Power Stations

[Sneakers]

Had a couple of request on power stations, and recommendations. This was just posted yesterday. The YT author has tested and spreadsheeted (?) many units. This vid, with a downloadable spreadsheet, is for units in the 1000-2000 watt hour range, and is very detailed. Rather than just some guy doing vids for clicks, he's actually researching the best unit for a project in Haiti. He's tested other, larger units too, and panels.

Look for the links in the descriptions below the vid for other model tests.

 

[stgislander]

What about Patriot Power?

 

[Sneakers]

What about Patriot Power?

I've seen too many negative responses that did not rate them, or the company well. Better options are available.

 

[3CATSAILOR]

I've seen too many negative responses that did not rate them, or the company well. Better options are available.

Back up power is a necessity. If you have well water, make sure you can use it for the well or have a manual pump that will work for a deep well. I doubt companies or the government has protected anything.

 

[GURPS]

the best unit for a project in Haiti.

This will NOT end well ... those backwards ass natives will steal and sell off the hardware or fail to properly maintain the equipment

 

[DoWhat]

I doubt companies or the government has protected anything.

??
What?

 

[stgislander]

Had a couple of request on power stations, and recommendations. This was just posted yesterday. The YT author has tested and spreadsheeted (?) many units. This vid, with a downloadable spreadsheet, is for units in the 1000-2000 watt hour range, and is very detailed. Rather than just some guy doing vids for clicks, he's actually researching the best unit for a project in Haiti. He's tested other, larger units too, and panels.

Look for the links in the descriptions below the vid for other model tests.

I had to go back and find this post because I saw some retired Fed FEMA type hocking the Jackery power station on TWC this weekend.

 

[Sneakers]

I had to go back and find this post because I saw some retired Fed FEMA type hocking the Jackery power station on TWC this weekend.

Jackery has made a lot of improvements, much better product than a few years ago. Just have to check that, for the smaller units, you're getting a new version and not leftover old stock.

 

[GURPS]

https://www.ankersolix.com/products/f3800-plus-2-double-power-hub?variant=44308683227286&ref=flash-sale_learnmore

• Unprecedented Solar: Max. 3,200W solar input with dual 11-165V MPPT controllers.
• Gas Generator Charging: Compatible with 240V gas generators (6,000W bypass) for extended power outages.
• Expandable Capacity: Starts at 3.84kWh, expandable up to 26.9kWh for increased energy storage.
• Dual-Voltage AC Output: 120V & 240V, 6,000W AC output to power home appliances; expandable up to 12,000W.
• Remote Monitoring & Control: Monitor and manage power settings via the Anker app with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
• Long-lasting Performance: 5-year warranty, with an lifespan of 10+ years using EV-grade LFP batteries.
• EV & RV Charging: Powers EVs and RVs directly through NEMA TT-30P or L14-30 ports.

 

[Sneakers]

https://www.ankersolix.com/products/f3800-plus-2-double-power-hub?variant=44308683227286&ref=flash-sale_learnmore

• Unprecedented Solar: Max. 3,200W solar input with dual 11-165V MPPT controllers.
• Gas Generator Charging: Compatible with 240V gas generators (6,000W bypass) for extended power outages.
• Expandable Capacity: Starts at 3.84kWh, expandable up to 26.9kWh for increased energy storage.
• Dual-Voltage AC Output: 120V & 240V, 6,000W AC output to power home appliances; expandable up to 12,000W.
• Remote Monitoring & Control: Monitor and manage power settings via the Anker app with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
• Long-lasting Performance: 5-year warranty, with an lifespan of 10+ years using EV-grade LFP batteries.
• EV & RV Charging: Powers EVs and RVs directly through NEMA TT-30P or L14-30 ports.

Anker has an almost perpetual sale, and really good deals at holidays.

I have the F3800 V1 (not Plus). Real happy with it, but bought it before the Jackery 5000 Plus was available. If I were to do this again, I'd go with the Jackery. Bigger inverter, bigger battery, indivdual remote control over programmable sub-panel breakers, lower cost.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

Running that test now. Outside temp is 91*. I have two 200w solar panels currently making 220w (should be a lot more, but poor sun angle, shade, etc..). That's feeding my home-built solar generator with a 300aH (~4000wH) LiFePO4 battery and 1000w pure sine wave inverter. The Midea window inverter a/c is plugged into that. Started with a 100% full battery at about 10am, and the panels were only making 30w at the time. The a/c brought the battery down to about 97%. By 11:30, I was making enough power to run the a/c AND charge the battery, a/c is set to 76*, normal cool mode.

Going to let this run as long as it will run on solar/battery power alone. Doesn't use much overnight, so this will be interesting. I expect the battery to be at 100% by this afternoon. Rain/t-storms in the forecast for the next 5 days.

[Took this post from the retiree posts.]


Running those tests are good. What's coming will put it to the real test.

"Another Reason To Leave": Top Maryland Power Official Warns Of Regular Rolling Blackouts | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

 

[Sneakers]

For your consideration ...




[Took this post from the retiree posts.]


Running those tests are good. What's coming will put it to the real test.

"Another Reason To Leave": Top Maryland Power Official Warns Of Regular Rolling Blackouts | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

This was just to see if it could be done, and maybe make it permanent for summer cooling without any cost (SMECO-wise).

As far as blackouts/brownouts, I have the whole-house automatic battery backup (11.4kWh) with a generator backing that up. That article is more attuned to Baltimore, not really sure we'll see that happen down here.

 

[Sneakers]

I won't bore you with the minutiae, but suffice to say that it's pretty easy to run an inverter a/c off of solar only.

Battery was fully charged at 4:30 yesterday, and that's when the solar started falling off and the battery started depleting. Ran all night, at 8am there was still 55% battery remaining . If the battery can be fully recharged by this afternoon, I'll see about making this a summer long endeavor.

Wasn't thrilled with the solar panels I used. 400w of panels, best I got in full sun was 230w. This morning I swapped out the panels for three 200w foldable panels (theoretical 600w). We'll see what happens with the rain over the next few days.

The noise from the small cooling fans on the solar charger are louder than the a/c.

And everytime I post one of these, I can hear @BadGirl and @itsbob snickering.... "Oh how cute his little project is.."

Going back a few years, we talked here about the possibility of offsetting the house a/c with solar. It's now do-able with an inverter a/c and a power station with 3000-4000 watt hours of battery and a couple of solar panels.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

I won't bore you with the minutiae, but suffice to say that it's pretty easy to run an inverter a/c off of solar only.

Battery was fully charged at 4:30 yesterday, and that's when the solar started falling off and the battery started depleting. Ran all night, at 8am there was still 55% battery remaining . If the battery can be fully recharged by this afternoon, I'll see about making this a summer long endeavor.

Wasn't thrilled with the solar panels I used. 400w of panels, best I got in full sun was 230w. This morning I swapped out the panels for three 200w foldable panels (theoretical 600w). We'll see what happens with the rain over the next few days.

Are your solar panels attached to articulating solar tracker assemblies that follow the sun for maximum electron collection?

 

[Sneakers]

For your consideration ...





Are your solar panels attached to articulating solar tracker assemblies that follow the sun for maximum electron collection?

No, but it doesn't matter. When they were perfectly aligned with the sun, still got very poor performance.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

No, but it doesn't matter. When they were perfectly aligned with the sun, still got very poor performance.

Ever seen a solar panel that was rated for, say, 400 watts, deliver 450 watts? Point being that it appears all solar panels never achieve their actual rated performance numbers.

 

[Sneakers]

For your consideration ...





Ever seen a solar panel that was rated for, say, 400 watts, deliver 450 watts? Point being that it appears all solar panels never achieve their actual rated performance numbers.

Yes, panels can exceed their rating, typically in very cold, bright conditions. Panel performance degrades as the panels get warmer.

 

[Sneakers]

Going back a few years, we talked here about the possibility of offsetting the house a/c with solar. It's now do-able with an inverter a/c and a power station with 3000-4000 watt hours of battery and a couple of solar panels.

Well.... not really. With a good full sun, maybe. As soon as you add in any overcast, there is battery loss, and not enough solar gain to cover it. Had a lot of poor sun on Sat, went into the evening with about 50% battery, just barely held it's own thru the day. By 8:30pm, the battery was dead. So, this would work in a pinch, day or two during an outage, but you'd need lots more solar input to make it work long term, and that when you hit the stupid wall. Not worth it just for a small a/c.

However, I did get some really good data points an power usage. The window inverter a/c used 2.9kWh of power on Friday, and 2.8kWh on Sat, two days of keeping the living area at 76* day and night with outside temps in the high 80s / low 90s during the day for 5.7kWhs of use. The central air uses 5.4kW to turn on, and about 4kW to run. Ignoring the turn-on surge, that 4kWh for every hour it runs. If it were running 40% of the time on a hot day, that's 9.6 hours at 4kW = 38.4kWh x 2 days = 76.8kWh.

76.8 kWh vs 5.7 kWh to stay comfortable. The window a/c pays for itself easily.

And now back to your regularly scheduled banter.

 

[RoseRed]

Well.... not really. With a good full sun, maybe. As soon as you add in any overcast, there is battery loss, and not enough solar gain to cover it. Had a lot of poor sun on Sat, went into the evening with about 50% battery, just barely held it's own thru the day. By 8:30pm, the battery was dead. So, this would work in a pinch, day or two during an outage, but you'd need lots more solar input to make it work long term, and that when you hit the stupid wall. Not worth it just for a small a/c.

However, I did get some really good data points an power usage. The window inverter a/c used 2.9kWh of power on Friday, and 2.8kWh on Sat, two days of keeping the living area at 76* day and night with outside temps in the high 80s / low 90s during the day for 5.7kWhs of use. The central air uses 5.4kW to turn on, and about 4kW to run. Ignoring the turn-on surge, that 4kWh for every hour it runs. If it were running 40% of the time on a hot day, that's 9.6 hours at 4kW = 38.4kWh x 2 days = 76.8kWh.

76.8 kWh vs 5.7 kWh to stay comfortable. The window a/c pays for itself easily.

And now back to your regularly scheduled banter.

 

[Sneakers]

Keeps me out of trouble.

Until the house burns down.