Not a solar dwarf, and not a giant

Solar generator ads pop up more often these days,with big ideas and a few promises. I hesitate , not sure if Ecoflow River3 units are a good idea for projects far from our home. A kind fellow I know was determined to give me Ecoflow  set up w 45w folding travel panel, and after a moment I relented

DC power  output is via USB and usbC, also theres an automotive cigar lighter socket. 2 AC outlets are provided.

 The input can be with solar or 120v cable for indoor charging. I include some specs below.  Not a champion in its field by any means, but the portability is a fantastic feature.  This could be great for some projects far afield, without taking my heavy generator.  Paltry battery storage on this River3 though, and i need a plan to have more . Advice from anyone will be welcomed.  

One reputable buddy advised me to use a 100w panel as a minimal upgrade, and he believes the River has charge controller/ inverter built in. So please folks,any opinions to the contrary in Permie land?  And one more query:  should I charge a 12v battery or similar from the River during sunny hours ? I have a cable for this already, to connect to my Using the unit for a remote project, far from the mudding crowd, I need it for mostly 18v tool batteries and occasional AC necessities .  As it stands, I can't work on my forest project more than 3 hours on a cloudy day before my integrated battery gets very sad

Much obliged for any advice, on the input and output
Rico

Many apologies for my lack of skills on the forum, how to change my topic and edit post also? I work overseas on a project, leaving the US on August 18th,  and truly need advice on using power tools , albeit in an off grid house.  Time is slipping away and I have little if any clarity from manufacturer.  Thanks,
Rico

Yes I am clumsy,  a little ill prepared, a true maladroit , an accident waiting to happen, ha.

A friend let me borrow her clever phrase:  avatar of chaos

Rico Loma wrote:Solar generator ads pop up more often these days,with big ideas and a few promises. I hesitate , not sure if Ecoflow River3 units are a good idea for projects far from our home. A kind fellow I know was determined to give me Ecoflow  set up w 45w folding travel panel, and after a moment I relented

DC power  output is via USB and usbC, also theres an automotive cigar lighter socket. 2 AC outlets are provided.

 The input can be with solar or 120v cable for indoor charging. I include some specs below.  Not a champion in its field by any means, but the portability is a fantastic feature.  This could be great for some projects far afield, without taking my heavy generator.  Paltry battery storage on this River3 though, and i need a plan to have more . Advice from anyone will be welcomed.  

One reputable buddy advised me to use a 100w panel as a minimal upgrade, and he believes the River has charge controller/ inverter built in. So please folks,any opinions to the contrary in Permie land?  And one more query:  should I charge a 12v battery or similar from the River during sunny hours ? I have a cable for this already, to connect to my Using the unit for a remote project, far from the mudding crowd, I need it for mostly 18v tool batteries and occasional AC necessities .  As it stands, I can't work on my forest project more than 3 hours on a cloudy day before my integrated battery gets very sad

Much obliged for any advice, on the input and output
Rico

It has a pure sine inverter so you can use it to charge up cordless tools but it's only 300 watts so no plug in power tools just smaller stuff. It has a charge controller but only for 12 volt panels so your typical 100 watt (18 volt, 5.6 amp ish) panel from the hardware/ big box store should work fine... You might need to buy a custom cord to plug the panel in or it might be a provided accessory. Battery is a little small but fine for charging devices and cordless power tools.

Much obliged David, my   Luddite tendencies are not helpful at times like these, and you've saved me from myself.  Charging  tool batteries is my main focus,   but i will attempt to charge a second 12v battery also.  My small charger is rated for 120 to 240 volts and draws 35 watts, I used that yesterday for a one hour test run.  

 However I could charge with the DC output if that is copacetic. Will both methods be safe for the Ecoflow,  or should I stay with  using AC output for this?

Rico Loma wrote:Much obliged David, my   Luddite tendencies are not helpful at times like these, and you've saved me from myself.  Charging  tool batteries is my main focus,   but i will attempt to charge a second 12v battery also.  My small charger is rated for 120 to 240 volts and draws 35 watts, I used that yesterday for a one hour test run.  

 However I could charge with the DC output if that is copacetic. Will both methods be safe for the Ecoflow,  or should I stay with  using AC output for this?

I have not used that particular model but the specs on lines says there is a solar charge controller built in so charging with solar is possible. As to better ... That would depend on what works best for you.

Mea culpa , I must have misspoke,  my only question now is about output , DC v AC.....I charged a second battery , 200 amp hour 12 v , with the AC output. It worked , using a normal old school charger, see below

No issues on two days of charging with 100 watt panel.  Charge controller inside this Ecoflow working flawlessly.

No issues with charging a second battery with AC power outlet,  I just wondered if using the DC output  would be better, worse, or RedLightStop, don't ever try it. I appreciate  the help, thank you.  

Here is a picture showing output options, from left to right, the Ecoflow has:  
,,,DC outlet I haven't touched.  I do possess a cable for that cigar lighter orifice
,,,,USB and USB . C   OUTPUT which works as advertised
,,,,,,,,two AC outlets, both did charge tool batteries and yesterday charged a small 12 volt lawnmower battery

Has anyone used the DC automotive lighter utput for any purpose?  I am leary , will wait ,unless advised otherwise.  David, thanks, I am in good shape for this flight into the outback,   will Mooseage you in 10 days with a full report on the small Ecoflow.

Here is a picture showing output options, from left to right, the Ecoflow has:  
,,,DC outlet I haven't touched.  I do possess a cable for that cigar lighter orifice
,,,,USB and USB . C   OUTPUT which works as advertised
,,,,,,,,two AC outlets, both did charge tool batteries and yesterday charged a small 12 volt lawnmower battery

Has anyone used the DC automotive lighter utput for any purpose?  I am leary , will wait ,unless advised otherwise.  David, thanks, I am in good shape for this flight into the outback,   will Mooseage you in 10 days with a full report on the small Ecoflow.