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Found a decent video explaining these portable power stations and solar generators

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by jtakeman, Jul 26, 2024.

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  1. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    I peaked at about 540 watts mid day. About half the panel production. I kind of figured I wouldn't get peak performance everyday, So I did over panel a bit. I may add a solar charger sistered in to get some of the 12, 24 volt batteries charged.

    So far I'm liking the free energy, I already want to expand and put up a few more panels. Run a string to the house and do something similar to help out our electric bill which has just went bonkers! Just went up $85 this month and they are talking even more increases!!
     
    jtakeman, Aug 17, 2024
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  2. bogieb

    bogieb

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    And, so it starts ;). I, myself have turned using the power stations into a sort of hobby - even though I have plenty of solar production late winter to late spring.
     
    bogieb, Aug 18, 2024
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  3. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    :rofl: :lol:

    Indeed. :D

    Very addicting, Maybe looking into more panels sooner than expected.

    Did some more tidying. All set for the run to the house and the house gen addition. Need a diconnect for the PV input as a safety.

    IMG_0182.JPG
     
    jtakeman, Aug 18, 2024
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  4. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Not a watts worth of sun so far today. I assumed that even the brightness of day even being cloudy the panels would produce something. Learned something new. Also learned why they say 3 days worth of battery storage. I used the app for the power station and shut the AC output off to conserve. No plans to go out to the garage and the unit consumes about 20% of the battery in 12 hours(or so).

    Good test to see if it turns back on once the sun shines on the panels again. Been looking at my phone more than ever lately! :(
     
    jtakeman, Aug 18, 2024
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  5. bogieb

    bogieb

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    I've had about 5 days of not good weather for solar between the smoke from Canadian wildfires and general overcast/clouds. Haven't seen the sun or moon for some time. This is the brightest I've seen, and the pic was taken with no filters. Could look at the sun without any aids with no issues. Yes, that is the sun

    upload_2024-8-19_2-58-22.png

    But, yesterday was the worst day out of the lot, even though we were supposed to get sun in the afternoon for a change (which didn't happen). Even my 8,000w rooftop system only made 7.4 kwh. At the same time, at least it was cool for this time of year so didn't have to run the mini split to cool the place off - although I did run the living room unit in fan mode just to circulate the air.
    upload_2024-8-19_2-59-17.png

    I tried to charge my medium unit that was down to about 42%. I put it outside about 11 and brought it in at 6:30 pm. In all that time it had only gotten up to 48% and the highest generation from the 640w of panels that I saw on the app was 78w :D
     
    bogieb, Aug 19, 2024
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  6. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    I got all excited seeing 36 watts this morning! :D

    Ordered a small solar charger to help charge the spare 12v batteries(tractor). And I think I can use them as reserve for the solar station. Plus if we do get an outage I can use them on the fish tank ups and bring the lifepo4's out to recharge too. Right now I'm wasting any watts gathered as I have nowhere to store it. I am frugal as they come so hate to waste anything specially when its free. :(

    Starting a plan on the next step. I need to run conduit to the house for the PV string from the garage. Also likely to add a feed from the garage so I don't need to drag the genny to the house in the same conduit run. Then I'll start looking into more panels for the garage roof. I'll need to hire them out as I or the wife don't trust me on the steeper roof sections with my wobbly issues. Looks as though I can add 12 panels plus another on the shed roof for a total of 15 panels.

    Then I'll look into a larger power station for the house or maybe build my own portable. Just dreaming for now!! No ca ching as per norm!!
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2024
    jtakeman, Aug 19, 2024
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  7. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Indeed bb,

    Ordered a Bluetti AC500 for the home backup/supplement system during their prez sale. Going to try to drop our e-bill by 30 to 50%. I'll start with the 2 panels I already have for now and expand to 4 later this spring/summer. It was better than 60% off. :eek:

    The battery came in first(its a module system and expandable). I'll start a new thread once I get all the pieces put together. Pic fur proof!

    IMG_0181.JPG
     
    jtakeman, Feb 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
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  8. bogieb

    bogieb

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    Nice! Tell me how you like it.

    My larger backup for the basement stove is an EF Delta Pro that I bought during Prime days last summer. But, the DP is 3,600wh (although expandable) so less than what you are getting. Sounds like you got a good deal!
     
    bogieb, Feb 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
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  9. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Will do!

    Fingers crossed it shows up today! :ups:
     
    jtakeman, Feb 21, 2025 at 7:01 AM
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