Guides, calculators and troubleshooting
Every practical guide, calculator and troubleshooting page on WilderWatt, grouped by category. Not sure where to start? Try the solar calculator or how to choose a portable power station.
Portable power stations
- How Long Does a Portable Power Station Last? Runtime Formula and Appliance TableHow long a portable power station runs a fridge, CPAP, TV or laptop: the runtime formula, an appliance table, a calculator and battery lifespan.
- How to Choose a Portable Power Station: Capacity, Output and Solar MathHow to choose a portable power station: size Wh and W with simple formulas, then check surge, LiFePO4, solar input, UPS, ports and weight. US examples.
- LiFePO4 vs NMC: Which Battery Is Better in a Power Station?LiFePO4 vs NMC batteries in portable power stations: cycle life, weight, safety and cold-weather behavior, plus which models in our US catalog use each.
- Portable Power Station vs Gas Generator: Noise, Fumes, Maintenance and RuntimePortable power station vs gas generator on noise, fumes, indoor safety, maintenance, runtime and output, with advice for camping and outages.
- How to Store a Portable Power Station and Care for Its BatteryHow to store a portable power station: charge level, temperature, check-ups every few months and care habits that extend battery life, with a fix table.
- Power Station AC Outlets Not Working? Causes and FixesPower station AC outlets not working? Check the AC switch, eco mode, battery level, overload, heat and settings with our checklist and symptom-fix table.
- Power Station Not Charging From a Solar Panel? Causes and FixesPower station not charging from your solar panel? Check connectors, voltage (Voc), shade, heat, charge mode and cables with our checklist and fix table.
- Power Station Shuts Off When You Plug Something In? Overload and Surge FixesPower station shuts off when you plug something in? Learn how continuous and surge ratings work, size motor loads and fix overloads with our checklist.
Portable solar panels
- How Many Solar Watts Do I Need? Peak Sun Hours, Formula and ExamplesHow many solar panel watts you need for a power station: US peak sun hours by region, one simple formula, worked examples and series vs parallel limits.
- Solar Panels in Series vs Parallel: How to Connect Two or More Portable PanelsSeries vs parallel for portable solar panels: how each changes voltage and current, staying inside station limits, cold-weather Voc and shade.
- Solar Panel Producing Less Than Rated? Causes and FixesSolar panel producing less than its rated watts? See what output is normal, then check angle, shade, heat, cables and station limits with our fix table.
Solar generators (kits)
LiFePO4 batteries
- How to Charge a LiFePO4 Battery From Your Alternator (DC-DC Charger)How to charge a LiFePO4 house battery from your vehicle alternator safely with a DC-DC charger: sizing, charge-time math, wiring checklist and fixes.
- Charging LiFePO4 Batteries in Cold Weather: Rules and FixesCan you charge a LiFePO4 battery in the cold? Learn the 32 °F (0 °C) rule, low-temp protection vs self-heating, and how to keep charging in winter.
- How to Choose a 12V LiFePO4 Battery: Ah, Wh, BMS, Cold and WiringHow to choose a 12V LiFePO4 battery: size it in Wh, match the BMS to your inverter, handle cold charging and wire banks safely, with a calculator.
- LiFePO4 Battery BMS Keeps Cutting Off? Causes and FixesLiFePO4 BMS keeps cutting off? Find the cause: overcurrent, low or high voltage, cold charging, heat or cell imbalance, with a checklist and fix table.
Small wind turbines
- Are Small Wind Turbines Worth It? Realistic Output, Costs and When They Make SenseAre small wind turbines worth it? The cube law, realistic output at 3-6 m/s, siting and permits, a comparison with solar and a calculator.
- Is Micro Hydro Worth It? Head, Flow, Water Rights and Realistic OutputIs micro hydro worth it? How head and flow set output, a worked example, US water rights and permits, and why we skip generic Amazon kits.
- How to Stop and Brake a Small Wind Turbine SafelyHow to stop a small wind turbine safely: brake switches, dump loads, storm prep and maintenance steps, plus the mistakes that cause runaway and damage.
- Wind Turbine Not Charging in Low Wind? Why and What to CheckWind turbine spinning but not charging in low wind? Learn the cube law, start-up vs charging speed, and check mast, brake, wiring and controller settings.
Tools and more
- LiFePO4 Battery Calculator: How Many Ah Do I Need?Free battery calculator: enter your devices to find how many Ah and Wh of 12V, 24V or 48V LiFePO4 battery you need, with the formulas and examples shown.
- Solar and Power Station CalculatorFree solar calculator: add your appliances to size the power station capacity (Wh), output (W) and solar panel watts you need, with the formulas shown.
- Wind Turbine Calculator: How Much Will a Small Turbine Produce?Free wind turbine calculator: estimate how much energy a small 200-800 W turbine produces at your average wind speed, with the cube-law formula explained.