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About those solar generators

J

JohnC

Ranger
I probably have more of them than I need. But it's Black Friday and I'm sitting in front of a computer. What could possibly go wrong??? LoL!

Last year about this time I bought a 1KWh Ecoflow Delta3 Plus for $600 which was a good deal. I used it this year and it works great. This year I didn't really think I needed another one but it's always interesting to see what's on the market.

Turns out Anker just released the 1KWh Solix C1000 Gen 2. Very similar to the my current Delt3 Plus. But currently on sale for $349. Well, turns out I now have one on the way, due here on Friday.

I'll just say if you are in the market that is a great price for a very good sized sogen. And Anker is a quality brand name. It has an app. The solar input uses the XT60i input jack which is the same input jack as the Ecoflow uses. So, if you have an Ecoflow unit already, any solar hookup you have for it will work with the Anker. No need for any additional add ons.

In case you are interested the best currently price is on Amazon.


www.ankersolix.com

Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - 1,024Wh | 2,000W

Discover Anker and shop chargers, batteries, hubs, docks, portable power stations, conferencing gear, and more.
www.ankersolix.com www.ankersolix.com
 
Wow, this IS a good price. A similar sized 1100wh Precision Battery (the first LI option in the CI) cost $1000. Sogens this size went for around the same a couple years back.

Well, might as well go big or go home: the next biggest Anker can run the CI AC for at least a couple hours, correct? Only $600+!!!

Anker SOLIX C2000


I'm curious about the "alternator option" coming soon. This could make using a sogen as a drop in "house battery" added to the tow vehicle an easy mod, no fooling with dc to dc charger boxes, fuses, A/B switches.

The claimed "alternator charge" option for 1.8 hr full charge is a big improvement over 12 hrs to charge thru a typical cigarette lighter plug on 15 amp fuses circuit thats probably also charging a cellphone, maybe couple more toys on usb and also keeping a dometic cool thru a cigarette port.

I wonded about what that does to mpg and alternator life tho...

The hyper fast time of 1.8 hr to charge on solar on the C1000 is based on 600w of panels. Thats a lot, but the advantage if you DID haul that much is you dont have to sit in camp all day moving a couple 100w panels to face the sun, every 3-4 hours to max the angle for 8-10 hrs...on say 2 100w panels.
 

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I superimposed the Anker C2000 over the Evoflow Delta3, using Grok4 to draw silhouette superimposed to compare size, like the Anker ad showing the C1000 vs "another" brand as lighter and smaller.

Well, my use of AI needs work...;)

┌──────────────────────────────┐ ← 18.1" length
│ │
│ ┌─────────────────┐ │
│ │ │ │ ← red = 15.7" length
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ └─────────────────┘ │
│ │
└──────────────────────────────┘
10.1" height 11.2" height (red)
 
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I think is it’s way past time to retire the cigarette lighter plug system. New vehicles don’t have them any longer and they are so prone to shaking loose. I love my Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core because it comes with Anderson Power Pole inputs and output sockets that are super secure.
 
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Randy said:
I think is it’s way past time to retire the cigarette lighter plug system. New vehicles don’t have them any longer and they are so prone to shaking loose. I love my Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core because it comes with Anderson Power Pole inputs and output sockets that are super secure.
Click to expand...
I keep looking at new sogens hoping to find Anderson connections. All the DC output seems to be USB C that I dont think ties in well to the Dometic DC...
Here is a Dometic DC plug to Anderson cord.
www.perceptionlighting.com.au

Dometic Fridge Cord to Anderson Plug Adapter Lead

Dometic Fridge Cord to Anderson Plug Adapter Lead
www.perceptionlighting.com.au www.perceptionlighting.com.au

Here is another question on panel use, referencing an issue in EcoFlows.
 

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Thanks @JohnC

Just looking on last day of Amazon Black Friday, and I see the equivalent sized Jackery is also going for 1/3 of 2 years ago...or the price of roughly same size portable sogen I got from same maker as Precision Heated Battree that CI offered as first Lion option.

That worked ok but the connectors were sort of rinky-dink and plastic case wobbly in places, and display less useful than then competitors.

It did stand up to a lot of abuse being run down to nothing trying to match charging from solar panels to the Dometic charging options cutoffs...
But has no "pass through charging" nor did the DC charging have BCM control to shut it off, except via solar plugs.

The new Jackery model also has cigarette plug output, and all USB for DC out, fast charging, app control via BT.

I think I recall past reviews of earlier models had Anderson plugs...but no more. Must be an Aussie thing.


The quest for My Precioussss continues.
 
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TheSongDogHouse said:
Thanks @JohnC

Just looking on last day of Amazon Black Friday, and I see the equivalent sized Jackery is also going for 1/3 of 2 years ago...or the price of roughly same size portable sogen I got from same maker as Precision Heated Battree that CI offered as first Lion option.

That worked ok but the connectors were sort of rinky-dink and plastic case wobbly in places, and display less useful than then competitors.

It did stand up to a lot of abuse being run down to nothing trying to match charging from solar panels to the Dometic charging options cutoffs...
But has no "pass through charging" nor did the DC charging have BCM control to shut it off, except via solar plugs.

The new Jackery model also has cigarette plug output, and all USB for DC out, fast charging, app control via BT.

I think I recall past reviews of earlier models had Anderson plugs...but no more. Must be an Aussie thing.


The quest for My Precioussss continues.
Click to expand...
It's not surprising that the prices keep coming down as the technology evolves. Something you wouldn't have bought a couple of years ago can now be cheap enough that its current price is worth it just for the convenience alone. At these prices, I decided a second 1Kwh unit is convenient for me just to possibly avoid the need to recharge my main sogen. Last year I bought a couple of 300 watt units just to more easily be able to recharge all the batteries I use on the road as well as sometimes do relief duty on the fridge at night.

The older I get, the more I value convenience.
 
TheSongDogHouse said:
I keep looking at new sogens hoping to find Anderson connections. All the DC output seems to be USB C that I dont think ties in well to the Dometic DC...
Here is a Dometic DC plug to Anderson cord.
www.perceptionlighting.com.au

Dometic Fridge Cord to Anderson Plug Adapter Lead

Dometic Fridge Cord to Anderson Plug Adapter Lead
www.perceptionlighting.com.au www.perceptionlighting.com.au

Here is another question on panel use, referencing an issue in EcoFlows.
Click to expand...
The Goal Zero Sogens have Anderson Powerpole connectors.
 
Randy said:
I think is it’s way past time to retire the cigarette lighter plug system. New vehicles don’t have them any longer and they are so prone to shaking loose. I love my Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core because it comes with Anderson Power Pole inputs and output sockets that are super secure.
Click to expand...
I agree, it's kinda hard to understand why they keep using such a relatively unstable connector. Having said that, I can't say having them come loose is something that's been a chronic problem for us. It's probably more a situation where there are still more cigarette style 12V connectors in use out there than any other kind, so they feel the need to provide that. It's great that Goal Zero has made the change and hopefully others will follow, but that hasn't happened in the years GZ has been using it.
Over the last couple years the move by everyone to the better LiFePO4 batteries, along with the prices dropping to where I can now get two Ecoflow Delta 2's for a little over half of what I paid for one three years ago and it's hard to justify paying nearly three times the price for the GZ just for the superior connector. When my Delta 2 goes past warranty (still have a couple years) I may try replacing the cigarette plug on it with and Anderson Power Pole connector. Some great deals for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday event. https://us.ecoflow.com/pages/black-friday
 
dustinp said:
I agree, it's kinda hard to understand why they keep using such a relatively unstable connector. Having said that, I can't say having them come loose is something that's been a chronic problem for us. It's probably more a situation where there are still more cigarette style 12V connectors in use out there than any other kind, so they feel the need to provide that. It's great that Goal Zero has made the change and hopefully others will follow, but that hasn't happened in the years GZ has been using it.
Over the last couple years the move by everyone to the better LiFePO4 batteries, along with the prices dropping to where I can now get two Ecoflow Delta 2's for a little over half of what I paid for one three years ago and it's hard to justify paying nearly three times the price for the GZ just for the superior connector. When my Delta 2 goes past warranty (still have a couple years) I may try replacing the cigarette plug on it with and Anderson Power Pole connector. Some great deals for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday event. https://us.ecoflow.com/pages/black-friday
Click to expand...
Yeah, the improvements in the technology since I bought my first sogen and solar panel 5 years ago are pretty remarkable. Learning what does and doesn’t work for you is also pretty helpful. ;-) I ended up buying a 350 watt portable solar panel the other day because it is so much better than the ones I first bought, not to mention much cheaper. I might actually use this one on the road and not just at home. LoL :-)
 
JohnC said:
I probably have more of them than I need. But it's Black Friday and I'm sitting in front of a computer. What could possibly go wrong??? LoL!

Last year about this time I bought a 1KWh Ecoflow Delta3 Plus for $600 which was a good deal. I used it this year and it works great. This year I didn't really think I needed another one but it's always interesting to see what's on the market.

Turns out Anker just released the 1KWh Solix C1000 Gen 2. Very similar to the my current Delt3 Plus. But currently on sale for $349. Well, turns out I now have one on the way, due here on Friday.

I'll just say if you are in the market that is a great price for a very good sized sogen. And Anker is a quality brand name. It has an app. The solar input uses the XT60i input jack which is the same input jack as the Ecoflow uses. So, if you have an Ecoflow unit already, any solar hookup you have for it will work with the Anker. No need for any additional add ons.

In case you are interested the best currently price is on Amazon.


www.ankersolix.com

Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - 1,024Wh | 2,000W

Discover Anker and shop chargers, batteries, hubs, docks, portable power stations, conferencing gear, and more.
www.ankersolix.com www.ankersolix.com
Click to expand...

Wow....

This is a little small for my desires, but the price has me tempted!!! The power in my hosue is not as stable as it once was -- when we moved here we NEVER had power problems, but the warehouse construction along the interstate has made a mess of the grid. I am seeing power blips every couple weeks, and 2 or 3 times now it has been seveal hours without power. It would be nice to have power to at last run my pellet stove for a couple of hours...1000ah would give me 2-3 hours at least I would imagine. hmmm.
 
Sweeney said:
Wow....

This is a little small for my desires, but the price has me tempted!!! The power in my hosue is not as stable as it once was -- when we moved here we NEVER had power problems, but the warehouse construction along the interstate has made a mess of the grid. I am seeing power blips every couple weeks, and 2 or 3 times now it has been seveal hours without power. It would be nice to have power to at last run my pellet stove for a couple of hours...1000ah would give me 2-3 hours at least I would imagine. hmmm.
Click to expand...
Those are kilowatt hours not amp hours. But maybe a 2 KWh one could do the job for you? They aren't much more $$ than the 1KWh ones but weigh about 45 lbs vs 25-27 lbs for the 1KWh unit. If you don't plan to carry them around for camping 2KWh might be a good deal.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
I’ve been going back and forth on these two units. Any insight, suggestions or recommendations appreciated.

Click to expand...
I'm not a big fan of the Ecoflow solar panels. Although I'm not familiar with the Anker panel it looks to have a 16 bus bar panel which is a better and newer technology and may pull in a few more watts in the same conditions. Additionally, The Anker sogen is their latest generation whereas the Ecoflow is an older generation model.

Either will perform well but between these two packages I'd lean toward the Anker package even for a few dollars more.
 
dustinp said:
I agree, it's kinda hard to understand why they keep using such a relatively unstable connector. Having said that, I can't say having them come loose is something that's been a chronic problem for us. It's probably more a situation where there are still more cigarette style 12V connectors in use out there than any other kind, so they feel the need to provide that. It's great that Goal Zero has made the change and hopefully others will follow, but that hasn't happened in the years GZ has been using it.
Over the last couple years the move by everyone to the better LiFePO4 batteries, along with the prices dropping to where I can now get two Ecoflow Delta 2's for a little over half of what I paid for one three years ago and it's hard to justify paying nearly three times the price for the GZ just for the superior connector. When my Delta 2 goes past warranty (still have a couple years) I may try replacing the cigarette plug on it with and Anderson Power Pole connector. Some great deals for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday event. https://us.ecoflow.com/pages/black-friday
Click to expand...
Ya, I checked and you are correct, Goal Zero pricing is much higher than the competition. Don’t think they will be able to sustain that with the rising n7mber of more affordable Sogens on the market. I sold a Jackery because I was not able to rely on the the cigarette lighter plug connection.
 
I have just finished configuring the house for emergency backup, using 4 different, brand new LiFePO4 EcoFlows (D3MP, D3 Classic, D2, River2) with a combined capacity of 5kwh. They'll power most things by me taking them to their respective "zone": basement, kitchen, entertainment area, and next door to the in-law's. Each has their overall capacity and max outputs somewhat tailored to their area and duties. whether its a well pump, fridge or a computer. Recharging is by way of my small Honda inverter generator. I can recharge any one of these individually in just an hour; all 4 can be done en masse in 2 1/2 -3 hrs. The "solar" part of a sogen... doesn't really work at 6pm on Dec 17th, if your batteries are low, regardless of which part the continent you live in. Hence my decision to rely on the quick, any-time-of-the-day turnaround with the generator, which uses canned ethanol-free fuel. The short run-times for the genny now make this type of expensive fuel somewhat practical. And certainly more trouble-free, given its 5-year shelf life and no gummed up carbs. It also helps that much of our energy needs are shouldered by natural gas and wood heat, which allows the 5kwh capacity to keep the vast majority of our household appliances running. I'm just about ready to wire up the gas furnace to a manual single-circuit EZ Switch transfer switch, so it can run off either the EcoFlow or the Honda. None of this would have been possible even a couple years ago, without LiFePO4 portable stations emerging on the scene and prices coming way down. My first EcoFlow 8 years ago, when they were in their infancy, was a 412wh Li-ion for $900, and a 5-hr recharge time via 110AC! Lots has improved since then. Except, of course, the extreme weather, power outages and the growing need to have these back-ups on hand.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
I’ve been going back and forth on these two units. Any insight, suggestions or recommendations appreciated.

Click to expand...
V&T: Our 2kwh unit stays in the basement. At 50 lbs its portable, but not really. The 1kwh units are portable, but are still somewhat cumbersome for trailer /road use, and overkill for our mobile purposes. The small EF Trail 300 is perfect for the Dometic and as a Camp-Inn 12V back-up. Doing a home device energy audit, figuring out how many watts a device actually pulls, both continuous and over a 24 hr period, was helpful for me, and allowed me to not "over-spec" for a particular area. I'm glad I got the D3Max Plus to power the 1/2hp well pump. Because even at 3000w and 6000w surge, it was still tripping overload, until I engaged the X-Boost feature. I never would have guessed that it would do so, since it normally resides on a 15A circuit, without incident. It really depends on what you're trying to power and for how long, and what your recharging capabilities are.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
I’ve been going back and forth on these two units. Any insight, suggestions or recommendations appreciated.

Click to expand...
We have the Delta 2, and recently added a Delta 3 with a 220 watt EF bifacial panel. I like the sogen, but the folding panel is a bit of a pain with its case being used as its support, it isn't the most stable, and the 3 panels try to fold back up to their folded stored position. I've also heard of panels breaking when owners are too aggressive with opening them beyond straight trying to get them to stay straight when let go. I think a couple of 100 watt rigid panels would be easier to setup, position, probably not much heavier, and less fragile.
 
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