I arguably do not need this, but during the Beryl-induced six-day power outage, we made use of every single one of the battery packs I already had, plus the gas-powered generator. And I could have used more options. So, “Hello solar bundle.” (Maybe I’ll get some other uses from it next year when I hope to do some vehicle camping.)
Sold for the same price just four weeks ago, but without the refurb option or the battery-only option. No comments on there from anyone who received it, though.
@The_Tim I did get one and it’s sitting in my entry area now. (A lot of stuff builds up there like cases of wine, no idea where those came from).
Anyway plugged it in to charge and seemed to go OK. No problems as far as I can tell but didn’t use all the features yet. Came with the solar panel but that’s still in the box. I will check it out today.
At the refurb price tempted to even buy another since you can use 2 panels apparently.
@pmarin@The_Tim I also purchased. I tried out the solar panels yesterday, and in bright, direct, Texas, summer sunlight, I could only get a MAX of 105W generated. I actually wrote to Energizer to find out if there’s something wrong. Awaiting response. If I had it to do again, knowing what I know now, I’d skip the solar panels. They were laying flat in the grass pointed straight up.
They were laying flat in the grass pointed straight up.
@fondaporn@pmarin@The_Tim That’s why. It’s “off angle”. Solar panel wattages are based on it being in the direct angle of the sun. I have a fixed 100w panel on one of my power stations. <40w flat, but >80w when properly angled.
@narfcake@pmarin@The_Tim But the sun was directly overhead… Also, the kickstands on the panels are not super-useful. I know because I started off at an angle (on concrete) and then had to lay them down when I was getting nothing.
@tweezak No ‘surge protection’ – It’s just like a Computer battery back UPS if you’ve got it plugged in to the wall-- It’ll just start recharging the battery.
@caffeineguy@chrylis There are plenty of LFP power stations with the same relative dimensions that have more power and capacity. The Ecoflow Delta 2 brand new is $50 less right now and was $120 less during Prime Days and has 1800W output with 1024WH of capacity. Combine that with the much safer and longer lasting LFP chemistry, it’s a much better deal than this Energizer. Sure it doesn’t include the panel, but you have the option to choose from a large variety if you really need one.
Honestly this should be at least $150 cheaper given the specs, but with all the news of lithium ion battery sourced fires lately, I probably wouldn’t want to risk the house even at a reduced price and doubly so for the refurb. I’m already side eyeing the few old 300W lithium ion power stations that I still have laying around.
@caffeineguy@chrylis@kuoh I was interested in what you had to say as far as LFP vs Li-Ion but after spending a bit of time pursuing it I couldn’t find any similar output LFP units at anything near this price point. The Ecoflow Delta 2 that you mentioned actually is selling for twice this, at around $1,000.00, without the panel.
@caffeineguy@chrylis@lomerson2@ohhwell Wouldn’t you know as soon as I post about it, they go back to MSRP. The Delta 2 had been at $499 for at least the past several weeks, certainly well before Beryl when I started checking and even last night was still $549. I’m kind of kicking myself for not getting a second one when it dipped below $450 with coupons on Prime Day, but I just couldn’t justify it with a 13kW generator on the way. All the bigger names like Ecoflow, Bluetti, Jackery, Anker, etc. were all hovering around that price per watt for quite awhile and I expect will do so again not too far in the future.
If you absolutely “need” one today, I guess this Energizer might do, but I’d still rather go with a Bluetti AC180 at $599 or a generic LFP like the Allpowers R1500 at $459. If you can wait a little while, then I’m sure the sales will make the rounds again, since the new models like the Delta 3 are now flooding the market.
Just be realistic about what these power stations are and can do in a grid down situation if you don’t already have solar wired in. These are good for a day, maybe 2 if you’re really judicious about power use. A 200W panel can extend that a bit more, but it’s not going to go as far as you think if you want to do more than just charge phones and run a couple of fans, not to mention needing full sun exposure to be effective. If you’re allowed to run one, get a decent 2kW inverter generator first along with at least a couple of gas cans, then you can supplement it with a power station as the budget allows.
Just found the Anker SOLIX C800 for $399 which has more power output, but slightly less battery capacity. However, you can use the savings to get better panels. Either Energizer needs to get real about their worth or Meh needs to really step it up on the deals.
![battery in my scooter][1]
The P2E power bank (while only half the capacity and power) has been a pretty decent machine.
On a Tangentially related note, someone got a craptastic Puleida unit in their IRK last year, and I ended up with it… I’m happy to say that the 7S battery (25-29V) contained within was salvaged and repurposed with a near perfect fit in a 24V Razor scooter that I acquired. It’s a little bit faster, and has 3X the total capacity.
Anyway, as much as I grumble about some of meh’s crappy battery systems, this is likely a pretty solid deal. Even the 200W solar panel for an extra hundo is a pretty solid deal. They should offer the panel standalone for $99 too
[1]:
It’s also important to note today’s power station is one of the first battery/power stations they’ve sold beefy enough that’ll actually run a coffee maker, blender, a decent size fridge, or an air conditioner. (the latter for not terribly long, but long enough to cool yourself or your food down for a few)
@caffeineguy Good point. since I mentioned I got one of these a few weeks ago and charged it up (plug-in; did not try solar yet) I should try it with my new refrigerator. By the way anybody looking for a new refrigerator look at the new Samsung or LG models. The compressor (Cooling system) design is totally different, way more efficient (less current draw, also you can barely hear it running). I actually replaced a refrigerator that still worked that was in a house I moved into. The old thing was so loud and I assume it used a lot of electricity compared to the almost silent Samsung “inverter” one I swapped in. Yes, “inverter” is part of that series name because I assume it uses a DC compressor and converts the wall power to a more efficient energy source for the cooling system.
@caffeineguy@pmarin ‘Inverter’ tech has been around for at least 15 years, which is how old my Bosch is. The inverter design has an always-on, variable speed compressor that is frequently ‘coasting’, but speeds up according to needs.
In comparison, older units use a solenoid which runs the compressor intermittently, but at full power whenever it does run, hitting it with a start-up jolt every time it cycles on.
You may be looking at LG’s ‘linear’ technology, which used a mechanical design that was more efficient than others, but which could still be controlled by the inverter tech.
[You can also find inverter microwaves - I bought one a year or two ago. Like my fridge, it can vary the actual power of the microwave emitter. Turning it down does not cause the power to cycle on and off, it simply delivers less juice for gentler heating. What really impressed me is how nicely I can soften a stick of butter 60 seconds at 10% power, and it’s ready to press into my butter cup.]
Some manufacturer clearly made a whole line of these battery packs with branding for a handful of companies. I have the Coleman-branded version of this. Mine powered my kitchen refrigerator during a recent power outage; could have kept it running for 12 hours.
@zerocircle You’d have to have a pretty efficient or small fridge to get 12 running hours on less than 1000WH, especially during the summer heat with the central air down. While a typical full size fridge can keep the food relatively cold for longer than 12 hours if kept closed, the compressor is still going to be running a lot more in a hot house, which I suspect is likely to average out to more than 100W per hour.
@kuoh@zerocircle Agree, but see a reply I just added to post above. Old refrigerators were incredibly inefficient and also horribly loud which is why I swapped out a perfectly-working old one with a Samsung “inverter” model which is almost completely silent and I assume much more efficient. Also I wanted to go to a counter-depth model for a future kitchen remodel that may or may not ever happen. Next step is I will try this box I got (from a few weeks ago) to run the fridge just for kicks. Let you know…
Ugh, as maddening as the TOTALLY INCORRECT statement “UPS (uninterrupted power supply) can start the generator automatically when power goes out” this might be a decent deal. This is NOT a “GeNERaTOr” goddammit (stomp stomp stomp) it is a BATTERY. It does not generate anything, ever. It stores energy. Stupid marketing people… grumble.
But I went digging, and found an image of the rear panel, which answers some basic questions: Yes, it takes a standard IEC C13 3-prong power cable, and yes it has a UPS function, which will switch over to battery power if the AC input cuts off. OK, I might maybe possibly be in for one… grumble grumble…
@blaadnort Agreed on the “Not a generator, dammit!” statement; it’s deceptive at best and wildly inapplicable in any event. For a real-world example of Why It Fucking Well Makes A Goddamn Difference, I will cite the regulations in many cities’ fire codes that ban ALL uses of GENERATORS indoors, so that if the unit says it’s a “generator”, the Fire Marshals at a convention center can insist that you take it outside and not use it on the premises. A generator directly converts mechanical motion into electric current. The vast majority of them do so via burning fuel to produce the mechanical motion. (Another group uses wind turbines, a smaller group uses the flow of water, and some are driven by a steam-driven turbine.) Anything that converts chemical reaction voltage differential into an electrical output is a battery, and anything that converts one form of electrical energy directly into another is a converter. Photovoltaic cells are another kind of energy conversion device, but they also are not “generators”. (An electric motor driving a generator is not a converter, it’s a genemotor or motor-generator pack, which is a real thing but isn’t common anymore; add a big flywheel, and you get a device that can serve as a “power stabilizer” for certain very critical applications, and yes, these exist as well. One of the more interesting uses is as the device that keeps the power output up across an emergency generator while the engine starts up to take over providing current.)
@blaadnort@werehatrack genemotor if I recall was also the best way to convert 50Hz AC to 60Hz (or vice-versa) for big machine tools (and you get to convert the voltage also). May still be if the power requirements are large enough.
@blaadnort@ergomeh Exactly correct, and I know of a machine shop nearby that’s still running an ancient milling machine via one, to match the equally ancient motor’s requirements.
At the local Costco warehouse, the Energizer PowerSource Pro Solar Bundle (Costco item # 1727495, ENBG1000BUN) was available for
• $1400, originally,
then
• $1200,
then
• $1000, expiring 11/26/2023,
then
• $800, expiring 01/08/2024.
If I knew how to use that fancy /showme command, I might be able to generate an image with someone (or something?) pedaling in impulse buys. However, I don’t, so M-W is all I’ve got: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peddler
@andymand@demonbane@Imposter And, if the Oxford Commanists have their way, we will soon start to see a comma appended to every instance of the word “and,” whether it is needed and, correct or not.
Nope. A $500-600 purchase needs more than a 90-day warranty. Like a year or two (or five). Ninety days doesn’t even get me to the end of the current hurricane season. And where does this unit go if I have a warranty claim within 90 days???
Yeah… No.
Is Wh a common way to measure battery capacity? I’m trying to compare to my current APC UPS unit (9 Ah capacity, 12V), and I’m not sure how to with the difference in units
@flooners 9Ah @12Vnominally would equate to about 108Wh, except that UPS efficiency usually leaves a lot to be desired, and SLA battery output sags badly as it drains, with the result that the real deliverable capacity is probably closer to 85Wh at best, and likely less than that. Also, the SLA batteries in a UPS are not designed for deep-cycle use, and they’ll lose a lot more capacity with each discharge and recharge cycle than the lithium cells in any decent power pack of the type being sold here. (Caveat: Crap-quality power packs that will lose capacity fast and fail early do exist, and some notable individual examples have been sold here. I have two that work well, and one that died after just a few cycles.)
@flooners Yes, it’s a more consistent measurement of storage capacity across batteries of different voltages and capacities. Your APC would technically have 108WH, but with typical lead acid batteries, you aren’t really able to effectively extract all of that capacity and the conversion inefficiencies in the UPS eats up some of that as well, so you’d be lucky to get 1/2 to 2/3 of that depending on the load and battery age. The current generation of lithium battery power stations on the other hand, are typically 80%-90% efficient and retain their capacity over a much longer lifetime.
@flooners@kuoh@ohhwell I long ago lost count of the number of people who asked me if they could use a UPS as a power pack to extend the run of a laptop at an event. Some didn’t believe my explanation of the folly of trying to do so. A couple actually came back and apologized for thinking I was nuts. Several thanked me later for the advice that they should find a power brick for their laptop that could run from 12VDC instead of relying on the 110VAC outlets on their battery packs. My experience has been that this change yields a runtime increase that’s typically over 50% all by itself, as long as the power brick is from the laptop’s manufacturer instead of an aftermarket source.)
The EMS mannequin photo makes me think of the Bob’s Burgers episode with the Junior Guard trainees practicing with “Can’t Breathey Stevie”, although I guess since that looks like an AED being applied in the photo, this would be “Heart-Attacky Zackie” or something like that.
@kensey The only AED that I’ve ever handled had its own internal power supply; I’m not sure it could have been used in pass-through mode, though one would expect that capability to have been designed in. (But the fact that someone who thinks like an engineer would have done it that way does not mean that the Company Experts Who Wrote The Requirements Document From Which No One May Deviate did.)
I would buy this right now, but 7 or 8 years ago we were having some real bad storms and we lost power a number of times, lost to couple of freezers full of food too. So, I went out and bought a real nice, top of the line gas generator. Since I bought that generator, I have never, and I mean never used it. Oh wait, once a year I put a cup of gas in it to make sure it still runs, just in case we lose power, like we did 7 or 8 years ago.
Adding another voice to the “sure would love a 200W solar panel for $100” chorus - I’m happy with my Jackery but fighting through the sticker shock for a second set of panels for it…
Bought the same one when side deal had it for $ 449 less my 10% discount for $ 404. Then bought the 50 watt solar charger for $ 80 on side deal. Home Depot sells the 50 and 200 watt solar panels for 185 and 399 respectively.
So with the 200 watt solar panel, a little better deal than I got assuming you are planning to use it. Certainly the 200 watt will charge a lot faster than the 50 watt one.
Specs
Product: Energizer Ultimate Powersource Pro Solar Bundle
Model: ENBG1000BUN, BS-ENBG1000BUN
Condition: New, Refurbished
What’s Included?
OR
Price Comparison
Was $1400 at Costco
Warranty
2-Year Battery Biz (for new)
[90-Day Warranty (for refurb)
Estimated Delivery
Friday, Aug 2 - Monday, Aug 5
Doesn’t look like a Bunny to me.
Looks like a great power deal, but I don’t want great responsibility.
I arguably do not need this, but during the Beryl-induced six-day power outage, we made use of every single one of the battery packs I already had, plus the gas-powered generator. And I could have used more options. So, “Hello solar bundle.” (Maybe I’ll get some other uses from it next year when I hope to do some vehicle camping.)
Sold for the same price just four weeks ago, but without the refurb option or the battery-only option. No comments on there from anyone who received it, though.
https://meh.com/forum/topics/energizer-1200w-991wh-ultimate-powersource-pro-solar-bundle#668229c5d1ad31ea018d0a6a
@The_Tim I did get one and it’s sitting in my entry area now. (A lot of stuff builds up there like cases of wine, no idea where those came from).
Anyway plugged it in to charge and seemed to go OK. No problems as far as I can tell but didn’t use all the features yet. Came with the solar panel but that’s still in the box. I will check it out today.
At the refurb price tempted to even buy another since you can use 2 panels apparently.
@pmarin @The_Tim I also purchased. I tried out the solar panels yesterday, and in bright, direct, Texas, summer sunlight, I could only get a MAX of 105W generated. I actually wrote to Energizer to find out if there’s something wrong. Awaiting response. If I had it to do again, knowing what I know now, I’d skip the solar panels. They were laying flat in the grass pointed straight up.
@fondaporn @pmarin @The_Tim That’s why. It’s “off angle”. Solar panel wattages are based on it being in the direct angle of the sun. I have a fixed 100w panel on one of my power stations. <40w flat, but >80w when properly angled.
@narfcake @pmarin @The_Tim But the sun was directly overhead… Also, the kickstands on the panels are not super-useful. I know because I started off at an angle (on concrete) and then had to lay them down when I was getting nothing.
I wonder how the surge protection is on this when power goes out and it switches over. Also when the power comes back on.
@tweezak No ‘surge protection’ – It’s just like a Computer battery back UPS if you’ve got it plugged in to the wall-- It’ll just start recharging the battery.
It’s still Li-ion, not LiFePO4.
@chrylis Li-Ion has the energy density to pull off the Watt-hours one needs for this type of thing. Long live Li-Ion!
@caffeineguy @chrylis There are plenty of LFP power stations with the same relative dimensions that have more power and capacity. The Ecoflow Delta 2 brand new is $50 less right now and was $120 less during Prime Days and has 1800W output with 1024WH of capacity. Combine that with the much safer and longer lasting LFP chemistry, it’s a much better deal than this Energizer. Sure it doesn’t include the panel, but you have the option to choose from a large variety if you really need one.
Honestly this should be at least $150 cheaper given the specs, but with all the news of lithium ion battery sourced fires lately, I probably wouldn’t want to risk the house even at a reduced price and doubly so for the refurb. I’m already side eyeing the few old 300W lithium ion power stations that I still have laying around.
KuoH
@caffeineguy @chrylis @kuoh I was interested in what you had to say as far as LFP vs Li-Ion but after spending a bit of time pursuing it I couldn’t find any similar output LFP units at anything near this price point. The Ecoflow Delta 2 that you mentioned actually is selling for twice this, at around $1,000.00, without the panel.
@caffeineguy @chrylis @kuoh @lomerson2 you have to catch them on sale. The Bluetti AC180 is OFTEN also on sale for around $550.
This thing here is a terrible buy at this price in my opinion.
@caffeineguy @chrylis @lomerson2 @ohhwell Wouldn’t you know as soon as I post about it, they go back to MSRP. The Delta 2 had been at $499 for at least the past several weeks, certainly well before Beryl when I started checking and even last night was still $549. I’m kind of kicking myself for not getting a second one when it dipped below $450 with coupons on Prime Day, but I just couldn’t justify it with a 13kW generator on the way. All the bigger names like Ecoflow, Bluetti, Jackery, Anker, etc. were all hovering around that price per watt for quite awhile and I expect will do so again not too far in the future.
If you absolutely “need” one today, I guess this Energizer might do, but I’d still rather go with a Bluetti AC180 at $599 or a generic LFP like the Allpowers R1500 at $459. If you can wait a little while, then I’m sure the sales will make the rounds again, since the new models like the Delta 3 are now flooding the market.
Just be realistic about what these power stations are and can do in a grid down situation if you don’t already have solar wired in. These are good for a day, maybe 2 if you’re really judicious about power use. A 200W panel can extend that a bit more, but it’s not going to go as far as you think if you want to do more than just charge phones and run a couple of fans, not to mention needing full sun exposure to be effective. If you’re allowed to run one, get a decent 2kW inverter generator first along with at least a couple of gas cans, then you can supplement it with a power station as the budget allows.
KuoH
@caffeineguy @chrylis @kuoh @lomerson2 @ohhwell the delta 2 is still 499 at HSN
https://www.hsn.com/products/ecoflow-tech-delta-2-power-station/20706108
The camels say the lowest on Amazon was 549
https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0B9XB57XM
@caffeineguy @chrylis @lomerson2 @ohhwell Camel is wrong on the lowest price as I got it for $499 just before Prime Days and it was $479 during.
Just found the Anker SOLIX C800 for $399 which has more power output, but slightly less battery capacity. However, you can use the savings to get better panels. Either Energizer needs to get real about their worth or Meh needs to really step it up on the deals.
KuoH
@caffeineguy @chrylis @kuoh @lomerson2 @unksol I don’t believe the camels can track the “coupons”.
Case is identical to the P2E box I bought during the mehrathon
![battery in my scooter][1]
The P2E power bank (while only half the capacity and power) has been a pretty decent machine.
On a Tangentially related note, someone got a craptastic Puleida unit in their IRK last year, and I ended up with it… I’m happy to say that the 7S battery (25-29V) contained within was salvaged and repurposed with a near perfect fit in a 24V Razor scooter that I acquired. It’s a little bit faster, and has 3X the total capacity.
Anyway, as much as I grumble about some of meh’s crappy battery systems, this is likely a pretty solid deal. Even the 200W solar panel for an extra hundo is a pretty solid deal. They should offer the panel standalone for $99 too![:-)](https://dj5zo597wtsux.cloudfront.net/joypixels/assets/6.6/png/unicode/64/1f642.png)
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
[1]:
It’s also important to note today’s power station is one of the first battery/power stations they’ve sold beefy enough that’ll actually run a coffee maker, blender, a decent size fridge, or an air conditioner. (the latter for not terribly long, but long enough to cool yourself or your food down for a few)
@caffeineguy Good point. since I mentioned I got one of these a few weeks ago and charged it up (plug-in; did not try solar yet) I should try it with my new refrigerator. By the way anybody looking for a new refrigerator look at the new Samsung or LG models. The compressor (Cooling system) design is totally different, way more efficient (less current draw, also you can barely hear it running). I actually replaced a refrigerator that still worked that was in a house I moved into. The old thing was so loud and I assume it used a lot of electricity compared to the almost silent Samsung “inverter” one I swapped in. Yes, “inverter” is part of that series name because I assume it uses a DC compressor and converts the wall power to a more efficient energy source for the cooling system.
@caffeineguy @pmarin ‘Inverter’ tech has been around for at least 15 years, which is how old my Bosch is. The inverter design has an always-on, variable speed compressor that is frequently ‘coasting’, but speeds up according to needs.
In comparison, older units use a solenoid which runs the compressor intermittently, but at full power whenever it does run, hitting it with a start-up jolt every time it cycles on.
You may be looking at LG’s ‘linear’ technology, which used a mechanical design that was more efficient than others, but which could still be controlled by the inverter tech.
[You can also find inverter microwaves - I bought one a year or two ago. Like my fridge, it can vary the actual power of the microwave emitter. Turning it down does not cause the power to cycle on and off, it simply delivers less juice for gentler heating. What really impressed me is how nicely I can soften a stick of butter 60 seconds at 10% power, and it’s ready to press into my butter cup.]
Some manufacturer clearly made a whole line of these battery packs with branding for a handful of companies. I have the Coleman-branded version of this. Mine powered my kitchen refrigerator during a recent power outage; could have kept it running for 12 hours.
@zerocircle You’d have to have a pretty efficient or small fridge to get 12 running hours on less than 1000WH, especially during the summer heat with the central air down. While a typical full size fridge can keep the food relatively cold for longer than 12 hours if kept closed, the compressor is still going to be running a lot more in a hot house, which I suspect is likely to average out to more than 100W per hour.
KuoH
@kuoh @zerocircle Agree, but see a reply I just added to post above. Old refrigerators were incredibly inefficient and also horribly loud which is why I swapped out a perfectly-working old one with a Samsung “inverter” model which is almost completely silent and I assume much more efficient. Also I wanted to go to a counter-depth model for a future kitchen remodel that may or may not ever happen. Next step is I will try this box I got (from a few weeks ago) to run the fridge just for kicks. Let you know…
Ugh, as maddening as the TOTALLY INCORRECT statement “UPS (uninterrupted power supply) can start the generator automatically when power goes out” this might be a decent deal. This is NOT a “GeNERaTOr” goddammit (stomp stomp stomp) it is a BATTERY. It does not generate anything, ever. It stores energy. Stupid marketing people… grumble.
But I went digging, and found an image of the rear panel, which answers some basic questions: Yes, it takes a standard IEC C13 3-prong power cable, and yes it has a UPS function, which will switch over to battery power if the AC input cuts off. OK, I might maybe possibly be in for one… grumble grumble…![NOT A GODDAMN GENERATOR](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
@blaadnort Agreed on the “Not a generator, dammit!” statement; it’s deceptive at best and wildly inapplicable in any event. For a real-world example of Why It Fucking Well Makes A Goddamn Difference, I will cite the regulations in many cities’ fire codes that ban ALL uses of GENERATORS indoors, so that if the unit says it’s a “generator”, the Fire Marshals at a convention center can insist that you take it outside and not use it on the premises. A generator directly converts mechanical motion into electric current. The vast majority of them do so via burning fuel to produce the mechanical motion. (Another group uses wind turbines, a smaller group uses the flow of water, and some are driven by a steam-driven turbine.) Anything that converts chemical reaction voltage differential into an electrical output is a battery, and anything that converts one form of electrical energy directly into another is a converter. Photovoltaic cells are another kind of energy conversion device, but they also are not “generators”. (An electric motor driving a generator is not a converter, it’s a genemotor or motor-generator pack, which is a real thing but isn’t common anymore; add a big flywheel, and you get a device that can serve as a “power stabilizer” for certain very critical applications, and yes, these exist as well. One of the more interesting uses is as the device that keeps the power output up across an emergency generator while the engine starts up to take over providing current.)
@blaadnort @werehatrack genemotor if I recall was also the best way to convert 50Hz AC to 60Hz (or vice-versa) for big machine tools (and you get to convert the voltage also). May still be if the power requirements are large enough.
@blaadnort @ergomeh Exactly correct, and I know of a machine shop nearby that’s still running an ancient milling machine via one, to match the equally ancient motor’s requirements.
This is still not a great deal. Now, I would buy the 200 watt panel in a second for the $100 it increases the price.
At the local Costco warehouse, the Energizer PowerSource Pro Solar Bundle (Costco item # 1727495, ENBG1000BUN) was available for
• $1400, originally,
then
• $1200,
then
• $1000, expiring 11/26/2023,
then
• $800, expiring 01/08/2024.
Just FYI only for everyone.
@bartsimpson Currently, Costco has nothing in the 1.2 kW range. Their offerings in the 3.0 - 7.2 kW range are priced $1500 - 8000.
https://www.costco.com/generators.html?power-source=battery&refine=||Power_Source_attr-Battery
Obligatory homophone-error observation:
“…pedals in impulse buys”
If I knew how to use that fancy /showme command, I might be able to generate an image with someone (or something?) pedaling in impulse buys. However, I don’t, so M-W is all I’ve got: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peddler
@andymand It’s extra frustrating because it’s their business. A plumber wouldn’t spell it “Plummer,” nor would a shepherd spell it “Shepard.”
@andymand @Imposter But a grocer would definitely spell it batterie’s.![:)](https://dj5zo597wtsux.cloudfront.net/joypixels/assets/6.6/png/unicode/64/1f642.png)
/showme a daily deal site that generally pedals in impulse buys.
@andymand @demonbane @Imposter And, if the Oxford Commanists have their way, we will soon start to see a comma appended to every instance of the word “and,” whether it is needed and, correct or not.
@mediocrebot No pedaling detected
/showme Pedaling impulse buys across the country.
Nope. A $500-600 purchase needs more than a 90-day warranty. Like a year or two (or five). Ninety days doesn’t even get me to the end of the current hurricane season. And where does this unit go if I have a warranty claim within 90 days???
Yeah… No.
@MrNews The new units have a 2-year warranty. Sorry for any misinfo!
Is Wh a common way to measure battery capacity? I’m trying to compare to my current APC UPS unit (9 Ah capacity, 12V), and I’m not sure how to with the difference in units
@flooners Wh = Ah * V
@flooners 9Ah @12V nominally would equate to about 108Wh, except that UPS efficiency usually leaves a lot to be desired, and SLA battery output sags badly as it drains, with the result that the real deliverable capacity is probably closer to 85Wh at best, and likely less than that. Also, the SLA batteries in a UPS are not designed for deep-cycle use, and they’ll lose a lot more capacity with each discharge and recharge cycle than the lithium cells in any decent power pack of the type being sold here. (Caveat: Crap-quality power packs that will lose capacity fast and fail early do exist, and some notable individual examples have been sold here. I have two that work well, and one that died after just a few cycles.)
@flooners Yes, it’s a more consistent measurement of storage capacity across batteries of different voltages and capacities. Your APC would technically have 108WH, but with typical lead acid batteries, you aren’t really able to effectively extract all of that capacity and the conversion inefficiencies in the UPS eats up some of that as well, so you’d be lucky to get 1/2 to 2/3 of that depending on the load and battery age. The current generation of lithium battery power stations on the other hand, are typically 80%-90% efficient and retain their capacity over a much longer lifetime.
KuoH
@kuoh @werehatrack sounds like this might be a good upgrade for my server room! Thanks guys![:)](https://dj5zo597wtsux.cloudfront.net/joypixels/assets/6.6/png/unicode/64/1f642.png)
@flooners @kuoh in my experience, you are lucky to get even 1/2 the ratd capacity of a lead acid UPS when running a decent load on it.
@flooners @kuoh @ohhwell I long ago lost count of the number of people who asked me if they could use a UPS as a power pack to extend the run of a laptop at an event. Some didn’t believe my explanation of the folly of trying to do so. A couple actually came back and apologized for thinking I was nuts. Several thanked me later for the advice that they should find a power brick for their laptop that could run from 12VDC instead of relying on the 110VAC outlets on their battery packs. My experience has been that this change yields a runtime increase that’s typically over 50% all by itself, as long as the power brick is from the laptop’s manufacturer instead of an aftermarket source.)
The EMS mannequin photo makes me think of the Bob’s Burgers episode with the Junior Guard trainees practicing with “Can’t Breathey Stevie”, although I guess since that looks like an AED being applied in the photo, this would be “Heart-Attacky Zackie” or something like that.
@kensey The only AED that I’ve ever handled had its own internal power supply; I’m not sure it could have been used in pass-through mode, though one would expect that capability to have been designed in. (But the fact that someone who thinks like an engineer would have done it that way does not mean that the Company Experts Who Wrote The Requirements Document From Which No One May Deviate did.)
Does this qualify for the fed 30% solar rebate?
@grammarsheriff No.
I would buy this right now, but 7 or 8 years ago we were having some real bad storms and we lost power a number of times, lost to couple of freezers full of food too. So, I went out and bought a real nice, top of the line gas generator. Since I bought that generator, I have never, and I mean never used it. Oh wait, once a year I put a cup of gas in it to make sure it still runs, just in case we lose power, like we did 7 or 8 years ago.
@somf69 that the rule of preparations. When you make them, you don’t need them.
Adding another voice to the “sure would love a 200W solar panel for $100” chorus - I’m happy with my Jackery but fighting through the sticker shock for a second set of panels for it…
@2palms jackery panels are pretty awesome and they don’t overrate their capability. That being said, you don’t have to use Jackery brand panels…
FOOLS! TOOLS! JEWELS! AWESOME!
I scored the Coleman Voyager Go 500W version of this unit in an irk a couple weeks ago. No solar panels included, but not bad for ten bucks.![:slight_smile:](https://dj5zo597wtsux.cloudfront.net/joypixels/assets/6.6/png/unicode/64/1f642.png)
@smittypap and I always get 8 pints of blue paint, trakRs and a pink glittery 2nd gen iPad case.
Should have bought a generator!
Bought the same one when side deal had it for $ 449 less my 10% discount for $ 404. Then bought the 50 watt solar charger for $ 80 on side deal. Home Depot sells the 50 and 200 watt solar panels for 185 and 399 respectively.
So with the 200 watt solar panel, a little better deal than I got assuming you are planning to use it. Certainly the 200 watt will charge a lot faster than the 50 watt one.
Anyone know the dimensions of the solar panel, both folded and unfolded?
Is there a place to buy more of them at a reasonable price, or something similar? 13 pounds for a 200 watt folding panel is pretty light.
Thanks