By MARK Heid |
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ECOFLOW RIVER Tammy and I joined
WHEN CMA , we rode twoup on an old Harley Shovelhead and traveled light . We could stay out for weeks with just what we carried on that bike , even with one saddlebag mostly filled with tools , oil , spare parts , and rain gear . Of course , these days , we carry a little more with us . As an Evangelist , my list of electronic equipment has grown to include a cell phone , computer , tablet , audio interface , projector , and screen . However , we still enjoy motorcycle camping while riding the region , so we must constantly recharge and power our electronic devices . The answer to that dilemma was purchasing a portable solar generator .
The EcoFlow River is a reliable , compact solar generator weighing less than 12 pounds and about the size of a lunch box ( 11.3 x 7.3 x 7.7 in ). Using a 110V wall outlet , it can be charged to 80 % in one hour and fully charged in just over an hour and a half . It can also be fully charged in 3.5 hours using a 12V vehicle adapter or five hours using a portable 110W solar panel ( not included ).
This unit has ten outputs : three AC , two USB-A , one USB-A fast charge , one USB-C , and three DC ports . While it is physically possible to use or charge ten items at once , it should be noted that the combined output is limited to 600W with a surge capacity of up to 1200W . I experimented with various coffee makers and found the 600W
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appliances to work well , but the 900W model tripped out before finishing the complete brewing cycle .
The one downside to this compact power station is that the battery is rated at only 288Wh capacity . That means if you use the full 600W capacity , your battery life is limited to less than 30 minutes . Thankfully , electronics and LED lighting have very low wattage requirements . A few typical wattage estimates are cell phones using 5- 10W , tablets at 10-20W , laptops at 20-60W , and a CPAP machine at 40W . The standard battery will provide multiple recharges of electronic items or the use of that CPAP machine all night long . If increased battery storage capacity is needed , an additional battery pack can be added to the base of the unit which , doubles the capacity .
Another nice EcoFlow feature is the convenient cell phone app , which allows you to monitor input / output parameters , keep track of battery life and unit temperature , and control the built-in light .
If you are considering a solar generator , it pays to shop around as prices for the EcoFlow River model range from $ 199 for a refurbished , certified model at big box stores to $ 349 new from the manufacturer . The unit comes complete with AC , DC , and solar charging cables . The obvious addition to this handy device is a portable solar panel which I have recently acquired and plan to put to the test this riding season . Stay plugged in and charged up . CMA
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Visit https :// www . ecoflow . com / us / river for more information . |