"Solar Generator"

[vtsoundman]

As a solar and storage industry professional, I absolutely hate the term solar generator.

A battery is not a generator - pure and simple. It is a storage device.

A solar generator is no more a generator than an inverter + battery is an AC generator.

A generator generates something (like gas, vapor)...or transforms mechanical energy to electrical.

If anything is remotely a solar generator, it is a solar panel.

Solar generator = lame marketing term invented by Goal Zero and similar companies to overcharge for a collection of marginal/underperforming components...in a package that CANNOT be serviced by a lay person.

A term that is closer to reality is a Solar Battery - but that is just as annoying.

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[Chuck1]

A generator in electrical circuit theory is one of two ideal elements: an ideal voltage source, or an ideal current source. These are two of the fundamental elements in circuit theory. Real electrical generators are most commonly modelled as a non-ideal source consisting of a combination of an ideal source and a resistor. Voltage generators are modelled as an ideal voltage source in series with a resistor. Current generators are modelled as an ideal current source in parallel with a resistor. The resistor is referred to as the internal resistance of the source. Real world equipment may not perfectly follow these models, especially at extremes of loading (both high and low) but for most purposes they suffice.

 

[1000arms]

It does not bother me a bit. In fact I will always call them a solar generator. Marketing opinions aside I know what they are used for. Many of them are pretty clever in design allowing you to charge from 2 separate power sources at a time for a quicker charge.

My educated guess would be they are marketed this way to let consumers know they can be be used with solar panels. As soon as these units flooded the market I knew exactly what their purpose was. IMO the marketing is spot on. Nothing mendacious whatsoever. Solar generators work just as described. Every single one clearly states if solar panels are included or not.

By definition In electricity generation, a generator is a device that converts motive power into electrical power for use in an external circuit. That motive power can be described as solar power in the case of the solar generator. Other forms of electricity can also be described as the motive power for a solar generator.

Battery packs or power banks are a narrower term as in they can be designed to not have a need for solar power to to generate electricity to the unit.

So for me the simple and correct term is "solar generator" for a battery pack or portable power bank that uses solar panels as one of the sources to generate electricity to the unit.

I actually think solar generators are pretty cool and useful in the right application. At some point they might even come close and even surpass a good old fashioned fuel generator for stand alone on demand power.

IMHO, there are way more things to be annoyed with than terminology or marketing we may not agree to. Let's face it, solar generator is only a phrase that's being turned into someones own illocutionary expression of the term.

... Say, ..., have you read the following quote?

... I loathe lengthy debates and disparate comments that do nothing but drive members away. I've looked back at some of your other postings and can see you like to debate and will do everything to disprove anything anyone says that is not in agreement to you. This is a disservice to other members who are here to learn and provide valuable and helpful information to the community. ...

I was the one that wrote what you quoted. I have nether debated or made any disparate comments to anyone. I'm just relaxing and typing my description of a solar generator. After all it is the thread title. I have not made any hint for anyone to agree with my assessment of what I consider a solar generator. Nor am I making any attempts to offend anyone.

I believe in courtesy and politeness to fellow members. BTW, you might want to check your font size. Default is 15 and I think you accidentally have yours set to 26.



There are already a few of the lower output LiFePo4 solar generators that can do just what you describe. As technology moves forward I can see larger size solar generators charging at a much more rapid rate than what is currently available on the market.

... Say, ..., have you read the following quote?

... I would courteously ask you to please refrain from using comments that would be considered trolling to get a member to react. Forum rules on this platform as I read them are: No Trolling. ...

One could call a cinder block an expedition vehicle, but, doing so wouldn't make it an expedition vehicle.

Definition of CINDER BLOCK

a hollow rectangular building block made of cement and coal cinders… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[Charles R]

So... A "generator" as we're thinking of it in this generic term, produces various levels of electrical outputs for various electrically powered devices, right?

So, does all the energy just miraculously come from thin air?
Or do you have to supply these devices with an external source of energy somehow?

By my understanding...
A Gas generator requires a user supplied source of gasoline
A Propane generator requires a user supplied source of Propane gas
A Diesel generator requires a user supplied source of Diesel fuel
A Solar Generator requires a user supplied source of Solar energy
(Or plugged into a house. Which then means it could also then be user supplied with anything from coal or natural gas, to wind or Hydro-electric)

By definition then, all of these devices are converters. None of them "generate" anything. They all just convert one form of energy (chemical) into another (electrical). And while you could stand by the argument that the "solar" generator is just a storage device, you could make the same claim to the other devices. All of them are built with some way to store their fuel of choice, and the rest of the machine is just there to convert it into something usable. The only difference in my eye is that the source energy that's stored on a battery device is more similar to the end energy you want to use.

But yeah, I also fully agree that it's just a marketing term that just doesn't ruffle my feathers in the least.

 

[vtsoundman]

:




One could call a cinder block an expedition vehicle, but, doing so wouldn't make it an expedition vehicle.

Definition of CINDER BLOCK

a hollow rectangular building block made of cement and coal cinders… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

My Jeep is a mutli-purpose overlander...it has the aerodynamics of a brick...so I guess it can identify as a brick!...a brick it is!

A cinderblock it is kind of brick...so it works!

Therefore, all overlanding vehicles can also be called bricks...or cinderblocks. It also transforms my money into vapor! It is a money spending generator...and therefore a transducer!

Wow...this is great. My Jeep is a Brick, Cinderblock, a Generator, and a Transducer!

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[1000arms]

My Jeep is a mutli-purpose overlander...it has the aerodynamics of a brick...so I guess it can identify as a brick!...a brick it is!

A cinderblock it is kind of brick...so it works!

Therefore, all overlanding vehicles can also be called bricks...or cinderblocks. It also transforms my money into vapor! It is a money spending generator...and therefore a transducer!

Wow...this is great. My Jeep is a Brick, Cinderblock, a Generator, and a Transducer!

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... Hmm, "Transducer", is that like a Trans Am? ...

 

[vtsoundman]

... Hmm, "Transducer", is that like a Trans Am? ...

I want to go on the TransAmerica Trail!

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[1000arms]

One could call a cinder block an expedition vehicle, but, doing so wouldn't make it an expedition vehicle.

Definition of CINDER BLOCK

a hollow rectangular building block made of cement and coal cinders… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

My Jeep is a mutli-purpose overlander...it has the aerodynamics of a brick...so I guess it can identify as a brick!...a brick it is!

A cinderblock it is kind of brick...so it works!

Therefore, all overlanding vehicles can also be called bricks...or cinderblocks. It also transforms my money into vapor! It is a money spending generator...and therefore a transducer!

Wow...this is great. My Jeep is a Brick, Cinderblock, a Generator, and a Transducer!

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

... Hmm, "Transducer", is that like a Trans Am? ...

I want to go on the TransAmerica Trail!

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

... But, with your Transducer Jeep, rather than a Trans Am? ... Hmm, will you at least paint a "Screaming Chicken" on the hood of your Jeep?

 

[Porkchopexpress]

I think they call these battery units generators so that when consumers comparison shop RV generators, (I mean actual electricity producing generators) these battery units will come up in an internet search.
Also, while we can debate longstanding industry terminology and the English language on an overlanding forum, I'm not going to start calling batteries generators no matter how persuasive the argument.

 

[OllieChristopher]

Also, while we can debate longstanding industry terminology and the English language on an overlanding forum, I'm not going to start calling batteries generators no matter how persuasive the argument.

There should be no argument at all what someone decides to call a solar generator. Whatever name you want to use for a solar generator is all good. Anything anyone decides to call a solar generator, they know what what a solar generator is.

 

[vtsoundman]

... But, with your Transducer Jeep, rather than a Trans Am? ... Hmm, will you at least paint a "Screaming Chicken" on the hood of your Jeep?

Man, I have no beef with those that graze this forum.

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[1000arms]

Man, I have no beef with those that graze this forum.

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Next you'll be singing a parody of "Heard it on the Grapevine".

You'll be out there hoofing it, singing, "Herd it on the Bovine".

 

[OllieChristopher]

Renogy Is making a really nice little Solar Generator with solar panels built into the unit. Not a bad price for what you get.

portable solar generators, solar powered generators | Renogy

Renogy provide portable solar generators , solar power generators kit, portable power stations with panel, enjoy the best solar generators here with free shipping.

www.renogy.com

It has a Lithium-Ion battery, quick charge (only 20 hours to charge with built in solar panels), close to 25 ah of power, 300 watt output, etc. The solar generators currently being produced are getting better and better. A solar generator package deal like this for about 400 bucks is hard to beat.

And just like the Goal Zero and Jackary solar generators it can be torn down, serviced, and repaired by the user after the warranty runs out. Do not believe the naysayers that think solar generators are worthless when a component fails. Anyone with simple hand tools and basic electrical skills can repair any of these current made solar generators.

I'm still a big fan of the small inverter gas generators that require liquid fuel instead of solar panels as a fuel source to produce energy.

 

[plh]

Renogy Is making a really nice little Solar Generator with solar panels built into the unit. Not a bad price for what you get.

portable solar generators, solar powered generators | Renogy

Renogy provide portable solar generators , solar power generators kit, portable power stations with panel, enjoy the best solar generators here with free shipping.

www.renogy.com

It has a Lithium-Ion battery, quick charge (only 20 hours to charge with built in solar panels), close to 25 ah of power, 300 watt output, etc. The solar generators currently being produced are getting better and better. A solar generator package deal like this for about 400 bucks is hard to beat.

And just like the Goal Zero and Jackary solar generators it can be torn down, serviced, and repaired by the user after the warranty runs out. Do not believe the naysayers that think solar generators are worthless when a component fails. Anyone with simple hand tools and basic electrical skills can repair any of these current made solar generators.

I'm still a big fan of the small inverter gas generators that require liquid fuel instead of solar panels as a fuel source to produce energy.

20 hours of super good sun, that is 3 to 4 days - so if you can get by on 6ah of power a day, in reality this sounds like a terrible deal for $450.

 

[broncobowsher]

So is my Coleman lantern a solar generator? It consumes a Hydrogen based fuel and releases light, heat, and radiation. Just like the sun. With a few bugs around it will even sustain (poorly) planets circling it. place a solar panel nearby and it will produce (a very small amount of) electricity.