk_with_jackery/|activate one of the USB ports]] even when the USB panel is switched off. |
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| The Jackery 500 is solar charge controller is PWM((maybe shunt)) while the 500 version 2 appears to be MPPT and capable of handling up to 30v.((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqMXySbNFyw)) |