For more solar emergency charging lampinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Rain or shine we get a huge number of calls about solar power each day. We’ll attempt to answer the questions asked most often so we can save you a phone call.
Before we get started, you should know that solar power is not the cure-all for replacing spent energy. For example, some people are trying to recharge batteries for a trolling motor, boat, RV, house, electric scooter, backwoods cabin, etc., and they want it done in very short time, usually in just a few days. Assume you take a discharged 100-amp hour battery and charge it with a 30-watt solar panel under ideal summertime light conditions. After a full week, the battery will be just about fully charged. Using this example, you can see that it will take at least 100 watts of solar power to recharge a 100-amp hour battery in a few days.
Also, keep in mind that it takes direct sunshine on the surface of the panel to produce the maximum-rated power of a solar panel. Conditions such as an overcast sky, shadows, improper mounting angle, equatorial direction or short winter days will reduce the actual solar panel output to below the rated values.
Most solar chargers are designed for 12 VDC, but we do have limited availability on a 24-volt panel. Typically, when 24 volts or greater is needed, solar panels may be wired in series, or we can special order solar panels that are made to deliver more DC Volts such as 24V, 36V, 48V etc.
Anytime you use a panel that is over 5 watts rated output, we recommend using a solar charge controller. Actually, a charge controller is a good idea in a majority of applications, as it can provide several benefits such as preventing overcharge, improving charge quality, and preventing battery discharge in low or no-light conditions. Some solar panels are made with blocking diodes pre-installed that prevent battery discharge during low or no-light conditions. In most cases where a 6-watt or larger solar panel is installed, the use of a charger controller is highly recommended. In a nutshell, a solar charge controller acts like an on and off switch, allowing power to pass when the battery needs it and cutting it off when the battery is fully charged. Something to be aware of when selecting a controller is that they are typically rated in amps, while photovoltaic panels are typically rated in watts. That means a solar charge controller such as the Morning Star SS6L, 6-amp controller will work with nearly every panel we sell, right up to about 70 watts.
Solar panel manufacturers rate solar output in watts. As a rule of thumb, a rating of 15 watts delivers about 3,600 coulombs (1 AH) per hour of direct sunlight. As an example, the Pulse Tech SP-7 panel can output .33AH per hour of direct sunlight. This is a very popular panel for maintaining single and dual batteries for stand-by and storage applications.
The first thing to remember about solar power is that it is all a matter of numbers. The power you require vs. the power the panel can put out. Before you can even get started when purchasing a panel, you need to know how many amp hours or watts you’ll need to produce in a set period of time. This figure could be measured in hours or days. Since there are 24 hours in a day, we suggest you use that as a baseline. First, determine your total electrical consumption in that time period. Then figure the amount of direct sunlight the solar panel will receive in that time period and come up with a total amount of watt hours needed. You should always err on the side of caution and over-estimate your power needs. Typically we see an average of 4 hours of usable sunlight in the winter, and 6 hours of usable sunlight in summer. Granted, there are exceptions to these averages, but erring on the side of caution creates a more reliable solar system. These averages also help compensate for variables like shade, clouds, panel angle, etc. Once you have a good handle on your power requirements, I suggest you go to our Solar Calculator.
Solar panel ratings are calculated in bright direct sunlight. Conditions such as indirect sunlight, overcast and partial shade conditions will decrease the output. We always recommend over-sizing the size of your solar array, as these conditions occur often. Also, remember that the length of daylight in summer vs. winter can make an impact.
One of the biggest errors commonly seen is when a solar array is designed in summer using summer daylight hours, but then it’s also used in the winter. The first complaint is often related to the batteries no longer holding up under load. This is a gradual process that begins when you lose daylight hours, and you start taking the battery pack beyond a 50% depth of discharge. When this happens, the batteries start to sulfate at a much quicker rate, and begin to no longer hold under load. As you can imagine, this is an expensive mistake! The solution generally involves more panels and new batteries with a higher Amp/Hr reserve. Therefore, we advise our customers to be conservative when accounting for daylight hours. Also, if you plan to utilize a solar array year-round, then you need to factor in your daily solar input for winter.
We carry several foldable/portable solar panels for backpacking that come with a female cigarette lighter adapter. This adapter allows you to power 12v accessories that commonly use a 12v DC plug. In order to connect directly to a panel, the device cannot be sensitive to voltage variation—otherwise they may shut down. To solve this problem, it’s best to use a small battery as a storage vessel for energy that will provide constant source of stable, reliable power. To do this, we recommend using a solar charge controller, Y-connector with a battery inline on one leg, and the female cigarette socket on the other leg.
Nearly all solar panels are designed for outdoor installation, as this is where they will receive the best, most direct exposure to sunlight. Remember that anything less than that will cause the panel to produce less than its full-rated power.
A periodic inspection to remove dirt, debris and check electrical connections is all that is needed. Keeping the panel clear of snow and debris will allow for better results.
Performance from a solar panel will vary, but in most cases guaranteed power output life expectancy is between 3 and 25 years. This guaranteed life expectancy rating is usually 80% of the published rating of the solar panel. Of course, this will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and as always, you typically get what you pay for. Watch out for those cheap panels made in Paki-china-nam-istan.
Many folks use a DC to AC power inverter to convert 12 VDC to 110 VAC. Since they change power from one form to another, inverters are power-gobbling monsters and should be avoided when possible. If you have a choice of a 12-volt, DC-powered device or 110-volt AC device, go with the 12-volt DC device. There are DC devices on the market that either step down or step up DC power, and these also use significantly more power.
This “rule of thumb” is intended as a general guide for estimating the DC amps required operating a DC to AC power inverter. Since the calculations yield approximate values, an appropriate safety factor should be considered when designing and specifying system components, such as wire, size and length. This basically means “oversize your system.”
Formula: 12-volt inverters require approximately ten 10 amps DC input for each 100 watts output power used to operate an AC load.
Example: How many DC amps will a 12-volt inverter require to operate three 500-watt quartz lights, or a 1500-watt electric heater?
Answer:
This is the DC current the inverter will use to operate the 1500-watt load. Note: If these 150 amps are drawn from the battery for one hour, 150 amp hours of battery power will be used.
To support 150 amp hours of battery power, 300 amps of battery capacity should be used for maximum battery life and performance.
Formula: 24-volt inverters require approximately 5 amps DC input for each 100 watts output power used to operate an AC load.
Example: How many DC amps will a 24-volt inverter require to operate three 500-watt quartz lights, or a 1500-watt electric heater?
Answer:
This is the DC current the inverter will use to operate the 1500-watt load. Note: If these 75 amps are drawn from the battery for one hour, 75 amp hours of battery power will be used.
To support 75 amp hours of battery power, 150 amps of battery capacity should be used for maximum battery life and performance.
Ready to harness the power of the sun? Shop for a solar charger and accessories.
Solar Calculator
Whether you need a solar battery charger for boat, solar trickle charger for car battery, or a solar ac charger, we have the right chargers for any application.
Choose Your Solar Charger
Introduction
Solar generators are a great way to power your home during a disaster or outage. Some models can even be used to charge phones and other electronic devices. But before you make the investment, it's important to get all the details on what you need from an emergency generator and what options are available. Here are some questions we think everyone should ask before they buy:
How often will I use it?
You should think about how often you plan to use your generator and how long you will need to run it. If you’re going boondocking, or camping without an electric hookup, then a solar generator is probably not going to be enough for your needs. A larger model that has a battery bank would be better suited for this type of situation. On the other hand, if all you want is something that can power some lights and charge up phones during an emergency or natural disaster at home then smaller models with smaller battery banks will work just fine.
Another thing to consider when purchasing a solar generator is the climate in which it will be used. If there are lots of sunny days where you live but also lots of rain then investing in a rainproof unit might make sense for keeping everything dry and working properly throughout inclement weather conditions like hurricanes or tornadoes as well as wind-driven rains from thunderstorms (which may also cause damage).
What does the weather look like?
Before you buy a solar generator, it’s important to know what the weather is like in your area. Will you be using it during the summer or winter months? Most homeowners tend to worry about cloudy days when using their solar generators because they want as much power as possible. But rainy days are also something to consider when making this decision.
If you live in an area that has long periods of rain, then it might not make sense for you to buy a solar generator unless you have access to an electric outlet nearby. On average, how many days do you get overcast skies or rain? What about sunny days? And snowy ones?
What kind of batteries does it have?
The kind of battery will affect the weight and price of the generator. The number of batteries will affect the capacity of the generator, which is how much power it can store at once. The battery type will also affect how long it takes to charge and discharge, as well as how many times you can use your solar generator before you have to recharge it.
What will I be powering?
For more information, please visit 48v 12ah battery.
The first question to ask is, “What will I be powering?” This can mean the difference between a solar generator providing enough power to help you out in an emergency situation and one that doesn’t. For example if you are powering a refrigerator, it needs to be running all the time. If you are powering a freezer, it needs to be running part of the time. If you are powering a TV, it needs to be running part of the time as well. The reason for this is because refrigerators require constant use and air conditioning systems require continuous cooling but also need some breaks from being on long enough for them not to freeze up or overheat (as they might do if they were constantly on).
Where will it be stored?
When you're buying a generator, you'll need to take into consideration how much space you have. It's important to keep in mind that your solar power system won't be portable, so if it needs to be moved regularly, then it might not be the right fit for your home.
If possible, try and find out where the solar panels will be installed before looking at any generators. The size of the generator will depend on where they’re going and how much weight is too much weight for the roof or ground where they’re going to sit.
The size of the generator also plays an important role when deciding whether or not it will fit in your storage unit—if all else fails, ask your installer!
How much power do I need, and for how long?
When buying any generator, you need to first determine how much power you will need and how long it will be used. The most common mistake when purchasing a solar generator is underestimating the amount of power needed.
So before you buy a solar generator, ask yourself these questions:
Will my panels work with this generator?
If you have solar panels, they can be used to power your generator. If you want to do this, ensure that the generator has a compatible charge controller (the component that controls the flow of electricity from your panels) and inverter (the component that converts direct current into alternating current). You may also need some additional wiring or hardware depending on which brand of panels and inverters are being used.
If you don't have solar panels, there are portable generators with built-in solar panels. With these models, all you have to do is connect them directly to an outlet in your home or camping site and then plug in whatever device needs charging—no other setup required!
How heavy is it?
Solar generators are heavy duty and come with a lot of different features, but you should know that they can be heavy as well. If you're looking to move your solar generator around frequently, then it's important to find one that's lightweight and portable. If you don't need to move your solar generator around much, then a heavy-duty model will probably suit your needs better—if only because it will be able to withstand continuous use in an emergency situation.
A good way to determine whether or not a particular model is right for you is by asking yourself these questions: How often do I think I'll need my solar generator? Will other members of my family also need access to the resources provided by this product? Do I want my solar generator on hand throughout all seasons (or just during winter)? Will our home still be functional if we lose power from the grid?
Is it expandable?
You're probably wondering if you'll be able to add more panels or batteries later. If you want to be able to expand the size of your solar generator, consider how much space is available for it in your home. You don't want to buy one that's too big; on the other hand, you also don't want a model that will be obsolete in a year or two as technology continues to advance at an ever-quickening pace.
If so, what are they? What are the differences between them?
Am I covered by a warranty and can they help me if something goes wrong with my solar generator?
You want to make sure that your solar generator comes with a warranty. A good warranty will cover parts and labor for up to one year after purchase. The more expensive generators will more likely come with longer warranties, but it's not uncommon for cheaper ones to have at least a 90-day coverage period as well.
If you have any issues with your new solar generator during this time, call up the manufacturer's customer service line and see if they can help you out over the phone or by mail/email/chat. If so, great! If not, then consider buying an extended warranty through them or another company (if possible). It's much easier than having to send back your device for repairs or replacement.
The right solar generator can give you peace of mind.
Solar generators can be a great way to ensure that you have power when you need it. In the event of a power outage, a solar generator can provide your home with electricity and make sure that you'll still be able to use your appliances and electronics. Solar generators are also great for powering cars, boats, RVs and campers. They're also great if you plan on doing any camping or tailgating where there isn't an outlet nearby.
How To Choose A Solar Generator?
You've got a lot of options when it comes to solar generators, so choosing the right one for you can be confusing. There are pros and cons to all of the different types of generators, so here's a little guide to help you know what questions to ask yourself as you're shopping around, and how to do some research before making your decision.
EcoFlow Solar Generators:
EcoFlow solar generators are a great option for anyone who wants to have power on the go. These generators are portable and lightweight, so you can take them with you wherever you need to go. They also have a long battery life, so they can be used for several days in a row without needing to be recharged.
EcoFlow solar generators are one of the most popular brands of portable solar generators on the market today. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, from smaller models that can be used by one person to larger ones that can power an entire home. The company also makes a wide variety of accessories for these devices, including batteries, chargers, adapters and more.
In this EcoFlow solar generator review we will discuss some of the benefits of using these products and why they might be right for your needs.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this has given you some insight into the world of solar generators. We’ve covered everything from how much power you need to what kind of batteries you should get. If you haven’t decided on a generator yet, don’t worry—there are plenty of other resources out there to help with that! But before we leave off this section, let’s go over some final considerations for finding your ideal solar generator.
We hope this article has provided some helpful information about solar generators and how they work!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of 19.2v battery pack. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.