The Truth About Solar Generators!

Introduction

In a previous video, I constructed a DIY solar generator power station that can be charged through a standard wall charger or solar panels. Today, I will demonstrate all features and testing capabilities of this portable power station, including the performance tests on various devices.

Components of the DIY Solar Generator

At the core of my solar generator setup is a 100 amp-hour lithium iron phosphate battery paired with a 1000-watt pure sine wave inverter. This inverter allows me to power two 120-volt AC outlets. Additionally, on the DC side, I have two 12-volt outlets and multiple USB ports, all managed via a six-blade fuse box on the control panel. This panel includes a master shut-off switch, positive and negative bus bars, and extensive overcurrent protection.

I also installed a battery monitor shunt to monitor the power status of my system easily. For charging, I have a robust wall charger fitted with an Anderson plug, allowing charging from 0% to 100% in a little over five hours. The solar charging capacity also allows me to connect two 100-watt solar panels for a complete charge from 0% to 100% in just under two days. Furthermore, a recently installed thermostat switch helps manage a cooling fan powered through a USB plug.

Performance Testing

Shop Vac Testing

To kick off the performance testing, I connected my rigid shop vac. The shop vac drew around 880 watts. Calculating from my battery's available watt-hours (1,200 watt-hours using a 100 amp-hour rating at 12 volts), I estimated an average of approximately 1,300 watt-hours. Thus, I could run the shop vac for nearly 1.48 hours, which aligns with my battery monitor's reading of 1 hour and 42 minutes.

Miter and Table Saw Testing

Next, I tested my miter saw, which consumed between 560 and 700 watts during a continuous two-minute run. This suggests that I could run the saw continuously for just over 2 hours based on my power availability.

For the table saw, which ripped a 2x3 piece of wood, peak wattages reached 1,000 watts, while the average draw was around 940 watts. Hence, I could utilize this table saw for about 1 hour and 38 minutes.

Testing the Portable Refrigerator

Moving on, I tested a portable 12-volt refrigerator provided by Set Power. After packing it with groceries, I let it run for 10 hours. Upon checking, the battery percentage was still at 83%, while the internal temperature registered at 37°F.

Continuing this test for an additional 10 hours, the battery level dropped to 71%, meaning the refrigerator ran for a total of 20 hours and 15 minutes, using about 29% of the available power. With an average draw of 35 watts, I concluded that it could run for approximately 70 hours under similar conditions.

Testing the CPAP Machine

Finally, I ran a CPAP machine for 8 hours, consuming an average of 41.2 watts. The battery percentage dropped to 75% after this duration, indicating that it could run the CPAP machine for roughly four nights on a single charge, proving invaluable during power outages or while camping.

Conclusion

Overall, the performance testing shows a wide range of devices that I can power with my DIY solar generator. It provided impressive results for tools and appliances without any additional recharge, emphasizing the efficiency and utility of renewable energy sources.

Keyword

DIY solar generator, lithium iron phosphate battery, pure sine wave inverter, power tools, performance testing, portable refrigerator, CPAP machine, renewable energy

FAQ

Q1: What is the capacity of the DIY solar generator's battery?
A1: The DIY solar generator is equipped with a 100 amp-hour lithium iron phosphate battery.

Q2: How long does it take to charge the solar generator completely?
A2: It takes just over 5 hours to charge the generator using a wall charger.

Q3: Can the solar generator power tools and appliances?
A3: Yes, it can power various tools including shop vacs, miter saws, table saws, and 12-volt refrigerators.

Q4: How long can the 12-volt refrigerator run on this solar generator?
A4: The refrigerator ran for 20 hours and 15 minutes while only using 29% of the available power.

Q5: How long can the CPAP machine operate on the solar generator?
A5: The CPAP machine can run for up to four nights on a single charge of the solar generator.