Solar generator wich one

Im currently putting a wish list together for a camper van conversion. Living in europe i'm looking to transform a commercial vw transporter van to a family campervan.

One of the wishes is to have no gas and to cook and have 230volts al the time. Fist i was looking to put in the same system in the van as in my displacemnt motorboat. 22 volts 280amp lifepo 3kw inverter no solar only dc dc charge though the altenator or via the shorepower connection. Made a diy battery and used victron thoughout the rest of the setup. This set up has been working great but its cost are 4, 5 times that of a solar genrator like the anker 767 or bluetti ac200pro. Both eu 230volt versions. Plus the space saving is huge just one compartment put the device in an plug in what you need and your ready to go. Time wise its plug and play. Saving time and alotnof money.

Aim is to cook for like 20 min on the solar generator, power the 12 volts system lights usb ports etc max 200 watts. Charge small devices with the 230. Would these units be sufficient?

Both the units have great specs. And some pros and cons. Pros on the anker, looks nice has smarter power saving mode can charge quicker no loose power bricks, sillent, higher efficieny Cons no 30amp 12volt dc outlet, more expensive bigger in size, solar connection not standard mc 4.

The review of about 3 weeks ago by will prowse looked like the anker is the unit to go for. Who has first hand expericance using the bluetti ac200 or the anker 767 in a similar setup. And whats to share thoughs or other pro/ cons

The reason your DIY setup costs 4 to 5 times that of a solar generator is because your DIY setup was probably not only larger, but of a higher quality.
Solar Generators are pretty much all overpriced junk. Fancy gizmos, shiny paint job, and manufactured with the cheapest components they can get away with.

Anker generally makes decent products. I have a few of their battery banks and no complaints.. I can't speak about their solar generator, but as I said, most of these solar generator things are toys.

Your home made setup has done well because you built it to YOUR specifications and used YOUR workmanship. You should stick with that..

I can't believe that a DIY "solar generator" would come in *more expensive* than an off-the-shelf (OTS, or store-bought) system!

I could believe that a OTS system might have more integrated bells & whistles, but invariably, they have less capacity for the same amount of money, and quite possibly, inferior components (to make room for the profit margin).

Kind of the same reason I build my own PC, vs buying one with the $500 name tag on it ...

50ShadesOfDirt said:

I can't believe that a DIY "solar generator" would come in *more expensive* than an off-the-shelf (OTS, or store-bought) system!

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That's easy, look at the numbers..

22volts x 280ah = 6.1kWh battery (22 volts is kind of odd but that's what he typed.)
Anker 767 = 2.4kWh battery.

50ShadesOfDirt said:

I can't believe that a DIY "solar generator" would come in *more expensive* than an off-the-shelf (OTS, or store-bought) system!

I could believe that a OTS system might have more integrated bells & whistles, but invariably, they have less capacity for the same amount of money, and quite possibly, inferior components (to make room for the profit margin).

Kind of the same reason I build my own PC, vs buying one with the $500 name tag on it ...

Click to expand...

I was going to go with a DIY, but two things led me away: (1) I was planning to have them it all in the outhouse along it's path to the cabin... but then It's Ohio and that's a lot of heating for months, but don't want a fire hazard in or on the cabin. (2) I didn't want to confuse the wife with a bunch of equipment if I'm... well dead, or in a FEMA camp, or a "Reeducation camp, or wtvr.... the world's going to (*&$. So I wanted something she could easily manage. So went with an Eco and dang are those some noisy fans!

-Good luck on your build OP

MurphyGuy said:

That's easy, look at the numbers..

22volts x 280ah = 6.1kWh battery (22 volts is kind of odd but that's what he typed.)
Anker 767 = 2.4kWh battery.

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Sorry for the typo the boat system is a 12 volt system, 12 volts because al equipment was 12 volts. . Like the bow truster, lights, pumps nav equipment etc. Battery capacity is 3.2 kw. The battery i build twice in the first one i used verry cheap cells. One of the cells died and drained the pack till 4 volts. Replaced the cells with more expensive ones and have been running fine. Total system was 5 to 6k. I i did the most of the instal my self with a pro nearby for consulting ans tools like crimper etc.

With the van i can start fresh. For big loads 48volts is the way to go. And more efficient les los in heat, converting voltage up and down.

The biggest load wil be the cooking. On the boat i have good insight in what i consume in watts cooking meals. That is between 500 and 750 watts, peak load around 2kw. The fridge is the 2nd user low watts but 24hrs. Lights charging etc is 150 watts in 24hrs.

Want something every body can use without being tech savy wife, kids, friends etc. The boat system needs mantenaince and tinkering time to time.

If you go cheap: inverter, battery, dc/dc vonverter charger and mppt. The cost will be les that a powerstation but is wil be an unballanced system that need looking after and tinkering.

So for me the power station is cheap enough not to diy. And expensive that i expect better quality and intergration with one app or screen for al info. Reletive to cheap components. Size wise the bluetti has the edge fits under the seat. If i look at the reviews the anker seems better quality and silent.

Thanks for al the reactions

I have yet to discover a situation where a portable suitcase battery system makes sense. To some, they just want to buy something and not think…but if using power like you mentioned is the base of the system then separate components and battery bank with some panels is the only way I see to achieve your goal. Secondary then is cost: you will get a lot more power for the dollars spent.

As far as “difficulty” for people to manage even the echoflo and bluetthi have a learning curve. Plus installing components can be done logically and labeled. Plus when the bluetthi runs out of power in half the time of components you’ll enjoy family harmony dissonance more often with the suitcases. If that’s desirable by all means buy the suitcase.

Otherwise help here on this forum will make joy.

Hi some of the answers sugest that a self build with of the shelf components will be cheaper and more powerfull battery wise. I'm based in the eu, what shopping list wil get me the same amount of ac power 2400watts 4800 surge or better, a 3kw lifepo battery this should be 60 amp cells 16x3.2x60= 3072Wh. Mppt imput of 1000 watts, charger of 1000 wats. Dc-dc converter of 30 amps. Plus al Busbars, fuses, main switchs and a control screen for al the items listed above. Overal efficiency of around 90%? Inclusind sockes, usb ports etc. For say 2000 euro or 2150 dollar. To meet the "mobile" criteria a loose battery and a panel with equipment would be portable enough. An anderson plug wil do the trick. To connect the panel to the battery

Or point me to a thread where build and cost break down is clearly specified.

Al your answers keeps the wheels in motion. I found the power units pretty bang for buck. Because it is al intergrated central controle vuild in fuses breakers etc.

12VoltInstalls said:

I have yet to discover a situation where a portable suitcase battery system makes sense. To some, they just want to buy something and not think…but if using power like you mentioned is the base of the system then separate components and battery bank with some panels is the only way I see to achieve your goal. Secondary then is cost: you will get a lot more power for the dollars spent.

As far as “difficulty” for people to manage even the echoflo and bluetthi have a learning curve. Plus installing components can be done logically and labeled. Plus when the bluetthi runs out of power in half the time of components you’ll enjoy family harmony dissonance more often with the suitcases. If that’s desirable by all means buy the suitcase.

Otherwise help here on this forum will make joy.

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There are a few cases, aside from my own listed above:

My mother lives in a 3rd story condo in Dallas with no backup. It's only a few years old, and most outages last<12hours. So in her case, being able to figure it out is the top of her skill set, and following codes & rules it's the only legal safe means. Family down there is well off, so spending $5k on on a 200P, a 330 2nd battery, and a foldable array makes sense.

After our first week fulltiming it I can agree with you 12VI, if our array was 800w for this Eco Max I would have returned it and continued to figure DIY somewhere. Luckily 2400w has worked out fine for this Eco Max. In Feb Ohio most days we're lucky to get 30% output but this is the Eco's max charge so this is great. This is working A-ok, and once I add a few batteries in the outhouse to recharge the Eco after dark... and the water windmill conversion... This will be great, and wife fully understands it.
Again my desire is to (A) save some money (but that's 7years away with what we have in it) (B) have some backup power that doesn't require any petro/NG (not gonna leave the homestead when all this goes down) (C) To have something my wife understands in function & concept (as many people are dying off & who's to say I won't be one of them?).

Bad times are coming to this country, I'm just trying to get ready while enjoying a hobby in a safe manner.