Need Opinion on Arc Systems SPG-3000

[ripvanhenry]

I have very little solar understanding, but would like to aquire a small generator that can power appliances like a fridge, microwave and a few lights and fans in the event of a grid failure.

I have been looking at the 1800 w "Endless Power Now" unit that comes with two 100 w panels and a battery pod for about $3200 delivered.



I'm also looking at the subject system that claims 3000w with6000 watts peak power. It comes with a 2 275 w panels and 110 amp hour deep cycle agm battery for about $3300 before delivery.

Both systems have 115 v ac and 12v dc and usb outlets.

The SPG-3000 seems like a more powerful system and a better deal, but I don't know the company.

Does anyone have an opinion on this system and the company?

Bill From Myrtle Beach

[SunEagle]

Hello and welcome to Solar Panel Talk

While I have no "hands on" experience with either of those systems I will try to explain what the bigger one can really provide.

It has a 110Ah battery (probably at 12volts). That battery has a maximum out put of ~ 1300 watt hours. Most batteries get the longest life by only discharging them 20% - 25% on a daily basis. So in reality that battery would get you about 265 to 330 watt hours a day. You could get more but that will start to shorten the battery life considerably.

So depending on your "loads" you might be able to run some low wattage lights and a small 12volt high efficient fan for a few hours but you can forget about powering a refrigerator or microwave.

Depending on where you live the 550 watts of panels can increase the usable daily "watt hours" but worst case is not to depend on the sun to run your loads but to use those panels to recharge the battery system.

If spending over $3000 to run those small loads is ok with you then have at it.

If it was my money I would get a really nice 2000 watt inverter style generator for about $1000 and be able to run a lot more loads for many hours a day.

[ripvanhenry]

Any Suggestions?

Thanks so much for your quick and complete response. That type of response is just what I wanted.

I certainly want the most for my money.

Could I trouble you to suggest a good 2000 w system for $1000?

Bill

[SunEagle]

Thanks so much for your quick and complete response. That type of response is just what I wanted.

I certainly want the most for my money.

Could I trouble you to suggest a good 2000 w system for $1000?

Bill

Take a look at either the Honda or Yamaha 2000 watt inverter style generators. While they cost more than other sets they are very "quiet" and more dependable.

As for finding a solar / battery system that meets your needs. Expect to spend a lot more money and get less then you hope for.

I have built two solar/battery systems similar to what that sight was listing for much less money. Although even my systems do not provide a lot of power.

The first will get me about 200 watt hours a day (65Ah battery & 80 watt panel) and cost me about $550. The second one gets me about 500 to 600 watt hours (200Ah battery system & 340 panel wattage) and cost me $2500 (although I could have built the second system for about $1500 with a better charge controller and FLA type batteries instead of AGM type).

Here are a few pictures of my systems.

[ripvanhenry]

Thanks Again

Thanks again for your advice and for the photos. That is very helpful.

I own a 5000 w gasoline poweredTroy Bilt generator that I bought several years ago. It works fine but in retrospect, I find it noisy and it depends on gasoline being available. I want to stay away from generators that use any kind of expendable fuel.

So I realize that I'll have to spend more money and I'll get less power from a solar generator, but I think thats the way to go.

My interest is in a generator that can provide power for small appliances, lights, radio, computer, short wave, etc. (Like you said, I'll forget about the fridge), but one that is quiet and one that uses renewable energy. Thats what makes me lean to a solar generator.

I'd consider building one myself, if I knew what I was doing. I'd have to build one from reliable plans, since I'm not sure how the numbers inter react. For example, I don't know how the panel watts relate to the unit watts. And does the kind of battery matter. Like I said, I'm very unknowledgeable.

I don't want to spend a bunch of money, but I'll spend $2,000 or $3,000 for a store bought system or for components, in rder to get a reliable workable unit.

[SunEagle]

Thanks again for your advice and for the photos. That is very helpful.

I own a 5000 w gasoline poweredTroy Bilt generator that I bought several years ago. It works fine but in retrospect, I find it noisy and it depends on gasoline being available. I want to stay away from generators that use any kind of expendable fuel.

So I realize that I'll have to spend more money and I'll get less power from a solar generator, but I think thats the way to go.

My interest is in a generator that can provide power for small appliances, lights, radio, computer, short wave, etc. (Like you said, I'll forget about the fridge), but one that is quiet and one that uses renewable energy. Thats what makes me lean to a solar generator.

I'd consider building one myself, if I knew what I was doing. I'd have to build one from reliable plans, since I'm not sure how the numbers inter react. For example, I don't know how the panel watts relate to the unit watts. And does the kind of battery matter. Like I said, I'm very unknowledgeable.

I don't want to spend a bunch of money, but I'll spend $2,000 or $3,000 for a store bought system or for components, in rder to get a reliable workable unit.

To get a better idea on how to size the battery system and solar pv array check out the Sticky post in the Off Grid section of this Forum

Maybe a place to start would be these two;

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?10450-Inverter-Size-vs-Battery-Size-Tutorial

[Paula from Florida]

ARC Systems SPG-3000

Hi - I also was interested in the ARC Systems SPG-3000 system. I have zero experience or knowledge in this area - but I do recognize the need to be prepared for the unexpected. I am looking for a solar system that could support up to 2000 watts for small electrics.
I need a system that is virtually plug and play - do you have any suggestions as it sounds like this ARC SPG-3000 doesn't deliver exactly as expected.
I was also considering this xantrex powerhub - what is your POV on this
Does anyone have a suggestion for another system? I would need to potentially to run for quite some time.

http://www.earthtechproducts.com/xantrex-powerhub-1800-with-2-panels.html

[SunEagle]

Hi - I also was interested in the ARC Systems SPG-3000 system. I have zero experience or knowledge in this area - but I do recognize the need to be prepared for the unexpected. I am looking for a solar system that could support up to 2000 watts for small electrics.
I need a system that is virtually plug and play - do you have any suggestions as it sounds like this ARC SPG-3000 doesn't deliver exactly as expected.
I was also considering this xantrex powerhub - what is your POV on this
Does anyone have a suggestion for another system? I would need to potentially to run for quite some time.


http://www.earthtechproducts.com/xan...-2-panels.html

IMO is that most (if not all) of those packaged systems have 3 basic flaws;

1. The amount of the claimed output of those systems, like that 1800watt, it just the rating of the inverter and would require you to totally discharge the battery.
2. They do not come with enough solar panel wattage to recharge the battery system in a single day.
3. The cost of the system is about 2 - 3 times the amount someone could spend building a better system with the proper hardware.