Renogy Solar Generator

Renogy Phoenix Solar Suitcase featured image

Renogy Phoenix Solar Suitcase Review

By / October 9, 2020

Renogy Phoenix Solar Suitcase Portable Generator Review

Overall Rating 8
Portability 9
Compatibility 9
Durability 8
Ease of Use 8
Value for Money 7

Aniket

Written by qualified solar engineer Aniket. Last updated:

Our Verdict

Renogy’s Phoenix is not a ‘suitcase’ per se, but a solid foldable case that houses a compact li-ion battery and solar panels. It is a good, handy unit that can be carried around quite easily. Various ports for inputs and outputs in both DC and AC make it versatile. The small but precise display adds to its user-friendliness.

This product may not have huge capacities to power larger appliances like TVs and fridges, but it is a great device for a couple of camping days where mobile devices and lights may be the prime requirement. This Renogy phoenix solar suitcase review goes into the details to find out just how good the product is.

Where To Buy

Compatibility

Touted by Renogy as an ‘all-in-one solar system’, this battery pack is basically a giant power bank with interesting features. It is rechargeable with solar panels, and it has single pin inputs to make the connections easy. Renogy’s line of solar panels is compatible with this unit, if you want more solar cells than those integrated in the unit itself. This may be a good idea, provided that the 20W cells need over 10 hours to charge the battery inside. The battery can be charged with a normal home AC unit on the wall in a few hours. Output-wise, both DC and AC devices can be powered with this suitcase, thanks to the standard AC port, USBs and CIG ports.

image showing the input options on the renogy phoenix solar suitcase

Durability

Built from a mix of ABS plastic, polycarbonate, and aluminum, the Phoenix solar suitcase is sufficiently strong and robust. It has broad rubber stoppers that prevent any tiny shocks or abrasions. The small display sits below the handle securely. The ports are on one side and under a translucent plastic openable lid. Though there is no IPX7 rating specified, the unit is decently resistant to water.

The battery is compactly placed inside the casing which looks and feels tough. The plastic latches, however, could definitely be stronger.

Easy Of Use

Despite being more complex in its features and construction, this battery system is almost as simple as a small power bank. There are typical plastic latches that need opening only when the unit is to be charged by solar. You only need to open the plastic lid on either side and plug in the charging cord in the respective socket (or the device in its respective port).

The ports have legible labels on what to plug in into which port. On the front, the display shows necessary information such as remaining battery and which type of port is taking or supplying power.

Features

At 14,000mAh, there is not a lot more juice that the Phoenix solar suitcase promises over similar-sized, basic power banks. But it sure makes up for its significantly higher cost by offering flexible features. These include the charging ability from AC as well as solar panels – either in-built or expanded. It also provides both DC and AC supply, thanks to an in-built, pure sine-wave inverter. The charging by solar is also optimized with an MPPT charge controller. It also houses a 3W LED light for any camping or other requirements that cause you to find your way through the dark.

the renogy phoenix solar suitcase charging a mobile phone

Design

This solar suitcase has a sleek black body with bulges on the ends of the top and bottom sides. This helps make it look sturdy and separates it from standard suitcase shapes. The front has some contours highlighted with cool blue streaks and the Phoenix logo and brand name. On opening, it looks more like a bulky laptop than a battery unit. The high efficiency mono-Si cells are snugly fitted in the suitcase. The arrangement may not be the best for power generation because flat, completely sun-facing panels will churn out maximum power.

If the imperfect orientation of solar panels in the unit or any other drawback concerns you, or you prefer options without integrated panels, then our list of other reliable solar generators will certainly be helpful.

Portability

This product is meant to be portable; it is one of the criteria in design. The ergonomic handle, the compact size, and the use of a lithium battery to keep the weight in limits make it truly portable. The ability to be charged from solar makes it sustainable in purely off-grid conditions. No open terminals mean no short circuit or damage possibilities.

The weight of around 13 lbs. is not a serious problem for most people. The suitcase has appreciably low volume and can be stored or transported easily without losing a lot of space.

What We Like

The battery sector may not have reinvented itself completely like the mobile phone or some other sectors, but it is not shy to make important innovations here and there. Renogy’s Phoenix Solar Suitcase sits in the league of those products that make a battery setup far more than a battery setup. It brings essential features such as multiple input and output in both DC and AC modes. It is a genuinely portable unit that is aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing.

The solar cells and the lithium ion battery are modern components, and the display screen is a fitting accessory to them. When compared with batteries of similar size, the cost looks way higher, but considering the features and the build-quality, it is not disappointing. For regular campers and off-grid wanderers, this might be the perfect buy.

Pros:

  • AC as well as DC input and output
  • Chargeable with wall charger, car charger or solar panels
  • Compact li-ion battery

Cons:

  • Insufficient solar cells, external panels necessary
  • High cost for a 14 Ah battery

Other Solar Generators You May Like

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Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 3

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Renogy Lycan Powerbox Solar Generator featured image new

Renogy Lycan Powerbox Solar Generator Review

By / October 9, 2020

Renogy Lycan Powerbox Solar Generator Review

Overall Rating 9
Portability 9
Compatibility 9
Durability 8
Ease of Use 9
Value for Money 7

Aniket

Written by qualified solar engineer Aniket. Last updated:

Our Verdict

Whether for outdoor adventures or power outages at home, this energy storage device by Renogy performs first-rate. It ticks all the right boxes. it has a high-power density lithium-iron-phosphate battery, DC and AC inputs and outputs, and solar panel compatibility.

Though a bit heavy, it is compact and light for a machine that can supply a kilowatt-hour of power. It comes with a sturdy handle and integrated wheels making it truly portable. A variety of ports, an in-built inverter, and an MPPT controller make it modern and reliable, albeit at the cost of a high price tag for some. This Renogy Lycan Powerbox Review looks at all the above aspects in detail.

Where To Buy

Compatibility

One of the most impressive features of the Lycan Powerbox is its compatibility with both AC and DC charging methods. It can be charged with a home wall unit as well as solar panels. There are easily distinguishable ports for solar, 110V AC wall charger and even a car CIG port. Renogy’s solar panels perform well with the unit, and up to 300W panels can be connected to charge the battery in a matter of 2-4 hours.

The output power can be extracted in both DC and AC. The in-built pure sine-wave inverter gives 110V AC power that can charge any AC device up to 1200W. DC USB ports can power mobile devices tens of times. There is also a 12V DC cigarette port similar to car ports.

Durability

Thanks to a well-designed enclosure that houses the battery flawlessly, this energy box exhibits good strength and rigidity. It is made of strong plastic to optimize between weight and durability, and it is a good attempt. The ports are housed in a translucent glass lid, protecting them from dust and liquid splashes when not in use.

The wheels are large and robust and are meant for more than just home floors. Renogy could have gone with a traditional lead-acid battery for reducing some of the cost, but that would mean much higher weight and lower durability.

Easy Of Use

When designing a complex device like this, it is quite a challenge to keep it user-friendly. The makers have handled this challenge well, as you need hardly any learning to operate it effortlessly. The array of DC and AC ports of various shapes may be slightly intimidating, but the legible labels on each of them make it very simple.

Connecting and disconnecting the solar panels would have been slightly tricky, but Renogy has abandoned the positive-negative terminal system and gone with a single-pin solar input. The tiny display covers the essentials by displaying battery percentage and name of the port in use.

A man charging his laptop and ipad using a renogy lycan powerbox solar generator

Features

The Lycan Powerbox is a feature-rich machine. The most important among these is the multi-input and multi-output connectivity. The in-built inverter produces pure sine-wave output current. This eliminates the need of externally connected inverters to batteries and their complicated connections. Same is true for the MPPT charge controller, which improves the charging time from solar panels.

A readily comprehensible display screen is helpful. Unlike some of the other power stations, a telescopic handle and nearly all-terrain wheels need not be bought separately. They greatly improve the durability and ease of use. There is a host of ports, both AC and DC, which allow more than ten appliances to be powered from the device. There is an in-built cooling fan that is supposed to start on reaching high temperatures. However, as many users have pointed out, the fan consumes some of the battery.

Design

Although the overall design is a large box, it is still smartly designed to look modern and turn enough heads. The cool blue lines on a mostly black surface look classy. A large brand name and logo take the front space. Under a slightly dark but transparent plastic sit the various ports in a trapezoidal space. There are two handles on the sides and generously sized wheels, sporting the same blue.

The telescopic handle resembles that of a large suitcase and is strong enough. Four legs on the base have slightly flexible stoppers and hold the box in place. Overall, the looks may not be the prime reason to buy something like this, but they’re nevertheless a noteworthy aspect.

Portability

In the department of portability, this unit by Renogy cannot be doubted. Even at 1075 Wh capacity, it can be carried by one person, though not with remarkable ease. The battery is a high energy density one and takes up less percentage of the total weight. However, the best part making it portable is its wheels and the robust handle.

The unit may look bulky in terms of transportation, but as long as you don’t have a very small vehicle, it is not really a problem. Lids on the ports protect them from dust and water to a good extent, though there is no water resistance rating specified.

A man pulling along a renogy lycan powerbox solar generator

What We Like

The Renogy Lycan Powerbox is a large battery unit that can power a wide range of appliances. This includes small DC devices like mobile phones plus larger AC devices like hand drills and mini fridges. A handsomely designed box, its integrated telescopic handle and strong large wheels make it an authentic portable unit.

Its in-built inverter and charge controller make it stand out from regular batteries. The digital display unit is small but easy to read and comprehensive. If spending over a thousand dollars is not an issue, this powerbox by Renogy offers plenty to those who like to carry significant power on their adventures outdoors.

Pros:

  • DC and AC inputs and outputs
  • Permanently attached wheels and handle improve portability
  • Large number of ports
  • Compact and rugged

Cons:

  • High cost
  • Fan starts too early, draining some power

Other Solar Generators You May Like

We hope you liked this article. Please rate it or leave us a comment.

Average rating 3.7 / 5. Vote count: 6

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

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