Any experience here with large power stations (Jackery, EcoFlow, GoalZero, etc.)?

If it doesn't fit in any of the other forums, post it here!
Post Reply
User avatar
tector
Posts: 2381
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2018 2:50 pm
Location: Broward/Sunrise

Any experience here with large power stations (Jackery, EcoFlow, GoalZero, etc.)?

Post by tector »

Particularly with their solar panel add-ons--just wondering about them in general. I know they cannot be a full substitute for a good generator, but wondering if anyone here has found them useful and, if so, for what. I can see camping, but beyond that. TIA.
“Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.”
fish
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:21 pm

Post by fish »

Lots of user experiences and Q/A on those products here:
https://diysolarforum.com/

This solar forum helped me with planning & design for a system my son & I put in to run the well pump and some other small electrical things, when the utility grid is down.
Taco
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:00 pm
Location: Clermont

Post by Taco »

I hate gas yard tools- chain saws, augers, push mowers, edgers... any small engine gas tool that makes it to my house runs a hand full of times and then nothing. I replace every part, spending twice what I paid, investing a dozen hours of troubleshooting, and I end up selling it for parts on Craigslist.

I've given up- everything but the riding mower is now electric. I have a propane generator (runs great, but it's big and heavy) and when I need to do some work outside 100' from the house or barn I lug out the generator, propane tank, extention cord, and tool. I saw these batteries start popping up and went great- it would save 30 minutes of setup and break down... started looking at the details and saw the draw rate restrictions (100-300w when I looked, and didn't seem to increase with battery total volume)- most can recharge your cell phone 60 times but would trip trying to run a chainsaw. Won't work for me, but looking forward to the tech improving.

I do have solar and batteries for the house- works great, but it cost around as much as a new Mustang....
User avatar
NorincoKid
Posts: 749
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:40 pm
Location: Spring Hill, Hernando County

Post by NorincoKid »

I've been collecting the parts for a modest off-grid system.... with the goal of an electrically self-sufficient small camper (or one of those dope ass cottage sheds) in mind.

Enough energy for basics, lighting, fans/ventilation, food refrigeration and basic cooking. There is an interesting selection of dedicated 12v appliances out there, next time you're at a truck stop check out what the sell for those guys. I have a 12v LED TV and a few other comforts as well.

I planned to just use a couple 100AH deep cycle AGM's as a bank. They're sorta pricey, but if you have a large enough bank that you don't pull them down under 60% or so, they'll last a long time.
fish
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:21 pm

Post by fish »

Daughter just bought her first house, we gave her a battery powered lawn mower, instead of gas.
Great for a small yard!

At our house, the only way we have water is from the well, so we invested in a generator 12 years ago.
But the genset needs Diesel fuel, and is noisy.
Recently realized that if for some reason Diesel fuel becomes unavailable during a prolonged utility grid outage, it would be “bad” for us.

Son and I put some ground mount solar panels.
Daughter helped me install the electronics.
(The inverter weighs 120lbs, has to go up on a wall mount bracket.)

So the plan now is only to run the generator when it is too cloudy for the solar to work.
Expect that will greatly extend the Diesel fuel supply.

Imagesolar_installation_complete

Imagepv_panels2021-06-23 at 11.47.13
Taco
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:00 pm
Location: Clermont

Post by Taco »

fish wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 2:42 pm the plan now is only to run the generator when it is too cloudy for the solar to work.

Imagesolar_installation_complete
Those batteries down at the bottom- if not, what's those red things?
fish
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:21 pm

Post by fish »

Yep, batteries - 8 of these 6 volt were needed so as to get 48 volts needed by the inverter.
https://rollsbattery.com/battery/s6-l16-hc/

Found a place in Miami that had a great price.
https://www.dcbattery.com/index.html

They forklifted all 990 lbs of them into the back of the van, I had to get creative to unload them when we got home:

Imagebatterycrane


The DCbattery guys also suggested a great place for the wife & I to get lunch before driving back home.
http://www.molinasranchrestaurant.com/phonemenu.php
User avatar
Firemedic2000
Posts: 1473
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:01 pm
Location: Tampa Bay

Post by Firemedic2000 »

Cool I want to do that. I bet those batteries killed your back unloading them.
RANGER AIRBORNE, BLACK TEAM, FIREMEDIC, NRA BENEFACTOR
In the Government's/Elitist eye's I'm a Terrorist for believing in the Constitution and taking an oath to defend it instead of POLITICAL LEADERS
zeebaron
Posts: 636
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 1:42 pm

Post by zeebaron »

I think that entire prebuilt market is designed to compete with engine generators at the same price point. Meaning they give you as much lithium batteries and sine wave output as possible for the $300-$500 price point. If you need anything bigger, it's pretty easy to buy your own batteries and inverter and put it in a box.
User avatar
BIG JOE
Posts: 115
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:08 pm
Location: PALM BEACH COUNTY

Post by BIG JOE »

Solar is good. You needs panels, batteries, and a charge controller. Ground mount is best. F the roof. $, knowledge, and space is needed.
Do your research first. Don't think there will be a shortage of diesel fuel. Good luck.
BIG JOE
Post Reply