Keep Your Power On: The Surprising Truth About Using a Solar Generator as a UPS
UPS systems are designed to help protect sensitive electronics that may get damaged by a surge or a sudden loss of power. They allow for a short time of extra power so you can safely shut down necessary devices.
Considering solar generators are designed to run without standard power, and they can be used when the power shuts down, you may be wondering if you can set it up to automatically run, like with a UPS system.
What Is a UPS?
A UPS, also known as an uninterruptible power supply system, is essentially backup power in case your standard power goes down. It runs for a short time, and is designed to turn on or protect any equipment that may be damaged by the power suddenly shutting down.
It is primarily used to keep sensitive equipment safe, such as electrical equipment and computers. It allows you time to safely shut down equipment. How long the UPS will last depends on the size and the brand you are using.
Can Solar Generators Work as a UPS?
Some solar generators can work as a UPS. Sometimes they will need additional features, like a panel that goes into your home. and more, solar generators are coming with UPS mode options to offer backup power during power failures. They will power whatever devices are plugged into them when the power shuts down.
However, they don’t work perfectly like a UPS. Most UPS systems are designed to work quickly. They should take no more than 12 milliseconds to kick on once power from the grid fails. However, most solar generators don’t offer much faster speeds than 20 milliseconds.
This means that some of your more sensitive devices may still end up damaged with these systems. If you want something that will protect very sensitive devices like medical equipment and nice computers, you may want a proper UPS.
However, for devices like laptops, fridges, and TVs, where quick shut-downs don’t affect them much, then a solar generator turned UPS is often fine.
For the most part, a good UPS system costs less than a solar generator. But if you already have a solar generator it can be pretty cheap and easy to convert it over.
When you combine a solar generator with a UPS system, it has the added benefit of kicking in if the load is too much for your generator alone, or if a surge occurs. Most of these generators can plug into solar power, or an outlet depending on your needs.
How Do You Know Which Generators Can Be Used as a UPS?
Just because more solar generators are moving towards offering a UPS function, that doesn’t mean they all have it. Some of the new Bluetti and Anker solar generators have these features in mind, but companies like Jackery still are a bit behind the times.
The best way to tell is to check the product description and the company’s FAQ page. Since this is a big question right now, most product descriptions will mention their UPS functionality if it is present. Companies that don’t have UPS functions will often mention it on their FAQ page.
FLASHFISH 600W Portable Power Station; 540Wh/150000mAh UPS Solar Generator
[600W AC Outlets And 540Wh Capacity]: The A601 power station features with 600W(peak 1200W) AC outlets, suitable for running a variety of equipment.And it packs a massive 540Wh capacity, which means all your devices will stay powered for hours and hours.
[17 Ports For All]: The A601 backup battery pack has all the ports you need to charge your important devices for indoor and outdoor, features 6 pure sine wave AC ports, 2 USB-C ports (1100W, 118W), 2 wireless charger, 3 USB-A outlets, 3 DC outputs, a car outlet and the SOS flashlight.It can power up to 16 devices simultaneously.
[Excellent Pass-through Charging]: A601 supports charge and use at the same time, instantly provides backup power when the grid fails, protecting your desktop PC, file servers, and other sensitive devices from data loss or damage.
[Plug And Play Type-C 100W Dual Wireless Charging Design]: The PD type-c 100W port supports inputoutput, and it can automatically recognize and charge for your laptop without a button to start.Thanks to the dual 15W wireless chargers on top of the generator, you could charge your iPhone and ipod at the same time without any cable.
[LED Light SOS]: The light modes include flashlight and SOS. It’s perfect for camping and emergency use. Ideal for preparing one in the house or office for power outages due to the disaster such as typhoon and earthquakes.
Details
Returns Policy
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the Complete Orders link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We’ll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we’ve received and processed the returned item.
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.
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Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro Review: Pros Cons, Features, Ratings, Pricing and more
With the Solar Generator 1000 Pro, Jackery offers a compact and powerful power station that can act as a solar generator or an office UPS. The dual solar input, improved battery quality, and fast charging bring it on par, if not better than what the competition offers.
Pros
- Upgrade battery life
- Integrated AC charger
- UPS mode
- Power saving
Cons
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The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is the compact version of the highly popular portable power station, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000, offering an identical display and output sockets in a smaller package. The battery power and AC inverter are reduced to 1000Whr and 1000W, respectively. Compared to the Explorer 1000 that it replaces, the Generator 1000 doubles the number of charge cycles and integrates an AC charger.
The charging power plug and solar panel inputs are at the back, leaving the front panel clutter-free when using multiple AC sockets. Single-purpose push buttons activate each output section, while a two-inch LCD provides information to the user.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro: Price and availability
The Jackery Solar Generator starts at 1100, the same price point as the previous generation’s 1kW power station. It is available as a bundle with either two 80W or four 200W solar panels for 1600 and 4000, respectively.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro: Design
The Explorer 1000 Pro station can be bought either as a standalone unit or with solar panels. Accessories include a car charger cable, AC cable, two DC adapters to connect solar panels, and a quick start guide. The plastic case measures 34cm x 26.2cm x 25.5cm and weighs about 11.5kg. A built-in handle lays perfectly flat when not needed, while four rubber pads on the bottom act as feet and hold the station in place.
The new Jackery station is very simple to use, with outputs turned on or off through push buttons. Each button has a green LED embedded in the plastic cap that lights up when pressed. The front panel has five distinct sections, a 3” LCD screen showing the station‘s parameters, AC and DC outputs, a LED flashlight, and a 12V car port.
The Explorer 1000 Pro sports three 1000W AC outputs, capable of a 2000W surge for a few seconds. Exceeding the output power capacity triggers the overcurrent protection, and the only way to recover is to remove all loads and power cycle the station. The DC sections support Type-C and Type-A USB sockets with two 100W Type-C with PD and two Type-A capable of 18W max. A car lighter socket completes the DC low-voltage section, providing up to 120W at 12V.
The back of the Jackery station holds input sockets to charge the unit. The charging section has a maximum input power of 800W through two solar ports or one AC input, resulting in a full charge in under two hours. The unit defaults to solar when both inputs are connected. Car charging through the provided cable is the slowest method, completing a full charge in about ten hours.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro: In use
Thanks to its minimalist interface, using the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro is straightforward. Every button activates the LCD, which turns off automatically after 30 seconds. The unit can turn itself off when no output devices are connected to save power. Pressing a few seconds on the Display button will disable the automatic turn-off when not needed.
A multi-function flashlight is accessible on the front. The white LED supports two intensities, a 1W, and a 3W, while also offering an SOS mode. The SOS mode is excellent in case of an emergency on the road and will blink the LED at a one-second interval.
The Explorer 1000 Pro has an overall efficiency of 85%, meaning that for every kilowatt entering the station, only 850W is available to the user, with the remaining power producing heat and turning the fans. The NMC battery cell offers more than 1000 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% capacity drop, an improvement from the last generation, which provided only 500 charge cycles.
The Explorer supports solar charging through two DC8020 connectors located on the back. The socket size is specific to Jackery and requires using the included adapter to mate to other non-Jackery panels. The charger maximizes efficiency using the MTTP algorithm, and each DC input can accept a maximum voltage of 60V at 11A, resulting in a minimum charge time of under two hours.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro: The competition
Power stations in the 1kW range are easy to get online due to countless crowdfunding campaigns that have spawned many good products. Jackery has built an excellent reputation through great online support and easy-to-use stations. Compared to previous Explorer generations, the improved cell quality and new features, such as a UPS mode and fast charging, are game changers.
The recently launched Anker 757 is an excellent power station, offering similar battery and inverter performance as the Explorer 1000 pro. It is more pricey than the Jackery and slightly heavier, while the 300W solar input is less than a third of what the Jackery unit can accept.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro: Final verdict
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro fits well in the shoes of the Explorer 1000 with plenty of features that will please potential buyers. The longer-life battery, integrated AC charging, and UPS mode are just a few items that will convince you to get one. The two DC inputs for solar charging are also handy, connecting to twice as many solar panels as the previous version.
The Explorer 1000’s main disadvantages are the non-standard DC solar input and an 85% overall efficiency, similar to the previous version. The price of the station is also more than the competition. That said, the user gets a three-year warranty with two additional years when registering online.
Zendure Solar Generator
A portable solar generator is a combination of a power station and a solar panel. It can convert sun energy captured by solar panels into electrical power and then stores it in a portable power station for later use. It can provide you with renewable clean energy and reduce your dependence on the electrical grid. In addition, a solar generator is also a reliable and clean power source for campers, RVs, or as an emergency backup if your power goes out.
Zendure SuperBase V Solar Generator
SuperBase V Portable Power Station Zendure 400W Solar Panel
Starts at 5,599.00
Zendure SuperBase M Solar Generator
SuperBase M Portable Power Station Zendure 200W Solar Panel
Starts at 999.00
How Does A Solar Generator Work?
A solar generator works by capturing solar energy with solar panels and storing it in a solar battery or portable power station. Zendure solar generators convert DC into AC electricity to power your devices and appliances both indoors and outdoors.
FAQ
Solar generators work by storing the electricity generated by the solar panels. Solar panels convert solar energy into the free electricity which is stored into the battery in a generator via wires.
Of course, the general high-power appliances ratting is between 800-2000W, so it is recommended to choose Zendure SBPSBV, SBP can output 2000W and SBV can output 3800W ,which can completely meet the needs of high-power equipment in life.
Yes, solar generators are safe than fuel generators. First, solar generators don’t produce harmful gases,such an co.Second, they don’t need fuel oil to generate electricity,which is more environmentally friendly.Third, Zendure’s solar generators have a real-time monitoring BMS battery management system to ensure safety.
Solar generators have many benefits. It can use solar panel to get free electricity, saving you money. It’s also not as noisy as a fuel generator, which doesn’t disturb your life. Solar generators provide a safe, renewable way to keep your equipment and appliances running when you need them. whether during a power off, off-grid or a trips to remote areas. Solar generators are clean, efficient,convenient and versatile, which help clarifying their growing popularity.
The Fuel generator is not only noisy, but also produces harmful gas, which with expensive maintenance is not suitable for indoor use. Solar generator without maintenance is low noise, more portable,small and suitable for indoor use.
Some of our solar generators can be used as UPS. For details, you can ask a customer service help. For example, the SuperBase Pro 2000 can be used as an offline UPS that automatically switches to SBP power supply mode within 13ms when there is a sudden power off.
The devices and appliances you can run depend on the generator’s capacity. Lower wattage generators like the portable Zendure SuperBase M with a 600Wh capacity can power your smaller devices, such as laptops and smartphones. To power larger appliances, like a refrigerator, you will need a higher capacity generator like the SuperBase V, which has a starting capacity of 4.6kWh that you can expand up to 46kWh.
Zendure current solar generators support a variety of charging methods. For example, the SBV 4600 can be recharged by grid ,solar panels,satellite battery，EV charging pile ，car charger and generator.
The recharging time depends on the capacity of the solar generator and the power of the solar panel input. For example,Zendure SuperBasePro 1500 has a capacity of 1500Wh, which takes about 1.6 hours to fully charge with three 400W solar panels in series.
When people talk about the ‘size’ of a solar generator, they generally mean its power capacity. The capacity is most often measured via their wattage. A good rule of thumb is to purchase a generator with almost double the capacity you need to ensure you have sufficient power even during a prolonged blackout.
Depending on the brand and the quality of the battery, you can expect a solar generator to last years. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V4600 uses a state-of-the-art LFP battery, which will last for 6000 cycles before reaching 60% of its original capacity.
