I’m setting up a Smart Generator 5500, 3 pictures of generator’s bottom shown in this post.
Looking for an RV electrical designer or shop recommendation.
I want to pay for expertise so I avoid errors & dead-ends.
Safety and reliability are pretty important for my circumstances, otherwise I'd DIY and learn as I go.
project: House battery upgrade from lead acid to lithium for a class-C 2013 Winnebago View Profile V.
location: greater Houston TX area.
Would welcome a one-stop shop.
Or a shop that can run with an expert's plan.
Smart Generator 5500 questions
I can't find a battery model/type in the generator manual, I just see "12V Lithium". I want to keep a replacement battery on hand (I like backups for my backups), can anyone recommend a brand or model?
Can the SG5500's 120V AC feed into a PowerDock? Asking because the PowerDock install guides says 240V AC input, not 120V.
I know the SG5500 has a DC cable that works with an E10, but at the moment that is limited to a single E10 stack.
If (2) above is Yes 120V to PowerDock workds, can the SG5500 accept an auto-start/stop connection from the PowerDock? My understanding is the autostart control wires are built into the SG5500 DC cable, so I'd wonder if the SG5500 has ports on it for direct-wiring of the PowerDock's autostart/stop "GEN CTRL" terminals as shown in section 6.4 "6.4 Connect to Generator" of the PowerDock Install Guide on p. 27).
history note: the SG5500 / PowerDock question 2 & 3 are based on this thread from a few days ago.
More Solix Powerdock + E10 generator charging questions
Setup:
PowerDock
E10 battery stacks
Solix Smart Generator 5500
Suppose I have two E10 battery stacks connected to my PowerDock.
I connect the generator's DC charging cable to E10 stack #1.
Q: Will that also charge the second E10 stack?
Suppose I have two E10 battery stacks connected to my PowerDock.
I connect a generator to an inlet box wired to the the PowerDock.
Q: Will that charge the connected E10 stacks?
Suppose I have two E10 battery stacks connected to my PowerDock.
I connect a generator to an inlet box wired to the the PowerDock.
Suppose I run the generator and feed power to the PowerDock but for some reason
the PowerDock's "two wire control" doesn't tell the generator to stop.
Maybe a squirrel chewed through the line and I need to manually start the generator. Anyway...
Q: What happens to the extra power once the E10s stacks are fully charged?
Solix Smart Generator 5500 at 40 or 50 feet away?
Looking for advice on how to connect a Solix Smart Generator 5500 like 40 or 50 feet away from PowerDock.
Would welcome descriptions of what anybody has done to connect a generator.
What I bought:
What sold me on the 5500 Generator was automatic start & DC charging.
I've since learned that the Smart Generator 5500's DC Charging Cable is 10 meters (~32 ft).
Solix support tells me there's no way to put the generator further:
> Unfortunately, the DC cable for the SOLIX Smart Generator 5500 cannot be extended beyond the maximum supported length. The longest available option is the optional 10-meter DC cable.
> If the straight-line distance between the Smart Generator 5500 and the SOLIX Power Dock is already 12 meters, it will not be possible to connect the two units using the available DC cable.
Ooops. This is a "me problem" because I didn't do my research before buying.
How much did I screw up?
Am I the only person that wants to run a Smart Generator 5500 further away than 10 meters?
Am I going to be better off going with a 3rd party generator?
Anyone using the PowerDock to control (automatic start) a 3rd party generator?
From p.26 of the PowerDock Installation Guide:
> The function to control the standby generator through the power dock will be available in Q2 2026
I want to charge a big power bank (details below) in my car while driving. The power bank can charge on 120v AC or DC inputs (I'm ignoring 240v AC which doesn't seem like a practical way to get that in a regular automobile).
Am I better off with an inverter or maybe going "direct" DC from car to power bank? "Direct" in quotes because I don't know much about car electric systems.
Auto: 2023 Subaru Outback.
Power bank: Anker Solix F380 Plus with DC inputs range from 11v to 165v, max 17amp or 3,200 watts (range because intended for use w/just one or many solar panels).
Roughly weighs 130 pounds, so will use cargo straps on tie-down points in back hatch area. (mentioning location in case it affects wiring)
Inverter: Considering smth like a Harbor Freight JUPITER PURE 3000 Watt Pure Sine.