Hi all in the Trailer Tents and Folding Campers section, I have a 1994 Cape Cod four seasons trailer, I’m going of grid for a week (Or so) and I was wondering what would be best to run just a 12volt 36w T.V. 1) a battery box and battery, connected to a solar panel. 2) Or a Portable Power Station, also connected to a solar panel. Dose anybody have any recommendations please, Many Many Thanks
If you don't need 230v ac, then as marg6 mentions simply go for a battery, a 100ah LiFePO4 leisure battery will give you ample capacity, about the size of a Group 24 battery, but only 10kg, the DC House battery gets good reviews and at around £200 is a decent price.
A dedicated LiFePO4 mains charger is a worthy addition, I picked up a 20amp model from AliExpress for £35 which works perfect with my LiFePO4 battery, it would take a 100ah battery from zero to 100% in 5 hours.
A LifePO4 battery will give you a much longer service life that some of the Portable Power Stations, notably Jackery as they use Lithium Ion cells, to keep the size and weight down, although this equates to a much shorter cycle life, say 500 cycles, compared to 5000 cycles with LiFePO4.
You just need to add a MPPT Solar Controller & solar panel and your good to go.
If you ever need 230v ac, you can simply add an inverter of choice, I find a 500w PSW inverter does all I need for camping, including running either my MIUI 300w 400ml kettle, or my Creade 500w 1lt kettle, both are fine travel kettles.
We won a portable power station in a UKCS advent calendar competition, lucky us! The word “portable” applies if you are a muscle bound hulk, the delivery man almost had a hernia: it weighs a great deal & is bulky too. It’s never been away camping but it powers garden tools, drills, lights etc in the garage, recharged by a long cable from the house occasionally.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 16/6/2024
We won a portable power station in a UKCS advent calendar competition, lucky us! The word “portable” applies if you are a muscle bound hulk, the delivery man almost had a hernia: it weighs a great deal & is bulky too. It’s never been away camping but it powers garden tools, drills, lights etc in the garage, recharged by a long cable from the house occasionally.
Bit off topic, but perhaps serves as a warning! - Be careful what kit you acquire!
You made me laugh out loud Fiona! … so had to comment. I too won a 'portable' generator in that competition. Now I'm a fairly chunky bloke (erring slightly towards 'muscle bound hulk' but tempered by age!) who generally shifts things with ease that others struggle with, BUT, my generator weighs 40Kg, and that's without fuel, which would add another 5 or 6Kg! It has no wheels, so HAS to be lifted and carried, and at 45Kg (100lb or 7st!) is no joke to shift!
'Portable' is a relative term, if it's not bolted down, it's portable – that doesn't mean you can actually carry it though! With my genny, being open frame type, it doesn't even lend itself to using a trolly or sack barrow to ease the pain!
Seems churlish to complain about a free prize really, but how practical is it, there are times I would have no choice but to move it on my own, I can, just about, but for not many more years I suspect!
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 16/6/2024
We won a portable power station in a UKCS advent calendar competition, lucky us! The word “portable” applies if you are a muscle bound hulk, the delivery man almost had a hernia: it weighs a great deal & is bulky too. It’s never been away camping but it powers garden tools, drills, lights etc in the garage, recharged by a long cable from the house occasionally.
That’s great.
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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 16/6/2024
We won a portable power station in a UKCS advent calendar competition, lucky us! The word “portable” applies if you are a muscle bound hulk, the delivery man almost had a hernia: it weighs a great deal & is bulky too. It’s never been away camping but it powers garden tools, drills, lights etc in the garage, recharged by a long cable from the house occasionally.
More use than my Icy Tek coolbox that I had won, as it is too bulky and heavy when full to go camping with me in the van.
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Topic: portable power station solar panel
via mobile 16/6/2024 at 5:53pm
