Pros and cons of acquiring a portable power station

[David from Ontario]

I hope to buy and start converting a school bus later this summer. For electrical, my current plan is to start with two 12 volt lithium batteries, a charger/inverter and a 3kw true sine wave gas generator. I also hope to charge the batteries with the alternator while driving. Solar may come later.

In addition to 12 volt lights and fans, I’ll be powering some 110 volt devices like a 10 cubic foot fridge, a TV and a CPAP machine. Here’s my question: is there any utility in also acquiring a power station like the Jackery Solar Generator 1500? (I know it’s not a generator.) I was thinking the portability might be handy, and I could move some loads like the fridge to it overnight to keep the main batteries from getting too discharged. But they’re expensive. I’d appreciate your thoughts.

[Rwnielsen]

I think for the same price or less you could add to your existing house batteries.

[bus-bro]

I put together a 600 amp LFP battery bank feeding a 2800 watt inverter. I came to the conclusion that a store bought battery bank would be a better way to go. When you add up the copper cables, bus bars, and lugs it gets expensive. Let alone trying to pass electrical code, especially at over 24 volt rating.

[john61ct]

No the self built option will not only be cheaper but suit your own specific needs better.

To get started use the Duracell / Deka 6V GCs at $1/Ah @12V, cheap as chips treated well will last 7+ years.

If you screw up and murder them, not such a big deal.

Just design the system and select your other infrastructure gear to also be compatible with LFP cells, so if you want to upgrade

7+ times the price but lots of advantages

then that is the only change needed.

[juliol]

Originally Posted by john61ct

No the self built option will not only be cheaper but suit your own specific needs better.

To get started use the Duracell / Deka 6V GCs at $1/Ah @12V, cheap as chips treated well will last 7+ years.

If you screw up and murder them, not such a big deal.

Just design the system and select your other infrastructure gear to also be compatible with LFP cells, so if you want to upgrade

7+ times the price but lots of advantages

then that is the only change needed.

Hello John, I know battery solar systems and battery bank depend on the usage, it would help with your experience to put together a basic start up kit to give guys like me to an idea how to start a system.

Thank you for all you ideas and information on this issue.

J

[john61ct]

relevant https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f49/using-same-battery-for-engine-and-house-35740-post435559.html

[mmoore6856]

you should not charge lithium batteries off your alternator you must be real careful to learn about them as thermal runaway is dangerous

[john61ct]

what a DCDC is for

Also specialized alt VRs like Wakespeed.

Also a good BMS as backup.

[BeNimble]

The only advantage I can see is if you have a 2nd vehicle and you want to have a portable setup to xfer over when using that one to take a short trip, etc.
Otherwise, much better to spend money elsewhere.

[john61ct]

Even a 12V bank at 1600Ah can be made in modular sub-packs with handles, for transfer from vehicle to boat to trailer to off grid shack.

Depends on strength of course, some people can handle 60lb units, others need 30lb ones.

There is no getting around physics, Ah capacity is linearly correlated to mass

the more "portable" the pack the lower its capacity.

[jackdebear]

Do it all he time. Go through a B2B. I draw 30A out of 135. +20 to run the ship.