Can someone explain to me why this isn't awesome?

[Gypsy Clipper]

A Kodiak solar generator.

https://www.inergysolar.com/product/kodiak/ref/6/

 

[wagoneer]

Price point plus i believe we will be seeing many variations by more reputable and knowledgeable competitors. It is an old idea that is catching on more and more.Tesla has versions.

 

[highdesertranger]

first off it's NOT a generator. it's a 90AH 12v battery and a 1100watt inverter. you can built that for less then 1/4 the price they are asking. highdesertranger

 

[mayble]

why do they call these things "generators" when they don't actually generate any power?
isn't it just a (very expensive) battery bank/inverter combo?

 

[Gypsy Clipper]

I don't know. Buy what they do offer is a lithium phosphate battery and the charge controller and the inverter in a very small package. I actually thought the fact that if you could charge it on shore power would this not change how you camp. Think of how tent camping would move up to a higher level. But seriously this seems like a great options for someone living in a car. No more 200 lb. battery bank. Get a couple flexible solar panels and you are in business.Right?

 

[jimindenver]

In this situation you pay a lot for the convenience of a small package. Come to think of it if you added another grand or so you could have built my complete 1185 watt system with a big ass battery bank and all.

 

[sometimesido]

I could see it being useful living in a minivan around cities and you need to use a microwave/single serve smoothie maker in your van. Also, there's a lithium version of Goal Zero 1000 at Costco. Will Prowse on Youtube did videos for both. No fuss and light weight. I'm sure useful for some.

 

[Wabbit]

...But seriously this seems like a great options for someone living in a car...

If they are living in their car, they prob don't have the cash for this. I do see where if someone could afford it and it was a better option for them than the alternatives, very neat product.

 

[Gypsy Clipper]

How much would a comparable system of batteries, controller,wires and inverter cost?

 

[tx2sturgis]

Looks like everyone is getting in on the act. Who will be next? Coleman?

Yep...Coleman. But they are starting out small:

 

[John61CT]

The term "generator" has no business being applied to a portable power pack.

A very expensive for the capacity battery in a box with some cheap quality gadgets and ports that may or may not meet your specific needs.

IMO much better off figuring out what you really need.

Packing it into a Pelican case or three will then be the easy part.

 

[John61CT]

And getting an apples-to-apples measure (C/20 rate AH @ 12V) of actual storage capacity is very hard.

And don't even consider one if they don't provide you a third-party link to replace the included battery if they're out of business when it fails.

A quality battery bank well cared for can last 10+ years.

With these you're lucky to get 3.

 

[Gypsy Clipper]

Thank you for the reply. I think this is the part about solar installation that is making me nuts. Is there not a way just put together a system without getting so technical?

 

[mayble]

it's really not that complicated
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/basics-solar-power/

it's easier to grasp once you dive in and see how it all goes together

 

[sometimesido]

Oh, and that box alone would not cut it in your new party bus I don't believe.

 

[PattySprinter]

I could see it being useful living in a minivan around cities and you need to use a microwave/single serve smoothie maker in your van. Also, there's a lithium version of Goal Zero 1000 at Costco. Will Prowse on Youtube did videos for both. No fuss and light weight. I'm sure useful for some.

This is what I have - LOVE it - lazy, I know ... but I like the convenience.

 

[jimindenver]

It doesn't have to seem so techy but you do need to talk to us and honestly explain what you want your solar to do for you. We will explain what your expectations mean in as far as what you will need to install. It could be a smaller system that keeps the bus going and charges a phone or a full blown system that lets you act like you are plugged in somehow (within reason) and leaves the generator as a back up. That bus has more room for panel than my rig and I can run a pair of 5000 BTU A/C's during peak sun off of the 1185 watts I run.

We will ask questions back and you will get a variety of options/opinions from different people. It is the fact that we do it/ see it differently that makes it so wonderful.

 

[John61CT]

I believe this was the main consolidation thread for these last time 'round
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=23546

Maybe OCD but I think it's useful keeping these all in one place, please feel free to post the OP example, and any other new ones, there.

Ideally with the C/20 AH capacity @ 12V and a link to the replacement battery, whatever other tech details you can find.

 

[Almost There]

Thank you for the reply. I think this is the part about solar installation that is making me nuts. Is there not a way just put together a system without  getting so technical?

It's really not that hard!

Solar is only one part of an integrated electrical system but you can tackle each section of it individually.

First thing is figuring out what power you absolutely need to have - NOT what you think you want!

Anything that runs on 120V will be costly in terms of power needed and therefore costly in terms of providing a system that can produce enough electricity. That's why microwaves, hair blowers, a/c units and big blenders are on the 'do you REALLY, really have to have them'. Most of us nomads live quite comfortably without them. Or if we absolutely 'can't' live without them, acknowledge that the power to run them is going to be costly - either in terms of campground fees, generator purchase and gas to run it or a really large solar system and a big heavy battery bank to store the energy.

Once you've figured out what you have to power, then you know what size battery bank you're going to have to have.

The size of the battery bank and where you plan on spending most of your time determines how much solar you need. How much you can afford and have space for also comes in to play. It gets complicated only when you think you need more than you have room for or can afford.

Solar itself simply consists of panels, some wiring, a controller that, well, it controls the power going in to the batteries, some more wire, a fuse to protect the wire...not that complicated when we put it like that.

Panels come in different sizes and capacity, wires come in different sizes, the controllers do too. They all have to be compatible but it's not rocket science nor brain surgery.

The complicated stuff for most newbies to solar is mental...it's accepting that you're the one in charge of how much power you need, use and have to generate. It's not like turning on a switch and, behold, a light...   It means taking responsibility for making your own power and using it wisely.

We can nurse you through this!

 

[John61CT]

Thank you for the reply. I think this is the part about solar installation that is making me nuts. Is there not a way just put together a system without getting so technical?

Offer to pay someone you trust with the required knowledge and skills by the hour.

Otherwise you can do fine from free advice here, by which time you'll be an expert!