VSP power generator

[Jeff Foley]

I have an opportunity to purchase a VSP power generator, the model is the VSP 3500. This unit consists of an inverter (1500 watt), charge controller, and a 230 amp hour lead acid battery. The only thing I am missing is a manual, I have the unit plugged into a 100 watt 12 volt panel, it is working but I have no idea how I got it to do so. the manufacturer is VS products. I have found some mention of them on line but zero mention of this unit in particular and they seem to have disappeared. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Bill von]

I have an opportunity to purchase a VSP power generator, the model is the VSP 3500. This unit consists of an inverter (1500 watt), charge controller, and a 230 amp hour lead acid battery. The only thing I am missing is a manual, I have the unit plugged into a 100 watt 12 volt panel, it is working but I have no idea how I got it to do so. the manufacturer is VS products. I have found some mention of them on line but zero mention of this unit in particular and they seem to have disappeared. Any help would be much appreciated.

What is your question? Is it "should I buy this?" Answer - no. Is it "how does it work?" In that case I'd recommend perusing the net for info on off-grid solar power systems; they have descriptions and better pictures than we will.

[Jeff Foley]

thank you for the response, I guess the biggest question I have is why shouldn't I buy it? I
am hoping to be able to keep this for a while and expand my solar capabilities to provide myself with a source of back up power in the home i hope to build.

[Bill von]

thank you for the response, I guess the biggest question I have is why shouldn't I buy it?
Buying something cheap, hoping you can expand it later, is the absolute worst way to go about solar power. I can't count the number of people who have posted and told me "so I got a really good deal and bought a lot of stuff but it's not doing what I want!"

If you are really interested in solar:

1) Determine your loads. Type of load, max power it will draw, and energy it needs (watt-hours per day.)

2) Determine storage needed for your loads. (Usually watt hours per day times six.)

3) Determine charging energy you will need per day. (Generally between C/8 and C/13.)

4) Determine your insolation. This depends on your location, orientation of your panels and type of mounting.

5) Determine amount of solar you will need, based on insolation and energy needed.

6) Choose inverters and charge controllers.

7) Choose batteries.

8) Only then - start buying stuff.