Portable Solar Back Up Generators

[got3fords]

I have been doing a little research into solar generators and am intrigued at their features. There is a wide array available depending on how much back up power you need. Features I like are, no gasoline required, you can use them inside, you can keep them ready to go by charging with AC, you can recharge them with portable folding solar panels, and decrease charge times by adding panels. I have read that some will keep a fridge or freezer going for several days on a charge.
Our power company is very reliable and power goes out very infrequently, and when it does, they are quick to get it going again. But we did loose power for about a day and a half a few years back (derecho, I think), and was on the verge of loosing venison etc. in the freezer.
Anybody dealt with these? Here is just one example https://oupes.com/.

Sponsored

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

I have been doing a little research into solar generators and am intrigued at their features. There is a wide array available depending on how much back up power you need. Features I like are, no gasoline required, you can use them inside, you can keep them ready to go by charging with AC, you can recharge them with portable folding solar panels, and decrease charge times by adding panels. I have read that some will keep a fridge or freezer going for several days on a charge.
Our power company is very reliable and power goes out very infrequently, and when it does, they are quick to get it going again. But we did loose power for about a day and a half a few years back (derecho, I think), and was on the verge of loosing venison etc. in the freezer.
Anybody dealt with these? Here is just one example https://oupes.com/.

Have not used that brand, but I have 2 Ecoflow River Pro720W Solar Generators. I use them for camping, and I love them. You can get 2 to 3 days out of each running a 55qt fridge/freezer. The price for the one you show is really good I paid $450 for each 3 yr ears ago, and that was a great deal compared to name brands (Yeti or Jackery).

Edit
Just looked on Amazon they have the same size EcoFlow on sale with coupon for $580 which is a good deal. Also after I got mine Costco had a promo on them. I am not sure if they still carry them?

 

[got3fords]

Have not used that brand, but I have 2 Ecoflow River Pro720W Solar Generators. I use them for camping, and I love them. You can get 2 to 3 days out of each running a 55qt fridge/freezer. The price for the one you show is really good I paid $450 for each 3 yr ears ago, and that was a great deal compared to name brands (Yeti or Jackery).

Edit
Just looked on Amazon they have the same size EcoFlow on sale with coupon for $580 which is a good deal. Also after I got mine Costco had a promo on them. I am not sure if they still carry them?

Great insight. I was really looking for something between smaller portable, like your camping unit, and something I can use for 2 or more days before recharge during a power outage at home.
I am one those people that get on a path, and can't stop until I have researched it for days then zero in on a good option, research it some more, look for discount coupons, and order the damn thing. I just ordered this, it was right in the size, capacity, expandability range I was looking for, and a $200 coupon sealed the deal. I got the 200W panels as well.
https://shopprojectsolar.com/products/power-bank-2000?variant=44586174152926

 

[AzScorpion]

I spent a lot of time researching these a couple years ago. You really want one with LiFePO batteries as they last a lot longer (IIRC in 10 years it only loses 20%) and are much safer. I went with the Bluetti EB55 which I use to power up my 12v cooler while we're on vacation. I've used it up in Moab and it easily last all day while sitting in my truck in 100 degree temps and still had 2 bars left. They have many different ones in all sizes and it's really nice to be able to charge from a portable solar setup. Sign up for emails on their site as they're having some good Black Friday Sales.

https://bluetti.com

 

[ControlNode]

I have the older Jackery Explorer 1500 (Solor Generator 1500 when bought with the solar panels as I did) that I really like, it has 4 100W panels and have used it after hurricanes for the frig and network. Also use it at races so that I don't have to hear a gas generator at the trailer, it powers the network, PA, 3 laptops and laser printer all day, but I often put the solar panels on just to make sure there is no last-minute issues if we end up running more than 7.5-8 hours. When rainy and solar is not an option, I've powered up the gas gen during lunch and added charge to the batteries then.

If I were buying now, I would be looking really close at that Explorer 2000 Plus with the option of getting 2 of them and powering 220V welding equipment at the track if needed.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station

 

[got3fords]

I spent a lot of time researching these a couple years ago. You really want one with LiFePO batteries as they last a lot longer (IIRC in 10 years it only loses 20%) and are much safer. I went with the Bluetti EB55 which I use to power up my 12v cooler while we're on vacation. I've used it up in Moab and it easily last all day while sitting in my truck in 100 degree temps and still had 2 bars left. They have many different ones in all sizes and it's really nice to be able to charge from a portable solar setup. Sign up for emails on their site as they're having some good Black Friday Sales.

https://bluetti.com

Yep, the Project Solar Power Bank has LiFePo4 batteries. One reason I ordered it. Supposedly retains 80% of capacity after 3500 complete charge cycles.

 

[lariat]

I spent a lot of time researching these a couple years ago. You really want one with LiFePO batteries as they last a lot longer (IIRC in 10 years it only loses 20%) and are much safer. I went with the Bluetti EB55 which I use to power up my 12v cooler while we're on vacation. I've used it up in Moab and it easily last all day while sitting in my truck in 100 degree temps and still had 2 bars left. They have many different ones in all sizes and it's really nice to be able to charge from a portable solar setup. Sign up for emails on their site as they're having some good Black Friday Sales.

https://bluetti.com

FYI: Your model doesn't show up on their site. Also, where do you price these things?

 

[AzScorpion]

FYI: Your model doesn't show up on their site. Also, where do you price these things?

I bought it 2 years ago off Amazon. I think they've replaced it with a different model now and I haven't really kept up on them to know which one. Most times the Bluetti site has them at the same price an Amazon and sometimes cheaper if they're running a members sale. If you sign up for emails they periodically send you flash sales.

 

[lariat]

I bought it 2 years ago off Amazon. I think they've replaced it with a different model now and I haven't really kept up on them to know which one. Most times the Bluetti site has them at the same price an Amazon and sometimes cheaper if they're running a members sale. If you sign up for emails they periodically send you flash sales.

Man, you sure love your China made appliances.

Shenzhen Poweroak Newener Co., Ltd. (BLUETTI) | Solar Components | China.

 

[FM AZ]

Ecoflow products are amazing. while they can be charged with solar panels, that takes forever. If you also get their alternator charger, your truck will charge them in just over an hour. The charger is that little black box on the front of the platform. It has two heavy cables that run under the cab to the truck’s battery and one cable to the battery. That’s it, totally plug and play.

EcoFlow

 

[AzScorpion]

Man, you sure love your China made appliances.

Shenzhen Poweroak Newener Co., Ltd. (BLUETTI) | Solar Components | China.

lol Well maybe starting today we'll have more stuff "Made In America"! ? ??

 

[Chris M]

lol Well maybe starting today we'll have more stuff "Made In America"! ? ??

Careful......

 

[AzScorpion]

Careful......

lol I am. You have to admit it was a beautiful day! ?

 

[lariat]

Ecoflow products are amazing. while they can be charged with solar panels, that takes forever. If you also get their alternator charger, your truck will charge them in just over an hour. The charger is that little black box on the front of the platform. It has two heavy cables that run under the cab to the truck’s battery and one cable to the battery. That’s it, totally plug and play.

EcoFlow

Awesome, another one from China! Ecoflow is headquartered in the Silicon Valley of China, Shenzhen.

I wonder if any of these brands are American made?

Top 8 EcoFlow competitors

• Blip Energy
• Reskube
• acenew
• EnStorage
• BLUETTI
• CTRL ENERGY
• FLEXSOLAR
• Jackery

 

[FM AZ]

China owns the battery market.

Sponsored