I'm in the process of building a part-time, fully off-grid cabin that has some specific power needs. Luckily, the site gets plenty of sunlight for most of the year, so I plan to primarily rely on solar energy. However, winter can be brutal, dropping down to -40°F with very little sunlight. During those times, I'll need to use a generator for most of my power needs.
My concern is about leaving batteries on the property during such cold temperatures since I've heard LFP batteries can get damaged in extreme cold. Plus, it'll take my wood stove a while to warm them up when I arrive. Ideally, I'd love to be able to take the batteries with me, charge them up while they're warm, and then bring them back with a few kWh ready to go.
I was considering portable batteries from brands like EcoFlow or Bluetti, but I can't figure out a good way to integrate them into a solar system. EcoFlow's Power Kit would be perfect if it could work with their portable batteries, but it seems limited. Their Smart Home Panel also seems to need solar input only from specific panels, which isn't ideal either.
Is there a flexible solution out there that allows me to link a portable battery, generator, and solar panels without being locked into a specific battery brand's ecosystem? I can't be the only one facing this issue!
3 Answers
What does your current setup look like? I’m in a similar boat with limited use off-grid. I don't mind leaving the solar panels out, but I prefer not to leave other gear at the site. I got myself an Anker Solix F3000, which I can easily take with me. It connects to the solar panels and load center in literally seconds to get power running and I can also use it at home for emergency backup.
You might want to consider putting 48-volt LFP batteries inside an insulated box with heating pads. This setup keeps the batteries from freezing and can actually give you a higher capacity for a lower cost compared to portable power stations. Just remember that the biggest challenge with super low temperatures is charging the batteries, but storing them in the cold is generally fine. Have you heard about the EG4 system? It’s a hybrid inverter that can connect to the generator and automatically start it when your battery gets low.
Do you need any power at the cabin when the battery is not there?
No, not at all.