No previous knowledge or experience, but I'm not letting that stop me!!

[HIoffgrid]

Other than owning a totally hands off tied-to-grid solar package, I have no experience with solar.

So I've decided to move to Hawaii and live off-grid! What could possibly go wrong? (rhetorical question)

Without going into LOTS of details, here is my first question:
Would I be able to "trickle charge" an Anker F3800 through the "car charging port" with a small 10W 6V (Lion) solar panel once I adapt its plug to the F3800 port?

A little background on why: As an intermediate step, while our home is being built, I will come to the build-site periodically and camp out of a (slightly modified) shipping container and provide some of the labor and be the "foreman/contractor/project manager" to the overall build. For some period of time the remote site will be unsecure other than some motion lights and cameras (with no chance of anyone responding in time to stop anyone). I'd like the F3800 to be at full charge whenever I arrive, so would use a small inexpensive (read sacrifice-able, and non-obvious) solar panel to do so. I will have mobile 400w panels I put out when onsite.

It seems to me that this setup would work, but...?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Other than owning a totally hands off tied-to-grid solar package, I have no experience with solar.

So I've decided to move to Hawaii and live off-grid! What could possibly go wrong? (rhetorical question)

Without going into LOTS of details, here is my first question:
Would I be able to "trickle charge" an Anker F3800 through the "car charging port" with a small 10W 6V (Lion) solar panel once I adapt its plug to the F3800 port?

A little background on why: As an intermediate step, while our home is being built, I will come to the build-site periodically and camp out of a (slightly modified) shipping container and provide some of the labor and be the "foreman/contractor/project manager" to the overall build. For some period of time the remote site will be unsecure other than some motion lights and cameras (with no chance of anyone responding in time to stop anyone). I'd like the F3800 to be at full charge whenever I arrive, so would use a small inexpensive (read sacrifice-able, and non-obvious) solar panel to do so. I will have mobile 400w panels I put out when onsite.

It seems to me that this setup would work, but...?

You'll need to call Anker. The car charging port is 12V/10A, but you're proposing to use a 6V solar panel. I doubt it will work.

Furthermore, a 10W solar panel is unlikely to provide any meaningful charging even if it meets the input criteria. The unit uses power on its own, and it likely uses notably more than 10W.

Assuming it does actually have a means of charging with the full 10W, you'd need 77 days of charging with no power use of any kind to take the unit from 0% charge to 100% charge.

IMHO, the unit is "portable." Take it with you and bring it back.

 

[chrisski]

There’s a couple links in my signature block about sizing a system.

Basics of OffGrid Design [] Batteries and Inverters
Same System Different Area--Huge Difference []

would use a small inexpensive (read sacrifice-able, and non-obvious) solar panel to do so. I will have mobile 400w panels I put out when onsite.

I’d get a power estimate for this system.

I doubt any non obvious panel would get any meaningful power.

motion lights and cameras (with no chance of anyone responding in time to stop anyone).

I estimate 1 kWh for those devices, which is about 40 watts an hour.

With a proper estimate, you can decide on number of cloudy non producing days to figure out battery size. Three days is around 3 kWh of battery, or 75 LBS.

There’s so much that goes into the power estimate. You did not mention connectivity, so either a cellular service or internet, like starlink would be needed. Starlink would more than double your power.

 

[HIoffgrid]

You'll need to call Anker. The car charging port is 12V/10A, but you're proposing to use a 6V solar panel. I doubt it will work.

Furthermore, a 10W solar panel is unlikely to provide any meaningful charging even if it meets the input criteria. The unit uses power on its own, and it likely uses notably more than 10W.

Assuming it does actually have a means of charging with the full 10W, you'd need 77 days of charging with no power use of any kind to take the unit from 0% charge to 100% charge.

IMHO, the unit is "portable." Take it with you and bring it back.

That estimate 0-100% in 77 days is actually pretty much what I was looking for!

I'm guessing leaving with it 50% charged (from necessary use that day), and returning in a month or two. I will look into a small 12v/10A panel to simplify things. Thanks!

As far as portable, I don't think it will fit in the overhead bin. ; )

 

[sunshine_eggo]

That estimate 0-100% in 77 days is actually pretty much what I was looking for!

You missed the part that it's highly unlikely to even overcome the unit's self-consumption. They are not known for their efficiency.

I'm guessing leaving with it 50% charged (from necessary use that day), and returning in a month or two. I will look into a small 12v/10A panel to simplify things. Thanks!

If you're talking about a single 100-200W panel, that would probably work.

As far as portable, I don't think it will fit in the overhead bin. ; )

I did wonder if we were talking about a "long commute..."

 

[Brucey]

That estimate 0-100% in 77 days is actually pretty much what I was looking for!

I'm guessing leaving with it 50% charged (from necessary use that day), and returning in a month or two. I will look into a small 12v/10A panel to simplify things. Thanks!

As far as portable, I don't think it will fit in the overhead bin. ; )

My delta 2 max has an idle consumption of about 50W when the ac inverter portion is on. Chances are you'll need a much much larger panel than a 10W just to cover your inverter idle losses let alone any load.

 

[HIoffgrid]

You missed the part that it's highly unlikely to even overcome the unit's self-consumption. They are not known for their efficiency.



If you're talking about a single 100-200W panel, that would probably work.



I did wonder if we were talking about a "long commute..."

My delta 2 max has an idle consumption of about 50W when the ac inverter portion is on. Chances are you'll need a much much larger panel than a 10W just to cover your inverter idle losses let alone any load.

Hmm, ok "unit's self consumption" = "idle consumption" So I guess that this is because it is "on"... But does it have to be "on" (or "idle") to charge?

I don't understand why the ac inverter needs to be on, or idling, to charge the battery.

I'm picturing hooking up a 12volt car battery to a charger, the car COULD be on (engaging starter, or dome light etc.), but you also could just charge the battery with nothing from the car engaged (even out of the car for that matter).

So the Anker (and by default all similar products?) have to be in some state of "on" or idle in order to receive a charge?

I'm assuming it is possible to store a fully charged unit (almost) forever if its not "on" in any way?


I'm sure I'm displaying my ignorance here, but please be patient with me.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Hmm, ok "unit's self consumption" = "idle consumption" So I guess that this is because it is "on"... But does it have to be "on" (or "idle") to charge?

I don't understand why the ac inverter needs to be on, or idling, to charge the battery.

I'm picturing hooking up a 12volt car battery to a charger, the car COULD be on (engaging starter, or dome light etc.), but you also could just charge the battery with nothing from the car engaged (even out of the car for that matter).

So the Anker (and by default all similar products?) have to be in some state of "on" or idle in order to receive a charge?

I'm assuming it is possible to store a fully charged unit (almost) forever if its not "on" in any way?


I'm sure I'm displaying my ignorance here, but please be patient with me.

All circuitry requires power to function.

No. The inverter doesn't need to be on, but it likely consumes power even with just charging with either the low or high voltage DC inputs. The display likely turns on, and it shows the charging numbers.

 

[CaliSunHarvester]

10W panel. LOL.

Just grab a dirty gas powered generator and charge your Anker from that upon your arrival, it may be full in less than an hour.

Sorry, someone had to say it.

 

[HIoffgrid]

Ok, I've tried to integrating the information you all shared and have a revised plan.

Even though the approach is pretty different (full wattage all the time rather than a "trickle charge" while away) I'm continuing on this thread as my initial post explains by "big picture" goals.

Here were my main takeaways:

I doubt any non obvious panel would get any meaningful power.

... highly unlikely to even overcome the unit's self-consumption. If you're talking about a single 100-200W panel, that would probably work.

My delta 2 max has an idle consumption of about 50W when the ac inverter portion is on.

The NEW plan is two Xunlight XRS19-158 158 Watt 30V Flexible Solar Panels centered on a roof covering at a 14 degree angle (based on roof pitch need, not the ideal solar angle of 21 degrees). The roof may be in partial shade part of the time... I'm not positive what the exact placement of the container will be, so a bit of an unknown.

Between the roof angle and the fact that the only way for someone to see the container is from the road, looking at the high side of the pitch, I think these 18' x 18" strips rolled out flush and centered in the 12' x 40' roof will be nearly impossible to see. Also, I'll have less than $300 invested in them should they "walk off."

With this setup I will plan to leave the F3800 Plus turned on all of the time. (and will ensure it can vent heat to the outside efficiently).

You did not mention connectivity, so either a cellular service or internet, like starlink would be needed.

I'll be using cellular service, I figure a Starlink dish will just invite attention, plus its a big expense for minimal use at the early stages of the process.

Just grab a dirty gas powered generator and charge your Anker from that upon your arrival, it may be full in less than an hour.

There WILL be a generator available, but it will be for "emergencies" only at $4-$5 a gallon for gas!!


I'd greatly appreciate anyone/everyone's opinions on the electrical feasibility of this plan.

 

[Brucey]

Just be aware many of those flexible panels tend to have less than ideal output and short life.

 

[HIoffgrid]

Just be aware many of those flexible panels tend to have less than ideal output and short life.

It seems like some folks on here have experience with them and they were ok. I will definitely be going another route for the "real" solar build, but these are for intermediate, low cost, and possibly sacrifice-able (hopefully not) approach.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Using round numbers, you have a maximum of 1.5kWh/day - maybe less due to shading.

Between the unit's idle consumption and whatever loads you're powering, your average power consumption must be less than 60W.