Portable Power Stations

Mirai said:
I'm thinking of buying this:

Ecoflow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel

EcoFlow's 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel is two in one. With a 220W primary side, and a 155W side on the back for ambient light, you can capture up to 25% more solar energy and charge your portable power station even faster. Try a mirrored surface and you can get up to 80% more energy. <ul>...
www.loot.co.za

to use in case of extended load shedding or a total grid blackout.
But I wouldn't normally be using these to generate power. We only use about R1200 worth of power per month hence for me it won't really make sense. I can just recharge between loadshedding episodes.
Also have a Bluetti AC50 which runs ultraportable laptops very well. It is NCM but has a 1000+ cycle life.
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The portable solar panels are very, very expensive compared to the rigid roofmount type.
Example: (comparing apples to pears, but you will see whatI mean)
Ecoflow bifacial 220W panel is R11500. I bought 550W rigid panels from LeroyMerlin for R4000.

To get from 220W to 550W you multiply by 2.5: 550W for R28750. That is 7 times the price for the SAME electricity generated. If you are a affluent camping type, it makes sense.
However, buying the flexible panels for home use is a bad choice. Also, the rigid panels last longer after years in the sun.
 
callisto said:
The portable solar panels are very, very expensive compared to the rigid roofmount type.
Example: (comparing apples to pears, but you will see whatI mean)
Ecoflow bifacial 220W panel is R11500. I bought 550W rigid panels from LeroyMerlin for R4000.

To get from 220W to 550W you multiply by 2.5: 550W for R28750. That is 7 times the price for the SAME electricity generated. If you are a affluent camping type, it makes sense.
However, buying the flexible panels for home use is a bad choice. Also, the rigid panels last longer after years in the sun.
Click to expand...

Yes but how do you connect these H/W store panels to the D2?
 
callisto said:
The portable solar panels are very, very expensive compared to the rigid roofmount type.
Example: (comparing apples to pears, but you will see whatI mean)
Ecoflow bifacial 220W panel is R11500. I bought 550W rigid panels from LeroyMerlin for R4000.

To get from 220W to 550W you multiply by 2.5: 550W for R28750. That is 7 times the price for the SAME electricity generated. If you are a affluent camping type, it makes sense.
However, buying the flexible panels for home use is a bad choice. Also, the rigid panels last longer after years in the sun.
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Sure having rigid panels on the roof would be first prize - Unfortunately I live in a Section Title and have been trying since January to get the Body Corporate update their conduct rules to set up guidelines on installing solar. Or simply say "yes but it's at your own cost" which I'm fine with. So far nothing and I can't simply wait until they finally wake up and realise there's an energy crisis before I do something. So ja, I'd love to use rigid panels but since I can't I'm forced into a bit of a corner and will possibly have to overspend on those foldable ones at some point.
P.S If anyone else is in the same position of dealing with the Socialist wet dream, (Sectional Title Scheme) and have any advise on how to get your BC to pull their finger out in regards to Solar Panels, I'd love to hear it. Thanks
 
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Valaskjalf said:
Sure having rigid panels on the roof would be first prize - Unfortunately I live in a Section Title and have been trying since January to get the Body Corporate update their conduct rules to set up guidelines on installing solar. Or simply say "yes but it's at your own cost" which I'm fine with. So far nothing and I can't simply wait until they finally wake up and realise there's an energy crisis before I do something. So ja, I'd love to use rigid panels but since I can't I'm forced into a bit of a corner and will possibly have to overspend on those foldable ones at some point.
P.S If anyone else is in the same position of dealing with the Socialist wet dream, (Sectional Title Scheme) and have any advise on how to get your BC to pull their finger out in regards to Solar Panels, I'd love to hear it. Thanks
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I know some people make a temporary structure from plastic pipes using the rigid ones and just take them inside in the evening - if you have a patio or balcony would be easier.

Not a fixed solution, however cheaper than the foldable ones...
 
Valaskjalf said:
Sure having rigid panels on the roof would be first prize - Unfortunately I live in a Section Title and have been trying since January to get the Body Corporate update their conduct rules to set up guidelines on installing solar. Or simply say "yes but it's at your own cost" which I'm fine with. So far nothing and I can't simply wait until they finally wake up and realise there's an energy crisis before I do something. So ja, I'd love to use rigid panels but since I can't I'm forced into a bit of a corner and will possibly have to overspend on those foldable ones at some point.
P.S If anyone else is in the same position of dealing with the Socialist wet dream, (Sectional Title Scheme) and have any advise on how to get your BC to pull their finger out in regards to Solar Panels, I'd love to hear it. Thanks
Click to expand...

How to make home made PVC solar panel frames for smaller rigid solar panels

Some of us don't have the option to go full solar, or to mount panels on a roof (like if we don't own the property) but still would like to be able to generate some of our own power. While the folding camping panels are nice, the reality is they're not designed for daily use and will likely die...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
Valaskjalf said:
Sure having rigid panels on the roof would be first prize - Unfortunately I live in a Section Title and have been trying since January to get the Body Corporate update their conduct rules to set up guidelines on installing solar. Or simply say "yes but it's at your own cost" which I'm fine with. So far nothing and I can't simply wait until they finally wake up and realise there's an energy crisis before I do something. So ja, I'd love to use rigid panels but since I can't I'm forced into a bit of a corner and will possibly have to overspend on those foldable ones at some point.
P.S If anyone else is in the same position of dealing with the Socialist wet dream, (Sectional Title Scheme) and have any advise on how to get your BC to pull their finger out in regards to Solar Panels, I'd love to hear it. Thanks
Click to expand...
The body corporate is all the owners, gather as many as you can who want solar and change the rules.
It's not a socialist wet dream if you actually know what living in a sectional title is and how you as one of the body corporate could change the rules.
 
Valaskjalf said:
Sure having rigid panels on the roof would be first prize - Unfortunately I live in a Section Title and have been trying since January to get the Body Corporate update their conduct rules to set up guidelines on installing solar. Or simply say "yes but it's at your own cost" which I'm fine with. So far nothing and I can't simply wait until they finally wake up and realise there's an energy crisis before I do something. So ja, I'd love to use rigid panels but since I can't I'm forced into a bit of a corner and will possibly have to overspend on those foldable ones at some point.
P.S If anyone else is in the same position of dealing with the Socialist wet dream, (Sectional Title Scheme) and have any advise on how to get your BC to pull their finger out in regards to Solar Panels, I'd love to hear it. Thanks
Click to expand...

Love Me Tender said:
I know some people make a temporary structure from plastic pipes using the rigid ones and just take them inside in the evening - if you have a patio or balcony would be easier.

Not a fixed solution, however cheaper than the foldable ones...
Click to expand...

I've got a north facing spare room upstairs and balance the Jackery Foldable Solar Panel inside against the window. Just leave it there permanently and it works a treat.

I also bought a 5m extension cable which together with the supplied cable gives a 7m charging cable so the power station can stay permanently connected to solar.

Portability is crucial for me.
 
maumau said:
I've got a north facing spare room upstairs and balance the Jackery Foldable Solar Panel inside against the window. Just leave it there permanently and it works a treat.
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Less efficient if inside though.
 
I am frequently asked to recommend these devices

One question that I cannot answer is whether the device should remain plugged in all the time with the load attached permanantly
 
chrisc said:
I am frequently asked to recommend these devices

One question that I cannot answer is whether the device should remain plugged in all the time with the load attached permanantly
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I would say no. If it remains plugged in there will be added wear on the unit. Fans won't last forever...
 
maumau said:
I've got a north facing spare room upstairs and balance the Jackery Foldable Solar Panel inside against the window. Just leave it there permanently and it works a treat.

I also bought a 5m extension cable which together with the supplied cable gives a 7m charging cable so the power station can stay permanently connected to solar.

Portability is crucial for me.
Click to expand...

What's your use case for this? Why this instead of charging via AC? Which power station do you have?
 
Park@82 said:
What's your use case for this? Why this instead of charging via AC? Which power station do you have?
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One person.

Backup power for fiber, 2x unifi APs and router. Will check battery after a 4 hour blackout because I don't remember offhand how much it uses.

Also for charging of laptop and phones.

Jackery 500 lives next to the fiber set up, foldable solar panel a few meters away permanently inside a North facing window because I'm out most of the day.

Depending on how many hours the blackout lasts at night and how low the battery goes I'll plug in the solar, or not.

Solar rather than AC because it's free :) and the unit charges during blackouts. There's an option for AC charging and if its raining I take it to work and AC charge there.

Charging is slow as opposed to Ecoflow but the 500 hasn't let me down so far and the support is phenomenal.

For lighting I've got 1x rechargeable light upstairs and 1 downstairs, battery powered headlamp :D for walking around the house or garden. If Jackery import their camping light I'll get one of them too.
 
maumau said:
For lighting I've got 1x rechargeable light upstairs and 1 downstairs, battery powered headlamp :D for walking around the house or garden. If Jackery import their camping light I'll get one of them too.
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I've found the Lumeno camping LEDs quite a good accompaniment to any portable power station/UPS with a 12v output, have a couple of them and they work very well. Quite versatile too given they have both a magnetic back and come with brackets for temp/perm attachment, and come in a range of sizes so one can, for example get a very bright one with 18 / 24 / 30 LEDs or smaller ones with 6 / 9 / 12.
 
Parched said:
I've found the Lumeno camping LEDs quite a good accompaniment to any portable power station/UPS with a 12v output, have a couple of them and they work very well. Quite versatile too given they have both a magnetic back and come with brackets for temp/perm attachment, and come in a range of sizes so one can, for example get a very bright one with 18 / 24 / 30 LEDs or smaller ones with 6 / 9 / 12.
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Where did you buy yours? I see there are a few variations I would be keen to get one with replaceable lifepo battery I see the Magneto range have lead acid
Anyone seen something in that area?
 
ejtango said:
Where did you buy yours? I see there are a few variations I would be keen to get one with replaceable lifepo battery I see the Magneto range have lead acid
Anyone seen something in that area?
Click to expand...
Got ours from takealot (eg https://www.takealot.com/lumeno-18-led-aluminium-diffused/PLID41395203 ). Instead of getting a light with an internal battery (had a few of those over the years) I decided to rather get backup lights that can be connected to a 12v source on a portable power station / UPS / battery.
 
Yes, much better solution What type of connection do they have? I cannot see on the TL photo How do you connect yours to the UPS/Portable power station with 3 point and 2 point EU plugs?
 
ejtango said:
Yes, much better solution What type of connection do they have? I cannot see on the TL photo How do you connect yours to the UPS/Portable power station with 3 point and 2 point EU plugs?
Click to expand...
Maybe I should take this to a lighting thread before I annoy people specifically talking about power stations here :) , but the lights have DC 5.5mm x 2.1mm female connections so you can connect them directly to a 12v DC output on a power station/UPS with a dc cable (maybe using an adapter if the dc output there is 5.5mm x 2.5mm), although Lumeno have a range of interchangeable cables and connectors and one could even just wire something like this to whatever size connection you want.
 
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