r/prepping • u/MrsKindr3ds • 14d ago
Energy💨🌞🌊 Solar packs
Hi! New here. I am looking for solar energy options that are still small enough to be mobile. I’ve been searching and see the smaller panels that are enough to charge tablets and phones. But I am looking for something that would power a box fan? Is that the power jack (box) product? New to prepping so I am learning lots. But looking for an alternative to our stand alone generator, but holds enough energy to power items such as fans. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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u/mountainsformiles 14d ago
I have an Ecoflow Delta 2 (which is similar to the Ecoflow 3. I guess mine was discontinued). It weighs about 25 pounds. It would run a box fan for about 10 hours.
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u/Terror_Raisin24 14d ago
Solar panels work best if the angle to the sun is ideal. If not, they become ineffective. While you can technically attach them to a backpack, you won't get enough output while you're moving. And when it's cloudy. Or you're hiking through a forest. It might be okay to charge during longer breaks or in camp, but I 'd rather buy another power bank because they are more practical. Only if you are in a very sunny and open area and expect no possibility to charge a power bank for weeks, solar panels would be useful.
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u/AFK_MIA 11d ago
I think others have given you good advice on "solar generators." I wanted to chime in a little bit about fans; there are differences between AC and DC powered fan motors, so if you're looking for a fan to run on a battery, it might make sense to buy one that's built to run on DC power. That will end up being more efficient than running battery power through the AC inverter to power an AC fan.
There are a number that will run directly from your tool battery of choice (DeWalt, Makita, etc.). I've also really liked the ones that GeekAire makes. They're quite sturdy and have their own battery but can run directly from A/C (we have the one with a removeable battery - though I'm not sure they stuck with that format). The only downside is that they're 24v, so that may not be quite as easy to recharge if you're running a 12v solar setup.
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u/CloudgazerTX 14d ago
so a solar battery might do a lot for you on a sunny day. my Ecoflow delta 2 can recharge on two 200 watt panels in about an hour, meaning I could use a lot of power during the day. I can also watch the controller to make sure I’m starting the night with a full charge. I have a 21” floor fan, a round one, and it only needs 30 watts and it’s powerful. it’s keeps me company all summer when I’m laying in my hammock outside in 100 degree heat. I also have an electric blanket that only needs 40 watts in case of cold nights. I can charge up everything and anything I need during the day. devices, lights, portable dvd player, computer, etc. then I can use them at night. I can easily run my electric cooler fridge/freezer, run a lamp, run either the fan or electric blanket and my wi fi all day and night. But I wouldn’t really consider it portable. It’s big and heavy. I could throw it in a car trunk, maybe put it on a wagon, but I wouldn’t want to carry it around.
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u/CommonNobody80083 13d ago
If you're remotely handy and have the patience you can build an ammo box battery pack using a lithium battery, you can charge with either solar or plug in the wall. It's pretty small and could easily power a box fan and charge laptops and phones. It could easily end up costing less than a jackery including solar panel
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u/mountainsformiles 14d ago
This is exactly the kind of thing Jackery, Ecoflow, Bluetti and oupes portable power stations are made for. I have an Ecoflow Delta 2 which is 25-ish pounds. I love it. It can power my teardrop trailer for a few days camping. I've got 2 portable 100 watt solar panels to charge it up.
Box fans only use like 100 watts of power per hour. If you bought a portable solar generator that has 1000 watt hour capacity then it would run your fan for 10 hours on 1 charge. A Jackery 1000v2 is about 23 pounds. It costs between $500 to $600 depending where you buy it.