FAQs

A: Powerness solar panels are built with quality in mind. However, taking good care of your panel can extend its lifespan and longevity.

You can clean the panels with a non-abrasive sponge and water.

We suggest regular maintenance to swipe the dust, sand, and other dirt away. Built-up dirt and stain will reduce the power output of the panel.

A: Avoid bending, dropping, puncturing, kicking, and other damage to the panel while using it. Do not soak it in water. Do not use it on rainy days. 

A: Avoid bending, dropping, puncturing, kicking, and other damage to the panel while using it. Do not soak it in water. Do not use it on rainy days.

A: When Powerness solar panel is in use, the patented LCD window will display instant current(amp) and voltage level(volts).

A: It is IP65 water-resistant that will protect from water splashing (Do not place it under the rain, or soak it in water). Rated at Level 6 for solid foreign objects. The highest rating in IP standard.

A: Yes. Use the built-in USB-C cable, or plug your own cable in the USB-A port to charge your smartphone (or other small electronic products).

A: Yes! Powerness solar panel comes with a built-in 3-in-1 cable. You can charge other power stations with the 4mm,6mm, and 8mm DC connectors.

A: Yes you may. A connector is required to put panels in parallel. Make sure the solar panel output is smaller or equal to the power station input. Powerness solar panel connector is coming soon.

A: 1. Make sure the solar panel is placed outdoors and is exposed to a sufficient amount of sunlight. 

2. Check to see if the cable is well connected.

3. Confirm that the output voltage and amperage of the solar panel match the input specification of the power station. Please note that the solar panel output has to be smaller or equal to the power station input. 

4. Charge your power station with an AC adaptor to exclude malfunction of the power station. 

5. Contact us at service@powerness.com for further troubleshooting. 

A: -10℃ to 65℃. 14℉to 149℉.

A: Sealed lead-acid battery.

Colloidal lead-acid batteries.

The open lead-acid batteries.

A: Send us a quick chat or email to service@powerness.com.  

The best way to gauge how many solar panels you need is to understand and define the power load needed from this system. Power is measured in Watts, and capacity is commonly measured in Watt-hours (multiplying power output in watts by the required number of hours of operation multiplied by a safety factor of 1.5-2). Therefore, it is wise to size your battery bank first based on the minimum required capacity, and accordingly, decide how many panels or how much power input is needed.

Solar panels can be connected in series or in parallel to meet your electrical circuit size and power demand. Connecting solar panels in series will have the effect of adding up their operating voltage output, while the system current output will be the same as that for one panel. While connecting solar panels in parallel will have a different effect; individual panels operating current output will add up to be the system output current, while the system output voltage will be the same as the output voltage of one solar panel. To meet the optimum power output and system rating for your power system, you can use both parallel and series connections.

Solar panel performance may be hindered for a number of reasons. Most commonly environmental conditions such as indirect sunlight, temperature rise, cloudy sky, and dirt and stain buildup on the top glass will cause a reduced power output.

A: Yes, you can. You can use Powerness power station to charge devices, while it's being re-charged at the same time.

A: It depends on the capacity of your power station and the charging method. A rough calculation would be the capacity of the power station /(the input voltage * input amperage). You can charge a Powerness power station through a wall plug, a car charger, or a solar panel.

The larger capacity of the power station, the higher-wattage appliances it can handle. For example, the Hiker U300 has a continuous AC output of 300 watts, while the Hiker U1000 has a continuous AC output of 1000 watts, meaning you can plug an appliance up to 1000W with the Hiker U1000. Some research on your side may require to determine the power of your device. (Look at the User’s Manual or website should help.)  

Here are some common terms to get familiar with to better understand what size power station you will need for your power requirements.

Rated / Continuous Output – this is the power that a power station can produce for a long period. This corresponds to appliances' Running Load Requirement. 

Maximum Output – is the maximum output that a power station can produce. Maximum power is usually available for a very brief period to cater to the start-up wattage of appliances. This corresponds to appliances' Starting Load Requirement.

For example, the Powerness Hiker U300 has an AC continues output of 300W, and the peak or maximum output is 600W. 

A: When using the AC outlets, there is a loss from the inverter. The loss is around 15%.

A: They are different in the following ways. 

1)The capacity of the battery. Hiker U300 has 296Wh, while Hiker U1000 has 1166.4Wh. The larger the capacity, the longer it can power your devices and appliances. 

2)The AC output wattage. The Hiker U300 can handle appliances up to 300W, while the Hiker U1000 can handle appliances up to 1000W. 

3)Input voltage and amperage. (This is important when matching a solar panel.) 

4)The number of input and output ports. 

A: Yes, you can use solar panels with a power station. When picking the panel, make sure you look at 2 things, the input voltage, amperage, and the input connector size. The output voltage and amperage of the solar panel have to be lower than the input voltage of the power station. As long as the voltage and amperage match, pick the solar panel with higher wattage for better efficiency. 

We recommend using Powerness solar panel with your power station for a trouble-free connection.

Powerness Hiker U300 & SolarX S80 or SolarX S120 

Powerness Hiker U500 & SolarX S80 or SolarX S120 

Powerness Hiker U1000 & SolarX S120 

Powerness Hiker U1500 & SolarX S200

A: No. According to FAA regulations, you are not allowed to take any battery exceeding 100Wh on a plane. Visit FAA Pack Safe for the most up to date information. 

A: Turn the USB button & AC button off. Make sure there is no USB and AC indicator on the LCD screen. The screen and machine will shut off automatically after 2 minutes. 

1. The working voltage of the panel is not in the following range.

Hiker U300 DC input Port(4017): Voc 12V~24V / 90.72W Max /3.78A Max.

Hiker U500 DC input Port(4017): Voc 12V~24V / 90.72W Max /3.78A Max.

Hiker U1000 DC input Port(6330): Voc 12V~30V / 150W Max /5A Max.

Hiker U1500 DC input Port(6330): Voc 12V~30V / 199.8W Max /6.66A Max.

2. The battery level is close to 100%.

3. The "+ -" poles are misconnected.

4. The solar panels have volts but no amps(less than 0.7A), this could be caused by internal faults of the panel itself, poor weather conditions, or placed under shaded areas.

A: A solar generator consists of two parts: one or more solar panels, and a power station. Solar panels absorb solar enery and turn it into electricity. Electricity is stored in the power station for later used. It is a emission free and eco-friendly.  

A: We recommend the following solar generator combinations: 

Mini set: Powerness Hiker U36 & SolarX S40 

Light duty:  Powerness Hiker U300 & SolarX S80 or SolarX S120 

                    Powerness Hiker U500 & SolarX S80 or SolarX S120 

Medium duty: Powerness Hiker U1000 & SolarX S120 

Heavy duty: Powerness Hiker U1500 & SolarX S200

A: Yes. Your generator arrives charged and ready to go. There’s no assembly required and you can start using it in just 3 simple steps.

1. Unfold your solar panel in the sunlight.

2. Plug your solar panel into the generator.

3. Plug your devices into the generator & enjoy FREE power from the sun.