Full Size Plug-N-Play Solar Power Systems
#1: Inergy ApexBattery Size: 1,100 watt hours
Max Solar Input: 500 watts Inverter Output: 1500 watts Pure Sine Wave Outputs: 6x AC, 2x USB, 2x USB-C, 2x Cigarette lighter, RV Shore Power Plug Weight: 20 pounds Battery Life Expectancy: 2000 Cycles Expand-ability: Expansion Terminals allow lead acid batteries to increase the battery size MSRP: $1,400 (with my coupon code "mobilesolar") Click here to buy now Best all around. Largest solar input on market, expandable, efficient, warranty, replaceable battery and more. Great machine!
|
#2: Goal Zero Lithium 1400
|
#3 My DIY Lithium GeneratorBattery Size: 1,069 watt hours (expandable) Max Solar Input: 1040 watts Inverter Output: 2000 watts Pure Sine Wave Outputs: 20 amps at 12 volts with converter Weight: 50 pounds Battery Life Expectancy: used lithium batteries so not really sure. Expand-ability: Swap batteries and add batteries as you wish. MSRP: $843.99 I built this in a week with off the shelf components and some LG li-poly battery cells on ebay.
Click here to see a blueprint and parts list |
#1: The Inergy Apex
What it can power:
This is the best solar generator on the market. You can power nearly anything, add more batteries to make it bigger, and it has the largest solar input capacity currently on the market. This is the only large solar generator that I can fully recommend to people. It is a high quality device built by a great company here in the United States.
Plug in some solar panels, and a few appliances, and you are done. If you want more storage, attach a few lead acid batteries.
Stats:
The Apex can be attached to 500 watts of solar panels (largest on the market currently), but there is the catch: Total solar panel array input cannot exceed 32 volts and 30 amps. That means that you can cause damage to the Apex if you series connect your solar panels! (unless the voltage is under 30 volts) So if you plan to connect multiple solar panels, use a MC-4 Branch connector and you will be good to go (click here).
If you want more capacity, connect some lead acid batteries directly to the Apex. Buy some battery cables, and attach some lead acid batteries to the terminals on the side of the Kodiak. You can add as many 12 volt batteries as you would like. Charge rate is 30 amps, so keep this in mind when you add more batteries. The more batteries you add, the longer it will take to charge them. Check out what Sealed Lead Acid Batteries I recommend by clicking here
Plug in some solar panels, and a few appliances, and you are done. If you want more storage, attach a few lead acid batteries.
Stats:
- Battery Capacity: 1.1kWh
- Battery Charge Cycle Life: 2000+
- MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Dimensions: 14"W x 7"H x 8"D
- Pure Sine Wave Inverter Outputs (watts) – 1500 watts continuous - 3000 watts peak
- AC Outputs - 7
- USB Outputs – 4
- 12 VDC Outputs – 2
- Warranty 1 Year
The Apex can be attached to 500 watts of solar panels (largest on the market currently), but there is the catch: Total solar panel array input cannot exceed 32 volts and 30 amps. That means that you can cause damage to the Apex if you series connect your solar panels! (unless the voltage is under 30 volts) So if you plan to connect multiple solar panels, use a MC-4 Branch connector and you will be good to go (click here).
If you want more capacity, connect some lead acid batteries directly to the Apex. Buy some battery cables, and attach some lead acid batteries to the terminals on the side of the Kodiak. You can add as many 12 volt batteries as you would like. Charge rate is 30 amps, so keep this in mind when you add more batteries. The more batteries you add, the longer it will take to charge them. Check out what Sealed Lead Acid Batteries I recommend by clicking here
|
If you compare the complete system cost of a Apex to a DIY system, they are pretty similar in price ($.85 per watt hour for complete system). If you were to build your own 100 amp hour lithium battery solar power system with a 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter and an MPPT charge controller, you would actually save money by going with the apex.
If the apex seems right for your needs, you can check it out here: Buy direct from Inergy with my coupon that gives you 10% off (savings of $375)Coupon code: "mobilesolar" (Click Here) |
How to apply coupon code:
|
Inergy Apex with Solar Panels and Adapters
The ultimate beginner kit. Comes with everything you need. Plug the solar panels into the Apex with the included cables, place solar panels in the sunshine and you are set.
100 watt Package
|
300 watt package
|
500 watt package
|
Be Sure To Use Coupon Code "mobilesolar" For $351 Off
How to connect an external battery to the Apex:
#2: Goal Zero
I have complained about goal zero products for years and I would not buy most of their products because they are over-priced and a lot of them have quality control issues (especially on the smaller models). They also have slow charge rates, and the charging efficiency is horrid.
But in recent times, they are making huge improvements! I would personally avoid the smaller/extra large units, and the accessories, but if you buy the latest lithium 1400, and combine it with their high efficiency MPPT charge controller add-on, you will have a great little system! You will not be able to hook as many solar panels to it as you could with the kodiak, but it's a great system none the less (and the only one from goal zero that I think would be worth purchasing).
This system is more "beginner friendly" than the kodiak (screen metrics are easier to understand), but you will not have lead acid battery expansion terminals (less ability to scale the system if needed), be limited when it comes to solar (and no way to expand), unless you "daisy chain" it with another goal zero generator (super expensive).
But in recent times, they are making huge improvements! I would personally avoid the smaller/extra large units, and the accessories, but if you buy the latest lithium 1400, and combine it with their high efficiency MPPT charge controller add-on, you will have a great little system! You will not be able to hook as many solar panels to it as you could with the kodiak, but it's a great system none the less (and the only one from goal zero that I think would be worth purchasing).
This system is more "beginner friendly" than the kodiak (screen metrics are easier to understand), but you will not have lead acid battery expansion terminals (less ability to scale the system if needed), be limited when it comes to solar (and no way to expand), unless you "daisy chain" it with another goal zero generator (super expensive).
The only goal zero combo worth buying:
- 1425Wh lithium portable power station can power up to 10 devices at once (single cell equivalent capacity: 396Ah @3.6V)
- Patented AC inverter (output, pure sine wave) and 60W USB-C power delivery ports
- WiFi connectivity, simply connect a Yeti through your WiFi router and control it remotely using the Yeti App
- Charge phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, and more. Powers your refrigerator, blender, TV, lights, power tools and medical devices
- Using App, check battery level, power in and out, even turn ports on and off, all from the palm of your hand.
Unfortunately, the mppt charging module has been out of stock intermittently. If you can find one, and combine it with the 1400, you will be set! Be prepared to spend extra money for adapters to connect the lithium 1400 to your solar panels. This will allow you to connect the lithium 1400 to practically any solar panel available. Be sure to use MC4 branch connectors that will wire your solar panels in parallel! If you do not, you will destroy the lithium 1400.
Again, this goal zero has a few problems, and you will spend more money, but its a great little unit that many of you guys will like. I am still going to stick with the kodiak, but if it is out of stock, or you want something that may be available locally, this goal zero is worth a shot.