Are you planning to go on camping with your loved ones? Want to make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Then, finding the right portable solar generator for camping can take away half of your stress.
Camping is the perfect opportunity to take a break from the daily grind, explore the nature and make unforgettable memories. Irrespective of the type of camping (i.e. tents, RV or vans, car or backyard camping), a solar generator is always a must-have.
However, this decision requires some in-depth knowledge as well as analysis of what should be considered and how things will turn out. Let’s not wait any further and dig deeper into those details:
Solar Generator
Referred to as a combination of a power station and solar panels, a solar generator is capable to convert solar energy into electricity. Solar panels are responsible to collect and process energy from the sun while the power station is required to store that energy to power devices in the future.
Tips to Choose a Portable Solar Generator for Camping
When it comes to camping, getting a suitable portable solar generator is the key. Not only can it solve power problems but can also leave the users rest assured about their tent’s safety.
Precisely, there are some key factors that play a significant role in making the right selection for a portable solar generator for camping. Read ahead and get to know about them:
- Power Surge Capacity: The term refers to the solar generator’s ability to provide maximum power output during camping within a short period. For this, you must know the estimated amount of power needed to run some essential appliances like power tools and mini-refrigerators. After all, they will consume high power initially until the required threshold is matched.
- Compatible Appliances: This point goes hand-in-hand with the first one since not every solar generator can meet power requirements of your appliances. Therefore, the rule of thumb is to check wattage of every electronic/device and make sure that the chosen solar generator can handle the combined power needs. Moreover, the types of charging ports and outlets on the portable generator must be compatible with the devices.
- Storage Capacity: As the name suggests, this factor describes the amount of power a portable solar generator for camping can store and how long can the appliances work. For this, you should estimate the daily power consumption during camping and choose a generator that can offer adequate storage capacity. The higher the storage capacity, the longer will your appliances work.
- Types of Solar Panels: Type and quality of solar panels has a lot to do with the performance of your solar generator. If the solar panels are efficient, they can quickly recharge it or vice versa. Typically, there are 3 types of solar panels available in the market- thin film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels stand at first place with their efficiency but can be a bit high on the pocket whereas, the rest two are quite affordable with lower efficiency. Hence, you have to estimate your budget, power needs and time period of camping to come up with a suitable solar panel type.
- Type of Battery: Apart from solar panels, there are options available for batteries as well. They can affect a generator’s weight, performance and useful lifespan. While searching, you will find some top-rated battery types, including lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), lead-acid and lithium-ion. Each has its own significance over the other- LiFePO4 and lithium-ion batteries offer high energy density with longer workable life while lead-acid is a bit inexpensive with lower performance and efficiency. To make a selection, you have to evaluate camping requirements, battery performance and most importantly, compatibility with solar panels and solar generator.
Conclusion:
There is much more to the selection of a portable solar generator for camping. You just have to list down your power requirements while planning for camping so that your search can go in the right direction. Other than that, there are some market experts available to help you with decision-making. Get in touch with them if needed.
