Author Topic: Experiences with using portable solar generators to run lighting off grid?  (Read 4188 times)
takemorepills
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Re: Experiences with using portable solar generators to run lighting off grid? « Reply #15 on: December 26, 2024, 08:50:58 AM » Author: takemorepills
I have a Solix C1000 and Solix BP1000 expansion battery that I take along when I go camping.

I have actually considered, just for fun, bringing along a low wattage MV yard blaster  to light up my campsite using the Solix.
However, don't think the campsite neighbors would appreciate that! And, it's a great way to burn through the capacity of a "solar generator".

In the winter, my Solix setup runs my heating blanket to keep me warm.

I don't have solar panels, I think the name "solar generator" is a little misleading. It's more like a portable power station that can be charged several ways. My truck has a built-in 400 watt inverter that I converted to a Redarc pure sine, and I use that to charge my Solix, not solar panels. I just plug-in the Solix when I am driving and set it to pull 400 watts from my truck, it can fully recharge in 2.5 hours, which if I am out "overlanding" means I can have both the C1000 and BP1000 fully recharged as I travel between locations. I may get solar later, but the way I use it is good for my needs.

We have also experimented with running our Traffic Signals from my C1000, I was able to fully run a 6-phase traffic signal for just over 8 hours with my Solix. The Solix handles auto-transfer and UPS just like our very expensive Alpha FXM-1100 systems, but at only $450 per Solix C1000 is far cheaper than the Alpha FXM setup, which is about $20K and still uses SLA batteries.
It looks like in our 2025 budget we will be replacing our Honda portable generators with the Solix C1000s. The gas generators are great, but often times the carbs are gummed up from ethanol, and the generators get stolen when we power a traffic signal and don't have anyone to watch them. The Solix C1000 can fit into any NEMA Traffic Signal Cabinet we have, and it can be locked up inside the cabinet, not so easy to do with a portable gas generator.
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