Full Size Plug-N-Play Solar Power Systems
#1 Maxoak BluettiBattery Size: 1,500 watt hours
Max Solar Input: 500 watts Inverter Output: 1000 watts Pure Sine Wave (900w continuous in my tests) Outputs: 2x AC, 4x USB, 1x USB-C, 1x Cigarette lighter Weight: 37.9 pounds Battery Life Expectancy: LG cells so 500-2000 cycles Expand-ability: None MSRP: $1,399 Click Here to buy now For august, this Amazon.com coupon code will save you $140: "bluetti2019" |
#2: Goal Zero Lithium 1000
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#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: Maxoak Bluetti
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If you need to power large appliances (anything over 900 watts), stick to the goalzero line. If you want a full size system with a great battery capacity and MPPT built-in (without additional costs or modification) at a great price, the bluetti will work for you. After doing an extensive video review, this is my new favorite. It is a complete system, the biggest downside is the inverter size. For the price, you cannot beat it.
Complete Bluetti Plug-N-Play Package:
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If you buy everything on the list on the right, you will have everything required to build a complete system! It will take less than five minutes to wire up the solar panels.
Connect your 4x 100w solar panels like this: 
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#2: Goal Zero Lithium 1000
When it comes to goalzero, you should avoid the small/extra-large models, and the overpriced solar panels and the accessories... but if you buy the latest lithium 1000, and combine it with their high efficiency MPPT charge controller add-on, you will have a great little system! It works great, and if you add 300 watts of solar, it will charge pretty fast. This is my current favorite after testing a lot of generators. I used to love the Inergy Kodiak/Apex, but the output was horrible and the goalzero destroyed it in numerous ways.
This system is so easy to build that it takes minutes. The hardest step in building a system with a goalzero is mounting the solar panels and running wire through your roof.
This system is so easy to build that it takes minutes. The hardest step in building a system with a goalzero is mounting the solar panels and running wire through your roof.
Best value and performance goalzero combo:
- 1045Wh lithium portable power station can power up to 10 devices at once
- Patented AC inverter (output, pure sine wave)
- Charge phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, and more. Powers your refrigerator, blender, TV, lights, power tools and medical devices
Unfortunately, the mppt charging module has been out of stock intermittently. If you can find one, and combine it with the 1000, you will be set! Be prepared to spend extra money for adapters to connect the lithium 1000 to your solar panels (or make your own). This will allow you to connect the lithium 1000 to practically any solar panel available (as long as the open circuit voltage is under 22 volts). Be sure to use MC4 branch connectors that will wire your solar panels in parallel! If you do not, you will destroy the lithium 1000.
If you want to upgrade your lithium 1000, upgrade the MPPT to a Victron!
This will increase the output in low light conditions, allow you to do custom charge cycle limits (charge to 90% instead of 100% so the battery lasts longer), and push more power into the battery. If you want to do this, check out my video tutorial:
Recommended Charge Controller
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100 volt max input, 12/24 volt Battery Bank Compatible
Solar Charge Controllers: 15 amp controller Max Solar Array: up to 220 watts with a 12 volt battery, 440 watts at 24 volts click here to purchase 20 amp controller Max Solar Array: up to 290 watts at 12 volts, 580 watts at 24 volts click here to purchase 30 amp controller Max Solar Array: up to 440 watts at 12 volts, 880 watts at 24 volts click here to purchase 50 amp controller Max Solar Array: up to 700 watts at 12 volts, 1400 watts at 24 volts click here to purchase |
Cable to connect the Goalzero to the victron charge controller
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Just cut and strip the wires and stick them into the victron charge controller battery terminals. Be sure to look at the plug to know which one is positive and which one is negative!
Click here for a cheap price |
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Charge profiles for the goalzero lithium
Absorption: 12.5v
Float: 12.3v
Temperature Compensation: Disabled
Low temp cut off: Enabled at 3-5 degrees Celsius
Float: 12.3v
Temperature Compensation: Disabled
Low temp cut off: Enabled at 3-5 degrees Celsius