Portable household generator charges in one hour
Zendure recently introduced the SuperBase V, a generator that can be powered by the sun, charge two EVs at a time, and provide power to the home for a week or more.
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Zendure reports that SuperBase V is the world’s first home energy storage system with semi-solid state batteries. It is offered in two versions, the V6400 and the V4600, and as their names imply, the V6400 delivers up to 64 kWh of power and the V4600 delivers up to 46 kWh.
The semi-solid state lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries can be charged in one hour with satellite expansion batteries, combined with solar input, and AC power. Semi-solid state batteries are safer with zero downtime and higher energy density than lithium-ion phosphate batteries, the company says. Up to four satellite batteries can be hooked up in total.
The AC output power of the SuperBase V is 3,800 W rated power and 5,000 W peak power, and the company reports that two SuperBase Vs with the same type of battery can be connected to each other with the ZenY cable or the Home Panel to achieve up to 7,600 W of total output power.
The SuperBase V becomes solar powered by connecting solar panel output through an XT 90 port or the AC input. It can be charged with portable solar panels up to 3000 W. Zendure offers its own solar panels, but the SuperBase V is compatible with a wide range of other manufacturers’ solar panels from 12 V to 150 V and the company claims it can be easily integrated into existing solar system.
Zendure reports that the U.S. model of SuperBase V has can switch to battery power with 0 ms of downtime to its AC output port.
The Home Panel connects SuperBase V to the home’s electrical circuits to supply power throughout the house. The Zendure app gives you tools to monitor, manage, and customize energy use. The Home Panel, which should be installed by a licensed electrician, is a transfer switch plus it’s a fast-charging dock for the SuperBase V and features two EV charging outlets. And with up to 12,000W of power distribution, the Home Panel can charge two vehicles at the same time and provide AC power to up to 10 circuits around the house.
Portable level 2 EV charging also supports public power station input, and the SuperBase V paired with a battery pack adds an extra 40 miles to keep drivers moving between pit stops. The EV charging plus is a 14-50 for Type 1 (J1772) connector with 5-15 plug and 6-20 plug adaptor cables; CEE 32 plug for Type 2 (Mennekes) with EU plug, UK plug and AU plug adapter cables.
The unit comes with a variety of hook-ups and 14 ports, including AC, USB-A and USB-C, and a 12V car outlet. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home systems for monitoring home power use. The Zendure app also provides users with tools to monitor, manage and customize energy use. It comes with safety features such as overcharge protection and short circuit protection.
According to Zendure’s website, pricing starts at 3,299.
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Anne Fischer
Anne Fischer is a senior editor at pv magazine USA. Anne is a seasoned writer, editor, and journalist.
Solar Panel Sizes: Which Size Do You Need for a Portable Solar Generator
Choosing the right solar panel size is a sure way to ensure that you have enough solar power to suffice all the electric needs. However, as a homeowner or someone new to solar, it can be pretty confusing to select the right size for your home or to know the amount of weight your roof can handle. Well, if you find yourself confused about what solar size to choose for your home, do not worry because you are at the right place in this post, we will walk you through all you need to know about selecting the right solar size for your home.
What Is The Best Size of Solar Panels?
The best solar panel size will depend on the purpose for which you are purchasing it. In terms of purpose, there are two types of solar panels:
What Is a Solar Cell?
Before we dive into each, we will like to explain what a solar cell is. So, when you look at a solar panel, you will realize that it is divided into a couple of squares, usually straight lines that meet to form a diamond shape at each end. Well, these squares are called Cells. Each solar cell or PhotoVoltaic Cell has a dimension of 6 inches by 6 inches. Each cell produces about half a volt of voltage (0.46 Volts).
Residential Solar Panels:
When it comes to residential solar panels (solar panels used for homes) the 60-cell solar panel is a preferred choice. Just as the name suggests, this solar panel comprises 60 solar cells and has a dimension of:
- 62 to 66 in height,
- 35 to 39 in width,
- A thickness ranging from 1.5 to 2, and
- Usually weighs about 40 pounds.
Since each cell produces a voltage of 0.46, a 60-cell solar panel can produce a total voltage of 27.6 volts or 30 volts, with a wattage ranging from 270 watts to 330 watts.
Commercial Solar Panels
For building larger than residential homes such as small businesses, multi-story buildings, and many others, a commercial solar panel will be ideal. Commercial solar panels consist of two main options:
a. 72-Cell Panel
Just as the name suggests, a 72-cell solar panel comprises 72 solar cells. These types of solar panels usually have the dimension:
- 75 to 78 in length
- 39 to 40 in width
- 1.4 to 1.7 in thickness
- Usually weighs around 50 lbs
A 72-cell is capable of producing a total voltage of 36-39 volts with a wattage of 350 to 400 watts. This means a 72-cell solar panel can charge a 24-volt battery efficiently. Not, a 60-cell solar panel cannot charge a 24-volt efficiently.
b. 96-Cell Panel
The last type of commercial solar panel is the 96-cell panel, and this type is uncommon on the market due to its large size; however, they are worth mentioning. This solar panel has a dimension of:
- 62 to65 in height
- 40- 43 in width
- 1.6 to 1.8 in depth
- Usually, weigh around 45-55 lbs
These solar panels have a voltage of 44.6 volts.
So, the best size is going to depend on your needs and the amount of voltage and rated output power of the solar panel.
How Big are Portable / RV solar panels?
If you are looking for a solar panel for your RV or camper, then you might want to look into a portable solar panel. RV solar panels usually vary in power production. However, most RV solar panels have a dimension of:
- 21 to 24 in height
- 14.6 to 15 in width
- 1.6 to 2.5 in thickness
- Weigh between 30 to 40 lbs
That being said, RV solar panels are capable of generating anywhere from 100 watts, to 150, 200, and 250 watts of power per panel, and some can be almost the same size as a residential panel.
How Much Do Solar Panels Weigh?
The weight of a solar panel greatly depends on the type of solar panel and the kind of materials used by the manufacturer to make the solar panel. However, on average, you should expect the following under-listed weights:
- 40 lbs for a 60-cell solar panel
- 50 lbs for a 72-cell solar panel
- 45-55 lbs for a 96-cell solar panel
- 30 to 40 lbs for an RV-solar cell
What Size of Solar Panel Do you Need For a Portable Solar Generator?
The size of the solar panel needed for a portable generator will greatly depend on the wattage of the solar generator and the light exposure it gets during the day, or the amount of light available at the place you wish to camp. However, since most small-sized solar generators have a power rating of around 500 watts, you will usually require 2 units of 250 watt portable solar panels or 5 units of 100 watt solar panels. Generally, you will divide the wattage of the generator by the wattage of the solar panel.
However, practically, the number of solar panels you need depends on three things:
- Your daily electricity consumption: This value can be gotten by getting a copy of your monthly utility bill. We recommend you get the last 6 months of utility bills and find the daily average electric consumption. Or you can ask the energy company.
- Your geographical location: This helps us identify the amount of peak sunlight you get per day and the best orientation of the solar panels. This is between 4 to 6 hours for most homes. However, do well to do your research per your state and city.
- The rated output power of the solar panel
To determine how many solar panels to get, you will use the formula:Number of solar cells= total daily house power usage/(peak sun hours per day X power rating of the solar cell)
So, if you use 29.5 kWh of power daily, your area has an average of 4 peak hours of sunlight and the rated outage of the solar panel is 330 watts, then you would need, (29.5X 1000)Wh/ (4×330 watts)= 22.34 330 watt panels to cover your electric needs. Therefore, you will need about 23 panels if your home uses 29.5kWh of power and your peak sunlight hours is 330 watt.
This formula stays the same even if you want to determine the number of solar panels you need for your RV, commercial property, or generator.
Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000
If you’re camping, or preparing for a power outage, and you need a simple way to charge over a dozen products, including heavy-duty appliances, situations like this should be just as easy to navigate. SuperBase Pro is designed for portability and peace of mind.
It’s Built to Move
With industrial-grade wheels, a telescopic aluminum handle, and a low center of gravity, SuperBase Pro is designed with “anytime, anywhere” in mind. And as you’re rolling it across the terrain, you’ll find that it’s sturdy enough to stack another item on top if you need to.
Recharge to 80% in ONE hour
No one likes waiting around for their power station to charge up before going on an adventure. SuperBase Pro can be charged up to 80% in just one hour.With our patented GridFlow technology, you can charge SuperBase Pro 2000 at up to 1,800W from an adequate AC outlet or generator. A full charge is just two hours away.
,096Wh Capacity
If you like camping, you’ll love SuperBase Pro 2000’s 2,096Wh capacity. Use your off-grid camping gear for hours on end. SuperBase Pro 2000 is the perfect power solution for on-the-go events. Devices such as laptops, led lamps, drones, mini fridges and projectors can be powered by it for a prolonged period.
,000W AC Output, Ampup to 3000W
At home, SuperBase Pro 2000 has you covered. With 2,000W of AC output and 3,000W Ampup capability, you can power your microwave, washing machine, coffee maker, or other essentials around the house, worry-free.
AmpUp is our patented Dynamic Voltage Output technology. When power-hungry devices need a high starting current, AmpUp can lower the output voltage to compensate, allowing for higher current at the same output power. And since a pure sine wave output is maintained, it’s completely safe.AmpUp is enabled through SuperBase Pro 2000’s companion app. Device compatibility may vary
Equipped With UPS
An unexpected blackout can be a huge headache. If you’re working on your computer, you could lose important progress. Even worse, a sudden power interruption can actually damage sensitive electrical equipment. That’s why SuperBase Pro has household grade Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) functionality built right in. And it’s super easy to use. Just connect SuperBase Pro 2000 to a power outlet, connect your essential devices to SuperBase Pro 2000, and you’re done. If the power goes out, SuperBase Pro will switch over to battery power automatically.
Go Green with 1800W Solar Charging
If green energy is your thing, SuperBase Pro 2000 can handle solar arrays of any size up to 1,800W. Our patented PVMax tech means your solar setup can charge SuperBase Pro 2000 with the same superfast performance you’d get from conventional charging. That’s one hour for an 80% charge, and two hours for a full charge.
PVMax is a patented protocol utilizing High Voltage Solar Technology (HVST) conversion to deliver up to 1,800W from solar arrays that provide 60-160V. SuperBase Pro 2000 comes with an MC4 to AC female cable, so setup is really simple.
An exceptional, nicely designed power station that is incredibly fast to recharge and easy to maneuver thanks to a telescopic handle and all-terrain wheels.
Space Verdict
Despite its weight, it is easy to maneuver thanks to the all-terrain wheels and telescopic handle. Charge all of your devices at once and view all of the power inputs and outputs via the convenient smartphone app. The fans are noisy, so avoid this one if you want to power up your devices close to you while you sleep. For everything else, it’s brilliant.
Pros
- High Capacity
- USB, DC and AC outputs
- Unique features versus competitors
- Features an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
Cons
- – The app is a little clunky
- – Very heavy (but there are wheels)
- – Fan is noisy when using AC and charging
Why you can trust Space.com
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We were impressed with the SuperTank Pro power bank from Zendure, so we couldn’t wait to get our hands on this massive-capacity power station. If the quality and functionality of the power bank were anything to go by, we were in for a treat.
While we don’t yet have a standalone power station buying guide, we chose to review this product given our previous positive impression of Zendure products that sit in our Best power banks guide, and it might be just what you’re looking for if you run group sky-watching sessions or astrophotography workshops.
Note that there are two versions of the Zendure SuperBase Pro — 1500W and 2000W; We have reviewed the 1500W version. The models also vary depending on which part of the world you are in — ours took UK 3-pin AC plugs but the US models accept 2-pin plugs.
A power station is aptly named for it is a portable means of powering up multiple devices at once; Whether that’s the best star trackers, handy headlamps, sophisticated Computerized GoTo telescopes or dedicated astro cameras such as the ZWO ASI533MC Pro.
Zendure Superbase Pro Power Station review
Zendure SuperBase Pro: Design
- Telescopic handle
- Chunky all-terrain wheels
- No two devices are the same
This Zendure PowerBase Pro looks modern and sophisticated, yet rugged and menacing all at the same time.
MC4 to AC Cable MC4 to XT60 Cable AC cable USB-C to USB-A adapter Hard-sided Accessory Pouch Stickers Quick Start Guide Warranty card (24 month)
The telescopic handle and all-terrain wheels make it resemble a small suitcase, or as one of our colleagues described it, a ‘cool box on wheels’. Zendure highlights this design in their marketing, saying that it can be used to help you carry kit (put your gear on top and pull the whole lot with the handle). This is especially handy when taking the power station to festivals where you usually have to lug your kit a long way.
You could also transport your camera backpack on top by securing it to the telescopic handle. Stylish bags like the Billingham Hadley Pro have a strap precisely for this purpose. Without the handle and wheels, it would be near impossible to transport this 41.5 lbs/18.8 kg monster comfortably.
The 6.1-inch LCD panel shows all the information you could need to know about the device’s present state — current input and output, recharge time, remaining power and whether any modes like ‘quiet charging’ are active.
An ambient light shines when the device charges or distributes power, giving the same feel as the LED tubes you find under fast cars. You can modify the color and brightness in the app. The light seems superfluous, but some may love its futuristic vibe.
The main body is made from recycled plastic, giving each device its own unique pattern; No two will ever be the same. Again, this doesn’t add to the functionality of the device, but it’s a neat little fact.
Zendure SuperBase Pro: Performance
- Very loud fans when charging or distributing AC power
- Exceptionally quick to recharge
- Charge all the devices you need simultaneously
On receiving and plugging in the Zendure SuperBase Pro, we thought it was just the initial charge that would be noisy — and by noisy, we mean fans whirring like in an old PC that’s being put to heavy use.
Capacity: 1440Wh (1500 model) or 2096Wh (2000 model) Output ports: 14 Charging time: 1.5 hours to full IP rating: None Weight: 41.5lbs/18.8kg (1500 model) or 46.5lbs/21.2kg (2000 model) Dimensions: 17.56 x 10.51 x 13.86-in/446 x 276 x 352mm
Unfortunately, we were treated to this same noise each time it charged via mains power, with only a small decrease in noise when it wasn’t charging and was just performing its duty as a power station. There is a ‘quiet charging’ option in the app which limits the input/charging speed, but getting to sleep with it whirring away in the background would be tricky.
We would have expected the fans to only kick in if the unit started to get too hot, but they seem to be on all the time. We began reviewing this model in the UK when it was winter and the inside temperature was sitting at about 62.6°F / 17°C, so there should have been no need for the fans unless we were pushing it to its maximum output limits.
Despite the noise, there’s no denying this thing is exceptionally fast to recharge. It’s recommended that you only charge it to 80%, but it only takes 1.5 hours for a full charge with AC. Ideal for last-minute trips, it’s quicker to charge than a lot of able power banks.
Zendure SuperTank Pro: Functionality
- App for additional control, customization monitoring
- A multitude of ports to charge/power many devices at once
- Super quick charging
The Zendure app unlocks more customization options and features over and above what you can control via the buttons on the device’s main body. Once you’ve registered for an account (be sure to check your junk folder for the verification email), you’re walked through the setup process. Initially, we had lots of niggles with the app, which were resolved after talking to Zendure customer service (who were very good). Long story short, it needed a few complete reboots and upgrades before the power station would ‘talk’ to the app and vice versa.
Within the app, you have more visibility and control. You can see exactly how much charge is left in the power station and, if you have things plugged in, you can view how many watts are going in and out, as well as how much time is left until empty. This is especially handy if you’re not near the device. We currently have it hooked up to solar panels in another room (the solar panels are outside), but we can see exactly how many watts are being fed into the SuperBase Pro at any given time, which changes constantly depending on the sunlight levels.
You can also turn on quiet(er) charging, change the color of the ambient light, turn AC/DC charging on or off, see how much energy you have used through the power station (and where that energy came from — the grid or solar) and how much carbon has been saved. You can compare your green energy use with other people who are using the power station.
The SuperBase Pro is equipped with a household-grade Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). If the power in your house goes off, it will switch over to the battery, keeping all of your essential household electronics powered up in the event of power outages.
The data on the app is displayed in real-time and matches the display on the LCD screen on the unit most of the time, with a few blips where they don’t seem to be quite in sync. Generally, though, it’s spot on.
One thing we haven’t managed to get to work yet is the ‘location’ function. The app continuously tells us we’re in the middle of the ocean, which we can assure you, we aren’t. This is not a deal breaker for us, so we haven’t tried too hard to fix this, though we can definitely see the benefit if you’re going to be leaving the power station unattended (e.g., at a music festival) as in theory the app will show you exactly where the power station is.
You can also share the device’s location with friends. If you’re going ‘off-grid’ or out at sea, they can check in to see where it is (and hopefully you’ll be with it). The SuperBase Pro is upgradeable by firmware so it will only improve over time.
Should you buy the Zendure SuperBase Pro?
There’s no denying the impressive capabilities of this thing. It has six AC plug sockets, four USB-C ports (two 100W and two 20W) and three 13.6V DC outputs. It charges ridiculously quickly with AC, and with solar in the right conditions and with decent solar panels (though it’s still impressively quick even when it’s overcast).
If you’re someone who is going to be running sky-watching sessions with groups of people out in the field for nights on end waiting for the perfect dark sky, or simply wanting to go ‘off-grid’ for a couple of nights, the Zendure SuperBase Pro will keep you powered up, no problem. Just remember a pair of noise-canceling earplugs if you’re sleeping in close proximity to it (like in a campervan) and charging devices using AC at the same time.
If the Zendure SuperBase Pro isn’t for you:
If you came here from our best power banks guide, you’d have seen that this is currently the only ‘power station’ on the list, so perhaps you were looking for something smaller and more portable for day-to-day use instead.
For that, there’s the SuperTank Pro (also from Zendure) which provides the ability to charge four devices simultaneously via USB-C or using an adaptor (included) for USB-A legacy devices.
The BioLite Charge PD range is a no-frills, rugged and easily portable option, but if you need something that is lightweight, waterproof and practical (perhaps if you are hiking a long way or camping overnight) the Celestron Elements FireCel Mega 6, which also acts as a torch and handwarmer, might be just what you’re looking for.
