Harbor Freight 45 Watt Solar Kit

rtate wrote:

2oldman wrote:

rtate wrote:
If I cant run my air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer, and electric coffee pot with the Harbor Freight set up, then its not worth spending the $120.

No, you'd have to spend $200 to run all that.

I would be willing to spend up $200 to run all that. Just horsing around! I only use the generator to recharge my batteries. I have a 2000 watt inverter that I use to power a computer, recharge phones and run my wifes sewing machine. The sewing machine draws 45 watts. Our lighting is primarily led. Coffee pot is a driperlator, no tv. Usually go two days before recharing batteries. I was looking at solar to extend time between charges. The 45 watt solar panel.

I guess the primary thing I learned is that the HF panel is over priced. Probably makes sense to go the 200 watt deal for a little more money.

Thanks everyone

Back quite a few years ago, the HF panel kit was actually a decent deal..

But as time has progressed and higher power panels have gotten cheaper the HF panels are way over priced for what you get. Now if HF would drop the price to $60-$70 for the kit then it would be a decent "starter" kit for someone to try solar (although three 15W panels would take a lot of space)..

rtate wrote:
Just horsing around!

:)

2oldman wrote:

rtate wrote:
If I cant run my air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer, and electric coffee pot with the Harbor Freight set up, then its not worth spending the $120.

No, you'd have to spend $200 to run all that.

I would be willing to spend up $200 to run all that. Just horsing around! I only use the generator to recharge my batteries. I have a 2000 watt inverter that I use to power a computer, recharge phones and run my wifes sewing machine. The sewing machine draws 45 watts. Our lighting is primarily led. Coffee pot is a driperlator, no tv. Usually go two days before recharing batteries. I was looking at solar to extend time between charges. The 45 watt solar panel.

I guess the primary thing I learned is that the HF panel is over priced. Probably makes sense to go the 200 watt deal for a little more money.

Thanks everyone

rtate wrote:


If I can't run my air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer, and electric coffee pot with the Harbor Freight set up, then its not worth spending the $120.

Sarcasm doesn't always work on these forums. Might need to preface that with, "I am being sarcastic". Some thought you were serious.

rtate wrote:
If I cant run my air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer, and electric coffee pot with the Harbor Freight set up, then its not worth spending the $120.

No, you'd have to spend $200 to run all that.

rtate wrote:

smkettner wrote:

rtate wrote:
Ok. I give up. I will stick with my little Honda 2000.

Was it realistic to think 2000 watts can be replaced by 45 watts? 97% reduction in power.

Post more details of your camping style and we can set you up with something that will really work.

I assume with a single Honda 2000 you are just charging the battery and running the microwave or possible a hair dryer. It would be sad to run the Honda to charge a cell phone or watch a movie.

Even if sticking to the generator it might be a good time to review if your battery charging system is set up to do a proper fast charge to minimize run time.

If I cant run my air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer, and electric coffee pot with the Harbor Freight set up, then its not worth spending the $120.

At a min a microwave will require 800W (small 700W versions) upwards of 1600W (large 1500W).. Neither will a small battery system or 45W solar panel support this kind of load.

It would take 4 GC batteries plus several hundred watts of solar AND still need a generator to make that work.

Large high wattage items are best operated from a gen and low wattage items can work well with a modest solar/battery system..

smkettner wrote:

rtate wrote:
Ok. I give up. I will stick with my little Honda 2000.

Was it realistic to think 2000 watts can be replaced by 45 watts? 97% reduction in power.

Post more details of your camping style and we can set you up with something that will really work.

I assume with a single Honda 2000 you are just charging the battery and running the microwave or possible a hair dryer. It would be sad to run the Honda to charge a cell phone or watch a movie.

Even if sticking to the generator it might be a good time to review if your battery charging system is set up to do a proper fast charge to minimize run time.

If I cant run my air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer, and electric coffee pot with the Harbor Freight set up, then its not worth spending the $120.

2oldman wrote:
........ snip......
, and many also think solar is some kind of magic.

It is some kind of magic. Electricity from sunlight is about as amazing as it gets. No burning fuel, no horses or human energy needed to produce real useable power.

Dakota98 wrote:
I think the OP had the idea that the solar was going to reduce or eliminate the need for the Honda & that is why he made that statement.

x2

We get folks on here wanting to run their air con on batteries, and many also think solar is some kind of magic.

If the OP thought a 45 watt setup from any brand was going to take the place of a 2,000 watt generator, he was going to be very disappointed. I did not read it that way. I thought he wanted to get a taste of solar at a low price.