Portable Solar Generator Pros And Cons
Author: Don Tedson
A portable solar generator is especially useful in the outdoors. Some of us may be used to not having power while camping or going out on excursions. However, let's admit that it can get pretty inconvenient and frustrating. We'd like to be able to really enjoy the outdoors by having all our equipment functioning properly.
Even when you aren't outdoors, a portable generator can still come in handy. They are still able to aid your family and home during power outages when you need your refrigerator and heating systems to continue running. They can even be used during major disasters such as storms, floods and fires that affect the power grid.
So what makes up portable solar generators? These generators generally consist of a battery charger, generator and lightweight frame. A solar power batter charger is actually not expensive and can be carried just about anywhere. The generator itself is lightweight, as you will notice in roll-up solar panels and solar backpacks.
Now let's talk about the costs of portable solar generators. You can actually assemble your very own for a few hundred dollars. There are some websites that offer free information on how to do this. However this can be cumbersome, especially if you aren't experienced. It might a better idea to buy a new one online at a low cost.
There are some things you need to remember when buying a portable solar generator. The main things you need to consider are cost, power features and portability. These generators are available in a very wide price range and can cost you anywhere from 0 to over 00. There is a lot of information about the features and pricing of solar generators online. So take time to read customer reviews, compare prices and scan over pictures to evaluate how much value you're going to get for your money.
Check the features carefully. Check the availability of AC and DC power, inverter size, battery recharge time and battery run time. You might also want to check if there are added features such as extra solar panels and batteries. Moreover, there are portable solar generators that can be carried around easily and others that are just not as portable as claimed. Determine if the size, weight and number of parts in a generator make it possible to move around with ease. Some generators actually come with wheels. Finally, find out if the generator itself is easy to assemble and use.
Even though a portable solar generator is typically safe to use, always follow the manufacturer's manual. Generally, generators pose a small risk for accidents. Like all powerful appliances and equipment, you need to handle them the proper way for more safety.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/camping-articles/portable-solar-generator-pros-and-cons-2717354.html
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Find out more about Portable Solar Generators and how they can make your life easier by visiting www.portableelectricgenerators.info/portable-solar-generators.html
How to hook up a portable generator to the grid to supplement my solar system?
I want to run the generator just enough to feedback enough kilowatts to make my annual bill zero usage.
I already have a solar system that feeds electricity back to the grid (it is approved by the power company) but my solar panels don’t quite make as much as I use in a year. I want to hook up my diesel generator (that I will run on used veggie oil) to make up the difference. If I hook it up with diodes in line (to prevent feedback to my generator) will it work? I have read something about the cycling being a problem.
Definitely not a good idea to do. Also illegal in most areas. Code dictates that generators be connected to a home electrical system with an isolation switch to prevent feeding electricity to the grid. That way if power is out, the lines will be dead . If power were out and generator not isolated the lineman could be electrocuted.
Next is cost. I have a standby generator that runs on natural gas. HAd an extended power outage last fall. Cost about $2.00 an hour to run it.
A good portable generator..?
I want to get my husband a portable generator for his new workspace away from home. He needs to be able to run a table saw, circular saw, router, jig saw, compressor and various other tools. Not really all at the same time but within the same two hours. I really want a solar powered one considering we live in such a sunny place it would also save money in the long run. Any recommendations? I want a quality one but money is an object so not outrageously priced. Thanks!
What generator do I buy?
I’ve just started researching and I’ve already “had it”! I want a portable generator that will run a coffee maker, laptop, radio…generally small appliances. I want it to hold enough of a charge to make a pot of coffee (about 10 minutes). I don’t want an education on watts and dips and whatevers. Solar, batteries, and a hand crank would be nice. I just want to plug in the two prong plug (US) into the thing. What generator do I buy?
Power Generator for travel trailer – alternative energy kinds like biodiesel or hydrogen or solar?
We have a 27′ older travel trailer we’ve parked in the woods. There is no water, no power, no electricity. We’d like to turn this old dinosaur into an experiment in off-the grid cottage (start off with trailer and build around it). One thing is a power generator. Does anyone know if biodiesel (i.e. vegetable oil) portable generators exist or if perhaps hydrogen generators? This would be a back up to a solar panel hooked up to the trailer battery. Also looking into how to build a well and septic system. Links to books or examples of websites or other resources would be nice. Piece of land we have is in Quebec. P.S. not sure which category to put this in, there’s nothing on alternative energy.
It sounds like he is a pretty handy guy so you might think about buying a welder rather than a generator only. Lincoln makes several sizes of welder/generators that would work. You would just have to make sure it was large enough to provide 2.5 times the current draw of the largest tool (or largest group of tools that would need to run at any one time).
If i were the last person on earth , i cannot use up all the available power that is existing, I would just get a portable generator or a solar power kit with complete accessories, I dont mind which kind i use because i can use it all with the easiest to assemble as my guide.
Baby, i dont have to bother myself with which to use because as you said i am the last one and i have everything available to choose.
Dont think big because you are the only user baby.
For a single appliance at a time a 2000 watt generator will be adequate. If you want to run multiple appliances or connect to your home’s electrical system I wouldn’t go anything less than 5000 watts.
Honda makes a very good portable generator, but be ready for price tag shock. There are many cheap (not inexpensive) Chinese built generators floating around. If you want an expensive paperweight they make a great deal. Coleman Powermate had a 1850 watt generator which you may be able to find used. I had one and other than being noisy it was a good machine. They sell used for about $200-$450.
Read through my home generator page.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html
Hello,
I find your question very cool as alternative fuels are one of the hot topics of our times.
Ok, I’ll list the most popular alternative fuels and some chunks of information and useful links alongwith them:
1- CNG i.e Compressed Natural Gas.
In India’s capital city Delhi, the public transport vehicles have switched to CNG. It not only helps reduce pollution but, also is good for the economy. Your country, Canada is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world.
I think you folks might try switching to CNG. I recommend CNG if you have a nearby retail CNG gas-station. CNG cylinders might also be available there.
Here are a few useful links:
1] Info on Natural Gas in Canada
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/fuels/natural-gas/natural-gas.cfm?attr=8
2] Technocarb Equipment Ltd.- Alternative Fuel Power
http://www.technocarb.com/news.htm
3] FIBA Canning Inc.- Another company pioneering the Natural gas buisness
http://www.fibacanning.com/FIRSTS.htm
4] Very useful info on CNG and its market
http://www.transoceangas.com/
5] Canada’s initiatives with the “Green Gas”
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/04/canada_funds_hy.html
6] You want fuel cylinders? Check this link out:
http://www.dynetek.com/
7] A forum for starters
http://www.ngv.org/ngv/ngvorg01.nsf
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2- Biodiesel
An excellent choice for alternative fuel this one. I didn’t need to research much about it as there is a website called biodiesel-canada.org on the internet. Here is the link:
http://www.biodiesel-canada.org/
You can find almost everything you might wanna know there.
Here is another site with awesome info on biodiesel and ethanol-
http://www.greenfuels.org/biodiesel/index.htm
A useful link from greenfuels.org -
http://www.greenfuels.org/biodiesel/pandf.htm#f
Unfortunately, I don’t think biodiesel generators exist as it is produced from organic activities e.g. decaying of leaves etc. You’ll have to buy the cylinders from biodiesel stations.
Here is some more info about this :
http://www.thevarsity.ca/media/storage/paper285/news/2005/02/03/Science/Biodiesel.Canadas.Future-850736.shtml?norewrite200606021946&sourcedomain=www.thevarsity.ca
If you are intersted in trivia, here are some biodiesel facts :
http://www.canadacleanfuels.com/biodiesel.html
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/cars/biodiesel/emissions.html
Now, if you’d like to “brew” biodiesel in your own backyard, here is a web-page you’ll love :
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/biodiesel.htm
If you like researching, Wikipedia is the place to start :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel
(Just click on the external links under the article)
And if you’d like to see some papers and books about biodiesel, here is the link:
http://web.missouri.edu/~pavt0689/biofuel.html
An advice: Please, be sure that the use of biodiesel has been approved by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
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3. SVO – Straight Vegetable Oil
Dancingrabbit.com has some useful info on unmodified Veg oil which is used mixed with other fuels. Here is the link:
http://www.dancingrabbit.org/biodiesel/
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4- Hydrogen
I am afraid, Hydrogen (as an alternative fuel) too might not be available through generators. You’ll have to go to fuelling stations like this one to run your vehicle with Hydrogen gas :
http://www.h2.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=158&Itemid=58
Here is the ultimate website for some who wants discussion papers, CDs, accesibility, info, etc on Hydrogen as an alternative fuel, check it out :
http://www.h2.ca/
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Here is a great online journal about alternative fuels:
http://www.greencar.com/index.cfm?content=links
You might also be interested in alternative fuels other than those listed above. Here is a list of some other interesting alternative sources of energy :
* Electricity,
* Ethanol,
* The p-series,
* Propane,
* E85 (E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, by volume) and
* LNG (Liquified Natural Gas).
if you were the last person on earth how would you power things?
if you were the last person on earth how could you power things?
would a portable generator be the best option?
how many things could this power eg could you get 1 big enough to power an entire house and all its appliances?
what type and how much fuel would it require?
would a solar generator be easier?
thnx