Safe-Home.com

Question about operating a TV from a portable power pack.

Q: "We want to buy a portable power supply to use when we tail-gate at football games. We like to watch other football games while partying and waiting to enter the stadium. Which unit or units do you recommend? Thanks." Pete

Answer: First, learn the watts you'll need both to turn on your portable TV set and to keep it powered until the game. Next, how many hours do you plan to operate the TV? Do you plan to operate other AC appliances as well? For example, a 400 watt power pack typically is advertised to operate a 5" Color TV (20 Watts) for about 8 Hours.Or is this a 12V TV?

Most customers are purchasing the 600 watt power packs such as the Duracell or the Duracell XPower Powerpack 1500 Watt Inverter. If you camp a lot or lose power often and have lots of sunshine, add the Go-Power 80 Watt Solar Kit with Digital Regulator to keep the unit charged. A digital regulator is necessary or you may overcharge the unit and ruin the battery.

Thank you for your question. Feel free to contact us once you know the wattage requirements of your TV set.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about using a solar panel to recharge a Xantrex XPower Powerpack 802-1500.

Q: "I would like to purchase a Xantrex 802-1500, but can I charge it with a solar panel and would a 40 watt panel do the trick? Do you sell solar panels or would you know which one I would need. Thank you, John D."

Answer: A solar panel can be used to recharge this large capacity, cart mounting 1500 watt power inverter with built-in battery pack. According to the product manual, a 12-volt solar panel rated to produce a maximum of 12 amps can be used to charge XPower 1500 via the DC Power Socket. Once the solar panel’s DC plug is inserted into the DC Power Socket and the solar panel is placed in the sun, XPower 1500 will charge automatically just as with the AC Charger. With direct sunlight, a typical 3 Amp solar panel will charge XPower 1500 in about 24 hours. If the solar panel does not have a regulated output, disconnect it immediately after XPower 1500 is charged.

Remember that a solar panel large enough and with enough power to recharge the unit is quite expensive. For example, we sell the Go Power 110 Watt Solar Kit with Digital Regulator . This would take about 72 hours of direct sunlight to fully recharge the unit AFTER the initial charge. The specs are :Output Power: 110 W. Rated Current: 6.7 A. Rated Voltage 16.5 V. GPR-25 digital regulator Dimensions of panel 62.4 x 26 x 1.5.

There is risk of battery pack damage if you use a solar panel: 1. with an unregulated output 2. with one that exceeds 15 volts DC. 3. with a generator output not intended for battery charging. 4. if you leave a solar panel with an unregulated output connected after charging is complete.

Initial charge is about 36 hours. The 120VAC option is more certain if you don't have lots of sun. Using a 12V DC outlet takes 24 hours to recharge. Using 120VAC takes 6 to 8 hours' time to recharge a 100% discharged battery. Recharging time is based on using the supplied 5 amp charger, or charging from a vehicle lighter socket.

I recommend that you stay in an RV park periodically where you can recharge using AC unless you opt for a very expensive solar panel module. Thanks for your very interesting question. Sincerely, Barbara