eOur customers and clients spend hard earned funds on purchasing portable power generators and solar gear. We at metrosolarmatics.com would be remiss in not reminding all on best practices for the care and use of their gear.

DO NOT USE POWER STATION IN EXTREME TEMPERATURE:
For optimal performance, operate in temperatures ranging from 10 degrees F to 100 degrees F (-12 to 37 degrees C). Safe temperature ranges are 14-104 degrees F(-10-40 degrees C). Units can be placed in coolers in colder weather. However when used outside of this range for a short period, check AC plug output & input ports, DC plug output and input plugs, and if hot to the touch, (warm is OK) disconnect cables and allow generator to cool down.

DO not charge or discharge power station in direct sunlight or at high temperature, whether in a car, RV or boat .

 IF power station battery is sealed lead acid (SLA) or absorbed glass mat (AGM), do not continually drain battery below 50%, and do not constantly charge at 100%. If LFP (lithium iron phosphate, LiFePo4 or Li-Ion (lithium ion), do not continually drain below 25%. This will optimize battery performance and prolong service life of your power station

When possible, to minimize conversion loss, use the DC output ports of your generator to power your devices. It will run longer before needing a recharge.

STORAGE:
When not in use, store generator with a minimum 50% charge, in a dry cool location, away from corrosive materials, fire of heat sources. Never store in a boiler /utility room. Use or recharge every 3  months.

SOLAR PANEL:
Not all portable solar panels we sell are water or weather-proof. Unless specs say so, most are water-resistant, meaning they can withstand moderate splashing but should not be left outside in rain or deployed when forecast call for heavy rainfall.
Keep your DC extension cord under 30 ft, to minimize parasitic load loss. Where possible, use MC4 or Anderson connectors. Adapters are available for this conversion.
Optimal use temperatures range between 14-149 degrees F (-10-65 degrees C)
Store in a dry, cool location, away from fire, heat sources, and sharp objects.
Permanent panels perform best when installed on a roof with reflective shingles with with adequate elevation to allow adequate airflow under the panels.
Whether portable or permanent, panels must be kept free and clear of dust and debris.

Hardly a complete list but hope this is helpful. If in doubt, check your manual, contact your manufacturer or get n touch with us.
Metrosolarmatics.com

As LED bulbs become more readily available, it is not clear that people fully appreciate how instantaneously they can benefit from this technology. Without a doubt, they last longer than incandescent bulbs, provide more efficient lighting at lower cost, and some can even be programmed by voice commands or wirelessly. Most importantly, they are affordable! When selecting LED bulbs, color temperature rating (or Kelvin) indicate the color output of the bulb. Generally speaking, we recommend ratings under 3000K  (warm/ soft/white) for interior lighting. Ratings between 3500K to 5000K are considered cold white and recommended for exterior lighting. Ratings higher than 6000K put out a more natural/daylight/vivid light which may be preferred for commercial/public settings or to illuminate artwork. These are general guidelines, your particular application may specify different requirements.

For the homeowner or businesses that have not wholesomely adopted LED bulbs yet, do so today and watch your utility bill go down dramatically. Specifically, watts used will be less and charges levied per watt will therefore be less. Typically, an LED bulb rated at 9W is a suitable replacement for a 40W incandescent, while a 16W-20W LED is equivalent to a 100W incandescent. The savings are self-evident! This efficiency is why we embraced LED bulbs. The run-times of the solar generators we sell are extended with LED light bulbs. They provide better lighting while consuming less energy.

We sell Feit Electric LED bulbs on our ebay site www.ebay.com/str/metrosolarmatics and use them in our office. We like their reliability, and the fact that the US manufacturer stands squarely behind its products, with extended product warranty.
For those uncertain of how/where to start to reduce their carbon footprint, adopting LED bulbs is a quick and easy step in the right direction.

MetroSolarmatics

Leave a comment Battle of the Batteries Posted on June 13, 2012 by goalzero

We’re obviously big fans of keeping the environment in tip-top shape, which is why we’re all about green technology—even down to our batteries. Rechargeable batteries are where it’s at if you’re down with adventure and the environment.

The best rechargeable batteries are the Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH). Compared to disposable batteries, NiMH batteries offer an earth-friendly option. The three characteristics you should consider when you buy any battery includes checking voltage, current, and capacity and rechargeable batteries stand strong in all three compared to alternatives.

1. Voltage. A fresh disposable battery may provide a little bit more voltage initially than a rechargeable battery, but the juice gradually drops as the battery is used. A NiMH battery remains consistent, and it provides usable voltage during its entire discharge. Rechargeable batteries allow people to experience peak performance every time you use and charge the battery.
    
2. Maximum Current. Right next to the importance of voltage, is a battery’s maximum current. If you think about voltage as water pressure, current can be considered the water flow. If a faucet is clogged, the water pressure hardly matters. Now compare the importance of voltage with current; high voltage is great if the maximum current matches its power. NiMH batters deliver more current over alkaline batteries. Rechargeable batteries can deliver more current in order to run bigger devices, like an iPad.
   
   
3. Capacity. Taking the water analogy a step further, if voltage is water pressure, current is water flow, than capacity is the water available. The higher the capacity, the longer the batteries will last. NiMH batteries have the same capacity as disposable batteries. Our point here is, choosing a rechargeable battery doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice power. And just as any alternative battery, depending on what the battery is used for will determine how long the battery will work.

At GOAL ZERO, we chose to develop and provide rechargeable NiMH batteries because they provide a way to enjoy adventure and protect the environment. These kinds of batteries provide a way for us a company to produce less waste, and allow people to reuse their purchase hundreds of times—a win/win.

MetroSolarmatics is a clean energy solutions company that OFFERS unique alternative energy products.  First the company emphasizes products that are affordable, easy to use and install, and REQUIRE MINIMAL MAINTENANCE.  Second, the products MUST BE reliable and perform capably and third they MUST reduce our reliance on nonrenewable fossil forms of energy. Interestingly, the US manufacturer of the SUNRNR is in the process of developing a grid-tied generator that allows users to feed excess power back to the grid. More on this later.

WE ARE EQUALLY INTERESTED IN TECHNOLOGIES THAT ENABLE US TO MAKE BETTER USE/RECYCLE PRODUCTS CURRENTLY IN EXISTENCE. FOR INSTANCE, WE WILL OFFER PRODUCTS/SERVICES, AS WELL AS DIY INFORMATION THAT ENABLES OUR CUSTOMERS TO REGENERATE/REPOWER DEAD RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES OR THESE CAN BE SENT TO US FOR RECYCLING INSTEAD OF A LANDFILL.

Our web site www.metrosolarmatics.com also provides information about local and federal renewable energy grants and incentives that save you money when you purchase alternative energy products. Now you can afford that vacation you've been thinking about!!

IF YOU ARE AWARE OF OTHER SIGNIFICANT INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS, SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH US ON THIS PAGE AND WE WILL CONSIDER IT AS A POSSIBLE PRODUCT LINE .
THANK YOU

DR. AKINTOBA
CEO