Inergy Kodiak Initial Thoughts

I charged the Kodiak with the included wall charger and the two 100ah AGM batteries with a Battery Minder charger/maintainer, which will be the most likely scenario as AGM batteries have different needs than lithium batteries (this is something to consider when expanding the Kodiak). I connected all devices and waited a couple of hours for equalization, then testing commenced. I began running the refrigerator/freezer at around 9pm, then connected the two Renogy 150 watt monocrystalline solar panels at sun up the next morning. I maintained a direct path toward the sun throughout the day and managed to replenish the system and maintain charge completely until sunlight was unavailable, a little after 6pm. This meant almost 15 hours before sunlight would be usable again, 3 hours more than my first night of use so night number 2 was the true test of my system. By the time the solar panels started producing, the entire array had been drained to 11.5 volts. If the panels had performed the same as the day before, it would be no trouble to reach maximum storage in time to power another night. Day 3, I decided to leave the panels in place for the entire period of sunlight. In hindsight, I should have maintained a direct line to the sun for repeatability, so my next assessment will be a guess. I can say for sure that the panels did not perform as well on day 3. While I'm not sure if it was the somewhat overcast sky or the indirect path of sunlight, the panels did not output the 240 watts I saw the previous day. They also only produced their peak of little more that 200 watts for a couple of hours, nowhere near enough to replenish the battery bank. I stopped testing at last light with the batteries at 11.8 volts, for fear of damage to the AGM batteries (the Kodiak’s lithium battery can discharge much farther and still be considered above 50% discharge). While I was somewhat disappointed, I am also pleased with the outcome. With longer days coming and another 150 watt panel on the way to assist with harvesting sunlight, I am confident the Kodiak will save a trip to the dump in the event of a power outage. As a side note, the refrigerator/freezer uses around +-1kW/day of electricity. I checked usage beforehand with a Kill A Watt meter that I purchased on Amazon. There are several brands and they are available from many outlets for about $20, but it is an indispensable tool for sizing a backup power system.

Battery before first charge

This display is for output stats only, input from charge source can be calculated with a DMM

Kill A Watt meter reading the power required to charge the Kodiak via the wall charger

Capable of powering many household items

Kodiak attached to 2 100 Ah AGM batteries in battery boxes

Neutrik connector for high input solar charging

Terminal connection for external batteries

2 Renogy 150 watt monocrystalline solar panels, placed in the back yard