Maybe a stupid question, but as long as the MPPT of the solar generator can handle input down to 12v it should be as simple as wiring up a 12v LiFePO4 with the appropriate connector and plugging it in to the solar generator, right? The MPPT should handle the power draw from the 12v battery and won't spike the amperage? Or, do you need something in line to limit the amperage drawn from the battery?
My use case is for camping trips and music festivals, so portability, size, and neat packaging is more important than performance. I already have a zooms 12v/100ah, a power supply to charge the zooms, and a 500W inverter, plus some odds and ends electrical tools. I was originally planning to build a variation of Will's milk crate system (but in a fan cooled toolbox so that it looks a bit more professional than having electronics out in the open). The problem is that putting all the pieces together results in a total package that's significantly larger than a pre-built. When I first decided I wanted to do this (1.5-2 years ago) the solar generator market was significantly different and more costly so it made a lot more financial sense to build your own. Nowadays the pre-builts are cheap enough that I'm re-thinking my plan but already have a good chunk of the components... If I were to start over I'd just buy a Bluetti EB150 for $800 and be done with it.
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?
Edit:
Assuming my plan works... I could combine an ecoflow river ($250) with the zooms ($320 late last year) for a total package ~1800 in^3, 38lbs, and $600 or so. Total capacity of ~1500Wh with 600W continuous/1200W peak. Pretty comparable to an EB150 but ~$200 cheaper. The DC input on the river maxes at 12A though, so a 12v battery would only provide ~140W or so after all the conversion losses (13V*12A=156W theoretical max). It'd be pretty easy to burn through your capacity powering something drawing 600W... probably only 30 minutes or so (700W draw after 85% efficiency, minus 140W of supply for 560W draw, eats up the 288Wh ecoflow battery in 30 minutes).
My use case is for camping trips and music festivals, so portability, size, and neat packaging is more important than performance. I already have a zooms 12v/100ah, a power supply to charge the zooms, and a 500W inverter, plus some odds and ends electrical tools. I was originally planning to build a variation of Will's milk crate system (but in a fan cooled toolbox so that it looks a bit more professional than having electronics out in the open). The problem is that putting all the pieces together results in a total package that's significantly larger than a pre-built. When I first decided I wanted to do this (1.5-2 years ago) the solar generator market was significantly different and more costly so it made a lot more financial sense to build your own. Nowadays the pre-builts are cheap enough that I'm re-thinking my plan but already have a good chunk of the components... If I were to start over I'd just buy a Bluetti EB150 for $800 and be done with it.
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?
Edit:
Assuming my plan works... I could combine an ecoflow river ($250) with the zooms ($320 late last year) for a total package ~1800 in^3, 38lbs, and $600 or so. Total capacity of ~1500Wh with 600W continuous/1200W peak. Pretty comparable to an EB150 but ~$200 cheaper. The DC input on the river maxes at 12A though, so a 12v battery would only provide ~140W or so after all the conversion losses (13V*12A=156W theoretical max). It'd be pretty easy to burn through your capacity powering something drawing 600W... probably only 30 minutes or so (700W draw after 85% efficiency, minus 140W of supply for 560W draw, eats up the 288Wh ecoflow battery in 30 minutes).
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