Van life is quickly becoming one of the most popular lifestyles in America. People are trading their house and car for a conversion van they can take with them wherever they want to explore.
One problem that arises from this lifestyle is finding a way to charge electronics while on the road.
This blog post will go over some of the best solar generator for van life so you can have power anywhere. Highlighted below are the recommended products on Amazon.
Best Solar Generator for Van Life
1. EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA
This generator is an excellent option for van life because it has multiple charging outlets.
EcoFlow’s power station features six AC outlets (100V-120V 1800W 3300W Peak) and, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports that allow you to charge all your devices at once.
Best features include:
- Triple rechargeable modes: This generator is also very efficient because it has three recharging options. You can use solar panels, an AC wall adapter, or charge it in your car.
- Recharge from 0% to 80% within an hour: EF DELTA also can recharge your devices efficiently and quickly. The lithium battery pack can charge up to 100 percent (from 0-80%) within two hours and then give you a full charge.
- High performance and handy power source: This generator also has a considerable capacity of 1260Wh, which means you can use it to run larger appliances such as your refrigerator or LED lights for more extended periods.
2. MAXOAK Portable Power Station EB150 1500Wh AC110V/1000W
This generator can run larger appliances for longer periods and keep them running all night long if needed.
Best Features Include:
- 1500Wh Huge Capacity Power Station: It is equipped with 1500Wh lithium power storage and a large AC inverter 1000W.
- High Solar Generator Efficient: This generator is also very efficient because it has three recharging options. You can use solar panels, an AC wall adapter, or charge it in your car. This makes this one of the best solar generators for van life.
- Recharge from 0% to 80% within an hour: MAXOAK Portable can be fully charged in one hour. The lithium battery pack can charge up to 100 percent (from 0-80%) within two hours and then give you a full charge.
3. Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station, 400Wh Battery Powered Generator
The Goal Zero Yeti 400 is a versatile power station that can be recharged in two ways.
You can use the included AC inverter and charge it from an outlet or buy additional solar panels to recharge via sunlight.
Best Features Include:
- Heavy-Duty 3000W Portable Generator: This generator has a heavy-duty battery that can produce up to 3000 watts of power, so you know this will be able to run your larger appliances such as televisions or lights for more extended periods without running out of power.
- AC inverter with 120V/240V 30A 12-30 outlets to power appliances, electronics, or tools you need when you are off the grid. The output frequency is 60Hz, which means it will work with standard household appliances without problems.
- A large LCD shows how much power you have left in the generator and what percentage of battery life remains. This makes this one of the best solar generators for van life because it can provide reliable energy sources when you need it most.
Benefits of Solar-powered Generators
Solar generators are very effective because they provide reliable power sources that you can use to charge your devices and appliances while off the grid. Other benefits include:
- The ability to quickly recharge them in the sun
- It can be charged at home or on your way with a power inverter compatible with many different devices and appliances.
- They can also provide energy over long periods because they have high capacity batteries, so you can use them for days without a recharge.
- They are also compact and lightweight, so you can easily carry them with you or store them in your car for emergencies when needed.
- The best solar generators for van life have various charging ports that allow you to capture all your devices at once without having to worry about running out of power or electricity.
- The best solar generators for van life can produce enough power so you can use them for all your appliances and devices with no problems.
Best rated large inverter generators
Drawbacks of Using Solar-powered Generators
Solar generators are not as powerful or efficient as gas generators, so they are only recommended for smaller appliances.
- They can be costly because of the high cost of lithium batteries and solar panels.
- If you don’t have enough sunlight to recharge your device, it will take longer than expected, so if you are in a rush, this can be very inconvenient.
- They are also not technologically advanced because they have fewer functions and features than gas generators.
What to Look Out for When Buying a Solar Generator
When purchasing the best solar generator for van life, you need to consider a few things such as:
1. Power Capacity
This is an essential feature to look out for when buying a solar generator because it shows how much energy you can produce with this device.
You will run larger appliances and devices without problems with higher wattage power capacity.
2. Weight
Solar generators are lightweight, so they can easily be carried around or stored in your vehicle. Still, they also have higher capacity batteries to produce more power in a shorter period.
This makes them one of the best solar generators for van life because you can use your appliances and devices without running out of energy or electricity on the road.
3. Price
Solar generators are generally quite expensive but also come with high-quality batteries and solar panels, so the higher price is understandable.
But you should still consider your budget because some generators can be too expensive for their wattage power capacity, which makes them not worth buying in the first place.
Customer Reviews
This will give you a good idea of whether this generator is worth purchasing or if it has any problems with functionality or durability.
How to Charge Van Life Solar Generators?
Solar generators should be charged in the sun, preferably with a 20 watt or higher solar panel.
If you don’t have enough sunlight to charge your generator, it will take longer than expected, so you should keep this in mind when making your purchase.
Household outlets can also be used, but this will make the charging process much longer than it usually would.
Frequently Asked Questions on Solar Generators
1. What are Good Van Life Generator Brands?
There are many brands to choose from for solar generators for van life, but some of the most popular ones include Goal Zero, Renogy, and AllPowers.
2. Where Can I Find the Best Solar Generator on a Budget?
There are many different generators, so it will be hard to pick just one if you have a smaller budget. But some products always cost less than others while still having high-quality components and features; Amazon is a great place to find solar generators on a budget.
3. How Many Watts Do I Need in a Van Life Generator?
The best solar generators for van life have around 1000-watt power capacity, so you should look out for this when purchasing. If you want more functions and features, it will cost more, but if you want the most basic features, you can find a cheaper generator.
4. How Much Do Solar Generators Cost?
The price of solar generators will depend on the brand, wattage power capacity, and additional functions, so it is essential to compare different products before making your final purchase.
But they are generally quite expensive, but if you have a smaller budget, there are still some generators to consider.
5. What Can I Power with a Solar Generator?
Solar generators are versatile and can charge appliances such as lights, laptops, batteries, TVs, and much more. They are one of the best ways to produce power on the go, so you should consider this option when purchasing.
6. What Does a Solar Generator Do for Van Life?
Solar generators can be used for many things, such as charging batteries, appliances, and devices on the go. They are efficient and offer high-quality functions, so you should consider them if you want to power your entire van on electricity and energy on your own.
Solar generators are perfect for van life because they provide reliable energy sources when you need them the most, making them one of the best solar generators for your lifestyle.
They produce enough power to run different devices and appliances while on the road, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power or electricity.
They are also very lightweight and compact, so they can be carried around with you or stored in your vehicle without any issues, which is why many van lifers turn to solar generators for their energy needs while on the road.
