Hey everyone! I have a Promaster van that's been converted into a food truck, and all my kitchen gear runs on a generator. I've noticed that the generator struggles a bit when I try to run everything simultaneously. I'm looking for a way to offset some of this power usage with a solar panel system. Is it feasible?
Currently, my generator powers an electrical panel and has a shore power line. Could I use something like the EcoFlow smart panel along with an EcoFlow Delta plus a solar panel setup to help reduce the load? I appreciate any insights!
5 Answers
Using a Victron system could be an excellent way to optimize your generator’s performance. It allows the generator to charge your batteries when not in use, thus maximizing efficiency. With solar panels, you could significantly reduce your generator usage. Depending on how you use the generator, it might even pay for itself within a year!
Combining bulk batteries with an inverter works wonders with a generator. They can help stabilize the load on your generator by utilizing excess energy, which ultimately means less generator run time. You can certainly add solar into the mix, but be prepared for needing a good bit of panel space to make a real difference, especially across the day. You'll also still need batteries to store that solar energy.
You can definitely generate some power with solar panels, but keep in mind they won't provide a huge amount all the time. You might also want to consider investing in batteries, even though they can be heavy and expensive. If you're really in a pinch, a second generator could be a good backup option!
Exactly! An inverter with batteries could also work well. It would charge the batteries when there's power available and then discharge them when the generator can't keep up.
Honestly, you might be better off with a bigger generator altogether! It could be a much more straightforward solution for your needs.
Before making decisions, how much power does your equipment actually use? Also, how much space do you have for solar panels? For a food truck, sometimes just getting a larger generator is a simpler and more effective choice. Solar could help, but it really depends on the sun availability. You could also add batteries and inverters for peak loads, but that still leaves you vulnerable during cloudy days. Do you have the specifics on your gear's power requirements?
Yeah, the solar panels might only give you a couple of hundred watts at best. But those EcoFlow batteries can help manage your power load more effectively. You could charge the batteries with the generator and use that stored power for those peak moments when your equipment demands more energy.