Ice angling will take you to new places every year, requiring you to bring reasonable portable accommodations. You will also need a way to keep your freshwater gear and equipment powered. Portable generations will work, but they require fuel and can be noisy. Fortunately, a solar power generator might solve all these issues.
The best solar generators for ice fishing can withstand the snow and cold while providing enough power for your gadgets and equipment. These factors will vary based on your needs. However, you can estimate your needs by using the average for your ice fishing shelter.
Your shelter is an important factor in deciding your energy needs, but it is not the only one. You must also consider your gadgets and length of stay among others. By reading further, you will learn what these factors are and how to evaluate them.
Top Portable Solar Generators for Ice Houses
When winter’s icy grip arrives numerous outdoors people turn their nearby frozen lakes into cities of icehouses, pop-shelters, and tents. They come to these impromptu cities with hopes for a long, satisfying season of ice fishing.
However, they also bring their gear with them. From fish finders to electric drills, space heaters, and the like, ice fishing requires lots of energy-hungry tools. Sure, most of these gadgets can use deep-cycle batteries, but those batters will run out and need recharging. At that point, you need a portable power generator.
Ice fishing power generators come in all shapes and sizes. Traditionally fueled by propane, butane, or gasoline, these devices allow you to use power cookers, heaters, ice fishing equipment, and lights in your fishing shelters, making them livable and enjoyable.
However, portable solar generators are quickly becoming the popular choice among ice anglers. Anglers see these generators as a more sustainable alternative and cheaper to use.
Why Use Solar Generators in Your Ice Fishing?
Besides the ecological advantages, using a solar generator while on your ice-fishing adventure comes with a few benefits. These benefits include:
- Eco-friendly and sustainable impact on the environment
- Does not require any fuel or electricity to operate
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Cost-effective – no fuel or electricity cost
- Requires less maintenance
- Provides a more comfortable and enjoyable experience
Sure, solar systems are more expensive upfront than other types of generators, but they are usually smart investments if you want to enjoy the outdoors with the comforts of home.
How Much Solar Power Do You Need While Ice Fishing?
When paired with a good battery backup, you can use your portable solar generator to power any device you bring with you while ice fishing. Generally, if it runs on either external AC or DC, your solar panels can probably power it. That means you can hook them up to your:
- LED Lights, headlamps, and torches
- Underwater cameras, camera monitors, and sonar fish finders
- Electronic ice augers and cordless drills
- Laptops, tablets, and smartphones
- Wi-Fi routers and two-way radios
- TVs, fans, and other comfort devices
While there is no “one size fits all” answer, determining the size of the generator you need is equally simple. You just add up the watt-hours (Wh) ratings for your devices then multiply them by 24 (for a day), 48 (for 2 days), and so forth. You will find these values listed on either the devices themselves or in their manuals.
If you need a quick answer, you can just estimate your energy needs based on your shelter type. This is not a perfect solution, but your shelter does limit the gadgets you can bring with you.
Best Solar Generators for Ice Fishing Tents
Ice fishing tents are all about traveling light. You use them if you are expecting a short trip and leave most of your things behind. In these cases, you want something light, compact, and quickly deployable. As such, you want a 200W to 2000W portable solar power generator.
These lightweight 40 to 60-pound (lbs.) panels come with a built-in lithium-ion or lithium-metal backup battery. That means they can easily power most ice fishing accessories and equipment, cameras, and portable TVs all day and night long.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500
Small and flexible, the basketball-sized Explorer 500 portable power station covers the basics well. It has a built-in lithium-ion battery fully capable of powering your equipment while it recharges.
You can even charge it off your home or car to have power as soon as you arrive at your favorite fishing spot. As a result, you will never be without power regardless of the weather. It even has a battery management system that governs the station’s cells individually.
The compact design makes the portable generator easy to use. It has a solid handle that allows you to easily deploy it whenever you need it as a home backup or primary power source.
Renogy 246.24Wh/150W Phoenix Portable Generator
The Phoenix is another “all-in-one” solar generator with a built-in lithium-ion battery you can recharge off your home’s AC power or car battery as needed. It is a compact, lightweight modular system that can produce between 20 to 100 watts of power per unit. However, it is only 80 percent efficient and can only output in AC.
Best Solar Generators for Ice Shacks and Shanties
Shacks and shanties are the oldest and most popular type of ice fishing shelter. These portable cabins allow you to set up shop and fish in your favorite angling spot all winter long. These semi-permanent structures also make excellent locations for semi-permanent solar generators.
The low angles of the winter sun demand that you affix your solar panels to the exterior walls of your shelter for optimum sunlight. This works with any portable solar system including flexible rollable panels, solar suitcases, and custom-made rigid panels. You never want to place them on the ground or the roof of your shelter.
Shacks and shanties provide the perfect walls for this, especially since you get to choose how to build them. That means you can just hang your panels on the wall with the guarantee that they will lie 60 to 80 degrees to the horizon.
It also means you can use systems with higher potential wattage outputs. Most ice anglers need at least 200 watts of power for all their equipment. The size of most shacks lets you get that power from a single panel or an array of systems. This lets you customize your setup based on your energy needs.
Bluetti AC200MAX Expandable Power Station
Bluetti’s AC200MAX is the solar generator you take when you go off the grid. Its 2,200-watt output can power all your gadgets including your refrigerator, entertainment system, and lights. Plus, it is backed by a 2,048-watt-hour battery that lets you run your equipment all day and night. You can even add extra batteries to expand the capacity to 8,000 total watt-hours.
The AC200MAX has 16 charging ports including wireless charging pads, AC, USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt ports for car and RV charging. It also allows multiple power sources to give you charging times between 2 to 6 hours.
Anker SOLIX F2000 Generator
The Anker SOLIX F2000 is a dream for anyone who routinely moves their power station around. It comes with heavy-duty wheels and a telescoping handle that lets you stand while you pull it.
It is also a powerhouse that can produce up to 1,000 watts with its 200-watt solar panels. It even gives you an array of ports to enjoy that power. It has 12 ports that include two car outlets, an RV-specific outlet, four AC ports, three USB-C charging ports, and two USB-A. All of it is at your command through the generator’s phone app.
WEIZE 100-Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
WEIZE’s solar panel system uses high-performance Monocrystalline solar cells that are highly efficient and virtually maintenance-free. These versatile and industry-standard cells produce 300-600Wh a day with enough amps to power most ice fishing equipment with ease.
WEIZE houses these cells in sturdy, waterproof, corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum frames with tempered glass and a sealed junction box. These frames also come pre-drilled for most common mounts such as ground, side-pole, Z-bracket, and tilt. However, they do not come with a backup battery or an inverter.
HQST 100-Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel
The HQST solar generator system uses highly efficient, water-resistant 100-watt Polycrystalline solar panels. These panels have bypass diodes that minimize the power drop caused by shade and other low-light conditions. They also come in a durable and corrosion-resistant aluminum frame that allows them to withstand high winds and snow.
These pre-drilled solar panel systems are compatible with many common mounting systems such as pole, z-bracket, and tilt mounts. They are also versatile enough to work in series or parallel models, letting you fully customize your shelter’s power system. They can get a bit clunky to use though.
SunPower 100-Watt Monocrystalline Flexible Solar Panel
SunPower’s panels use top-grade, lightweight Monocrystalline cells for easy transport and installation. They are also very durable and can flex up to 30 degrees without breaking. They also come with stainless steel grommets you can use as mounting brackets.
These panels are very efficient as well. While they typically output a third less power than their rated maximum, you can link them together for higher efficiency rates. This is especially true if you pair them with the right charge controller, batteries, and inverter.
Best Solar Generators for Icehouse RVs
If you venture out onto the ice annually, you likely need something more permanent like an icehouse recreational vehicle (RV). Also called wheelhouses, these ice-fishing shelters are homes on wheels, allowing you to spend the entire winter season in the great outdoors.
They also have the same electrical requirements as your home since they come equipped with the same appliances. Fortunately, they are also big enough for most standard-sized home solar generators with up to six 100W solar panels permanently affixed to their roofs. Plus, you can have other rigid, flexible, or portable solar panels lying around them for even more power.
Because you can use any home solar system, your choice boils down to personal preferences. If it can withstand snow and cold weather, you can have the most powerful generator you can buy. However, there are a few models that are fully tested to work.
RICH SOLAR 200-Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel System
The RICH SOLAR System is a beast. This heavy-duty generator can power anything and everything. It is certified to withstand even the most challenging environmental conditions with one of the industry’s best low-light performances. Plus, you can customize it by installing it in series or parallel to reach a maximum output of 1200W. You can run an electric furnace off it.
It is also fast and easy to install and deploy. The durable frame comes pre-drilled for most mounting systems and easy-to-use cables. It is a bit bulky but should fit nicely onto most RVs.
EcoFlow Delta Portable Power Station
The beefy EcoFlow Delta offers 13 ports of efficient charging. Behind those ports is a whopping 1,800-watt output capacity that is rated for over 1,200Wh. Plus, it only needs four 100W solar panels and about 4-8 hours to maintain that much power. Combined with its fantastic indicators, it is the perfect solution when you must power and charge several gadgets at once.
There is enough capacity here to power anything you would want to bring along on your fishing trip. It will even power up your EV if there is no reachable charging station nearby.
The Delta is heavy though, and that makes it only suitable for ice houses.
How to Choose the Best Ice Fishing Solar Generator
When choosing a solar generator for your ice fishing shelter, the size of your shelter provides a great estimate for most people. However, those estimates may not work in all cases. Then, you must consider all the factors that could affect how you will use your generator.
Intended Purpose
It may seem obvious, but you do need a solar generator capable of running all your devices. If you only need the generator to charge your phone or use a laptop while you fish, a 200Wh system may work. However, you are going to need much more than that if you must include a fridge along with your fishing gear.
Therefore, you must know their energy needs before you do anything else. You can find that info listed on the devices themselves or in their manuals. Look for anything that displays their voltage and ampere ratings, using online calculators to fill in any gaps.
You should then get a solar system that can produce at least that much output. You want to err on the side of excess as too little power can cause malfunctions or worse.
Power Bank Capacity
A typical power bank can output between 8Wh to 1024Wh of energy with voltages between 5 and 120 volts. These banks convert the power coming from the solar panels into something your devices can use. As such, you want to ensure that your generator has the correct output and connectors you need.
Maximum Solar Panel Output
Most solar generators are not all-in-one units. Instead, you must buy the components separately and assemble them at your fishing hole. This modularity allows for customization, but it can lead to complications if those parts do not match. This is especially true for solar panels.
Solar panels can differ significantly in power and quality depending on their size and price. Small panels are virtually unusable since they produce so little power. Large panels could charge most power banks in minutes, but they could be too large for your shelter.
You want panels that offer the power output you need at a price you can afford.
Type of Solar Panels
Some solar generators require a specific type of solar panel. Other models can use anything on the market. Otherwise, your choice of type is up to personal preference, but there are a few reasons to want one type over another.
- Monocrystalline – most efficient with about 15-20% efficiency, can work in any climate, but expensive
- Polycrystalline – offers 13-16% efficiency rates but cannot withstand high heat very well. So, be careful how you store them when not using them.
- Thin Film – Leas expensive option but only offers a 7-13% efficiency rate. They are also quite large and better suited for home operations.
Surge Power Capacity
Surge capacity is the maximum output a generator can produce in a single moment. Because of this, it defines how many devices you can have running at any given moment. Exceeding this value will cause everything to malfunction. Therefore, you want a generator that has enough capacity you expect to use, especially for your fishing equipment.
Battery Capacity
With most solar generators, you do not power your devices directly from solar panels. Instead, you draw power from a battery that the panels recharge. This battery can come with your generator kit, or it will be a separate purchase. Either way, it defines your generator’s storage capacity, usually measured in watt-hours (Wh).
Storage capacity tells you two things:
- How long you can run your devices
- How long it takes for the battery to recharge
You can use your generator’s inverter rating to calculate these values. You want your generator capacity-to-inverter ratio to be around 1.5:1 for optimal performance.
Charging Modes
The weather is unpredictable. There is no guarantee that your fishing spot will be sunny all day. Therefore, you want a solar generator that can bypass the solar panels and use another power source. This external power can come from your car, RV, or a traditional backup generator.
Price and Warranty
Depending on the model, your solar generator could be your most expensive ice fishing equipment. Because it is such an investment, you want to make sure that it offers the most value for your money. A part of that is only buying what you need, but you should also consider longevity and warranty.
Like any other device, your solar generator will break down. This could come from impact damage, improper connections, or simply normal wear and tear. You can mitigate some of these concerns, but you will need to repair and maintain your unit eventually. That is when a good warranty comes into play. The warranty could save you time and money in the long run.
Ease of Use
While you can plan around it, you cannot control the weather. As a result, you might be deploying and hooking up your solar generator while it is cold, windy, and snowing. Therefore, you want a generator that is straightforward to use with easy-to-read displays. Anything less could cause improper cabling and fires.
Ice Fishing Solar Generator Advice and Tips
Generally, you want a solar generator that outputs enough power to run all your devices. However, generators get exponentially expensive with size. Therefore, you should be looking for ways to reduce your energy needs while ice fishing.
Make Your Ice Fishing Shelter More Efficient
Your home away from home is a good start, and there are a few things that will make your shelter more efficient. For instance, you can orient and locate the shelter to receive as much sunlight as possible. Other ways include insulating the walls and ceiling with foam board or fiberglass and keeping the doors closed.
Clean Your Solar Panels Regularly
Your solar panels must sit out in the elements to function. That means they are constantly collecting dust, dirt, debris, ice, snow, and other obstructions, reducing their efficiency. The effect can make it look like you need a bigger generator than you do.
Therefore, you should regularly clean the panels to ensure that they can absorb as much sunlight as possible. You should also keep them in a water-tight container to keep them dry and free of snow.
Use Solar-Power Ice Fishing Gadgets and Equipment
Another fine way to reduce your energy needs is to use solar-powered ice fishing gadgets. These tools offer the same features and convenience as their conventional counterparts but have internal power generators. Therefore, you eliminate them from your main solar system.
Some common solar-powered ice fishing equipment include:
- Solar-Powered Fish Finder
- Solar Heated Ice Fishing Shelter
- Solar-powered LED Lights
- Solar-Powered Trolling Motor Batteries
- Solar-powered USB Charger
- Solar-Powered Ice Auger
- Solar-Powered Hand Warmers
- Solar-Powered Radios
- Solar-Powered De-Icer
Conclusion
Solar generators offer an eco-friendly way to power your ice fishing gadgets and equipment. However, you must choose the best one for your situation. You will get the best results if you do the calculations yourself. However, you can use estimates from the ice-angling community to set you in the right direction.
