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EcoFlow’s $200 PowerStream is so clever, you might buy a $4,000 solar generator (www.theverge.com)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Title reads like at ad, but this is a new way to reach energy independence. I actually have a small EcoFlow device and it’s pretty good for the price.

I hope this tech can be made available in the US soon.

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[–] 8 points 2 years ago (2 children)

That happens quite a bit in a lot of areas. It sounds stupid but your toaster does not care where the electricity it is using comes from.

As long as the sine waves are in sync with each other then you have nothing to worry about.

It's probably not standard in America because the technology is newer and the regulations haven't caught up.

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  • [–] 27 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    2 problems….

    1. If you forget to turn off the mains, it could really make a lineman unhappy.

    2. Most of these setups require a reprimand dangerous “ suicide cord”

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I know enphase micro inverters have "anti-islamding" tech that disables output when they lose grid connection. I would expect any reputable manufacturer to also have the same tech.

    I don't expect that for backup generators, but the proper way for them is via a transfer switch. You can wire in a properly made cable instead of a suicide cable. The transfer switch would prevent the inlet connector to the house from ever being live. (And since it is a proper cord from the generator, there would be no exposed ends coming from it.)

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    I agree on all points, but honestly I’d be pretty upset if I got a solar setup that didn’t work when the power was out haha

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    There is still a solution for that, solar + battery. I would love to have one myself, but solar alone can be a bit expensive on its own.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    A battery is ~$8300 - 10k. It's amazing how many places will try to charge $16k.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    48v 100ah battery with Bluetooth BMS built in is around 700$ on ali express... Slightly more direct from Amazon in the USA if you want it fast. Will store close to 5kwh which I guarantee you beats out this solution. Of course you'd still need to buy the grid sync inverter (available in many places) as well as a solar mppt charger and solar cells. Still will come below this cost - or you'll simply blow by the capacity of what you would have paid for this solution. But gotta have the old noggin on straight to do it yourself.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago

    Yeah this is not an emergency backup at all. It’s an attempt to add some local storage to the grid and lower your bill. Everything about it is wrong for a power outage. I’m SURE they make this clear on the box!! ;D

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    The first problem is solved by line sensing technology. If there is not power coming in and off of the switch then the inverter will not pump energy back into the system, at least on the ones that are not $12 cheap Chinese junk off of taobao.

    And rather than suicide cords they generally have an IEC connector (standard rhombusy shaped computer power connector) on one end and a normal prong on the other.

    But you are right that it is dangerous and not recommended to anyone, especially the people that are not smart enough to take the appropriate concerns and considerations into mind before using it.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I’d be super disappointed by owning a solar cell and not being able to use it during a power outage.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    That's a pretty standard issue with grid tied solar systems. You save a lot of money by not having batteries, but when the neighborhood goes down you go down with it.

    Plus you don't want to be pumping electricity into a downed power system, you could actually end up hurting a line man who is working on the system.

    However, and both of these issues can be resolved by adding in a generator and a whole house cut off system.

    In a power outage scenario, all you would have to do is throw the crossover switch and crank the generator. The generator would produce enough energy to reactivate the solar system.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    You're also likely to repeatedly trip whatever breaker that outlet is connected to unless it's a big one like you'd have for a central AC unit, but then you'd likely also know enough to have a proper transfer switch.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    Whole house generators have been around for a long time and they are usually wired, at the junction, into a few specific lines to essential appliances like refrigerators because it’s hard to produce as much current as the grid on your own, and you want to spend what you can generate on site wisely. Trying to power your whole house through some bedroom outlet is not going to work well. Your TV will sit there sucking some of that power listening for your remote to turn it on while your lights will flicker and your fridge will chug chug chug and not stay cold.

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