Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does a battery last?
The EZ-PTG uses a 850WH Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery. The EZ-PTG-DELUXE uses a 1.3KWH LiFePO4 battery. Here is a chart that shows how long each unit would last for various tasks. If you add one, two or three Solar Suitcase panels, you can stretch the charge almost forever.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
After several mechanical design iterations, we finally settled on the Igloo Cooler for several reasons:
-
The cooler is a very tough plastic case with almost an inch of foam padding. This means our Solar Generator can withstand multiple drops from the back of a pickup truck or table top. No other solar generator on the market can make that claim.
-
The cooler provides thermal management of the battery and electronics. This greatly extends the life of the battery.
-
A cooler is inherently weather resistant and outdoor rated. If you add our cover, it is very weather resistant. No other Solar generator can make that claim.
-
The cooler LOOKS like a cooler, not like a generator. People might consider stealing a generator, but rarely will they steal your cooler (unless they are out of beer!).
-
A cooler is built to have a convenient carry handle. Even the back surface is concave to make it easier to carry.
-
We really like the looks of the cooler, including the cool dual exhaust on the back!
3. Is the lithium battery dangerous? What is the warranty for a lithium battery?
As everyone has seen on the news, some types of Lithium batteries are dangerous. We use a type called Lithium Iron Phosphate or LiFePO4. This is the safest type of Lithium, it has no danger of melting or overheating. It also has the longest life. The trade off is that it is about 20% heavier than the other Lithium types. This is a good trade off for safety! Our Lithium battery is made in America, and has a 10 year warranty.
4. How long does it take to charge the EZ-PTG with the wall charger?
In most cases, you will not run the EZ-PTG completely empty, but if you did, here is a chart that shows typical full re-charge times. Note that the Solar Suitcase charge time varies with the amount of sunshine and how you orient the panels. We calculate solar charge times based on 5 good hours of sun per day.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
5. What is the purpose of the cover? Can the generator run with the cover on?
The EZ-PTG is in a cooler for several very good reasons, one of which is a cooler is fairly weather proof. However, rain or snow could blow into the front panel, which would damage the EZ-PTG. Our weather proof cover prevents this, while also allowing enough extra space that the EZ-PTG cooling fan still works properly. You should try to set the EZ-PTG in the shade whenever possible. Use our extension cables to set your panels out in the sun.
6. How long does it take to charge the generator with the solar panel?
See FAQ 3 above.
7. Is the EZ-PTG waterproof?
The EZ-PTG IS NOT waterproof, but it is weather resistant. The EZ-PTG is in a cooler for several very good reasons, one of which is a cooler is fairly weather proof. However, rain or snow could blow into the front panel, which would damage the EZ-PTG. Our weather proof cover prevents this, while also allowing enough extra space that the EZ-PTG cooling fan still works properly. You should try to set the EZ-PTG in the shade whenever possible.
8. Do the panels have to be disconnected when there is no sun and still use the generator?
The generator can be used with or without the panels connected. Having panels connected extends the run time of the generator. You do not need to remove the panels at night, nor when the generator is fully charged. The generator has a built in smart charger that manages the panels all the time so you don’t need to think about it.
9. Can I add more panels?
The generator can handle a maximum of 20A of charge current. Each of our Solar Suitcases makes 6A maximum, so three panels can be connected in parallel. Use the EZ-PTG-3WAY Adapter for this.
​
10. Do I have to have solar panels to use the EZ-PTG?
No, but the solar panels make it much more convenient to use and charge when no other power is available for charging.
11. Does the Solar Panel need to be near the EZ-PTG?
Our Solar Suitcase comes with a 6ft extension cable. We also offer 25Ft and 50Ft extension cables (EZ-PTG-25FT or EZ-PTG-50FT). We find the 50FT cable to be very useful for camping in the shade and placing the panel in the sun. As a bonus, our extension cables also include a security cable!
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
