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Power Solutions

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Camping is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Australia. There are tons of camping spots, beaches, national parks, and off-grid camping sites all over the country for every outdoor junkie as well as camping stores to keep you well-equipped. You can plan your camping trips ahead of time and prepare all the camping gear you'll need. Speaking of camping gear, it's important to make sure that you don't just have them completed. Each item you have should be of quality to avoid inconveniences and trouble when you're out and about. Nobody wants to camp out without their personal essentials and basic camping gear-that's a surefire way of taking out the fun of the entire trip!

There is a growing demand for power solutions worldwide, particularly in Australia. Given the continuous rise of energy prices, inclement weather conditions, and Aussies' innate love of outdoor adventures, having a reliable power source is now considered a staple in everyday life. Whether you're out on a camping trip, dealing with a power outage caused by a storm, or want to save on electricity bills, knowing you can rely on your power source to run all your essentials makes all the difference.

There are different kinds of power solutions. For example, there are off-grid power solutions for those who want complete energy independence, dual battery systems for RV and 4WD adventurers, and power bundles for a set of all your required equipment.

Each power solution is geared towards specific applications, so knowing where and how to work with them is crucial. For starters, you need to know how much output you require to ensure you stay within power when needed. Your provider also matters, so see that you choose a reputable physical or online store backed with reliable reviews, reasonable warranty offers, and premium-quality products.

Speaking of providers, Outbax offers a range of power smart solutions. With top-quality equipment, thousands of stellar reviews across various online platforms, and affordable price tags, we're all about making quality power accessible to Aussies from all walks of life.

Off-grid Power Solutions

An off-grid system is one of the best power solutions for anyone who wants to escape the next energy price hike, eliminate monthly energy bills, or stay powered even in an outage.

This power system is a setup where a home or facility operates independently of the public utility power grid. It is self-sufficient and generates power through renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, or hydroelectric systems.

Let's talk about the most common off-grid power smart solutions: A solar power system with a battery for energy storage. Typically, this setup includes the following components:

Solar panels

The first step to solar power generation is generating energy through solar panels. All quality power smart solutions should have high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. Why monocrystalline? These have the best build and performance, ensuring you maximise the solar energy available.

Several factors must be considered when buying solar panels. First, measure your available space and determine your power requirements. This will give you a good idea of how many solar panels you need.

Solar panel placement is also essential—you want to ensure it's appropriately angled to get ample sunlight exposure during peak sun hours. For best results, it's recommended that you contact a professional for expert advice on solar panel shopping and installation.

Battery Storage

The great thing about having a battery storage system is that you're not 100% reliant on your solar panels alone. While solar panels are great, weather conditions can heavily influence their performance. For instance, your panels might not be able to generate enough power on a cloudy day due to a lack of sunlight exposure. In this case, having a fully charged battery will allow you to have still stored power you can use until the sun is out again.

Lithium batteries make the best energy storage systems, particularly LiFePO4 batteries. These are known for their superior overall quality and increased capacity, making them the perfect home or outdoor power pack. Equipped with a built-in battery management system (BMS), they also have extra protection against overcharging, over-discharging, overheating, and short circuits.

Inverter

Power solutions need an inverter for stable, usable energy. An inverter converts the DC (direct current) energy generated by the solar panels to AC (alternating current) energy, which is used in most household appliances.

When choosing a solar power inverter, using a model that produces a pure sine wave output is best. This ensures a more stable, safe output for powering sensitive devices like laptops and mobile phones.

Solar Charge Controller

A charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from the power generation source to the batteries, preventing overcharging and extending battery life. There are two types of solar charge controllers: the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) regulator.

MPPT charge controllers optimise the power output by continuously tracking the maximum power point of the solar panels, making them more efficient and expensive than PWM controllers. PWM charge controllers, on the other hand, are more straightforward and cheaper. They regulate battery voltage by directly connecting and disconnecting the panels, making them suitable for smaller systems with similar panel and battery voltages.

Backup power source

It's always good to have a backup power source within Power Solutions in case of any issues with your system. You are away from the grid, after all. You can either use a portable generator for this or a power station with enough capacity to run your most essential appliances.

How Many kWh Do I Need to Go Off-Grid?

An off-grid system is one of the country's most famous power power smart solutions but requires careful planning. If you're going to live remotely for the long term, you must consider several factors before choosing among the available options.

These include energy consumption, geographic location, solar panel efficiency, and more. Here's everything you need to take into account before going off the beaten path:

Determine your daily energy consumption

All power solutions require you to know your daily energy consumption. Check your electricity bills for your average daily kilowatt-hours (kWh) usage. Alternatively, sum all your appliances' power ratings (in watts) and multiply by the hours each is used daily. Knowing this will save you from power shortages, especially in emergencies like inclement weather when you can't afford to lose power.

Make allowances in case of efficiencies/losses

Be extra prepared and consider possible system inefficiencies, such as inverter and battery charging/discharging losses. To allow for any issues, choosing a system that provides a little output beyond your estimated daily consumption is always recommended.

Know your peak sun hours

All efficient power smart solutions consider peak sun hours. Peak sun hours are the number of hours per day when the sunlight is strong enough to produce the maximum power from solar panels, typically averaging 1,000 watts per square meter. This helps estimate how much energy your solar panels can generate each day.

Calculate your required solar capacity

Divide your daily energy consumption (adjusted for losses) by the average peak sun hours to find the necessary solar capacity in kW.

Sample Calculation:

Daily Energy Consumption: You use 30 kWh per day.

Adjusted for Efficiency: Adding 30% for inefficiencies (30 kWh + 30% = kWh).

Peak Sun Hours: If your location gets five peak sun hours per day.

Solar Capacity: 39 kWh / 5 hours = 7.8 kW.

Conclusion:

To go off-grid, you would need a solar system with a capacity of approximately 7.8 kW, considering your daily usage and local sun conditions. Additionally, you'll need an appropriate battery storage system to ensure power availability during non-sunny periods.

Outdoor Power Solutions: Dual Battery Systems

We're done with power smart solutions for the home, so let's move on to outdoor power solutions. Aussies are big on outdoor recreational activities. RVs and 4WDs are popular since many love the thrill of exploring campsites and off-grid locations.

Speaking of RVs, these vehicles also require power solutions, specifically a dual battery system.

A dual-battery system is an electrical setup often used in vehicles, including RVs, boats, and off-road vehicles, where two separate batteries are installed for different functions. Typically, one battery (the starter battery) starts the engine, while the other (the auxiliary or house battery) powers accessories and electronics like lights, refrigerators, and other devices.

Typically, this setup includes a battery isolator or a dual battery relay, which manages the charging and discharging process, ensuring that the batteries charge properly and are isolated when necessary.

The main advantages of a dual battery system include:

Prevention of Battery Drain

By isolating the starter battery from the auxiliary battery, you ensure that appliance use does not compromise essential functions like starting the engine. This is crucial when going off the beaten path, where access to a main power supply is not readily available.

Extended Power Supply

The auxiliary battery can run various devices for extended periods without draining the starter battery, perfect for long trips or camping. A dual battery system in your RV or boat ensures you can use every bit of power in your secondary battery to run your essentials without draining your engine's starter battery.

Charging Efficiency

A dual-battery system provides the most efficient power solution for the outdoors. The starter and auxiliary batteries can be charged simultaneously by the vehicle's alternator while driving or through solar panels or other charging sources when stationary.

For the best experience, we recommend mounting solar panels on your RV. This way, you have a renewable energy source that will stay supplied if you get enough sunlight. It's reliable and eco-friendly, so you can do your bit for the environment while having fun!

How Do Dual Battery Systems Work?

Let's simplify the workings of dual battery system power solutions. First, there are two batteries involved—the starting and auxiliary batteries.

The starter battery kickstarts your vehicle's engine. In contrast, the auxiliary or secondary power pack runs all appliances on board, such as lights, gadgets, and portable appliances. Using two separate batteries ensures none gets drained, allowing ample output to keep your ride and essentials running.

A battery isolator or voltage-sensitive is also in place to manage the charging of both batteries. The vehicle alternator charges both power packs while the engine is running. The isolator then ensures the starter battery is charged first, followed by the auxiliary battery. This prevents the auxiliary battery from draining the starting battery, ensuring the engine can always be started.

Here's a step-by-step process for an easier reference:

  1. Starting the Engine: The starting battery is used to start the engine.
  2. Charging Both Batteries: The alternator first charges the starting battery, and once it is fully charged, the isolator or VSR redirects the charging current to the auxiliary battery.
  3. Powering Devices: When the engine is off, the auxiliary battery supplies power to all connected devices, keeping the starting battery reserved for engine ignition.
  4. Protection: The isolator ensures that the auxiliary battery will not draw power from the starting battery if depleted.

Why Choose Outbax?

Are you looking for power smart solutions? Outbax is the online store for you. We offer a wide range of power solutions, from off-grid systems to power bundles.

All our power sets consist of only the best components. For example, we use premium LiFePO4 batteries made of grade-A prismatic cells for superior quality and performance. Our solar panels are also made of monocrystalline solar cells and boast an efficiency rate of up to 23.5%.

At Outbax, you can choose the inclusions for your power system. This allows for easy customisation of power solutions according to needs and budget range. In addition to power systems, we also offer power bundles for small-scale applications.

Whether you want a battery + solar panel, two batteries in one set, or a battery with a smart charger, we have you covered. Browse our bundle deals today and find the perfect pair for you!

In addition to its extensive selection of power solutions, Outbax offers a range of complementary products, such as battery boxes, inverters, and solar charge controllers, ensuring a complete power solution for your home or adventures.

Here at Outbax, you'll also experience a wide array of service benefits. For instance, we'll process your order promptly and dispatch it within twenty-four hours. Afterwards, you can expect your package to arrive within three to twelve working days.

Plus, you can have peace of mind knowing you'll get support whenever you have any burning questions about our lithium deep cycle batteries or other products.

Reach out to our knowledgeable team through the following channels:

Address: Level 27, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney 2000, Australia

Phone: 02 888 10 333 (Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm AEDT)  

Email: info@outbax.com.au  

Live Chat: Available on our website (Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm AEDT)  

WhatsApp: +02 888 10 333   

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