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A short while back I started my current project, building a 12V DIY solar station that would 1) power my refrigerator every day 24 hours a day as long as the sun was shining, on occasions when we have a power outage; and 2) be cheaper than commercial units with similar power (W) and energy (Wh) outputs; and 3) provide an education to prepare me for a followup power station that can keep my air conditioner running.
My current status is that at $338.91 (excluding solar panel) I have a system that is 2000W power and a nominal 2400Wh energy capacity. And since I am using lead acid batteries the energy capacity is closer to 1200Wh, compared to the commercial systems that are using LFP batteries. My system has two car batteries, an inverter, a controller, a battery state monitor, a power input monitor, and an AC charger. Most comparable reputable brands seem to cost about $600 for that power and capacity.
But, the name brands include more, such as LFP batteries that will last at least triple the number of power cycles; much nicer and more informative power status displays; maybe an app to control thru Wi-Fi; more connectors, including USB support, and more. Since I don't expect to use this more than about once a year (not many power outages in my neighborhood), the cheap lead acid batteries are fine.
And, neither my system in its present state nor the $600 commercial systems meet my refrigerator criteria: not enough capacity to run my refrigerator for 24 hours.
During my last test (with two batteries and one solar panel) my station ran for 16 hours and 44 minutes and delivered 1370 Wh of energy (my refrigerator needs about 1750 Wh in 24 hours). My one solar panel contributed 353 Wh from 9am to 1:30pm (sunny hours) before the sky clouded up.
My current status is that at $338.91 (excluding solar panel) I have a system that is 2000W power and a nominal 2400Wh energy capacity. And since I am using lead acid batteries the energy capacity is closer to 1200Wh, compared to the commercial systems that are using LFP batteries. My system has two car batteries, an inverter, a controller, a battery state monitor, a power input monitor, and an AC charger. Most comparable reputable brands seem to cost about $600 for that power and capacity.
But, the name brands include more, such as LFP batteries that will last at least triple the number of power cycles; much nicer and more informative power status displays; maybe an app to control thru Wi-Fi; more connectors, including USB support, and more. Since I don't expect to use this more than about once a year (not many power outages in my neighborhood), the cheap lead acid batteries are fine.
And, neither my system in its present state nor the $600 commercial systems meet my refrigerator criteria: not enough capacity to run my refrigerator for 24 hours.
During my last test (with two batteries and one solar panel) my station ran for 16 hours and 44 minutes and delivered 1370 Wh of energy (my refrigerator needs about 1750 Wh in 24 hours). My one solar panel contributed 353 Wh from 9am to 1:30pm (sunny hours) before the sky clouded up.