Budget-Friendly Solar Setup - What Can It Power?

[@footprinthero]

UPDATE: Just posted a video testing a $1,000 solar generator setup! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4aXcnmhmrdloMk

[@stevenpgrey1370]

I'm really interested in seeing a $750 and $1000 setup, and which price point is most cost effective.

[@letemcook96]

I just made a comment on your last video. Wondering what the cheapest possible setup could be ordering everything on amazon (Battery Bank, Solar Panels, Charger, Cables ETC) If you could do a breakdown that would be amazing. I'm interested in implementing something like that in my home in the future. However have no knowledge of solar ATM. Just started watching your channel.

[@CarlosARodriguezF]

YES!!

[@Blue_Doge]

@@letemcook96 a AAA battery I guess lol

[@Psythik]

I'm more interested in seeing a "what it takes to power your entire house" kind of video. Or at least the most expensive appliances, like HVAC and the dryer. So maybe a "How much do you need to spend to cut your power bill in half" video? Or a "how long do you need to own a solar setup before it pays for itself" video. Any of these would be more interesting than a "$1000 setup video". I'll save you the effort: it'll be more of the same, except that now you can power stuff for twice as long! *Boring.*

[@TheVilivan]

I appreciate you showing what it means to wire things in series vs parallel, it's cool to learn something like that!

[@bradleyb10]

Was about to fall asleep but I guess I'll watch this first

[@Sirrichz28]

Well in a zombie Apocalypse or nuclear war at least you'll understand how not to overload a power station 😁

[@leeinwis]

@@Sirrichz28 Laugh but the national debt is not sustainable , a collapse is coming , aka the great depression part ll .

[@Savemeee3]

I watch videos like this to take naps. I can’t sleep otherwise

[@Sirrichz28]

@leeinwis Good point, when most of the population turn zombies, there's nobody to go to work so uh yeah the dept will increase, which may also have an affect on generator loads.... HUH? Yep same thing I said🤣

[@partyrocket859]

Literally me at midnight when I need to leave for work at 6am.

[@6ny8]

Buy once, cry once. $500 set up will give you more when you need it. Its not just what is runs, but how long it can run it in a real power outage or camping situation. Great video.

[@newmobile1455]

that system could power a Ebike I mean a 100wat solar panel can power an Ebike

[@ms-jl6dl]

In cloudy weather ?

[@newmobile1455]

@@ms-jl6dl Im talking small voltage it will work in cloudy weather just not at night

[@boundlesslimits]

reason your hot plate was using the same power in every setting is because the spiral does not have a "low power" mode and the device does not have the ability to convert electricity into lower voltages. instead it switches the entire hotplate on and off at a low interval to reach a certain amount of heat generation.

[@EPortillo5000]

Same as the microwave, when you put it on 50% just is full power half of the time, full and off in intervals.

[@richardsittel4194]

Yeah, it uses a thermostat to click on and off to maintain a certain temperature.

[@DrekiTech]

@@EPortillo5000 the microwave is inverter so it can run at lower power and not in on/off cycles

[@Luigi2024]

@@DrekiTech Some may be able to, but nearly every Microwave I've used utilizes on/off cycles to simulate lower power, often in 30 second cycles (i.e. 50% power is 15s on, 15s off). It's pretty easy to hear when the magnetron turns on and off.

[@Stormtracker440]

Very good video. I have 2 Bluetti solar generators, one like that one you showed here and another similar 500 watt solar generator from earlier in 2023 version plus two 100 watt larger foldable solar panels with connections [one solar panel for each solar generator]. I sure learned a lot from this video of yours and will get all of those cables including a few "Y" solar cable connectors and 2 solar cable extensions. That part of the video you had on how to wired 2 solar generators "parrallel" and/or "in series" really was something totally excellent that I never heard of until I watched your video! I sure learned something new today. Thanks.

[@tuned_in_from_baltimore]

great video but ima leave you & everyone watching this a tip…don’t use high wattage appliances with power stations you have to just learn to do without them and find other ways to cook,cool & heat yourself because you don’t wanna drain all your power in your power station for just a hour of cooking,cooling or heating that’s not a good idea in case of emergency or if your off grid…use a charcoal grill to cook or a wood stove to cook & heat your home,use a box fan,usb or rechargeable fan for air & do without the blender just mix things yourself…you’ll get a lot further with your power station by not plugging appliances in and finding other ways to do things just use it for the bare necessities far as wifi,phones,lighting and maybe a small dc cooler fridge to keep your food from going bad (you just have to do without the luxuries of all the fancy stuff when using power stations no matter how big they are it’s not gonna be enough solar coming in to keep up with charging it)

[@premjipatel2812]

Alhough have been in electronics industry for a long time, never delved into solar before. I found this video very exciting and informative, thanks.

[@floridagator5993]

You have provided one of the best comparisons of solar generators and what one can do with them. Very informative and much appreciated. Thank you!

[@Ihatesrael]

I really like your presentation in this video, I'm tempted to get a setup with all the Black Friday deals

[@desupernoodle]

I've seen some great deals and would definitely recommend you buy a setup like this. Even a small setup that can run a fridge or some lights is nice during a power outage.

[@largotokyo6286]

Honestly the best time for these sort of products. If you watch it, they generally go to 50% off for a few days or even a week.

[@millenium2003]

Send me one of those bro

[@lowbarb]

Yes!! I am looking forward to the high end of 1000-3000. I plan to move to a rural area with half an acre of flat land and a lot of sun so want to see if I can power stuff.

[@jeronatt9553]

Go with cheap battery and inverter

[@charlesmorgan1879]

Id use a 4d deep cycle Marine battery, tho i used a group 31 deep cycle for a offgrid cabin , 4 led area lights, 4 12v outlets and 12v waterpump for shower & kitchen sink. Big as you can afford but bigg is better, start w/1 batt add another if needed.

[@johntate5284]

Sometimes, you can find the AC70 on sale for $350 or so. What makes it a lot more capable is that it can take solar up to 500 watts at up to 58 volts. It's also got 2 100 watt PDP usb type C (AC50B only has one) along with a 700 watt battery and 1000 watt inverter. These type systems are a lot more practical for most people and i love these types of systems. As a side note, the River 2 you used in your $250 setup is being replaced by the River 3 (on sale for like $154 US). The newest River 3 plus ($209 until Dec 27) is really good as it has a 600 watt inverter and has expandable battery support. Great video!

[@gnarlykill6373]

Hey! these are some awesome vids! I see a lot of these are during perfect conditions, but would love to see a video on how it charges on rain or cloud, with low sun and maybe see how it powers something while charging, e.g a 100w appliance constantly on while simultaneously charging, during low sun to see how long it would last, not sure if you could do this but would be awesome!

[@retirednavy8720]

That would be handy for a small cabin. Connect it to a couple of panels and run some simple lights. Run the fridge and stove off propane and heat with a small wood stove. You could be pretty much off grid fairly easily.

[@randyhanson837]

Nice review. It is complicated to analyze these solar battery setups but you presented it in an easy to understand way. I finally bought a Bluetti AC 180 and 200 Watt solar panel from them just to have some power during a past planned grid outage and for emergency use and possible future travel/camping expeditions. I paid more to get what I think is a better battery chemistry (Lithium Iron Phosphate) as it is supposed to have a longer life and is generally considered safer than the ubiquitous Lithium ion battery. My original plan was to get a similar setup and use it to power a small refrigerator/freezer in the shed, with the PV panels mounted semi-permanently on a very good southern exposure. One thing I learned was that almost all of these package setups have PV panels that are not weather-proof. You need to get some RV rated panels for that, so I have delayed those plans as the expense is a bit beyond my current budget.

[@FionSus]

Air conditioners take a little while to get up to max load. Typically the fans will turn on, but it won't be pulling serious watts until the compressor kicks in (usually a minute or so after the fans kick on). The compressor turns on and off repeatedly throughout the duty cycle, and when it kicks on, that's when you're putting the heaviest load on the circuit.

[@magesalmanac6424]

I’ve learned more about household appliances from these comments than at any other point in my life 😆

[@garyhughes7737]

What do you think a soft start would save someone if installed on a central a.c. unit for 3 months of use set at 68 degrees ? Considering that component along with a few panels to run my central a.c. Obviously the temp is the major factor in how often the unit kicks on. Just curious to how long it would take to return my investment to run a.c. strictly off solar power. I'm on a $175 per month plan with the power company , then out of nowhere they slam me with an $800 bill. Personally I think it's a huge scam and I would love to eventually tell them that I don't need their power anymore and never give them a penny again.

[@FionSus]

​@@garyhughes7737 The soft-start probably won't save you much on total power, it just spreads the power out over a longer time to avoid the "kick" that dims your lights when the compressor turns on. It would definitely help run the system on solar, though. You should expect an AC to surge 5x the running wattage for just a moment whenever the compressor kicks on. A soft-start roughly cuts that in half. So for the 1200w window-rattler in the video, you're looking at a hard-start surge of 6000w for just a moment, and a soft-start cutting that to around 3000-4000w for a few seconds. I've never used a soft-start on a home system, though.

[@mdbackyardgardener]

I bought this exact same setup and hope to use it in my greenhouse for powering a fan and some cameras during the summer. Thanks!

[@grahamherbert3612]

That's about all It's good for.

[@randymurray934]

This is great, this is the kind of information that i needed on Solar Panels and Generators. Yes $1000 dollar setup next! :-)

[@samuelmalone6612]

For starters, I am not an expert! I have some limited knowledge based on using my gas powered generator during power outages from storms. I think the surge or "power lift" is important for items that draw high wattage upon startup like heaters and anything with a motor...the blender. I agree with the other comments that the heating elements are limited to 700W based on power station. If you ran the 'fridge or heaters long enough to cycle motors/heating elements you would see the wattage spikes again. This is an AWESOME video!!!. I enjoyed the $250 as well. Cheers!

[@andycanfixit]

That is true for many refrigerators as well. When the compressor kicks in they can surge to double or triple their normal running wattage. Cheaper fridges tend to be worse for this.

[@JMar671]

Your heaters heat setting only sets the temperature that the heater will shut off at. The elements pull a set current amount. Its a resistive load meaning that it flows a set amount of current(voltage will change the final wattage used) so cranking the thermometer up will change nothing on how much heat it is able to output.

[@dfros1957]

This video is so helpful. I bought the same power station and didn't know what solar panels to buy.

[@player1unknown9]

Bro no idea how helpful these videos are. Now I know what to get for my shed

[@gersonadr2]

Dude I love this video format. Congrats, keep them coming please

[@LovesDaSun]

FYI, a 1200W microwave is the "cooking power" not the power consumption, they usually pull a LOT more power on start up and will always pull the max power regardless of power level, unless you have an "inverter" microwave (i think thats the term, only 1 brand does it & then the power levels do change to consumption). I have a "900w" microwave (the smallest I could find in my budget) and it pulls 1200-1300 watts on my AC180 which is rated for 1800w. Check the power levels on the box or on the back of devices

[@agusmercado688]

I’ve been waiting for bluetti to make a more affordable option but I didn’t think it would be this cheap and this good

[@iiinsaiii]

Running any heat element of a solar generator sucks the power out of the unit so fast. The reason why I use a different way to heat up my home in power outages. I use two Mr Buddy flex heater. I use a propane oil adapter that connects to the heater and a propane hose to a 20lb propane tank. I have run the heater on low for up to four days and on low it keeps my house nice and toasty. Mr buddy flex heaters is safe for indoors, plus I have three carbon monoxide detectors just in case. One on every floor. The reason I use propane is because I can use it for heat, cooking or running my dual fuel generator. With all those uses, you better have a good stock of propane. Let’s just say, I have way more than what my wife thinks I have. Hey, you never know 🤷‍♂️

[@billcahill3196]

Hopfully you are using low level carbon monoxide detectors and not Ul listed ones. Ul listed ones need to see 70 ppm co for 4 hours before going off.

[@Power0nGames0]

you are awesome! this is literally the exact video i needed to know what to choose for car camping. its so good to know how much, what, and how long everything can run on such a small battery. this video is AMAZING

[@nmssis]

Out of many many videos of this subject matter, it is THE most practical. Thank You for doing this!!

[@AssettoVerbs]

Just worked 15hrs drove 2hrs home but i think ill watch this before bed 😅

[@stevejohnson6248]

I grabbed a River 2 with a 45w portable panel for $189 from Amazon. Seemed like a good deal. I can grab a bigger panel at a later time.

[@mackychloe]

Bargain.

[@mobiusone142]

just saw the EcoFlow Delta 2 on sale again for $399 earlier today, $699 with a panel. For perspective, we bought 2 of them with one 220w panels included in each's price over the past year and a half at $900 and $850, so that is a full 150 cheaper even with the same panel. These things are great for the price and the app is pretty neat.

[@kenyonegbert1125]

Can you do a video on the EcoFlow Delta series? Considering getting one but want to make sure it's a good investment. I love your clear and comprehensive breakdowns man, keep up the good work

[@goofygomez]

It's a great investment!

[@powoxi]

It's super slick and cool. The design is top-notch.

[@gmosc]

Good job. Nice simple looking presentation, but obviously was more complex than it seems. Showing the basic numbers (watts then run time) is very useful.

[@KristoffLam]

Super interested in solar charging! I hope i can get into it soon!

[@leeinwis]

A 100 watt panel will get you 50w average for 5 hours on a "perfect" summer day ..kinda sucks.

[@segundacuenta726]

@@leeinwis Depends on the angle, and also the heat. But 70-80w out of a 100w can be done. Thing is, cloudy and rainy days. That's why its a good idea to overpanel and see how much your powerstation or mppt charger can take, to try to get that maximum for those 5-6 hours of light if possible. Still, batteries are needed and those are the most expensive part...

[@AndGabReactions]

You got a new sub from me. I only watched 1 other video but your content is awesome and I've been searching for someone like you. I'm baffled that you don't have more subs

[@ceanncora2]

I have an AC70 with alternator charger. Heaven! Fast charging (cigarette lighter was a nightmare) and I can count on being toasty warm all night. I did get a camping 50W blanket…worth it!

[@longviewtradesman6608]

Thanks for the video! I think the “power lifting mode” actually just lowers the output “voltage.” so it can technically run conductive things at like 100-110 volts or something. so it could damage something with electronic control chips inside or other sensitive electronics.

[@Turennegaetan]

Exactly. It's very similar to Xboost in Ecoflow power station(when enabled sets voltage to 80VAC to run higher wattage appliances at a lower rate). It is recommended to use only with resistive load(heater, heat gun, electric stove, hair dryer, etc).

[@VincentConti-m5j]

I have a getaway cottage that is powered with one 100 watt panel, one 12 volt auto battery and a voltage regulator. No inverter. Everything is run on dc. The inverter in a small system uses too much juice. Good enough for charging my devices, lighting and small 12 volt fridge. System including cables, $120. First battery lasted 6 years. Just sayin'😊

[@dallaslamorie6899]

Great product review, honest and informative!

[@semexdaniel45]

It's good u came up with another solar budget video

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

Pretty cool for a small 500 watt setup, exciting tech…💥

[@CampBoulder]

Our old nemesis…the blender 😂

[@leeinwis]

Try a AC unit

[@scorpio4080]

Nicely done. This is the kind of testing I like to see. Really well done !!

[@bennetfox]

I live off the grid and I've been wanting to add solar cells with battery storage. Thank you for doing this!!

[@montecorbit8280]

At 11:41 Microwave.... You are running into duty cycle problem there. When you use a "power level" on a microwave, you are actually just adjusting the duty cycle of the magnetron powering it. A power level of 10 is 100% duty cycle, with the magnetron running all the time. Power level 1 is usually a 10% duty cycle, which means that the magnetron is running at full power for 10% of the time. So it turns off and on, on and off. You can actually tell when the magnetron is off, usually most microwaves have a fan inside that will spin up faster when the magnetron is off and slow down when the magnetron is on. So you can hear the fan whir up high and whir down low. That is probably The sound you are hearing. Other things like stovetop burners, they have the same feature. They run at 100% load for a specific amount of time to maintain a specified temperature.... The KZbin channel, "technology connections" had a video on that not all that long ago from the date I posted this comment, less than 6 months I think. That video will explain it better than I have. For someone doing your videos, you should have been aware of this. Some of this invalidates your conclusions.

[@budmartin3344]

The solar panel does not come with the fuse, the spc suggests that you can install your own fuse with fuse rating up to 15A. BTW, the Bluetti inverter will darw about 15W of power when it is on and no AC load connected, so you need to factor that into calculated the run time. 8:07 that is normal for PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater to draw high current when power is first applied, as it is heated up the resistance will go up so the less current will be flowing thus less power darw. Do not use Power LIfting mode on sensitive electronics equipment, it is only good for resistive Loads.

[@j2csharp]

Thank you, this is what I needed to know. I personally would want something that would last 16 hours of the day, then charge it at night (for AC mode).

[@angeloschneider4272]

When you plug together stuff like this, you seriously should turn the panels facing the ground. So they do not generate power while plugging things together. It is just much more save!

[@canadian-l4q]

depends where you live..recently i reconfigured my solar , disabling most panels and also installing windmills,.....so i was on my backup power..6 100watt panels, plus batteries...gave me one light and a computer for 24 hrs consistently..this system cost around 4 k canadian with everything to go....in central ontario,canada...im currently working with panels,windmills and waterpower to make it more efficient.

[@edwardbrowns8436]

Out of pure honesty, a generator is the best back up power source ever. I have a battery bank I keep charged with a 40amp charger from pole, and a 5000 watt inverter going out from the bank. In the dead of winter, keeping water lines from freezing, I use heat bulbs and heat pipe wrap in water well shed and utility shed to keep cats and dog warm. Those alone use a lot of juice. I have 6 batteries in my bank so far. They will last about 4 hours until the inverter starts alarming and cuts out. So to have a longer period of time off grid when power goes out, I'd need 12 more batteries to add 8 more hours to equal 12 hours. There's been times I've come home from work and no power from the pole.

[@BitsOfEternity]

I believe the way the microwave works is that on power 1, it just runs the motor that rotates the platter upon which the food rests, and it may have a vent fan running, for 90 % of the time, but 10% of the time, the microwave generator kicks in. On power 2, that would be 20% of the time on, 80% off, etc. That would explain why there was a low power reading, and then a spike that the generator can't handle. I am considering putting together a setup for high powered tools, like for my table saw, but the generator has to be able to handle the initial spike that is there when the device is turned on. With a fridge, it doesn't draw a lot of power unless the compressor is on, so the readings you had may not have been representative, if you didn't leave it on long enough to have the compressor kick in. Still, with a fridge, I doubt the compressor kicking in would cause the generator to fail. A table saw, or a shop vac, or anything like that, with an initial spike when the motor first engages, that's going to be a tough thing to power - I'm sure a lot of research will be required to find a suitable setup...

[@chaon93]

Adding on, Panasonic (and I'm sure others now) sell an "Inverter Microwave" that has true power stepping instead of using burst management.

[@garyainslie8200]

I'd love to see a comparison of this $500 setup vs a full diy $500 setup. As in what does the convenience of the power station cost vs diy batteries etc

[@gr8bkset-524]

It's essential to make a spreadsheet and list the critical devices you need to keep running, their power requirements and how long you need to run them when the power goes out vs your power Bank power budget. I would keep my phone charged and Use it as a Hotspot. I'd also keep my Tablets/laptop running, portable LED light for and the 12 volt fridge.

[@the_real_battman]

@fooprinthero a no nonsense, straight to the point channel, I just subscribed! 👍

[@sheilamorton5352]

Thank you so much for your research. I waste so much money trying to find out what works 😊

[@Ben610]

Could you please test an electric blanket with these batteries too? It would be good to know if I could use this setup for emergency power outages to stay warm.

[@VladiVlog]

just check what the blanket demands in terms of watts/volts/amps

[@sve8140]

I just tested electric blankets on my new bluetti 200L and in low it my electric throw 50x60 was pulling about 100watts

[@Ben610]

@ hey thanks

[@Sereous313]

​@sve8140 how long does it run for. Does it kill the battery fast?

[@lolwtnick4362]

@VladiVlog math isn't always accurate.

[@imderrickjed]

Its great when adults buy things with their own money.

[@beverlyroemer5161]

Idk why but I like how the smaller battery power station fits perfectly in the bigger one

[@dudem0n]

Been really enjoying these! Tempted to figure out how to make something like this work on my apartment roof😅. Keep it coming!

[@ib516]

Power lifting lowers the voltage output to limit total power output (in watts). This can damage some appliances like AC & microwaves.

[@sebastianschrader2822]

Exactly. I was worried about his AC and micro. A fridge shouldn't run with power lifting either. Only heaters and conventional cooking devices can use this mode safely. Anything with a motor or compressor will go wild and possibly break.

[@pondafit4249]

I own four of these OUPES 2400 power stations - they're GREAT! You do not need to use both Anderson ports to solar charge. The manual is misleading! Anderson cables are a combined cable that can be separated so you need to use them (both)combined as one connection. Also, the VOC limit is 45. So, if you have those panels in "series" you could be over that limit and the unit will not charge. This could also damage the solar controller and void the power stations warranty!

[@martinheyerdahl9147]

This is amazing content. I am grateful! Thank you for sharing!

[@docchocobo]

I discovered something during the last blackout. Some fridges start in defrost mode at boot. I hammered my battery for a little while during this, when it drew almost 500 watts. After the cycle completed, it drew almost nothing just to cycle the compressor.

[@Pablo-t6q7h]

Wow $500 will get you a really comfortable set up

[@shad8369]

I like your video it’s full of information 👍

[@bluewizard420]

I think you should do a test on a range of diffrent ac units from small to large with dif battery sizes that would be a great video

[@l31007]

Can you run the refrigerator nonstop if plugged into solar panels? That would be the biggest concern during multiple day blackouts.

[@rogergrant8865]

Can you set up in series with the Eco flow River with the Bluetti AC50B or would you have to use the same product line?

[@Raym17]

Great work this video was awesome!

[@Virsconte]

It's a small thing, but at 9:25 where you test the hot plate, you should know that the knob doesn't actually set the power output. It actually sets the temperature at which the electrical contact opens. It will operate at max power up to that temperature, then shut off completely until the contact closes again. So it may use an *average* power of less than the maximum value, but the instantaneous power will be all or nothing.

[@bignamehusband3327]

Must watch!! Most useful info on the net.

[@mxrider887]

How do these setups work in heat and cold for setup in a shed? In the teens in winter and 95-100F in summer?

[@Gods_LovelyChild]

Awesome video… very understandable. Thank you sir.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

Excellent, practical video!

[@mobiuse...]

"That i bought with my own money." Were you supposed to buy it with my own? 😂😂

[@ram89572]

He just means the company didn't give them to him or sponsor the video

[@pc-bh2in]

Thanks for doing this video Alex. I'm very new to power station and solar panel and have one question please. I just bought a "BLUETTI EB70" with a recommended "BLUETTI MP200 Solar Panel". The cable is said to be "MC4 cable". Does your "Solar extension cable" in your provided link work with the power station and solar panels I just bought? Thanks in advance Alex.

[@lesavanderbie4144]

This is so helpful, I'm single and do a lot of computer work. I rent, and am wondering where I can attach my solar panels? It would have to be the second story roof and I would need to put safety fasteners (to also keep anyone from stealing them). This generator would work well for my needs!! Thank you so much!!

[@darkhawk123]

Can you charge it with solar and use it at the same time?

[@randyhanson837]

My unit has a disclaimer that charging while using shortens the battery life. YMMV

[@StraightWhitearrow]

Have too look for continuous ups setups... Prob have too throw some doe into it

[@2coryman]

More value for the money my opinion is the larger one , peace of mind consider less need to recharge and needing one more power source to keep fridge and A C, heater , running, unleaded you know for certain only need power for a small device with guaranteed always enough time to recharge ❤❤

[@funkstarification]

Novice here. What would i need to run devices such as a fridge/freezer, tv and maybe some lamps permanently off solar.

[@kumudug1]

What about the amperage of the solar panels. It comes to 10.4 which is over the 8 amps limit of the power station ?

[@tomasviane3844]

He never seems to talk about amperage for anything. Not for the devices and not for the panels.

[@Daygard1]

Really was interested in how well these run a laptop. Never a video on this. Just more like this trying to run things that won’t be used on a small power station.

[@nmssis]

Will you do 750 or 1000 budget testing?

[@donbrloks3959]

Power station can be used as a UPC, but there is not a switch over. Refrigerator is running off the inverter in the PS. Grid power is keeping the battery charged. Removing grid power just means the battery is no longer being charged, but refrigerator will run until battery is dead.

[@tonyromano833]

Could you test some aliexpress pure sine inverters ?? That would be interesting as a video 👍

[@OOICU812]

Good video. Subbed.

[@MrThenarsky]

I would love to see a $1000 setup. As for the value, I would say that the $500 setting is a much better value because it is far more capable. You are just way too limited in what you can do with the $250. While it's feasible, it's not practical.

[@therunningdude9466]

You should try the ECO flow river 3 plus, It has a 1200w xboost mode and it is very good with heater and microwaves. Amazon has been running a sell on it and I bought it and a 45w solar panel last week. Also I love your videos!!

[@layol692k7]

Great Video Alex

[@dolorlux4612]

Fun watching a video of a man with complete disregard for all his home appliances.

[@richardschaffling9882]

I would say the bigger setup is a better buy but can you run a small heater and be charged by the solar panels.

[@MultiJewishCowboy]

I have an interesting idea for a video - Could you attempt to set up a Solar panel rig that could power an apartment?

[@leemobai762]

I’ve had nothing but trouble since I got mine. Used it in the summer to power a fridge and was left with spoiled food. Yup avoided some major salmonella poisoning and giving everyone the major shits.

[@mellmaryland5867]

Thanks for an amazing unit setup. Is there a reason why you did not use the similar River 2 Max model? .It is on sale on Amazon right now for $299.

[@rage801]

I don't understand why people are buying these battery power stations. I bought two solar panels, a giant 300ah lithium battery, a solar charge controller and I already had a 3,000 watt inverter that I never use and hooked it up and I can literally run everything in my house for a lot longer. I was into it about this much money. If you can get a bigger battery bank it will get you through the night so in the daytime it's charging back up but this power station you have here would be wiped out overnight

[@davidrenfroe4302]

Did you spend under $500 though?

[@davidrenfroe4302]

Not including the 3000w inverter

[@Seagull425]

I'm looking at a setup like this more so for camping

[@gazmoto]

@@davidrenfroe4302no he didn’t as his inverter cost more than that on its own 😂😂😂

[@traceycrawford9938]

Because a lot of us don’t understand power and electricity and just want a simple plug and play setup? 🙄🙄😒

[@rickyelvis3215]

How about a comparison between this and the Anker 535 of similar size and output.. I had to decide between the two and went for the Anker.. now that would be interesting. Cheers.

[@user-ib8re9pq7z]

Thank you so much for this informative video

[@bobsuruncle6762]

Id be interested to see you diy solar your house

[@vogonpoet5860]

There are 2 power consumptions, start up and run. so a cell phone start up at 30w and runs at 30w, where as an 800w microwave wil start up at 2100w for a second or two before settling to run at 1000w , a freezer with a marked 200w will draw 2100w start up before running at 200w. when you tested the microwave even at min power you didnt account for the start up wattage. if you have a 2kw gen, you can run a fridge, a freezer, a tv, and lights (800w) comfortably just as long as you have a boost facility to give 2500w temp power, then connect fridge first then when running at 200w add the freezer, then TV, THEN LIGHTS, after which the gen could handle it, its the start up draw most people forget, the average braw for white goods is 2100w very short start up before settling into the run power.

[@segundacuenta726]

Yep, important to keep in mind those devices that have motors and compressors. Better to have more than needed than to be right on the limit or worse: not have enough. Also, planning for possible future expansions and uses.

[@Xzorton]

Terminology wise, in-rush and continuous or RMS vs startup and run. There is also a difference between inductive vs resistive loads. A-lot of this video has some pretty cringe moments confusing the difference between these factors.

[@JohnnyThomas-ps6mp]

That TV uses 160 watts?!? Is it OLED? My 43" LCD TV uses about 45 watts. That's awesome that tiny power station can handle your refrigerators compressor startup surge!