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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2023/09/24 21:03]
frater_secessus [solar input] |
lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2024/05/12 14:45] (current)
frater_secessus [solar input] |
| | ====== 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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| | ===== troubleshooting ===== |
| | |
| | see [[12v:sg_troubleshooting|this article]] |
| ===== Specifications ===== | ===== Specifications ===== |
| |
| Many smaller units have quite restrictive solar input limits. | Many smaller units have quite restrictive solar input limits. |
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| * **voltage** - 22Voc is a common voltage limit, effectively limiting one to [[electrical:solar:panels#panel_voltage|12v nominal]] panels. | * **voltage** - 24Voc is a common voltage limit, effectively limiting one to [[electrical:solar:panels#panel_voltage|12v nominal]] panels. **Input voltage limits must not be exceeded**. Note: some very large units have high input //minimums//, like 50v. |
| * **current** limit - 3A is a common input current limit on smaller, less-expensive units. | * **current** limit - 3A is a common input current limit on smaller, less-expensive units. 8A is a common limit on larger 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. | * 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. **PWM input current limits must not be exceeded** |
| * 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%)) | * 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%)) MPPT incoming current limits can usually be exceeded; the controller will throttle back incoming current to hold the limit. The allowable amount of overpanel is [[electrical:solar:overpaneling#vs_charge_controller|well-documented with most standalone MPPT controllers]] but "power stations" are usually black boxes with no published overpanel spec. Proceed at your own peril. |
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| | == the Amp bottleneck == |
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| | Because the Amp limit is usually the limiting factor for MPPT power production. Selecting a panel with a Voc((//not// Vmp)) closer to the unit's input limit((with some headroom)) can make maximal power given the limitations. This is because for a given rated output like 100w a higher Vmp (volts) means a lower Imp (amps). |
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| | * 22.5Voc panel - Vmp ~18v.((Vmp is typically 0.8 of Voc)) 18v x 8A limit = **144w**. |
| | * 21Voc panel - Vmp ~16.8v. 16.8v x 8A limit = **134w**. |
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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. |
