January 03, 2020

The Best Portable Power Station Review

- Everything You Need to Know

Whether you live in an area prone to natural disasters or you just have occasional power cuts, or you’re happen to be an outdoor enthusiast ...power outages are disturbing. Where we are saying we want to get away but we really don’t want to let go of our smartphones and other gadgets. While most indoor generators are gas motorized and can be used only outdoor due to the noise and smells, having a backup source such as a battery or power station portable is top on the list of household necessities. Portable power stations provide electricity through large batteries that are safe to use indoor and have a variety of charge ports. Plus, they’re a bit more portable, so you can actually take them with you on off-the-grid excursions.

What is a portable power station?

Portable lithium-based power bank, also called portable solar generator or solar generator, can be a life saver for camping and other unexpected extreme weathers.

Solar power generator is the smaller, mobile UPS rechargeable battery-powered generators. Equipped with portable outlet like AC outlet, DC carport and USB charging ports, these versatile, portable cooler-box-size gadgets are ideal for backup power supply, extended camping trips, construction sites, and other unexpected situations. Whenever & wherever else you need a reliable source of electricity while on-the-go, you can charge all your equipment, from smartphones, tablets, laptops to CPAP and small devices such as camping lights, fans, mini-coolers, electric blankets, etc.

How does the power station work?

In fact, portable solar generator like a DC to AC inverter that increases the DC voltage, and then changes it to alternating current before sending it out to power a device, like your laptop and TV. The DC input port collects and store the electricity/energy from an AC outlet or a portable solar panels and output through built-in USB ports, DC carport or an AC outlet. it’s like the oversize power banks simply charge & store electricity, and distributed safely, quietly, and without harmful by products. Portable lithium power station are distinctly more capable than pocket-sized cell-phone chargers, most of which cannot charge anything but a smartphone.

Because electric generator serves as an emergency backup battery power supply to charge electronic devices or even operate home appliances for outdoors and disasters. The best portable rechargeable power station should offer enough capacity from family camping trips to the toughest expeditions, charge smart devices and small appliances multiple times, hold up in the event of inclement weather or power cut, and have a variety of charge ports to be compatible with a range of plugs.

By Capacity

• 0−100 Wh / 100−200 Wh / 200−400 Wh
• 400−1,000 Wh / 1,000−1,500 Wh
• 1,500 Wh and above

By Application

• Emergency Power (Residential & Commercial end user)
• Off-grid Power
• Automotive

Benefits of Portable Solar Generator

Portable, compact and lightweight power supply. Provides reliable power for mainstream electronics, small appliances and more. Made for outdoor recreation, camping, and emergency preparedness.

Compared with a gas powered indoor generator, a battery powered generator is working without noise, fume and pollution. And it can team up with a portable solar panels, you can get the energy from the sun power, it is renewable and economical in the long terms. As the name suggests, it is portable, you can take it anywhere anytime.

Charge all your electronics with multi portable outlet: The best portable power stations can charge all of your electronics as well as multiple devices simultaneously. You won't have to worry again about losing power while camping, hiking, fishing, and more.

Convenient size easy to travel with: Most portable power stations are compact and lightweight. They can easily be packed away in your vehicle, RV, or trailer to bring with you on long trips.

Fully rechargeable: Portable solar generator 220v are completely rechargeable via any outlet, car adapter, portable solar panels, or cigarette socket lighter. Just make sure you can charge at your campsite or that you have a sufficient charge before heading out on an overnight trip.

Portable Solar Generator 500W 540Wh Features:

Feature	Advantage
Battery Type:  60pcs Li-ion 18650	1.Compatible with any 40-1000W 12V-24V Solar Panel, built-in MPPT controller system to help charging efficiency increasing.
Battery Capacity: 11.1V 50AH 540WH	2.2 groups DC output (DC1 & DC2), USB output and AC inverter is controlled by 3 separate switches, each group output has overcurrent protection.
Multi USB interface: 5V 4.8A+QC3.0+Type C	3.Each group output has separate overcurrent protection and triple protection function ( output ports, software, battery protection board )
Output Socket: Small all-purpose socket, American/Japanese standard	4.Featured with 2pcs quick charging USB ports: QC3.0 + TYPE-C, for mobile devices and modern computers.
LED lighting power: 4W	5.Featured with 1 Cigarette Lighter Socket port, suitable for outdoor refrigerator, car air compressor, navigator etc.

 Portable Solar Generators Technical Data Sheet:

Battery	Battery capacity	540WH/150000mah
	Battery type	18650 Ternary lithium battery，60piece
Charging	Input voltage	14-24V
	AC adaptor charging time	about 5-6 hours
	Solar charging time	about 5-6 hours(200W solar pannel)
	Car charging time	about 5-6 hours
	Protections	Positive and negative reverse connection protection, short circuit protection, over-voltage protection, current and voltage and power limit protection
AC output	Rated output power	500W
	Peak output power	1000W
	Ouput voltage	100V/110V OR 220V/240V
	Output frequency	50HZ OR 60HZ
	Protections	High and low voltage protection, short circuit protection, overload protection, high temperature protection
DC output	Type-C	18W MAX, 5V-12V
	USB	2 *5V/2.4A
	QC3.0	18W MAX, 5V-12V
	DC12V	2 *12V/4A
	The cigarette lighter	12V/8A
	Protections	Anti input back filling protection, positive and negative connection back protection, short circuit protection, over-current protection
Others	Operating Temperature	Charging ambient temperature: 0℃-40℃; Discharge ambient temperature: -10℃-40℃
	Product size	259*173*172mm(L*W*H)
	Product weight	5.1KG

Portable Solar Generator Terms and Conditions you might need to understand:

CAPACITY (Wh): solar powered generator 1000wh stands for Watt Hour and it is how a battery's energy storage capacity is measured. Watt Hour is now the more common way of measuring battery storage since it accounts for both capacity and the voltage and gives a more accurate measure of how long your battery will last.

Example for 300w solar powered generator, 307Wh: AC output working time=307wh*0.85(efficiency)/the power of your device

Assume your power of device is 50W, working time will be 307wh*0.85/50w=5.22 hrs ( rough calculated )

ACTUAL CAPACITY: Some manufacturers may not round up the solar powered generator watt-hours in their model number or subject, so a “300W” might really be a “280Wh” Read the label. And, not every device supplier actually discharges their advertised watt-hours, though there is very little actual test-based data on this point.

CHARGING INPUTS: solar power generator can be charged indoors and outdoors using three types of charging, like AC outlet from Wall socket, DC carport from vehicle's 12V output, or via optional portable solar panels.

Usually solar generator can be recharged by portable solar panels about 6-7 hours in full sun(100W); and fully charged from a wall outlet about 6-7 hours; By 12V car charger about 6-7 hours.

PORTABLE OUTLETS: Multiple output ports connecting different device at the same time. USB connection like tablets, iPhone, iPad, laptops; AC ports like fans, TV, lights and CPAP machine. Car port like car vacuum, car freezer etc. It can also output power while being charged.

It’s important to know if the solar powered generator you’re reviewing supports pass through technology, means if it’s capable of charging and discharging at the same time.

2* AC Outputs at 500W (peak 1000W), voltage at 100V/110V or 220V/240V, US-standard outlet for Phone, Tablet, Laptop, CPAP, Fishing light, Lamp, Fan, Christmas lights, etc.

1* 18W USB-C Port that charges iPhone, iPad, Galaxy S9, Pixel, drones, cameras, and more

1* Fast Charging USB3.0 Port; 2* 5V/2.4A USB Ports that support 12W per port

1* 12V/8A Car Port(Cigarette ligher) that supports 96W, such as car vacuum, car refrigerator, CPAP machine, etc

 2* 12V/4A DC Outputs(5.5mm) that support 48W per port.

500wh solar power generator would be powerful enough to charge smartphones (2000mAh) 70 times, laptops (56wh) 8.5 times, mini car fridge(45W) about 10-18 hours, 32" TVs ( 75W ) 6-7 hours, mini projector (60W) about 6-7 hours or other small power appliances.

CHARGE CYCLES: Typically used to specify a battery's expected life, as the number of charge cycles affects life more than the mere passage of time. All manufacturers claim their power stations can be charged 500 times before capacity starts to falter. But more likely you’ll be replacing one of these things with improved technology in a couple years perhaps, before it fails as charging cycles.

PURE SINE WAVE TECHNOLOGY: This is better than modified sine-wave (MSW), because the total harmonic distortion is higher in MSW inverters, motors will run hotter (less efficiently, consuming up to 30% higher), and likely not last as long as pure sine wave device. Additionally, a MSW inverter will often cause a “buzz” to be heard from audio devices. Pure sine wave AC output provides clean power which is safer for sensitive electronics

LIGHTS: Some solar power generator have built-in LED flashlights. Usually press the button once for immobile white light mode and press twice for SOS mode, very handy and useful when power goes out at home whether due to a hurricane or other natural (or unnatural) events, the emergency flashlight will help to keep outdoor adventure safe in the dark as well.

DISPLAYS: It tells you when it’s charging, what rate it is charging at, and how much capacity remains. Mutifuction LCD display that shows battery operating status timely (include AC output power or load, battery capacity or percent, over-temperature, battery failure alarm). It is useful with bright emergency light good for outdoor illumination or emergency.

TEMPERATURE RANGE: Lithium batteries rely on chemical reactions to work, and the cold can slow and even stop those reactions from occurring. And very low temperatures affect their ability to store and release energy as well.

Since cold conditions drain these batteries, you’ll need to charge them more often. Unfortunately, charging them in low temperatures is not as effective as doing so under normal weather conditions. Most of these devices are said to operate only when temps are between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If that matters, check.

DESIGN: Some of solar power generators are more ruggedly designed than others. Storing them in one spot garage or keeping in a box when traveling, physical attractiveness is less of a concern. Do make sure your portable power stations come with a handle (most have one).

SOLAR: Portable solar panels, the sun is a gigantic supplier of energy! Whether you are an avid camper, or you‘re getting ready for the next fishing or hunting trip with family and friends, a reliable and consistent electricity supply is the key while you're looking for outdoor adventure. Solar power is an excellent option to increase the fun of recreation by using a stand alone portable solar panels, we’ll vote for that.

Portable Solar Generator Applications:

HOME BACKUP POWER

Stock up on emergency power, prepare for unexpected emergencies such as hurricane seasons and power outages. Stay connected and safe in difficult times.

Power BBQ

Enjoy an off-grid average when driving with the tailgate or grilling outdoors. Throw the ultimate outdoor gathering with portable power to power refrigerators, coolers, blenders, music, and more.

Power Mobile Office

Creativity can come from anywhere if it occurs to you. You can move away from the walls and work for eight hours.

Power RV life

Being on the go can be a fantastic reality, while being powerless from the grid can be a nightmare. The portable solar generators make your camping or night grill party on the beach safer, increase the fun of recreation at the lake, with marine life, at garden parties, or while tailgate driving. Enjoy mobile life and stay powered. Finally, you can charge your power plant via solar and even via your carport.

How long do solar generator last?

	Fanco Power Station FC1000	Fanco Power Station FC500	Fanco Power Station FC300	Fanco Power Station FC120
Phone	100 Charges	53 Charges	30 Charges	16 Charges
Drone(60W)	16 Charges	9 Charges	5.5 Charges	3 Charges
Camera(10W)	50 Charges	25 Charges	18 Charges	6.5 Charges
Led Light(5W)	76H	45Hrs	27Hrs	29Hrs
Laptop(Macbook Pro)	12.5 Charges	7 Charges	4 Charges	3-4 Charges
Fan(20W)	47Hrs	25Hrs	15Hrs	5Hrs
CPAP(DC Outlet)	55H-78H	23-40Hrs	15Hrs	/
Car Fridge(60W)	66Hrs	37Hrs	20Hrs	2.5Hrs
TV(60W)	14Hrs	7.5Hrs	4.5Hrs	2.5Hrs
Blender(300W)	13Hrs	6Hrs	/	/
Electric Blankets(40W)	40Hrs	22Hrs

FAQ on Portable Power Station:

Q: Can I charge and use the power station at the same time?
A: Yes! It has the pass-through charging feature which means that this unit can charge other devices while it is being re-charged.

Q: What does Ac peak 1000w mean? Wondering if I can run a 1000w blow dry brush
A: Its AC ports are rated at 500W continuous. 1000W peak means that it can endure 1000W load for a short period of time. But it can't work at 1000W for long time or continuously. Therefore it can't work with any device that is over 500W continuously.

Q: How long does a 200W solar generator last?
A: Run time depends on what device you use and what wattage it consumes.
This is the method how to calculate runtime roughly (using AC port on this power station)
Runtime= 180Wh / rate power of your device

Q: How long does the power station take to full charge this solar portable power station?
A: Usually it has four ways to recharge.It can be fully recharged within 5-7 hours by SolarSaga 100W in full sun. It can also be fully recharged within 5-7 hours by wall outlet, car outlet and generator.

Q: Can I use the solar power generator to charge my CPAP Machine?
A: Most CPAP machines are between 30-60 Watts. Watts is a unit of power and a function of current (amps) and volts (Watts= amps x volts).
The working hours = Watt hours *0.85 / watts.
For example, the power of the Resmed Airsense 10 is 53W, and without running humidifier: 518Wh*0.85/53W=8.8 Hrs

Q: Can I charge many devices at one time?
A: The power station portable outlets and powering options allow you to charge up and run multiple devices all at the same time. Simultaneously charge up to 10 devices without any fear of over-current, over-voltage or over-temperature.

Q: How to store and charge the solar generator if I don’t use it for a long time?
A: Please kindly store the power station within 0-40℃. And please recharge it every 3-month to keep the battery power above 50% if you don't use it.

Need to know more? Email

Leave a comment

Name *

Email *

Comment *

---

Also in News