ANKER & NITRO-PAK Special Offers 🔥ANKER DISCOUNTS🔥 Through June 7th SAVE $400 on your Anker 767, use the link below: bit.ly/TPAnkerMemorial NITRO-PAK.COM Special Offer: For 10% OFF Mountain House and Peak Refuel freeze dried meals, first aid kits, water filters, and survival gear, visit: www.nitro-pak.com and enter coupon code TRAILPOWER at check out. Trailpower has affiliate relationships with Nitro-pak.com, Amazon.com and Anker.com
Wow, what an education in just 13 minutes of watching! This is one of the most simple yet comprehensive summaries and explanations of your basic backup power options I've watched and covers portable solar with batteries, appliance and device power consumption using easily explained examples or "layman's" terms. It also discusses the basics of how you can comingle a solar "generator" and a gas generator to give you a longer term solution for backup power needs. Kudos and thanks especially for a video I can share with just about anyone and know they will come away with the basic questions answered and that they will have useful information provided them to make good decisions on how to prepare for a power outage.
I have a Tri-fuel generator that will power my house thru the panel and my 4-ton A/C with the help of a soft-starter on the outside unit. The generator is running on natural gas, as does my cooktop, water heater, furnace & dryer (little power is required). I have four 100W rigid solar panels made into suitcases and two 666Wh 700W power stations and two 296Wh 300W power stations. My internet connection is provided by Xfinity 1200Mbps coax internet and a backup Astound 300Mbps fiber optic service. I have a energy efficient LG refrigerator and a small office one. I have plenty of Ryobi batteries and flashlights. The back yard is gated and proper firepower is available. This is Texas.
Excellent. I have the 767, and 757, solar is only 200 watt from Anker. This gas generator is excellent. I’m also looking at a LiFePO4 battery to recharge it as well as the expansion battery battery from Anker. So this should be good to run my fridge, freezer, TV, and internet as well as my hot water heater. Overall good to go. Thx
Great preps! Unfortunately they'll be bricks in a day or two if the power doesn't come back on. I'm seeing more and more solar/battery back up systems designed specifically for apartment balconies. If I lived in the city, and didn't have a balcony, or didn't face the sun, I'd be tempted to keep a small generator in the back of a closet, so I could go up to the roof to charge if I really needed to. A 2kw generator could charge both power stations simultaneously in an hour or two, and then you'd be good for a few more days. Of course, if NYC is without power for three days straight, you've got way bigger issues to contend with.
I have 2800 watts of solar panel and I keep two Bluetti AC200P, one Ecoflow Pro, and an 2000 wh off brand solar generator topped off almost every day. I also have one B230 battery for one of the Bluetti's.
I was originally looking into replacing my rv lead acid with lithium. I was inclined to go with this solution because of the prepper angle. Thank you for exploring this area in further detail.
Replacing lead acid with lithium can be a good option if you already have a solid system in place with inverters, charge controllers, a generator, etc. If you’re starting from scratch, all-in-one units can simplify getting up & running.
If you only want a single 100W rigid panel, you could run just about anything with the C-1000. Renogy, Rich, and BougeRV all make good quality 100W panels for around $80. amzn.to/3Slfy34 or amzn.to/49kjdnS Its when you're trying to max out the solar input to pull in the full 600w that it takes more planning, usually with a combination of panels wired in series, and parallel. to max out the voltage and amperage specs.
Scott, do you sometimes see a spark inside the 120 volt outlet when plugging in a device? Just got mine and I'm frequently noticing a spark when plugging in a device.
@Davey, I just tested that for you in a dark room, and I do see a spark when plugging in a device pulling power. I hadn’t noticed it before, as I rarely plug in a ‘switched on’ device. I either turn it on after plugging in, or turn the inverter on after plugging in. Excited for you that you received your Anker! -Scott
Excellent video and educational. I wish I watched this last week when I was trying to figure everything out. Do you know if there is a quick+safe way to deploy these portable chargers? I’m thinking maybe a rack you can secure panels to, then maybe you can throw it on the roof of my rv, or hang down the side. Thinking about situations where I’m in Walmart parking lot for a day on way to campground.
Keep the power station secured inside your RV. If it were me, I would mount panels to my roof and run power to where the power station is kept. That way it’s always charging when the sun is shining, whether you’re parked or on the move. No setup or takedown.
Thank you! How many watts of solar are you looking for in your portable system? And by portable, are you thinking foldable panels you can set on the ground, or are you thinking of mounting panels on a vehicle? The Anker 200W panels are hard to ignore, because of their 57.6 VOC, which is a perfect match for the 767. If you're not trying to max out the 1000w, there's a lot of good options.
@@TRAILPOWER Thank you for the response Scott. Portable folding panels to place on the ground are what I need. Anker is sure proud of their 200W panels :) I am looking for less expensive options with similar output. Being waterproof would be a big plus but not mandatory.
@@wisutuber Looks like we lost some comments on here... I mentioned the Grecell portables. I'm hoping to get one in-hand for a review. I think you asked about parallel/series- Its all about matching the voltage/amperage requirements of the power station. Anker is 60 watts, 20 volts input. combining panels into series strings increases the voltage. Paralleling panels increases amperage. combining the two can help you get the most power without overpowering your powerstation's input.
How are the 480W panels working for you? I just purchased the 767 and am researching options for solar with a similar setup you’re going for. The link to the panels took me to the site needing to request a quote on prices. Still waiting to hear back. I already have a transfer switch for my gas generator, but am planning on adding a second input for the solar generator inside the house.
Sounds like you have an awesome setup! We've still got 3 feet of snow, so the panels have been stuck in limbo. I'm building a rack for them this week so I should be able to tell you more in a few days. @leafnutz pointed me to these 480W panels and has been using them with his Anker. th-cam.com/video/0e-IPf15-rI/w-d-xo.html
@@TRAILPOWER thanks for the reply! I just contacted the same solar distributor and received a quote of $320 per panel. Pretty cheap price per watt for a panel that pairs well with the 767. I look forward to hearing how the setup works for you once spring arrives for you!
Wow, great video, and super clear. A few questions: How long do the Anker batteries last if they aren’t in use? I’m not sure if they have a “shelf life,” but just curious. Also, how many watts would a stove or oven use?
Thanks! Much appreciated. The Anker uses LFP batteries rated for 3000 charge cycles. I’ve never found a “calendar life” estimate on LFPs, but if taken care of I expect that will be measured in decades. You shouldn’t let the batteries run to zero and then sit. That’s not good for them. So charge them once every 6-12 months and they should outlast the power station. The Anker does not do 240v required by residential stoves and ovens. They use TONS of power. I recommend a panasonic infrared toaster ovens for baking. They only use 225w for a 30 minute bake at 350 degrees. For stove top cooking use an induction hot plate. Very efficient.
Great video! I had recently purchased the Anker Batttery, but was having second thoughts. If it can't power survival essentials (like a heater in winter) for more than an hour, then what's the point at that price point? That's a lot of money just to power a lamp and smartphone. Most cellphones can last a day on one charge. The ability to power the fridge is reassuring. I like the generator idea for recharging. Anyway, I have 30 days to twist my own arm...LOL
Thanks! Much appreciated. I wanted the extra battery to cover late afternoon until mid-morning when we’re not pulling much power from the sun. Having enough power to run the fridge, furnace fan, microwave oven, and keep our home network running overnight we’re important for me. During the day, it doesn’t matter as much, as I should be able to regenerate what I’m using, unless we have cloud cover.
@@brutusmcangus4509My ‘first impressions’ video was created and posted in December 2022. Will Prowse posted his first impressions a few weeks after me, and he also had glowing reviews. We both provided the best info that we could at the time the videos were created. I’m sorry you are unhappy, and hope you find a solution you are happy with.
Your best bet is to use an existing heating system that hopefully runs on oil or natural gas. Powering those usually only requires a small amount of wattage for the electronics, pumps, and fan(s). Most of the BTUs will come from burning the oil or natural gas. If you have electric heat (somewhat rare and very inefficient) I’m afraid you’re out of luck.
NEVER EVER buy a solar generator until you have confirmed that it includes a low frequency inverter in its design. With over 24 years of experience in the inverter repair industry, we know from experience that the vast majority of low cost, lightweight, Chinese made, high frequency inverters that are used in these portable power stations simply don't last. Especially when powering inductive loads like refrigerators, microwave ovens, portable air conditioners, power tools and motors. You may be able to start some of these loads when your high frequency solar generator is new, but over time, typically after less than a year of repeated use, your lightweight, high frequency solar generator WILL fail. They simply are not designed for powering inductive loads. That's why the big name brand inverter manufacturers like Schneider Electric, Outback Power, Magnum Energy and others, all use a low frequency topology in their designs. A much better choice is to spend a little more money and buy or build your own solar generator that uses a low frequency, transformer based inverter instead. It will last far, far longer and you will be able to power high inductive loads that you're going to want to power, during a power outage.
ANKER & NITRO-PAK Special Offers
🔥ANKER DISCOUNTS🔥
Through June 7th SAVE $400 on your Anker 767, use the link below:
bit.ly/TPAnkerMemorial
NITRO-PAK.COM Special Offer:
For 10% OFF Mountain House and Peak Refuel freeze dried meals, first aid kits, water filters, and survival gear, visit:
www.nitro-pak.com and enter coupon code TRAILPOWER at check out.
Trailpower has affiliate relationships with Nitro-pak.com, Amazon.com and Anker.com
Great video. The Anker 767 is currently only $2400, and that includes the extra battery. Pretty good deal.
Thanks! That's a GREAT DEAL.
Scott my man! what a very very informative video. Good to see cost per watt usage explained like that. Thanks👍🏻
I’m glad you dug it! Great to hear from you. -Scott
Wow, what an education in just 13 minutes of watching! This is one of the most simple yet comprehensive summaries and explanations of your basic backup power options I've watched and covers portable solar with batteries, appliance and device power consumption using easily explained examples or "layman's" terms. It also discusses the basics of how you can comingle a solar "generator" and a gas generator to give you a longer term solution for backup power needs. Kudos and thanks especially for a video I can share with just about anyone and know they will come away with the basic questions answered and that they will have useful information provided them to make good decisions on how to prepare for a power outage.
Thank you for the feedback! It’s great to hear that the message came through loud and clear.
Scott, this presentation has to be one of the best & most informative on this topic. Thanks
Thanks, Stephen!
I have a Tri-fuel generator that will power my house thru the panel and my 4-ton A/C with the help of a soft-starter on the outside unit. The generator is running on natural gas, as does my cooktop, water heater, furnace & dryer (little power is required). I have four 100W rigid solar panels made into suitcases and two 666Wh 700W power stations and two 296Wh 300W power stations. My internet connection is provided by Xfinity 1200Mbps coax internet and a backup Astound 300Mbps fiber optic service. I have a energy efficient LG refrigerator and a small office one. I have plenty of Ryobi batteries and flashlights. The back yard is gated and proper firepower is available. This is Texas.
Way to go! Long Live TX.
Great video. Precise, informative layman's terms video. Simple and well thought out...Thank you
Thanks, Goldy! It’s great to hear that it made sense.
Excellent. I have the 767, and 757, solar is only 200 watt from Anker. This gas generator is excellent. I’m also looking at a LiFePO4 battery to recharge it as well as the expansion battery battery from Anker. So this should be good to run my fridge, freezer, TV, and internet as well as my hot water heater. Overall good to go. Thx
Thanks for the comment! Glad to hear it was helpful, and that your Ankers are working well for you.
Very well explained, thank you👍🏾
Thanks for watching!
Great video, thank you. Getting our 767 in a few days, can't wait!
Awesome! Excited for you guys. Be sure to update the app and then the firmware after you receive it. -Scott
Subbed. I have been looking for a small fridge like that for this exact situation. You read my mind! Thanks.
Great minds…. Thanks for the sub!
Fantastic video brother very well laid out
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
Thank you for a very well researched and organized video with just the info that we need.
Glad to hear it was helpful!
Nix the Solar Panels and Gas Generator as I live in an apartment in New York. Have purchased LiFePO4 Solar Generators. 2 at 1200 Watts each.
Great preps! Unfortunately they'll be bricks in a day or two if the power doesn't come back on. I'm seeing more and more solar/battery back up systems designed specifically for apartment balconies. If I lived in the city, and didn't have a balcony, or didn't face the sun, I'd be tempted to keep a small generator in the back of a closet, so I could go up to the roof to charge if I really needed to. A 2kw generator could charge both power stations simultaneously in an hour or two, and then you'd be good for a few more days. Of course, if NYC is without power for three days straight, you've got way bigger issues to contend with.
I have 2800 watts of solar panel and I keep two Bluetti AC200P, one Ecoflow Pro, and an 2000 wh off brand solar generator topped off almost every day. I also have one B230 battery for one of the Bluetti's.
Nice!
Best breakdown and system build I have seen yet! Thank you sir
Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad to hear it was helpful. -Scott
Very helpful!! Thank you
Awesome! Glad to hear it.
I’m considering buying a power station also doing my homework so thank you for all the great information 👏
I’m glad to hear it was helpful!
I was originally looking into replacing my rv lead acid with lithium. I was inclined to go with this solution because of the prepper angle. Thank you for exploring this area in further detail.
Replacing lead acid with lithium can be a good option if you already have a solid system in place with inverters, charge controllers, a generator, etc. If you’re starting from scratch, all-in-one units can simplify getting up & running.
Finally, someone explaining things that people actually want to hear.
I'm glad it was helpful!
What 100w solar panel (permanent mount) would you recommend for the Anker C1000?
If you only want a single 100W rigid panel, you could run just about anything with the C-1000. Renogy, Rich, and BougeRV all make good quality 100W panels for around $80. amzn.to/3Slfy34 or amzn.to/49kjdnS
Its when you're trying to max out the solar input to pull in the full 600w that it takes more planning, usually with a combination of panels wired in series, and parallel. to max out the voltage and amperage specs.
Very nice video, Scott. Well done. I hit the bell and look forward to more of your videos.
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Scott, do you sometimes see a spark inside the 120 volt outlet when plugging in a device? Just got mine and I'm frequently noticing a spark when plugging in a device.
@Davey, I just tested that for you in a dark room, and I do see a spark when plugging in a device pulling power. I hadn’t noticed it before, as I rarely plug in a ‘switched on’ device. I either turn it on after plugging in, or turn the inverter on after plugging in. Excited for you that you received your Anker! -Scott
Excellent video and educational. I wish I watched this last week when I was trying to figure everything out. Do you know if there is a quick+safe way to deploy these portable chargers? I’m thinking maybe a rack you can secure panels to, then maybe you can throw it on the roof of my rv, or hang down the side. Thinking about situations where I’m in Walmart parking lot for a day on way to campground.
Keep the power station secured inside your RV. If it were me, I would mount panels to my roof and run power to where the power station is kept. That way it’s always charging when the sun is shining, whether you’re parked or on the move. No setup or takedown.
Appreciate all you do Scott! What portable solar panel brand/model would you recommend to use with the Anker 767? Thank you!
Thank you! How many watts of solar are you looking for in your portable system? And by portable, are you thinking foldable panels you can set on the ground, or are you thinking of mounting panels on a vehicle? The Anker 200W panels are hard to ignore, because of their 57.6 VOC, which is a perfect match for the 767. If you're not trying to max out the 1000w, there's a lot of good options.
@@TRAILPOWER Thank you for the response Scott. Portable folding panels to place on the ground are what I need. Anker is sure proud of their 200W panels :)
I am looking for less expensive options with similar output. Being waterproof would be a big plus but not mandatory.
@@wisutuber Looks like we lost some comments on here... I mentioned the Grecell portables. I'm hoping to get one in-hand for a review. I think you asked about parallel/series- Its all about matching the voltage/amperage requirements of the power station. Anker is 60 watts, 20 volts input. combining panels into series strings increases the voltage. Paralleling panels increases amperage. combining the two can help you get the most power without overpowering your powerstation's input.
How much standby power does it use?
My Kill-a-watt meter reads 5w standby with the inverter off, and 13w with the inverter on.
How are the 480W panels working for you? I just purchased the 767 and am researching options for solar with a similar setup you’re going for. The link to the panels took me to the site needing to request a quote on prices. Still waiting to hear back. I already have a transfer switch for my gas generator, but am planning on adding a second input for the solar generator inside the house.
Sounds like you have an awesome setup! We've still got 3 feet of snow, so the panels have been stuck in limbo. I'm building a rack for them this week so I should be able to tell you more in a few days. @leafnutz pointed me to these 480W panels and has been using them with his Anker. th-cam.com/video/0e-IPf15-rI/w-d-xo.html
@@TRAILPOWER thanks for the reply! I just contacted the same solar distributor and received a quote of $320 per panel. Pretty cheap price per watt for a panel that pairs well with the 767.
I look forward to hearing how the setup works for you once spring arrives for you!
Another fantastic video! How are those 480 panels treating you so far?
Thanks, @Leafnutz! Just received my rack components and will be building it out shortly.
Which electric kettle is that?
That is the Amazon Basics electic kettle. amzn.to/4bA9NW4
Wow, great video, and super clear. A few questions:
How long do the Anker batteries last if they aren’t in use? I’m not sure if they have a “shelf life,” but just curious.
Also, how many watts would a stove or oven use?
Thanks! Much appreciated. The Anker uses LFP batteries rated for 3000 charge cycles. I’ve never found a “calendar life” estimate on LFPs, but if taken care of I expect that will be measured in decades. You shouldn’t let the batteries run to zero and then sit. That’s not good for them. So charge them once every 6-12 months and they should outlast the power station.
The Anker does not do 240v required by residential stoves and ovens. They use TONS of power. I recommend a panasonic infrared toaster ovens for baking. They only use 225w for a 30 minute bake at 350 degrees. For stove top cooking use an induction hot plate. Very efficient.
@@TRAILPOWER , great, thank you!
Great video! I had recently purchased the Anker Batttery, but was having second thoughts. If it can't power survival essentials (like a heater in winter) for more than an hour, then what's the point at that price point? That's a lot of money just to power a lamp and smartphone. Most cellphones can last a day on one charge. The ability to power the fridge is reassuring. I like the generator idea for recharging. Anyway, I have 30 days to twist my own arm...LOL
Thanks! Much appreciated. I wanted the extra battery to cover late afternoon until mid-morning when we’re not pulling much power from the sun. Having enough power to run the fridge, furnace fan, microwave oven, and keep our home network running overnight we’re important for me. During the day, it doesn’t matter as much, as I should be able to regenerate what I’m using, unless we have cloud cover.
@@brutusmcangus4509My ‘first impressions’ video was created and posted in December 2022. Will Prowse posted his first impressions a few weeks after me, and he also had glowing reviews. We both provided the best info that we could at the time the videos were created. I’m sorry you are unhappy, and hope you find a solution you are happy with.
Your best bet is to use an existing heating system that hopefully runs on oil or natural gas. Powering those usually only requires a small amount of wattage for the electronics, pumps, and fan(s). Most of the BTUs will come from burning the oil or natural gas. If you have electric heat (somewhat rare and very inefficient) I’m afraid you’re out of luck.
You really don't have 4000 wH because of the efficiency of the inverter isn't 100%. But, I get that you are trying to simplify the information.
Yes that’s always the case. There’s always conversion losses.
NEVER EVER buy a solar generator until you have confirmed that it includes a low frequency inverter in its design. With over 24 years of experience in the inverter repair industry, we know from experience that the vast majority of low cost, lightweight, Chinese made, high frequency inverters that are used in these portable power stations simply don't last. Especially when powering inductive loads like refrigerators, microwave ovens, portable air conditioners, power tools and motors. You may be able to start some of these loads when your high frequency solar generator is new, but over time, typically after less than a year of repeated use, your lightweight, high frequency solar generator WILL fail. They simply are not designed for powering inductive loads. That's why the big name brand inverter manufacturers like Schneider Electric, Outback Power, Magnum Energy and others, all use a low frequency topology in their designs. A much better choice is to spend a little more money and buy or build your own solar generator that uses a low frequency, transformer based inverter instead. It will last far, far longer and you will be able to power high inductive loads that you're going to want to power, during a power outage.
If you've got the skills, and the knowledge, sounds like a good way to go.
What portable power stations would you recommend?
@@coolhandace I would suggest the Hysolis MPS 4,500wH / 3,000W low frequency Solar Generator Lithium Battery All-In-One Power Station.
Watt hours, not Watts
Thanks, I appreciate the correction.