Portable Power Stations & Solar Generators

[British Red]

After starting our series on simple solar power, we have been asked a lot of questions about portable power stations & solar generators. They certainly do represent a simple way to capture, store, transport & utilise power, but there is a bewildering array of units out there - all a little different.

Our latest video in our "Simple Solar Power" series looks what they can be used for, how to spot a good one, what all the ports are for and how to pick the right unit for you.

 

[GreyCat]

That's a useful review.

The place we're renovating, we uncovered the old septic tank last week. It's definitely pre-2010, in fact I think it's 1960's (or earlier) vintage, albeit it was properly registered by the previous owner of the property .

The place has been unoccupied for at least 2 years and we've demolished the old extension with the 1960's vibe bathroom/kitchen in (the original old stone property had neither) so no idea how efficient it was (or even whether anything other than the toilet ever went into it, arrangements were different in the past), so we'll be replacing it with a packet sewage plant (PSP). Which means we need reliable electrical power. The better PSPs are more energy efficient and so a portable power station will be ideal as backup during a power cut (and much less noise than a gennie).

It's been something of a wild voyage of discovery so far this renovation has, but we're just speccing the electrics so we can include a change-over switch and external gennie/power station connections from the word go.

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[TeeDee]

That's a useful review.

The place we're renovating, we uncovered the old septic tank last week. It's definitely pre-2010, in fact I think it's 1960's (or earlier) vintage, albeit it was properly registered by the previous owner of the property .

The place has been unoccupied for at least 2 years and we've demolished the old extension with the 1960's vibe bathroom/kitchen in (the original old stone property had neither) so no idea how efficient it was (or even whether anything other than the toilet ever went into it, arrangements were different in the past), so we'll be replacing it with a packet sewage plant (PSP). Which means we need reliable electrical power. The better PSPs are more energy efficient and so a portable power station will be ideal as backup during a power cut (and much less noise than a gennie).

It's been something of a wild voyage of discovery so far this renovation has, but we're just speccing the electrics so we can include a change-over switch and external gennie/power station connections from the word go.

GC

"It's been something of a wild voyage of discovery so far this renovation has, but we're just speccing the electrics so we can include a change-over switch and external gennie/power station connections from the word go."

I'd be interested in hearing more about this - I'm in a similar position to yourself and would like the functional redundancy to have some backup options available.

 

[GreyCat]

"It's been something of a wild voyage of discovery so far this renovation has, but we're just speccing the electrics so we can include a change-over switch and external gennie/power station connections from the word go."

I'd be interested in hearing more about this - I'm in a similar position to yourself and would like the functional redundancy to have some backup options available.

It wasn't too difficult. EVERYTHING in the property needs replacing- every electrical component from the mains incoming (including the consumer unit) onwards. It's a full rewire. So having worked through what we want and where, we then walked around with the electrician and discussed with him what we wanted. That includes external sockets, supply to workshop, changeover switch etc etc etc.

One of the advantages of having such a major renovation is not worrying about what is existing. Took the place back to a bare shell (and I mean a bare shell- first floor and all internal walls out so the first floor joists could be replaced).

We explained to the electrician that in event of a power cut, we want to be able to plug in a gennie or power station to keep essentials like a fridge/freezer going, obviously "essentials" will now include a PSP. So a change-over switch- a manual one is fine- is needed.

This property is the gift that keeps giving. So far, in addition to the extensions, the work includes rebuilding and lining the chimneys, removal of all old render, replacement of rotting window lintels, new eternal windows/doors to match those in the extension, all plaster off inside, new lime-based render on outside, insulated boarding on inside, full replacement of first floor including joists, removal of old first floor ceiling, reinforce roof trusses and replace ceiling, re-insulate, dig up ground floor and put in new floor with insulation and level it, obviously full re-wire and replacement of all plumbing and new internal walls, replacement of old steep narrow staircase with modern 2-leg version. Most of it we anticipated, but the new upstairs joists and re-doing the outside render on the old part has been extra. Ditto the old septic tank replacement.

There's a reason that many of these old farmhouses are virtually un-sellable to a private buyer unless you find a cash buyer. Just cannot get mortgages on them, and they need a lot of work. But- if you get a decent location it's very worthwhile. It's not a cheap option, you will end up paying the same as for a habitable equivalent, but at least you know exactly what went into it and what state of repair it's in.

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[British Red]

This week, probably as a result of the positive review of the Aferiy unit, we were sent an Allpowers S2000 Pro unit to review along with a 400W panel.

How can I put this whilst adhering to "Thumpers Rule"?

We liked the panel....