Understanding Portable Power Stations / Solar Generators (Simple Solar - Part 3) inc. AFERIY P210

This series is all about how solar power at home doesn't have to mean you cover the roof of your home entirely in solar panels. It's possible to start in a small way, including simply charging your mobile phone.
In this Part 3 video we explain what a Solar Power Station is, why they make solar power VERY simple AND what to look for if you're going to buy one.
We feature an Aferiy P210 Power Station in the video and you can check out our review and summary of this unit in the last chapter of the video. If you would like one of these units we have some great discounts for you using this link:
Aferiy P210 2400W Portable Power Station
Product link: tinyurl.com/3wnxfk5y
Code: COUNTRYLIFEP210
Product: Aferiy Solar Generator Kit: 2400W Power Station + 200W Solar Panel
Discount: 15% Off
Code: COUNTRYLIFE210KIT
Link: uk.aferiy.com/2400w-solar-generator-kits-ecl
Product: Aferiy Solar Panel Collection
Discount: 10% Off
Code: COUNTRYLIFEPV
Link: uk.aferiy.com/solar-panel-ecl
If you're interested in protecting your poultry using a solar powered electric fence, we can help with that! Our UK online poultry keeping shop (www.englishcountrylife.com) has both solar energisers and solar assisted panels to power your energisers. If you're not sure what you need, just ask us. Email us at [e-mail]
We have other great bargains in our shop so keep any eye on our Home page for the latest deals.
www.englishcountrylife.com.
We can offer discounts on Nestera products of at least 5% on our website with the latest codes (and discounts) posted on the home page. Contact us if you find a better price as we have close relationships with our suppliers and we may be able to negotiate a better deal
** If you're in the US or EU, 5% off RRP is immediately available, automatically deducted at checkout using these links:
US Residents discount link 👇
nestera.us/ecl
EU Residents discount link 👇
www.nestera.eu/ecl
Our Amazon store showcases many other products that we use on the smallholding.
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/englishcountrylife?listId=23V2Q61BOYZOC&ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_list_own_englishcountrylife_dp_ofFm9NpJhvMoZ
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We grow our own food on our smallholding and endeavour to be self-sufficient. Subscribe to see more of our life including self sufficiency videos, recipes, garden tips and chicken keeping.
Opening Music credits: Artist = Earth Tree Healing
Composer = Claudine West
Website = claudinewestmusic.com/earth-tree-healing-music/

[@jonathankendal7784]

Brilliant, this totally nails solar power stations and solar power . Thanks very much. We need a spin off channel to teach my son his Physics GCSE on electronics!! That water bottle needs a wider audience!

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thanks Jonathan. I did my physics well over 40 years ago but the principles don't change!

[@brightantwerp]

I love this series. Thanks for explaining so detailed and easy to understand.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

That's so lovely of you, thank you. I'm very grateful to people like yourself for the support and the lovely Jennie at AFERIY who provide materials that make this series possible - it's something we are both passionate about

[@mattgoodwin-king2228]

Great stuff, you're a natural presenter.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thanks Matt. I think we all want to have some degree of energy resilience these days!

[@allanparkins8142]

Really enjoying and learning from this series, huge thanks 👍

[@EnglishCountryLife]

I really appreciate that Allan. Do you have a particular use in mind?

[@cappsdog631]

Another informative video Hugh great explanation.Capper.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to incorporate the data that we are compiling in a future episode to help people understand what they need

[@chrisbarnes2823]

Another great video, this is the easiest way for beginners to harness the power of the sun. Not the cheapest but the easiest.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

I think it would be really interesting to establish the relevant costs in a future video. My storage cost £450 for 2kWh & my inverter £250...contents could easily add up to £1k don't you think?

[@chrisbarnes2823]

@@EnglishCountryLife I will try and figure out the cost of my small system, the only thing that may muddy the waters is I use 110v and you 240v which as you say is the pressure. Chris.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@chrisbarnes2823 Interesting to know Chris thanks. When I added up 2kWh of LiFePo4 storage, a quality 2kW inverter, charge controller, mains charger, monitor & display and all the relevant ports it came out much the same as a power station

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Great vid. I’m setting up an off grid farm in Lincolnshire so this was very timely. Thanks

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Wow - would love to see it - whereabouts in Lincs?

[@philipmarno4989]

This is great, I’m just starting out. Many thanks.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

I'm so glad Philip, it can seem horribly confusing at first so I hope this helped?

[@emersonmsd]

great video. I can see you are fully in the know these days.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@emersonmsd Thank you

[@pauldymott8991]

Another great video Hugh. Very clear and to the point. Still love the water bottle. Totally agree with the point about adding a 2nd battery. Many units have the facility but all that points out that you bought the wrong one in the first place. I am not sure about the requirement for a higher solar input. As you pointed out, your 2 large panels were pumping out below 200w. You would therefore need 5 big panels which definitely renders it as non portable. I think with the shed system I would put the bigger panels on the roof and built a system with the individual components. The portable power stations are just that. As you say, great for power cuts, power tools and camping. The one you showed, does indeed, look tllike a very smart item and I believe would suit most of the viewers needs. Keep them coming, you are helping a lot of people on the start of their journeys mate.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thanks Paul! I know exactly what you mean about the shed system being built from components. What I'm thinking is that some people just don't want to assemble components. I think some of the larger power stations (e.g. the 3000W inverter type) could comfortably power someone's workshop & still be wheeled around for outside jobs & power cuts. I would really like to show both approaches with the costs of each - what do you think?

[@pauldymott8991]

Yes mate, brilliant idea. A cost comparison would be a great "final" video in the series. The portable units are amazing and very fit for purpose but..... pricey. We have just added two 100ah lifepo4 to our boat with the idea of running a 2kw inverter for 30 mins ( enough to heat water slfor the shower) and the cost was £540. Give or take half the cost of the protable unit. Agreed, I did have to buy the inverter, sockets etc but definitely cheaper. As with most things I think it's down to the situation, hence my thoughts on fixed for the shed and portable for out and about. I have a friend who would love to understand more about solar. I have tried , but failed to explain things so have pointed him to your channel. As I have said before, I love the way you explain stuff. I hope many more people start on a solar journey having watched you. Than would be an amazing outcome!!!

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@pauldymott8991 Thanks so much Paul, we really appreciate the support. As you say, these things are an investment & if we can help people to make a sensible investment & encourage them to try, it will be great!

[@pauldymott8991]

@@EnglishCountryLife hi Hugh, just sitting here thinking mate. I use Ohms law and power law alot when doing my working out. Then I thought of your water bottle, then I thought about your wife, children neighbours etc putting their fi ger over the hole at the end of the bottle to demonstrate resistance. Just my musings. Please ignore if you think I have gone mad.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@pauldymott8991 That's a good idea - or how about widening the hole for less resistance?

[@livingladolcevita7318]

Great thanks for this well presented and easy to understand. Must admit I was ready to shout " but how many recharge cycles" ? but you answered. Thanks. I always get annoyed when " they " try to promote electric bikes and they never mention recharge cycles. The reason? I used to have one and it didn't last long and a battery replacement would have cost over £600.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Recharge cycles is vital as you say. The right battery technology now should last for 3,000 plus discharge / recharge cycles and still have 80% capacity

[@steveplows9996]

Thanks for the video I just bought an Anker Solix C1000 with panel for my motorhome and emergency use at home, having watched your video I now know I made a good choice but also know how to use it and it's limitations, glad I did some research first as I tend to be impulsive

[@EnglishCountryLife]

I'm glad the video was useful Steve. They are very versatile bits of kit but there can be a dearth of information on how to use them effectively

[@janarmo2920]

Absolutely fascinating! I'd got to grips with the previous two videos in this series, and I wa actually thinking about buying battery, charge controller and inverter separately, but this is a whole new ballpark: the number of outputs, for instance, that might be necessary to use the charge in various ways, I'd need a book on how to do that. I'll definitely need to watch this through again, but thank you so much for all this. I'll wait till tomorrow, and then I should be able to make notes that I can actually understand.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@janarmo2920 Always here for questions 😉

[@shaunbanner6774]

Another good video 👏 such a natural teaching style i wonder have you taught before in some capacity?

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thanks shaun. I used to train project managers in a previous life

[@JohnRitson78]

I would just call them portable power bank(s), albeit bigger than the normally visualised ones for the phone and small appliance charging. I have just upgraded my small flexible solar panel to charge my small power banks, as you said it is incremental steps as I am trying to balance cost vs mains supply. Loving your videos on here as I am learning so much more.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thanks John - power bank is a great term and describes "safe storage" very well, as you say the only risk is that they call to mind the small ones for phone charging. I think those, coupled with a small panel are THE best way to get into solar. Practical, affordable, useful

[@JohnRitson78]

@@EnglishCountryLife An inverter and battery may be a later choice as I have a 70Ah gel battery, but the inverter market is a minefield to avoid the rubbish, as I have been bitten before.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@JohnRitson78 It is indeed a nightmare John. I plan to do an episode on charge controllers and inverters as they are a subject in their own right!

[@JohnRitson78]

@@EnglishCountryLife I shall look for that video as I am relatively new to your channel so may have missed it.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@JohnRitson78 That one is planned but not filmed yet 🙂

[@johnlong3214]

Fantastic review, its making me think that I could run my 12v railway layout in my shed from the XT60 socket, plus a strip of 12v led lights. Who needs mains electricity? Thank you for the time you put into this video and for sharing. 👍+🔔

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@johnlong3214 That sounds very doable John - if you do it, I would love to see a picture!

[@martinhunt6004]

Great review. I have x2 cheap 99WH Powkey power banks. I only use to charge my phones and earbuds. Also like the capability of being able to charge my laptop if a power cut situation when I WFH.I have had the oldest one since September 2022. I got both for £180 total. Very convenient also to charge my phones on my desk without plugging in to the mains.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Those small power banks are very useful in there way, this is just another level of useful 🙂

[@martinhunt6004]

@@EnglishCountryLife Precisely, it is all horses for courses. I intend to develop a large solar set up when I need it. I am very happy to keep my money saved until I require such.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@martinhunt6004 That's the best way 🙂

[@mikegriffin4657]

Very good video, I have one, it went wrong shortly after purchase, company were helpful with replacement. Only other improvement would be access to mains plug outlets...am about to get solar panels for unit. I use it it to provide power in a garden shed.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

That's a great use for it Mike. Are you going to go for fixed panels? If so these are very reasonable www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/longi-solar-hi-mo-5m-410wp-full-black-pv-module-lr5-54hpb-410m/p/787545

[@Djclippz]

Excellent video thank you

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Thank you 🙂

[@dapperdynamicdavid]

Thanks for explaining this product so well. Can the Aferiy P210 work in both modes (say charging via solar panels, and say discharging via providing electric power to an electric hedge cutter) at the same time? Is it possible to subscribe to your youtube channel just for solar power related topics? Do you have any plans to explain solar power balcony kits (the one's which provide solar power back into your home's electric system)? I have concerns about how safe and approved they are to use in Ireland (where I live) and in the UK. Concepts in theory sound good. Thanks.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@dapperdynamicdavid Hi! The P210 can run in "UPS" mode (charging and running tools simultaneously). That's normally done on mains power but there's no reason that it wouldn't work on solar. Our channel covers lots of aspects of self sufficiency - but you can always ignore those that don't interest you. We do plan to do more on solar (there's one coming out at 5pm tomorrow that might interest you if you are considering a power station). We have plans to include one on charge controllers, batteries and inverters, sizing a solar system & building a solar shed. I hadn't considered balcony grid tied systems but could if you wish?

[@dapperdynamicdavid]

@@EnglishCountryLife Thanks for replying. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your solar power related videos. I'm been sitting on the fence about solar however have picked up some knowledge based on KZbin videos. Different solar power solutions have pros and cons. I like the idea of solar power balcony kits, but am not sure do they really have electric network companies approval to use on their networks. And don't like the idea that in their usual setup they don't work if their is a power cut. If more of your KZbin viewers are interested in balcony grid tied systems, it would be good if you consider adding that to your "to do" list.

[@janarmo2920]

There's a separate issue I wanted to put in a separate post - solar panels are meant to be left outside if they're fixed to the roof of a building, obviously. But what about these portable ones, especially the folding ones? And what about the power station itself that you cover in this video? Surely you don't want to leave that out in the rain? Apologies if you cover this elsewhere and I've missed it, or its in video 4 and I haven't got to it yet, but its been bugging me. Thanks!

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@janarmo2920 Some folding panels are waterproof, others are not but they need to be firmly fixed as they could blow away. The Aferiy brand ones are okay in rain. The power station needs to be under cover if there's any rain (so get a lead extension for charging)

[@listy1]

whats your take on grid tie inverter?

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Hi! That's a big subject & one to cover in a future episode. They definitely have a place, but it's important to distinguish those that will continue to operate in a power cut and those that will automatically shut down for safety reasons

[@richardwilliamson3624]

It’s a difficult call. At the normal price of £1600 that’s fast approaching half the cost of a 4kW MCS approved PV system. Obviously that would then need a battery to charge. I think these units have a use but the price is horrific. One has to look at longer term solutions?

[@EnglishCountryLife]

It's all about how you are going to use it Richard but you are right they need thinking about. For us, losing a single incubator full of eggs would cost us more than the P210. The contents of our chest freezer would certainly be high hundreds. I love the flexibility of the portable solution but definitely want a whole house solution too.

[@richardwilliamson3624]

@@EnglishCountryLife if I was in England I’d be delighted to price it for you. 👍

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@richardwilliamson3624 Is it part of your business?

[@jacklane7439]

Can I buy a 500 watt solar panel for this power station

[@EnglishCountryLife]

Hi Jack! The unit can accept a maximum of 500W solar input so...yes. AFERIY offer their own panels in 100W, 200W & 400W. I have a 400W panel on test at the moment & it's excellent. Extremely light & portable plus you can plug any USB device directly into the panel. There are links & discount codes in the video description. Hugh

[@jacklane7439]

I just received mine and absolutely love it going to run some of my power tools

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@jacklane7439 It does brilliantly with mine. Give their 400W panel a try, it connects so easily!

[@jacklane7439]

Okay they are pricey

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@jacklane7439 All the folding panels are. If you go with a large fixed panel they are much more affordable (around £60)