Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Power Stations & Solar Generators
We get lots of questions about our our products, so here's a complete guide to some of the most frequent portable power station and solar generator common questions.
Still not finding what you're looking for? Get in touch with our team, and we'll be happy to help you out.
General Questions
What is a portable power station?
A portable power station consists of a battery and inverter combination that stores power from solar panels, a gas generator, or the grid, and outputs it in AC or DC format for charging batteries, running appliances, and much more. They range in size from tiny mobile units that can be carried easily in one hand, to multi-hundred pound units that are designed for backing up a whole home.
For our complete guide to power stations, click the link here.
What is a solar generator?
A solar generator is simply a power station with solar panels plugged in to generate power, rather than just storing or outputting it.
A solar generator allows you to go fully off-grid and generate your own power, rather than just storing a charge.
Read more here.
What’s the difference between a solar generator and a traditional generator?
A solar generator uses the sun to charge, rather than a fuel source. It also combines battery storage with generating capacity, something that traditional generators lack.
Solar generators, then, are reliant on the sun being out to produce power, although they can store and output the power from their batteries while it's not.
Read more about the differences here.
How long can a solar generator run my appliances?
This is going to be totally dependent on what appliances you want to run, how much power they draw, and the power station size you choose. As long as your solar generator can produce and store as much power as you'll need in a given day, in theory, it can provide power indefinitely, barring bad weather.
If you opt for just a power station with no generating ability, just storage, you'll be more limited. A sub-10 pound ultra-portable power station will charge your phone or laptop a few times, while a 500lb home unit will run your whole house for up to a few days.
For more info on choosing the correct size, read the article here.
Can a portable power station power an entire house?
While certainly not every portable power station can power an entire house, some absolutely can. You'll want a unit that can output 240V power, and has a large capacity.
Check our sizing guide for more info.
Charging & Power
How do I charge a portable power station?
Generally speaking, almost all portable power stations can be charged in any of the following ways: directly from standard 110V AC wall plug, solar panels, car charger, a gas generator, and even USB or USB-C for some devices.
Check the details of each specific system for more info.
Can I use a solar generator while it’s charging?
While it's not totally universal, almost all power stations and solar generators can be used while charging.
Can I charge a portable power station with solar panels only?
Absolutely! Ensure that the system you have or are looking at has solar inputs as an option, but almost universally, power stations can be fully charged by solar only. It may take a bit longer than direct AC, but is typically very efficient.
How do I calculate the power needs for my devices?
In short, you'll need to find the power draw (watts) listed on each device you want to run and multiply it by the number of hours you intend to use it. Do this for each device you want to power, and add them all up. This will give you a minimum number of Watt-hours (Wh) that you'll want your system to have. Also ensure that it can output adequate Watts for all devices you'll be using at once.
For a more indepth explanation, read the article here.
What’s the typical charging time for solar generators?
It's tough to give an accurate answer here, as it varies wildly depending on the charge type and volume. For example, many systems can charge in around an hour on AC power, but solar is going to generally take substantially longer, often 3-4 hrs or more, depending on number and type of panels.
As a general rule, divide the capacity in watt-hours of your system by the total wattage of your solar array, then divide by 0.75 to get a ballpark number of hours in excellent, direct sunlight. Check the specs on your specific system for more info.
Performance
Do solar generators work in cloudy or rainy weather?
In short, yes, with a major caveat. Modern systems have gotten a lot better at producing power in partially cloudy to cloudy weather. That said, they won't produce nearly as much power as in full sun, and in very heavy clouds, they may not produce anything at all.
What is the lifespan of a portable power station?
As a general rule, for modern power stations with lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry (like nearly all of the ones we offer), they're good for around 10 years, or 3000+ charge cycles before they really taper off. That said, check your specific power station specs for more detail.
Are solar generators noisy?
No. Generally, solar generators operate silently, and the only sounds you'll hear are the cooling fans (like a computer) when the unit is working hard.
Silent operation is one of the major benefits of a solar generator vs a gas system.
How efficient are solar generators compared to gas generators?
It's tough to give a direct answer here, as solar and gas generators run on totally different fuel types (sunlight vs fossil fuels), so there's not really comparable efficiency metrics. That said, solar generators store and output energy very efficiently and cleanly, without the constant draw that gas generators have even at idle, or the "dirty" current that many gas generators put out, which can harm some appliances and home systems.
What appliances can a portable power station run?
This is going to be totally dependent on what appliances you want to run, how much power they draw, and the power station size you choose. As long as your given power station can store and output enough power, it should be able to run just about any appliance, even washers/dryers, ovens, and more. That said, higher-draw appliances will drain systems quickly, so choose one with plenty of power for how you'll use it.
For more info on choosing the correct size, read the article here.
Portability & Durability
Are portable power stations easy to carry?
Like many things, totally dependent on the specific unit and it's capacity. If you're looking for something that can charge a phone a few times, it'll generally be only a few lbs, and fit in your hand. If you want something to run your camper on, it could easily weigh over 100 lbs. Most systems like that do come with wheels or carry handles though, and so are still reasonably easy to move around, just not ideal for something like a backpacking trip.
Can I use a solar generator for RVs and camping?
Absolutely! Solar generators are fantastic tools for RV and car camping.
Are solar generators durable enough for outdoor use?
While this is going to vary from system to system, generally, solar generators are designed to be used outdoors, and are ideal for car or rv camping.
That said, many of the power station units are not fully waterproof and operate better in non-extreme temperatures, so you'll want to keep them at least covered, and ideally not extremely cold or hot.
While you want to be more careful with the power station portion, the solar panels themselves are generally super durable, and can take most outdoor weather conditions.
What happens if my portable power station gets wet?
This is going to vary from power station to power station. While full submersion is going to destroy almost any power station, many do have some amount of water resistance, meaning they won't be bricked by a light rain.
That said, PLEASE check the specs on your specific station before allowing it to get wet though.
How do temperature changes affect performance?
While most power stations operate fairly well in moderately warm or cold temperatures, both can cause issues.
Hot temps can cause overheating, which may cause your system to shut down or malfunction, even harming the long-term battery life. Very cold temps can cause batteries to drain quickly, without even being able to use them.
Ideally, you want to keep your system right around room temperature, or a little cooler for ideal operation and lifespan.
Purchasing & Recommendations
How much does a good portable power station cost?
Like many things, totally dependent on what you want from it. A handheld ultra-portable unit might be $200-$300, while a heavy duty whole-home unit with multiple expansion batteries could easily be over $10,000.
What size solar generator do I need for emergency backup?
Dependent on the systems you'll be using it to power. A smaller, sub 1kWh system could be great for keeping phones and critical small electronics charged, while for a whole-home system, you'll want at least a 3kWh system, ideally something in the 6-12kWh range.
For more info on choosing the correct size, read the article here.
Are solar generators worth the investment?
This one's up to you! At the end of the day, power security, and the ability to be able to consistently and reliably generate power for yourself off-grid is worth something different to everybody.
That said, here are a few things to consider: How will you use your system? What do you want to power with it? How much will a system that does what you want cost? What is power security worth to you if something were to happen?
For more information, try the article here.
Which portable power station is best for travel?
It's tough to give a definite answer, as it will vary depending on the size that you want. That said, if you know approx what size you're looking for, start with our Favorite Power Stations, and choose the one in the size you need.
What accessories improve the efficiency of a solar generator?
There are a number of items that may help you maximize efficiency, but consider the following:
a smart-home power panel, for switching power at optimum times
accessory charging cables, so you can charge with a car charger, at EV stations, and more
add-on batteries, for even more storage capacity
bags or transportation systems, for easier transport
Maintenance & Safety
How do I maintain a solar generator for long-term use?
The most important things are keeping it clean, dry, and in a reasonably climate-controlled space, not freezing cold or very hot. Beyond that, you'll want to make sure that your solar panels are clean, with no dust or pollen buildup, for maximum efficiency.
Are portable power stations safe to use indoors?
Absolutely! Power stations produce no harmful emissions like gas generators, so feel free to bring it right into your living room when needed.
Do I need to replace the battery in my portable power station?
Generally speaking the battery life of the unit is pretty much the same as the life-span of the unit itself, so once the battery is no longer usable, the unit is junked.
Fortunately though, that won't be for years into the future, as these units are generally comfortably good for a decade or more of use when taken care of.
How do I properly store my solar generator?
The most important thing is to keep it in a climate controlled, dry space where it won't be exposed to anything that might harm it.
It's also often a good idea to store it plugged in, so it's battery is always full for when you need it.