Full Size Solar Generators that I recommend:
#1: Inergy Kodiak
Battery Size: 1,100 watt hours
Max Solar Input: 600 watts Inverter Output: 1500 watts Pure Sine Wave Outputs: 6x AC, 4x USB, 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: $1,500 (with my coupon code below) Best all around. Largest solar input on market, expandable, efficient, warranty, replaceable battery and more. Great machine!
Notice: The Kodiak will be out of stock till March 2019 :( |
#2: Goal Zero Lithium 1400
|
#1: The Inergy Kodiak
|
|
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 Kodiak can be attached to 600 watts of solar panels (largest on the market currently), but there is the catch: Total solar panel array input cannot exceed 32 volts and 40 amps. That means that you can cause damage to the kodiak 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 Kodiak. 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
The Inergy Kodiak does cost more than most solar generators, but it's actually pretty cheap. 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 spend about the same amount of money as buying the Inergy Kodiak.
Buy direct from Inergy with my coupon that gives you 10% off (savings of $375), and free shipping (offer excludes Hawaii and Alaska) Coupon code: "mobilesolar" (Click Here)
Do not forgot to buy an MC-4 adapter! This will allow you to connect most solar panels to the Kodiak:
Click Here to buy the adapter
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 1500-watt (1.1kWh Capacity) Life cycles: 2000+. Battery Shelf Life: Up to 10 Years.
- Weight – 20 lbs
- Watts per pound – 55
- 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
- Minimum Charge Time - 2 hours in optimal conditions
- Warranty 1 Year
- Output Ports: • 6- 110VAC Plugs 1000 watt continuous per outlet, 3000 Watt starting surge maximum,10 amp maximum output per AC plug, 1500 Watt total limit for combined AC & DC output.
- 1- 30 Amp RV plug,125 Volt, NEMA TT-30R
- 2 - 12V DC Universal Car Sockets, 15 Amps maximum per socket
- 4- USB Outlets 5V DC, 1 - 2.1 Amp port and 1 - 1 Amp port, regulated, 15 Watts Maximum per adapter
- 2 - Light Port, 12VDC 5.5 x 2.5mm connector standard 50 Watts maximum output per port
The Kodiak can be attached to 600 watts of solar panels (largest on the market currently), but there is the catch: Total solar panel array input cannot exceed 32 volts and 40 amps. That means that you can cause damage to the kodiak 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 Kodiak. 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
The Inergy Kodiak does cost more than most solar generators, but it's actually pretty cheap. 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 spend about the same amount of money as buying the Inergy Kodiak.
Buy direct from Inergy with my coupon that gives you 10% off (savings of $375), and free shipping (offer excludes Hawaii and Alaska) Coupon code: "mobilesolar" (Click Here)
Do not forgot to buy an MC-4 adapter! This will allow you to connect most solar panels to the Kodiak:
Click Here to buy the adapter
Inergy Kodiak with Solar Panels and Adapters
The ultimate beginner kit. Comes with everything you need. Plug the solar panels into the kodiak with the included cables, place solar panels in the sunshine and you are set.
Click Here To Buy Now
(Be Sure To Use Coupon Code "mobilesolar" For 10% Off And Free Shipping. Sometimes Coupon Code Gives 15% Off, So Try It Out)
Click Here To Buy Now
(Be Sure To Use Coupon Code "mobilesolar" For 10% Off And Free Shipping. Sometimes Coupon Code Gives 15% Off, So Try It Out)
How to connect an external battery to the Kodiak:
#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.