Can you connect to solar while using ? 60 watts probably is really small for this device but can I have the 2 solar panels connected while in use or would I have to add more solar to it to make this device work that way? Can you connect to solar while using ? 60 watts probably is really small for this device but can I have the 2 solar panels connected while in use or would I have to add more solar to it to make... » Read More Can you connect to solar while using ? 60 watts probably is really small for this device but can I have the 2 solar panels connected while in use or would I have to add more solar to it to make this device work that way? « Show Less
1477075
You can use the device without the solar panels connected. The panels are just used to charge the device.
1477076
According to the website and the various questions on there. You can charge and use the YETI at the same time. Of course though if your input is less than your output then you are in fact going to drain your battery. The maximum that the company recommends charging the YETI with is 8 boulder 30s for a total of 240 watts. Hope this helps.
1795685
I have added 4 more solar panels to mine for a total of 8. I hook my 8 panels together in two groups of 4 then to the generator. not sure if you can put more than 4 together and still be efficient. The generator only has two connectors for the panels, so two sets of 4 works well for me.
2196014
I don't actually understand how it can be used with a solar panel. I would also like to know more about this.
1311913
You can connect at least 8 solar panels of 100watts each and I have 15 deep cycle batteries on that. You need cables mostly and maybe some safety fuses if you want.
122256
I had the same question - so I connect one unit into a WattMeter (measures accumulated power (KWph). Turned the unit on with the remote but nothing plugged into it. It has been running now for 6.5 days and the WattMeter shows that ONLY 0.08kw has been used. Remarkable !!! That works out to 0.012Kw per day or projecting out for a month would be 0.3g9Kw. An excellent product with MANY possible applications!
34321
Theoretically yes.. however you may have to find a way to disconnect solar panel when light is in use and charge battery with light disconnected. If both are hooked up in parallel with battery, it's basically a direct line from panel to light which could cause complications.
1093047
Yes you can use another solar charger. I charge mine with the anker 14W dual USB port solar charger. And I have both energizer brand and the goal zero AA that came with it. They both work great.
1947253
From my experience I have a 500 watt sun gridtie inverter and a 600 watt sun gridtie inverter with 4 250 watt grape solar panels connected in parallel everything is good runs warm but I keep a small fan on them I would say no more than 500 watts on that 600 watt inverter.
1480426
You can leave the inverter on all the time. It does use a couple of watts when there is no solar input, but that is not a problem.
1729372
It could be done, but 50 watts probably wouldn't do the trick. You could tie together more than one panel, though, for more power, or use a larger panel. If you do buy solar and plan to use a lead-acid battery, spend a little more and buy a PWM controller. (Look at Sunguard controllers). It costs a little more, but you'll get more output from the same panel. Controllers are used to prevent overcharging lead acid batteries. So, in short, it can be done. I love the Instapark panels. I dropped one from my RV and replaced it with the same model. Still need to see if I can have the glass replaced. They are not fragile, though. Have fun. It's a project.
1016909
I only tested the unit by hooking it up to my car batteries (two in serial for 24v DC) and it works. I suppose as long as your solar panels under the full sun won't exceed the the unit maximum input voltage ratings you should be fine. You can connect your panels in serial or parallel or in combination to provide the voltage within the range specified by the unit. Obviously it should work (producing power) during the day with full sun but voltage/current would tapering off (so as the power generation) when the sun goes down. You may also want to check out many videos posted on Youtube.com to answer your questions. I only tested the unit by hooking it up to my car batteries (two in serial for 24v DC) and it works. I suppose as long as your solar panels under the full sun won't exceed the the unit maximum input voltage ratings you should be fine. You can connect your panels in serial or parallel or in combination to provide the voltage within the range specified by the unit. Obviously it should work (producing power) during the day with full sun but voltage/current would tapering off (so as the power generation) when the sun goes down. You may also want to check out many videos posted on Youtube.com to... » Read More I only tested the unit by hooking it up to my car batteries (two in serial for 24v DC) and it works. I suppose as long as your solar panels under the full sun won't exceed the the unit maximum input voltage ratings you should be fine. You can connect your panels in serial or parallel or in combination to provide the voltage within the range specified by the unit. Obviously it should work (producing power) during the day with full sun but voltage/current would tapering off (so as the power generation) when the sun goes down. You may also want to check out many videos posted on Youtube.com to answer your questions. « Show Less
2276991
Don't know why someone said only use with 2 to 3 panels at the most -- these adapters are obviously meant to connect 4 panels into a single output cable. What really counts with a solar panel is the maximum amps of current it will put out -- rating a panel in watts is just a convenient marketing term, since most people think they know what "watts" are because we've all changed a light bulb. But "watts" is simply what you get when you multiply a panel's maximum volts by its maximum amps. The seller of these adapter cables specified their amp carrying capacity in another answer and said: The adapter has four input cables and a single, thicker combined output cable with its copper conductor diameter measuring 3.42 mm (equivalent to a gauge 10 AWG), rated to carry 40 amps by the very conservative NEC - National Electrical Code, which is used for all residential building codes in the United States. Assuming the seller measured the diameter of the copper conductor correctly, then the limiting factor is the 40 amps of combined current the output cable can handle. So you could connect 4 panels to this adapter, each with a maximum output of 10 amps, and safely have a total combined current of 40 amps running through the output cable. Someday we may have consumer solar panels which output more than 10 amps, but the most you will see any panel put out right now is 3 to 8 amps. This 4-into-1 adapter cable was designed to do a specific job and seems perfectly capable of doing it. Of course, you would have to be sure that whatever cable or device you plugged the output cable into was also able to handle the maximum combined amps that your 4 connected panels would be producing.
6071
The reason that I have a larger inverter with "only" a 100w solar panel, is because I have a battery. Essentially the inverter comes out the battery and powers my devices, and the solar panel recharges the battery.
1318350
The instructions doesn't give enough explanation. I called the company for my inverter and asked if solar is compatible with their inverter hooked up to the charge controller. They said to keep the inverter connected to the battery. The only thing I can think of is using a 12 volt light or a small apliance could be connected directly to it instead of using the battery power. If a 12 volt light is connected directly you are taking advantage of the solar imediatly. If the same light was connected to the battery instead, the charge controller doesn't let the solar charge the battery until it drops to a certain voltage. So solar panel isn't being used to its full advantage.
2077096
Yes, I use that size panel too, inverter works good. Any panel voltage should not exceed 60 volts, watts should be well under 600 watts, so no more than 2 of those panels
1590532
Hi Aimee,Thank you for your inquiry! This system by itself would not be able to generate 4Kw / 4,000 watts per day because it is only a 1.2KW / 1,200 watts system. There is not enough battery power and solar power to sustain 4Kw, plus, the inverter is probably not large enough to sustain multiple devices at a time. It can probably power certain devices in your home, however, we would need the specifications, including the watts and running times, for those devices to determine that information for you. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.Best regards,Earthtech Products Hi Aimee,Thank you for your inquiry! This system by itself would not be able to generate 4Kw / 4,000 watts per day because it is only a 1.2KW / 1,200 watts system. There is not enough battery power and solar power to sustain 4Kw, plus, the inverter is probably not large enough to sustain multiple devices at a time. It can probably power certain devices in your home, however, we would need the specifications, including the watts and running times, for those devices to determine that information for you. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.Best... » Read More Hi Aimee,Thank you for your inquiry! This system by itself would not be able to generate 4Kw / 4,000 watts per day because it is only a 1.2KW / 1,200 watts system. There is not enough battery power and solar power to sustain 4Kw, plus, the inverter is probably not large enough to sustain multiple devices at a time. It can probably power certain devices in your home, however, we would need the specifications, including the watts and running times, for those devices to determine that information for you. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.Best regards,Earthtech Products « Show Less
1335039
you can probably find better answers on az wind & sun forum. i read that you have to choose your grid tie, to be compatible with the panel and there are various makes and models. if you choose a watt size, you also have to be aware of the 12v 24v 48v etc capabilities. If you are going to hook the panels in series or parallel, and how many panels you ultimately want. thus far, you have to do the usage calculations for your max & min energy needs. then your system. if you are tied to a grid, then the tie makes sense. if you are off grid, then you need to hook to the controller/inverter set up. there's more detailed information to make your choices. you at least have to start with your consumptions, then your price per panel expectations, and keep working till you get a system you want. If you piece the panels, the mix and match doesn't work. if you buy one 100w, then they all should be the same rating. etc. etc. to the hook ups to the grid tie, should match the total panels you are adding together, via series or parallel, how many batteries. etc. etc.