Solar Generator Comparisons – Page 3

When it comes to an efficient and environment-friendly backup power supply, solar generators are top-rated choices. Unlike gasoline generators, solar generators offer users a massive relief from environmental and noise pollution, constant need for refueling, high maintenance costs, and likely overload damage. Besides, solar-powered generators are built compactly lightweight; they are safe for indoor use and typically require no maintenance hassles. There are several superb solar generators on the market, but choosing one that serves your power needs requires a bit of research explicitly. In this review, a detailed comparison between Inergy Apex and EcoFlow Delta 1300 is provided. Both generators are built with features that represent some of the most recent advancements in solar technology. However, there are slight to significant variations between the two – which buyers may want to consider before purchasing. The Inergy apex vs EcoFlow Delta 1300 - Which is the superior solar generator? This is a matter of longevity versus usability. Both the Apex and Delta have their advantages in different areas. The Delta can recharge in under 2 hours, which is the best in its class. The Apex has 2,000 battery lifecycles, which is also among the best among all other solar generators. Inergy Apex – Overview The Inergy Apex solar power generator is a superbly built device that satisfies the market's requirement for a portable, renewable energy source. With its incomparable lightweight and advanced maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller system, it delivers a full battery strength that lasts up to 4 times longer than many comparable products on the market. It has a 1,500 watts pure sine wave inverter, a 1,100 Wh battery capacity, and produces almost no noise or carbon monoxide pollution. Apex has a surge capacity of 3000 watts and is capable of charging smartphones, tablets, laptops, 50” LED LCD TV, and even more power-demanding gadgets like refrigerator and chest freezer. The unit is manufactured by Inergy and comes with a couple of advanced modifications to the first Kodiak solar generator made by the same producer. Generally, Apex turns out to be Inergy's reply to customers' requests for something better than the Kodiak. The Apex pack has: An Inergy UnitStandard AC wall chargerEC8-MC4 adapter Ecoflow Delta 1300 – Overview EcoFlow is focused on creating industry-first, smart, and powerful energy storage products. And that is exactly what you'll find in the features of Delta 1300. The EcoFlow Delta boasts of: A rigid structural designA massive 1260 Wh battery capacityAn output of 1800WA solar charging MPPT that is compatible with any solar panelAnd a 3300W surge control mechanism. The unit also features varieties of outlets that meet the standard of any wall outlet anywhere in the world. Delta can be recharged from 0-80% within just an hour, making it 10 times faster than other power stations on the market. The fast charge is one of its unique features. In fact, the manufacturers bypassed the popular use of an AC power inverter for charging so that the battery can be recharged with a regular desktop PC cable. Amazing! Although it produces a little noise when charging or supplying power, it is by far a better alternative to gasoline generators. It can power both light and heavy devices around the house and office, including air conditioner and electric car! The EcoFlow Delta power station includes: EF Delta unitEF Delta bag1.5M AC cable (input)1.5M car charge cable (MCT to XT60 input) Specs Comparison - Inergy Apex and EcoFlow Delta 1300 Inergy ApexEcoFlow Delta 1300 Battery Capacity1,100Wh (90 amp hours, 12.6 volts)1295Wh (50.4V) AC Inverter1,500 watt pure sine wave, 3,000-watt starting surge1800 watts continuous output with 3300-watt surge protection Power Management SystemMPPT charge controllerMPPT charge controller Weight25 lbs30.9 lbs Dimensions14 x 7 x 8 in15.7 x 8.3 x 10.6 in OutletsSix 110/120v wall socket-styled outlets6 AC Outputs or 4 international AC 230V USB Ports2 USB-A, 2USB, and 2USB-C6 USB ports, including 2 USB-C ports Life Cycles2000 Life Cycles (80%)800 cycles at 60% capacity Charge Times6 hrs w/ quick charge; 10-11 hrs standard wall charger1.7 hrs from wall charger Cell ChemistryLi-ion NMCLi-ion NMC Similar: Your Next Solar Generator – The Complete Guide Key Features This review compares the solar generators with regards to the criteria below: Battery capacityInverterWeight and portabilityExpandabilityCharging speedLife span/life cycleOutletsCustomer Support and WarrantyCost Battery Capacity The Inergy Apex is fitted with a lithium NMC (lithium-ion) battery. The battery inside the Apex is a 12.6 volt, 90 Ah battery. It has a Capacity of 1,100Wh. The Apex battery can deliver up to 550 watts of power continuously. Lithium-ion batteries are usually heavy and contribute immensely to the weight of every solar unit. However, they are much lighter than lead-acid batteries, which were the solar generator standard before lithium-ion batteries were commonly used. Perhaps this is why Inergy resolved to just 1,100 Wh capacity for the Apex as more battery would mean more weight. A noticeable area of improvement from the Kodiak is the presence of an MPPT charge controller. The Kodiak was built with a PWM charge controller. Solar generators with MPPT charge controllers are preferable today. This change, therefore, reflects in the weight of the Apex (an additional five pounds). However, this allows the Apex to put in up to 500 watts of solar panels connected in parallel. The MPPT Charge Controller also allows for faster and more efficient charging, which is an outstanding improvement from the Kodiak. The Kodiak was a very successful and top-of-the-line solar generator (and still is today), so the Apex is a step above this. With this advancement, the Inergy Apex can power dozens of devices and appliances either at home, work, or at camp. Under normal conditions, the Apex is nearly silent and is 100% odor and fume free. It can power the following devices (to name a few): Cellphones (5-7 watts): 100+ hoursTablets (25-40 watts): 40+ hoursRefrigerator: 24 hoursLaptops (50 watts): 20+ hoursElectric Blanket (75 watts): 14 hours50" LED LCD TV (65 watts) : 16 hoursChest Freezer: 50 hoursBasecamp LED Light (6 watts): 183 hours The Ecoflow Delta, on the other hand, has 1295Wh (50.4V) of energy storage capacity installed in it. Inside the Delta, there are 140 lithium-ion battery cells. It also has an MPPT charge controller for maximum charge efficiency. The battery is designed for an output of 1800W and can power anything from lamps to large equipment in the home. It, however, doesn’t offer a dramatic increase in electrical output over others, so the battery may not power some larger devices. Also, the Delta unit itself produces some noise. This massive battery mostly will make noise when recharging and using a lot of power at once. However, this is usually standard when using a lot of energy from the battery at once, as the generator needs to cool down with the fans inside it. To put it in perspective, it's noise is still significantly lower than any gas generator around. For users who don't mind the little notice, the Delta makes for a great choice. One full battery charge of the Delta 1300 has the ability to power: Light (10 W): 36+ HoursSmartphone (6 W): 188+ Full ChargesRefrigerator (150 W): 10+ HoursLaptop (49 Wh): 23+ Full ChargesElectric Grill (1650 W): Up to 1.2 HoursCoffee Maker (600 W): 50-60 CupsElectric Vehicle (1800 W): 3-5 Miles (5-8 Km)Air Conditioning 0.8+ hoursAnd other utility devices in the home. *It's important to note that Ecoflow advises that the battery be fully charged first before you start using it. EcoFlow Delta 1300 Verdict: The Apex has very reliable energy storage, and so long as the plugged-in devices are not drawing more than 550 watts continuously, the battery is very likely to reach it’s 2,000 rated life cycles. Still, by sticking to lower rates regularly, you can maximize battery capacity for a longer lifespan. The Delta is also powerful, though lesser with life cycles (800 @ 60%), which is perhaps compensated for its fast charging feature. This means that after the initial 800 charges, the battery will only continue to run at 60% capacity - which will cause quicker degradation and recharging cycle. Similar: What Can a Solar Generator Power? (Charging, Capacity, and More) Inverter The Inergy Apex delivers a massive punch to competitors with a 1,500-watt pure sine wave inverter. The company claims it has a 1500-watt continuous output with a 3000-watt surge protector. According to Inergy, the Apex battery is rated to a 550-watt constant draw for two hours, which means that the inverter is unable to sustain continuous power draw beyond 550 watts. Although some user reviews suggest that the maximum continuous output is around 800 watts, there's still no point in having a 1,500-watt inverter for a 1,100-watt battery. So, if a device drawing up to 800 watts is connected to the unit, the battery may continue to run until it hits zero. But this is unlikely, as multiple users have only been able to run up to 550 watts continuously with this generator. To play it safe, if anything more than 550 watts is connected to the Apex, it will (in most cases) shut down immediately due to the power draw being too high. Basically any piece(s) of equipment using more than 550 watts at any given time will be pressed for the amount of time it takes for the generator to shut off. This does not destroy the battery, however, it is not healthy to test the maximum output of any battery many times over. When the inverter turns off, DC power may still be available, but more battery capacity is needed to power the inverter (AC outlets). Often the last 10 - 20% of the battery is only available via DC. The Delta delivers an impressively high output of 1800 watts (and 3300W for surge protection), thereby effectively creating a fully capable power system. This is why Delta is capable of powering anything that can be plugged into a traditional AC outlet (rated at 110V). Examples include laptops, TVs, lights, etc. Furthermore, the Delta can easily do this for a long period of time for even powerful devices requiring a significant amount of power. Its 13.6V DC output also provides sufficient power to continuously run a DC-powered fridge in a van or an RV for up to 10 hours. Similar: Can a Solar Generator Power a Mini-Fridge? Ecoflow made it a bit hard for other solar generators to compete with the Delta 1300 inverter's capacity. Besides extending the power surge to 3300W, the power management system converts DC to AC, and AC to DC, allowing users to charge from 0-80% in just 2 hours. Verdict: Both Inverters are superb, at least for their energy storage. The Inergy Apex inverter rates higher than the battery included. It will serve folks who have a continuous power need of fewer than 1000 watts. But the Delta has an overall higher inverter rating and consists of a more reliable power management system. Weight and Portability Although the Apex is an improvement from the Kodiak, it does come with a little extra weight. It keeps the same dimension of 14"W x 7"H x 8" D but weighs 25lbs compared to 20lbs from the Kodiak. Even at that, it still passes for an extremely lightweight solar generator. Many competitors of similar or less capacity on the market weigh much higher than this. Portability is, therefore, not an issue with the Inergy Apex. Whether you're going camping or using the Apex in a van, it is compact and easy to move around. This power station is built with less weight in mind, which is probably one major reason the manufacturer left the battery at 1,100 watts capacity. Similar: Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station – Review and Analysis With a dimension of 15.7 x 8.3 x 10.6 inches, the Delta weighs 30.9lbs, a weight which, when compared to the Apex, is considered heavy. However, this weight is still a lot less than those of most large solar generators on the market. Compared to the River 370 solar generator, a sister product from Ecoflow, the Delta is five times more powerful, yet is less than three times as heavy. This shows significant power-to-weight improvements from EcoFlow. The Delta is the result of customers' feedback on the River, just as the Apex represents an improvement over the Kodiak from Inergy. A similar solar generator to the Delta is the Yeti 1400 Lithium. It weighs 43.7lbs, showing that the Delta is still ultra-lightweight for its size. In all cases, the EcoFlow Delta 1300 is light enough to carry to wherever the power is needed. Because it operates with no harmful emissions, it can be powered indoors, outdoors, inside a tent, RV, or a van. The high quality, hard nylon shell also keeps the system free from damage when moved from place to place. Verdict: Both generators are attractive choices. However, because of its lower weight, the Apex happens to be a better choice when the desire is simply portability. In fact, it is at least 35% lighter than the majority of its competitors' products. Generally, both generators efficiently represent contemporary desires for lightweight battery generators. LCD Screen EcoFlow Delta LCD screen The Inergy Apex features a user-friendly LCD screen, which is another impressive improvement from the Kodiak. Users are now able to read the input wattage and output wattage. You can also see the percentage left in the battery as well as the voltage and amperage. This provides an accurate idea of what's happening in your Apex. The following features are seen on display: Battery levelInput voltageOutput voltageBattery level/charging indicatorCurrent indicator The Delta also comes with a bold LCD screen that provides at a glance, concise information on all that you need to know when using your generator: Level Indicator ‒ shows the remaining battery percentage. If your battery level drops to a low percentage, the battery segment on display begins to blink, indicating that the unit should be recharged. Remaining Charge Time ‒ a minute-level accuracy of the amount of charge time left in the Delta based on the current output level. Low-temperature indicator ‒ indicates that the battery temperature of the generator is too low. High-Temperature Indicator ‒ indicates that the battery temperature is too high. A built-in fan kicks in at this point until the battery cools. Fan indicator ‒ the fan speed of the Delta directly correlates to the load and ambient temperature. The higher the load or ambient temperature, the higher the fan speed. Port Usage Indicators ‒ Indicates when each port is in use. Current Output ‒ shows the Delta's current power output level (in watts). Current Input ‒ shows the Delta's current power input level in watts. Overload Warning ‒ overload indicator that shows when there's an overload in the system. Verdict: Unlike the Delta, the Apex has a pretty basic array of indicators on the screen. This is, however, a significant improvement when compared to the Kodiak. The Delta definitely takes the lead by far with its display screen. Expandability External batteries may be added to the Apex. However, for best results, no more than 3,000 watt-hours (238 Ah, 12.6V) of external batteries can be connected. Also, the more batteries that are connected, the longer they all take to charge. Any 12 Volt Deep Cycle Lead-Acid, AGM, Gel Cell, or Lithium-ion battery can be connected to the Apex. Inergy recommends that these batteries should match the original batteries in voltage before the connection is made. Therefore, by chaining enough cells to the system, you could easily rack up a more extensive power bank. Aside from the battery chaining feature of the Apex, it allows the input of up to 500 watts of solar panels connected in parallel - a feature that makes the Apex stand out. One Inergy Apex can take up to five 100W solar panels. The same applies to the Delta. By merely linking up to another Delta, users can obtain twice the running times. It also allows for chaining with 12-volt lead-acid batteries, as well as lithium batteries. You scale up the amount of power the generator delivers. Most solar generators come with this feature. However, to prevent damage to the generator, the chaining capacity is limited. It's important to note that as the number of batteries being added increases, so does the weight of the entire setup. In essence, because of the weight of batteries, portability may be affected. Verdict: Either generator makes for a great choice when considering expandability and flexibility. While the Apex allows a solar input of up to 500 watts, the Delta enables a maximum of 400 watts. It is also advisable to seek a user guide before connecting extra batteries. Life Span/Life Cycle The Apex is built with one of the longest-lasting lithium systems in the world. The internal lithium battery is rated for up to 2,000 charge cycles or a life span of up to 10 years, with 80% total capacity remaining. This seriously outmatches other comparable systems that are rated for only 500-800 cycles. The Apex will serve you optimally for up to 2,000 cycles. That's a lot! It offers excellent value for the money. Once the 2,000 cycles are exhausted, you get to enjoy only about 80% of the battery's capacity - which is still not bad - after using it for about 10 years. A constant power outage cannot even be a problem, so long as the Apex is sufficiently charged every day. The Delta, on the other hand, had a somewhat disappointing offering considering its battery capacity and fast charging advantage. With a battery life cycle of just 800 cycles, you get to continue using the generator at 60% capacity. To put this into perspective, a high-quality solar generator (the Yeti 1400 Lithium) only has 500 lifecycles before reaching about 80% efficiency. If the inverter is fully drained and recharged every other day, the Delta gets to last for four years and a few months, however, completely draining the battery is not recommended. In addition, the Delta has a full charge shelf life of 12 months. This is about 2x better than any other solar generator on the market today. The drop in battery life expectancy (compared to the Apex) is the most significant flaw in this product's design. A slower charging battery with a longer life span would be preferable to a fast-charging battery with a shorter life span. However, there are probably many people out there who appreciate a massively-faster recharge time compared to other solar generators on the market. This makes the Delta unique in this respect. Verdict: The Inergy Apex far outmatches the Delta 1300 on this score. In the long run, durability is a major factor for satisfaction. Similar: Bluetti EB150 vs EcoFlow Delta 1300 - Which Solar Generator is Best? Charge Speed/Options Without having to spend several hundred dollars on accessories to achieve fast charge, the Apex is built with one of the fastest-charging systems available. It also comes out of the box with an advanced MPPT charge controller. The system can be recharged by: Solar energyYour automobile*AC grid power *Using a vehicle’s 12V DC socket will charge the Apex up to 113 watts, and takes approximately 10-11 hours to recharge fully. The provided Standard Wall Charger is a 100-watt charge source, which takes approximately 11 hours to recharge the wholly-discharged battery fully. The fastest way to charge the Apex is to use solar panels. With the installed MPPT charge controller, it can be coupled to a good set of solar panels to optimize the fast charge. The Apex will typically allow up to 500 watts of solar panels to be connected, provided it's within the 12 volts range and not higher than 30 amps. This is best achieved by using five 100 watt solar panels that are connected in parallel. In as little as three hours, the battery will be charged. Since there are about 8-10 hours of light per day depending on where you live, it can even be used and charged twice in a day. Users can choose between the lightweight 100-watt Linx panels and the rigid 100-watt Solar Storm panels for improved fast-charging: Gold Apex Linx - five Linx 100-watt panels (3hrs)Silver Apex Linx - three Linx 100-watt panels (5-6hrs)Bronze Apex Linx - one Linx 100-watt panels (15-17hrs)Gold Apex Solar Storm - five Solar Storm 100-watt panels (3hrs)Silver Apex Solar Storm - three Solar Storm 100-watt panels (5-6hrs)Bronze Apex Solar Storm - one Solar Storm 100-watt panel (15-17hrs) It's important to note that the Apex will only allow a maximum power input of 500 watts. Any higher than this, then you risk burning out your solar generator. This happened a lot with owners of the Inergy Kodiak. The Ecoflow Delta 1300 also allows charging via three means: Solar panels (up to 400W) - Depending on conditions, they will fully charge in about 4 hours.AC Outlet - will fully charge in about 2 hours.With a vehicle’s carport - it will fully charge in about 18 hours. And then there's the "X-Stream Technology" that enables ultra-fast charging (from 0-80% in an hour), making the Delta charge 10 times faster than most battery-powered generators in the market. With the presence of a powerful solar charging MPPT, the Delta is compatible with several styles of solar setups. With a maximum input of 400 watts, it can charge within 4 hours. Verdict: The Kodiak has a maximum solar power input of 600 watts, but the Apex features 500 watts instead. Although it was expected that the Apex would feature a higher input wattage, it does come with an MPPT solar charge controller, which is better than the PWM charge controller in the Kodiak. The Delta, however, supersedes the Apex in charge time, even when connected to an AC wall outlet. Its X-Stream fast-charging technology gives it a significant edge over any other solar generator. Outlets The Inergy Apex is empowered with the following features for connectivity: 3 position power switch - this allows users to charge devices via the USB, USB-C, and 12V output ports without having to turn on the inverter. So no need to waste power for small energy needs like phone charging. This makes the generator more dynamic inefficiency.6 110/120v wall socket styled outlets - with a 15 amp limit on each outlet.RV Plug: Outlet for connecting to the RV shore power cord. This provides a great way to connect to a travel trailer, RV, or van to provide power. It can pull a max of 12.5 amps or 1,500 watts continuously.2 12V cigarette lighter DC Sockets (180 watts, 15 amps)6 USB Ports (5 volts, 3 amps): 2 USB-C, 2 USB A, 2 traditional USB ports.2 Basecamp LED Light Ports (180 watts, 15 amps): This is a 12V DC output. You can connect up to 10 Base camp LED Lights chained together. The Delta, on the other hand, also features a great number of options for easy connectivity: 6 AC Outputs: Full Sine Wave, 1800W(Surge 3300W, 120V 60Hz)4 AC 230 V outputs (universal sockets)2 USB-A Outputs: 12W (5V 2.4A)2 USB-A Fast Charge: 28W (12V 2.4A)2 USB-C Outputs: 60W (20V 3A)One Car Power Output Verdict: Both products are sufficiently empowered for multiple device use at any given time. The Delta, however, does not have an RV plug, making it less useful for RV enthusiasts. Customer Support and Warranty Inergy solely provides presale and after-sale services to customers without the engagement of intermediaries. All Inergy products sold on Amazon, including the Apex, are listed by Inergy. The company is a US-based firm. They provide a one-year warranty on the Apex. But you can also get a 2-year extension on your warranty. This costs $250. The Delta is produced and managed by Ecoflow, a US-China headquartered company. Users can enjoy a two-year warranty and count on a friendly customer support service from the company. Verdict: You can't go wrong with either product on this score. Cost The Inergy Apex is sold at approximately $1,250.Ecoflow Delta 1300 is sold at $1399 on shopsolarkits.com Verdict: Depending on the uniqueness of the power solution to your desire, both sole generators offer great value for the money. Unique Features Inergy Apex: A unique feature of the Apex is the EC8 Input Plug. A direct EC8 to MC4 adapter gives customers a super simple and straightforward plug and play interface. Whether you are new or not, accessing solar power is easier. It's important to note that the Apex does not have the MC4-Neutrik adapter anymore, unlike the Kodiak. Instead, it features An EC8-MC4 plug. Many users have complained about the EC8 cable because it is harder to find solar panels other than the ones provided by Inergy with the same connections. Just something to keep in mind when considering this generator. Ecoflow Delta 1300: The Delta is known for its uninterrupted power supply (UPS) mechanism. As soon as it detects a power outage, it quickly kicks into action in <50ms, thereby providing a stress-free switch to the efficient backup power supply. Overall, these two solar generators are unique in several different categories. They both boast best-in-class features, and, depending on your personal preference, these features can give you the best experience possible with your new generator. Continue Reading: Your Next Solar Generator – The Complete Guide Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station – Review and Analysis