Pecron E3600 LFP average consumer follow up

Still learning how to best utilize this unit and solar panel.

[@Jasonoid]

It was good to hear a perspective from someone that doesn't have much experience with these. Its a steep learning curve for sure! In your area you do have quite a bit of trees. Shading is the enemy to solar! During an extended power outage, using a gas or propane generator to charge this up would be a good option vs solar. For example your generator would charge this at 1600w, and only run 2 hours, then you could run your fridge off the battery for 12 to 15 hours, then charge it up again with the generator. You could also get the Pecron 500w car charger to charge this faster in your car when the engine is running as a backup charging option. Charging right off the 12v socket is super slow.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Sounds like good advice. I've looked at the 500 watt car charger, small and portable. But you're the second person to mention a gas powered generator . Looks like I've got more research to do. Thanks for your help.

[@robertberry3394]

Just saw the last reply. Excellent. Good luck.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Thanks!

[@robertberry3394]

I apologize, not telling you how to do, a gas generator. I was at your position, lost power and after 4 days of no sun I was done. The small gas generator allowed a recharge every 24 hrs. 1.5 hrs took little gas and didn’t bother the neighbors. The last storm we were no power for 7 days. Made everything much easier. Good vids. Best to you.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

No need to apologize. Because of my limited property space and sunlight I figured I would need a more reliable way for recharging the Pecron. I was just hoping for better performance from the solar panel. But lessons learned and now I've got some good equipment. I plan on using the Pecron for camping trips also. The solar panel will come in handy if needed. Thanks again👍

[@robertberry3394]

I have 4 small solar batteries. 2 I bought,2 I made I use 100 watt panels to charge those, good for that. I have 1 , 100 watt panel attached to my truck bed cover, can charge stuff when driving around.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Nice! Is the truck bed cover solar panel permanently attached?

[@markhunt6573]

Make sure you have your solar input settings to independent mode not parallel. Try plugging your solar panel into the right plug in it should work fine

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Thanks for your comment. I checked the setting and it was already set to independent. The solar panel works fine. I think my expectations were a little high for the panel. I have too many trees around me . The panel does the best it can in that short amount of time. I'm thinking of a second battery to hook up to the 3600 and then a gas powered generator for recharging if needed.

[@markhunt6573]

@@RatmadnessMTB I use 4- 200 watt panels to charge mine. I already have the e2000 from pecron to use too. I mostly use the panels when sunny and use ups mode from wall when night or clouds.

[@mcantu197]

the AC inverter uses a lot of power when it's on even when nothing is drawing a charge. You could probably turn the AC inverter off at night when it's cooler and no one is opening the fridge. 4 hours on, 4 hours off during the day should extend the battery and still keep stuff frozen

[@RatmadnessMTB]

I agree. I was letting the refrigerator run pretty much as normal, except for the time when I turned it off to take full advantage of solar recharging. I need to get a refrigerator thermometer because I need to know how long I can keep it off before it gets too warm. This should help me run the Pecron less , extending run time. Thanks for your input.

[@dupepe1]

300 watt solar is not much, at 80% efficiency that's about 240 watts assuming you have a bright sun. All you need is a bigger solar systen. Let's say 1000 or 1200 watt solar, you may need to set them in series to meet the voltage requirement With 1200 watt solar even with 1 and a half hours of sun at 80% efficiency you get 1500 watt/hr. You can really keep this thing going for weeks. Each solar input on that unit is rated at 1200 watts. You also can use any regular solar panels, it's way cheaper.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Appreciate the advice. I plan on adding extra battery packs and solar panels down the road.

[@robertberry3394]

Heavy duty Velcro on one side so I can elevate the other side. Have a thin strap as a safety. I have had it over 70 without the strap without a problem but safer with it.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Cool !

[@markwilliams2186]

Last 2 solar panel ports require 30+volts at least. It’s written on the front under the plugs.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

I see that. The panel is 300 watts and basically I was using the connection cords that came with the system. So what are you telling me is, if I hook up the panel using the type of connection for the 12 to 30 volt plug, I can take advantage of lower sun light intensity but the panel would be limited to 150 watts max as a trade off. That makes sense and would possibly be a better option considering my limited time of direct sunlight. Thank you for commenting and subscribing!

[@Jasonoid]

I think he is using the Pecron 300w portable panel. The Pecron 300w solar panel puts out around 34vmp @ 8 amps, so it should work well by itself on the higher voltage solar ports. The main key is keeping shade of the panels because any sort of shading will really reduce the output.

[@robertberry3394]

The easiest way, get a 2300-2500 watt gas generator ( they are cheap), 1-1.5 hrs to charge these big batteries. One tank will last a week, so 5 gal will last a month. During a power outage that is the easiest.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

Way ahead of you bro. Bought a Westinghouse gas generator with 3600 continuous watt output. Amazon is three stops away. 5 gal tank with 14 hours run time. Between this , the Pecron 3600 and the solar panel I should be good for any substantial power outages.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

I really want to thank you and everyone who commented on my Pecron videos. Very helpful. At some point I will most likely get the 3000 watt battery pack add on but I'll need to save some money first . Thanks again !

[@aday1637]

What does all this data tell you? It tells you the panels won't allow all the time use. However, as a back up in a power failure it would make you comfortable for a while and until the power came back on, provided the outage wasn't too long. It's a back up power source. To do what you would like you would need more panels and more power station. It's important to note that the average home uses approx 1500 kwatt hours per month or 50,000 watts per day. You got a 3000 watt battery. That gives you a comparison on how short you are. Namely 47,000 watts per day shortage. Keep the unit charged and ready for when the power goes out so you have lights, computer and refrigeration. And if you live in an area with lengthy outages get larger power station or more of them.

[@RatmadnessMTB]

I appreciate the feedback. My goal with this was to simply have back up power for my refrigerator to keep my food good . I knew it wouldn't power my whole house . But I do plan on adding at least 1 expansion battery pack and maybe another solar panel. But not for a while. It is nice to have and power outages where I live are not that frequent. Thanks again for the comment.

[@sharonkenney5608]

@@RatmadnessMTB So glad you bought the 3600lfp! It’s an amazing system! Although an additional battery would be great, I would really focus on getting more solar panels. I use glass ridged solar panels. I have one array in series that gets all early morning sun, and my second array that gets the afternoon sun. I understand that your situation is different than mine. I have the same system with 2,expansion batteries and 10 ridged solar panels set up in 2 arrays pointed 2 different directions. I love solar! Chasing the sun with portable panels isn’t fun. I’m lucky I guess because my solar panels start charging my system around 8-9am. This smoke going over Iowa the last 2 days has really affected my solar 😢 We went through a land hurricane here in Iowa in 2020, no power at my house for 13 days, trees on top of house. It was a disaster. I got into solar after that. The Pecron app sucks period. I can’t say anything for certain because I don’t know exactly where your sun hits but I bet if you had a ridged panel placed in the best spot possible around your steps or in the yard, you’d probably collect more solar. If I was your neighbor, I’d help you set it up great. But I don’t think any homeowners association would like me LOL 😂