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Duracell Powersource 1800 Solar Generator Review

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January 10, 2022

Natural disasters, power outages or any other emergencies may call upon a solar generator to power essential equipment. The beneficiaries of a solar generator can also include appliances and devices.

The Duracell Powersource 1800 is the answer to delivering power when there are outages or during your outdoor adventures. The Duracell name is a reliable one for everyday batteries and has built upon its reputation to become one of the most dependable sources of power today.

What is a Solar Generator?

A solar generator has come to mean a device or power station that produces electricity through the means of solar panels, but it can refer to any device that operates on solar power. The solar panels on the generator would capture the sun’s energy, and convert it into usable power. Most solar generators have a storage system that can allow the energy to be stored for later use.

Many people have the misconception that a solar generator cannot function without sunlight. This is untrue, as they can still harvest the sun’s energy beyond the clouds, but there is no dispute that solar generators do work better in bright and sunny weather.

Now that we know what a solar generator is, let’s take a brief look at how they work. A solar generator relies on four different components working in tandem to function.

First, we have the solar panels that are used to gather and convert the sun’s energy into DC electricity. DC stands for direct current, and indicates electricity that is then passed through the charge controller, and then to the battery and then to the inverter, and eventually to various household appliances as AC power.

Home Backup Generator

Solar power generators can be home backup generators, but there are also a few other options. We often see standard portable generators for residential use, and these are models that typically run on gas, propane or a hybrid of the two and sometimes diesel fuel.

As the name suggests, portable generators are extremely convenient and easy to transport. Knowing this, portable generators are also often the ones people take camping, off-grid living, and for parties that need a portable power source. Even though they are more for on-the-go purposes, a portable generator can still be used as a home backup generator.

You then have the more permanent fixture – a standby generator. These are not portable at all and have to be installed onto your property. A standby generator is often used in commercial buildings and even hospitals. They are designed to activate when the main source of power goes out. Once regular power has been restored to your property, the standby generator will automatically shut off again.

We love standby generators because you won’t have to do anything to turn it on. It requires no effort on your part to guarantee it will run, however, maintenance and checks are recommended and you will need to enlist the help of a professional to install it.

Lastly, we have the inverter generators. These generators operate similarly to a solar generator in the sense that they turn direct current electricity into AC power. An inverter generator is also similar to the standard portable generators when you take a look under the hood. However, they have a leg up on regular gas or propane powered generators because they are cleaner and more reliable.


Now that you know more about the different types of residential backup generators, you can make an informed decision on which would be best for your home.

Duracell Powersource 1800 Solar Generator




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Our recommendation for one of the best solar generators available for households is the Duracell Powersource 1800 Solar Generator. The inverter is capable of processing 1440 watts with an 1800-watt peak power.

The Duracell solar generator is a bit weighty, at 25.8 kilograms or around 57 pounds, but it has a compact profile measuring in at 19.9x 8.9x 12.8 inches.

The quiet generator features 4 AC outlets on the surface to connect essential devices during a power outage. On top of that, it also features 2 USB ports for portable charging and a 1- volt DC outlet. You can say goodbye to fumes and noisy operation with the Duracell Powersource solar generator.

The solar generator is the ideal choice for emergencies, outdoor activities, and unexpected power outages. You will be ready for any circumstance thanks to the “instant on” function, which immediately activates the device in the and transitions your household seamlessly into its power reserve, similar to a standby generator.

You won’t have to worry about compatibility and versatility with the Duracell Powersource because daisy chaining with other batteries is made safe and possible. This solar generator also reduces recharge time down to just 10 hours.


The LCD power display on the surface and integrated carrying handles makes this product one that puts user convenience at the top of the list. While you can expect when disaster will strike, you can always be prepared.

To give you an idea of what you can expect from the Duracell Powersource, we have listed a few estimates for different household products.

  • LCD TV – 10 hours
  • Refrigerator – 5 hours
  • Laptop – 11 full recharges
  • Smartphone – 35 full recharges
  • Small appliances such as blenders – 30 min

Pros of a Solar Generator

Clean Energy 

Because solar generators take the sun’s power, it’s a cleaner and renewable energy source that traditional propane and diesel options are not. This also ends up saving you money in the long run as you won’t need regularly purchase fuel to keep the generator running.

Clean energy also means fewer pollutants and you can cut down on your carbon footprint. You won’t have to feel guilty about providing power by harming the environment.

Quiet Operation

One of the major pros of a solar generator is the noiseless operation. When they are turned on, their seamless design devoid of moving parts contributes to a quiet motor. Compared to other types of generators, this is a huge bonus. Although, we will say standby generators can be fairly quiet as well since they can be placed further from your living space.

With a quiet solar generator, you won’t have to worry about noise pollution for those in your household and your neighbors.

Lowered Costs

As we briefly mentioned before, there is no need to refuel solar generators, which means less overhead costs. Because the sun’s energy is free, this equates to free energy for the lifespan of your generator, which is typically 25-35 years.

Cons of a Solar Generator

Efficiency on a Cloudy Day

Also like we mentioned before, a solar generator is much less effective on a cloudy or rainy day, with performance at only around 25%. The ability of the generator and the amount of power it can supply is also limited by its battery storage.

Solar generators with a smaller battery will have a lower capacity. Such solar generators are not recommended for long-term residential use due to limited power storage.

Slow Recharge

Another con to using a solar generator is the recharging time. In short, it takes time for your solar generator to collect the sun’s energy, and then to convert it into usable power. On top of that, the recharge can only be done during the day when there is access to sunlight. When you take all of this into account, the recharge time is slow and limited.

The slow recharge won’t be much of an issue if the solar generator is only used for backup purposes. If so, it should always have fully juiced batteries in between uses. If you are considering a solar generator for a more permanent function, you might need more than one.

Price

Many people may find the price of a solar generator to be a big deterrent. Sure, it does save you money in the long run, but a solar generator comes with a much heftier price tag compared to traditional fuel-powered generators. We’re talking about a few hundred more depending on the model.

For many people, the quiet operation, clean energy and other features one may possess such as an LCD screen, USB charging, and battery capacity can justify the higher price. Especially since we know solar generators can last quite a while, the initial cost can seem miniscule in the bigger picture.

Conclusion

A solar generator has undisputable benefits, but it isn’t without its downsides. However, weighing your options according to your needs and property setup will help you determine the best choice.

While solar generators can cost a pretty penny, the cost per use will even out in the long run. They are a much better source of power with a quieter operation and pollution-free motor. Specifically, the Duracell Powersource solar generator was designed for the purposes of convenience and performance.

This particular solar power generator is capable of emitting 1800 watts at peak power and has an “instant on” function that helps your appliances transition easily without a break. The smaller and more compact size of the Powersource makes it an ideal choice for emergencies and portability.