FAQ's
Common FAQs
Does ROCKSOLAR Offer Free Shipping?
We offer free standard shipping across the USA mainland, and Canada. We also offer free expedited charge shipping. We will ship within two business days once we receive the order, and customers can expect their shipment within 2-7 days. All products are shipped by ground, as battery products can not be shipped by air.
What About a Warranty Period?
Limited Warranty
ROCKSOLAR LLC. provides a non-transferable warranty to the purchaser of ROCKSOLAR products purchased from an authorized ROCKSOLAR reseller. ROCKSOLAR LLC. warrants to the original consumer purchaser that the ROCKSOLAR product will be free from defects in workmanship and material under normal consumer use during the applicable warranty period identified in the 'Warranty Period' section below, subject to the exclusions set forth below. This warranty statement sets forth ROCKSOLAR's total and exclusive warranty obligation. We will not assume nor authorize any person to assume any other liability for the sale of our products.
Warranty Period
The warranty period is 12 months. In each case, the warranty period is measured starting on the date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser. The sales receipt from the first consumer purchase, or other reasonable documentary proof, is required in order to establish the start date of the warranty period.
Remedy
ROCKSOLAR's entire liability and your exclusive remedy for any ROCKSOLAR product that is not operating in accordance with its published technical specifications are at ROCKSOLAR's discretion: replace the product at ROCKSOLAR's expense. This warranty obligation is conditioned upon the hardware being returned to the original place of purchase or another place as directed by ROCKSOLAR, with the original sales receipt attached. You may be required to pay shipping and handling charges, as well as any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes, or other fees. ROCKSOLAR may, at its discretion, provide new or refurbished products.
Limited to Original Consumer Buyer
The warranty on ROCKSOLAR's product is limited to the original consumer purchaser and to any subsequent owner.
Limitation of Liability
ROCKSOLAR shall not be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to loss of profits, revenue, or data (whether direct or indirect) or commercial loss for breach of any express or implied warranty on your product even if ROCKSOLAR has been advised previously of the possibility of such damages. Some local laws do not allow the exclusion or limitation of special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, so this limitation or exclusion may not apply in your jurisdiction.
Exclusions
The warranty does not cover failures resulting from incorrect handling, product modifications, installation, conversion or additions, supplements, operation, natural elements (weather), excessive or deficient energy supply, chemicals, the effect of solid bodies, or deliberate damage. If the Warrantor determines that the problem with the ROCKSOLAR product(s) is not due to a manufacturing defect in the Warrantor's workmanship or materials, or otherwise does not qualify for warranty repair, then the Purchaser will be responsible for all costs incurred by the Warrantor necessary to repair, replace and transport the ROCKSOLAR product(s). ROCKSOLAR's warranty does not apply to the battery cell unless the battery cell is fully charged by you within seven days after you purchase the product and at least every three months thereafter.
How to Receive Service
To obtain warranty service, contact our customer service team at services@rocksolars.com
Portable Power Stations FAQ's
How Long Does a Power Station Last?
The amount of time you'll be able to use your portable power station depends on many factors.
The average portable power station can last three to thirteen hours on a fully charged battery. The longevity of a battery is determined by its age, kind of battery, size, and the number of gadgets utilized with the power station.
How Can I Charge a Power Station?
You can charge your power station using the supplied cable to connect to a USB port or USB-A wall charger, or car charger. You can also charge the power station AC battery while connected to a USB-C laptop that is connected to a wall charger.
Can I Leave a ROCKSOLAR Power Station Plugged in All the Time?
Since power stations have similar charging characteristics to a laptop, it is okay to keep your power station plugged in all the time, as it will stop charging on its own once the battery is full. A battery cannot be overcharged, but a severely undercharged battery can cause damage.
Can You Charge and Use a Power Station at the Same Time?
Yes, you can charge your power station while also using it to charge other devices and appliances at the same time.
How Many Hours Will a ROCKSOLAR Power Station Last?
The amount of time you'll be able to use your portable power station depends on many factors, including which power station you purchase. The average portable power station can last three to thirteen hours on a fully charged battery.
How Many Times Can I Recharge My Power Station?
It depends on which power station you choose, but ROCKSOLAR power stations can be recharged between 500 and 1,000 full cycles.
How Do ROCKSOLAR Products Provide Power for DC 12V Devices (Like a Headlamp, Fan, or Air Compressor) With a Portable Power Supply?
The 5.5mm 12V DC output is plug-and-play. Plug devices into the DC output port to gain power.
Which Devices or Home Appliances Can My Power Station Handle?
There is a wattage rating for each of our power stations (for example, the Nomad is 400W). Lower-wattage power stations can power devices like phones and laptops, while larger-wattage power stations can power car batteries and mini-fridges.
Click here for a list of average wattage of most home appliance.
How Do ROCKSOLAR Products Provide Power for AC Appliances With a Portable Power Supply?
Connect the power cable plug of the electrical device to the AC outlet of the product, switch on the power button, and the unit will start providing power to your devices.
Warning: The AC outlets, AC voltage, and frequency are different in different countries; please carefully check whether the product specifications are consistent with the device specifications before use; otherwise, this could be dangerous.
How Do ROCKSOLAR Products Charge From Your Car with a 12V Car Port?
Using the included car charger (all units excluding the Weekender RS81), plug the unit into your car's 12V car port (cigarette lighter port ).
You will know the unit is charging when the blue LED Battery Indicator lights up and blinks. The unit is fully charged when all battery indicators stop blinking and remain solid.
I Left My ROCKSOLAR Power Station On When I Stored it Away, and Now It's Not Working. What Should I Do?
This happens, don't worry. The battery has completely drained and will take a long time to replenish its charge. Plug your charger in using the AC wall adapter and leave it charging for 24+ hours.
The power station has overcharge protection, so this will not damage your battery. After charging for a day or two, check the battery; it should be working again. If not, please contact services@rocksolars.com for additional troubleshooting support.
What Should You Pay Attention To When Using a Portable Power Supply?
- Do not short-circuit the unit. To avoid short-circuiting, keep the unit away from all metal objects (e.g., coins, hair-pins, keys, etc.).
- Do not heat the unit or dispose of it in fire, water, or other liquids. Keep away from high temperatures. Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight. Avoid using the power station in freezing temperatures, as the battery capacity would decrease.
- Keep away from high humidity and dusty places.
- Do not disassemble or reassemble this unit.
- Do not drop, place heavy objects on, or allow a strong impact on this unit.
- This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
- Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.
- Do not cover the device with towels, clothing, and other items.
- The unit may become hot when charging. This is normal. Use caution when handling.
- Do not charge the unit over the required time.
- Disconnect the unit when fully charged.
- Use the unit properly to avoid electric shock.
- Please deal with scrap products in accordance with the regulations, and do not treat the built-in battery as household garbage so as not to cause explosion and pollution.
- The product is only used for emergencies; it cannot replace the standard DC or AC power of household appliances or digital products.
What is the Difference Between a Modified Sine Wave And a Pure Sine Wave Output?
The primary job of an inverter is to convert the DC (Direct Current) power from the battery bank or solar panels to AC (Alternating Current) power needed for most appliances. It must take the constant DC voltage and change it to a sine wave curve above and below 0 volts.
When inverters first came out, the most common way to do this was to make the voltage go straight up and down, creating a blocky signal. This is called a modified sine wave, seen in orange in the image below. More advanced modified sine waves make multiple steps to come close to a pure sine wave.
Will a Modified Sine Wave Affect My Device's Performance or Damage My Device?
If the device you want to power uses a rectifier to change the AC into DC (A power brick), it's extremely unlikely that you'll have any issues. That means your laptop is going to be fine.
The full list of electronics that work just fine with a modified sine wave is far too long to get into here. Suffice it to say that if it doesn't use an AC motor and isn't a delicate piece of medical equipment, you will be in the clear.
When I Use My Multimeter to Test the AC Output, the Reading is Not 110V and Is Jumping Around. Why Would This Happen?
If you are trying to measure Modified Sine Wave output with a multimeter that is not rated "True RMS multimeter," this would happen. It does not mean that AC output is malfunctional. For more details, please refer to the following YouTube video.
Solar Panel FAQs
Solar Panel Ratings And Efficiency Explained
Rated Output / Power Output Capacity. This is the amount of power a solar panel can generate. Power is measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kwh). A 100W solar panel can produce 100W per hour under ideal weather conditions, a 300W solar can produce 300 watts an hour and so on.
Efficiency. The efficiency rating measures the amount of energy the panel is converting into energy. Most solar panels have an efficiency rating between 17%-23%. A solar panel with a 21% efficiency rating means it converts 21% of the sun’s energy striking it into electricity.
Do not confuse the efficiency rating with the rated output. A 23% efficiency rating does not mean the panel will only produce 23% of its rated output in watts.
What Happens to a Solar Panel When the Battery is at Full Capacity?
When a solar panel battery is at full capacity, it simply becomes 100% charged. The built-in battery management system will ensure no fire concerns arise if it uses modern lithium batteries.
When the battery bank becomes full, it stops absorbing power from the solar system. The solar panels will continue to generate a voltage that will not be used or stored unless there is an energy demand or more battery space.
Can a Solar Panel be Left Disconnected?
Yes, a solar panel can be left disconnected since there is nowhere for the voltage to go when the sunlight strikes the surface. The panels' temperature may increase, but the panels are large enough that this heat will not affect the solar panels.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Solar panels are made to last more than 25 years. However, solar panel life expectancy doesn't mean constant electricity production - energy production will decrease over the years, but their lifespan remains remarkable.