Portable Solar Power Generator

[Patti]

http://www.solar4power.com/solar-power-devices-2.html

Anybody got one of these, or do you know anyone who has one?

I was wondering about the pros and cons.

[Bumper]

That's pretty cool but a lot of money for 600 watts....

[elkhunter]

I'm actually building a system of my own.
Once I test and perfect it, I will see about manufacture & sales.
The thing is, these systems will not be anywhere as cheap as power from the grid.
What you are paying for is portable power off the grid.
I have tested a similar system without the solar charging system and is quite usable, and portable.
Stand by for the solar charging system (With sun tracking capabilities.)

[Patti]

Here's another one I found:

http://mysolarbackup.com/

1,800 watts for $1,597 and $95 shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S.

This one has a 50 foot cable.

[farronwolf]

It doesn't look like the battery that they have is going to provide power for very long.

I think you would be much better off using a small generator for portable power, and then using a group of solar panels, battery bank and inverter for getting yourself "off grid".

Looking at the specs of this thing, you get a modified sine wave inverter, not unlike the cheap inverters you get everywhere. If you need it to get gas or whatever, simply put an inverter in your car, hook it up to your car battery when you need portable power. Or a pure sine wave inverter like they have on page two for about 250. The modified sine wave stuff is not that great on some electronics.

I am not trying to promote this specific store, but you can get a 2000/4000 watt inverter for less than 200 bucks.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=inverter

A 45 watt solar panel kit for about 250, and purchase some deep cycle batteries to hook it to for someplace that is permanent.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90599

And various generators that are fairly cheep. I am going to purchase this one in the next couple of weeks with the coupon that is in the American Rifleman magazine for 80 bucks. I already have a 3000 watt, and a 6500 watt generator, but think this will be great for very portable power for lights, and charging the battery bank we keep out at deer camp.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66619

I am sure you can find inverters, and solar panels many places that might be better, these are just some examples.

[thanis]

My wife has an uncle who has panels on an RV. I don't know the whole story, but I think it helps to charge some batteries, and also assists the water heater (propane water heater I think, but is set up to pre-heat the water, of heat water for washing just hands, etc).