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Frequently Asked Questions What can I plug into the AMP Station?
You can plug in any standard A/C device. Blenders, power tools, computers, rechargeable devices, refrigerators, lighting, sound equipment - any electrical device you plug in at home or work can be used with the AMP System. The AMP System is customized to your needs, and can provide a variety of outlets beyond standard 15 amp 120V household type outlets. If you need 240V outlets, twist-lock connectors, or any other receptable type, we can meet your needs. Who can use and AMP System? Do I need special training? The AMP System uses standard household-type switches, outlets, and circuit breakers. Turning on the power is accomplished with the flick of a switch. Electronics work just as they would in your home or office. You do need to tow the system to your site, but at least you don't have to do any heavy lifting; Have you every tried to unload a 5Kw portable generator from a truck by yourself? The average person does not know how to safely fuel a generator, find the on-off switch, check the oil, turn on the fuel shutoff valve, and pull the starter. Don't forget about operating the choke on some models. The AMP System is EASY! You can have power at a remote site within 60 seconds of arriving. Maintenance is easy and safe.. How long will the batteries provide power before recharging? That depends on many factors. The size of the battery bank is tailored to the intended purpose of each AMP System, so the size of the battery bank dictates how much energy is stored. The amount of energy you use and the amount of time you use it will determine how often the batteries need to be recharged. Furthermore, some appliances may be rated for a particular energy use (in watts) but may not always use that much power. For example, a refrigerator may be rated for 300W, but it only draws that much power when it is actually running. Finally, the type of battery used in the AMP System should not be discharged beyond 50% of capacity to maximize battery life. However, deeper discharging on occasion or in an emergency is certainly possible. To be conservative, when making capability claims we assume the user will not exceed a 50% discharge. To give you some practical examples, our typical Tailgate AMP System includes enough battery power to run a 42 inch LCD television and quality sound system for over 50 hours. The battery bank can easily be doubled to provide well over 100 hours of continuous use. A typical emergency response AMP System could power 500 watts of lighting for over 36 hours or 2000 watts of light for over 9 hours. Industrial and construction AMP Systems depend heavily on what types of tools and equipment are used and how often they are turned on, so contact us for more details. How much output power can an AMP System provide? A typical AMP System is equipped with an inverter that can output 4,000 continuous watts and withstand surges up to 8,000 watts. Essentially, a typical AMP System can be compared in output capacity to a 5kW generator, but has many benefits including no fuel, reliability, run time, lifespan, pure sine wave, and much more. However, some of our smaller systems may have a smaller inverter to save cost if the required output is lower. We can also equip AMP Systems with higher continuous output capability with multiple inverters, however, battery bank sizes become a limiting factor for very large power requirements. Nothing is "off the table." Contact us to discuss your requirements. How is the AMP System recharged? Your AMP System will come with a variety of plug adapters depending on your system configuration. You can plug the AMP System into 120V or 240V outlets including standard 15A household receptacles, 20A receptacles, and 30 or 50A twistlock, dryer, or range receptacles. Anywhere you can get A/C electricity, you can plug in your AMP System. How quickly can the batteries be recharged? The answer depends on the size of the battery bank, charging capacity of the system installed, type of power source used for charging, and how deeply the batteries have been discharged. In a typical system, a battery bank discharged to 50% capacity (maximum recommended) can be fully recharged in 8-12 hours. How much power do the optional solar panels provide? Four solar panels rated for 130 watts fit nicely on our standard AMP System roof. That means you can generate up to 520 watts of clean, green power in full sun. Depending on where you live and the time of year, solar panels may add over 2,000 watt hours of electricity in a typical day. The energy generated from solar panels can be used to recharge batteries or to run devices during daylight hours. This is managed automatically "behind the scenes" and a charge controller is used to prevent overcharging the batteries. You can use that 2,000 watts of power to run a 40W light bulb for 50 hours or a 500W hologen worklight for 4 hours. The solar energy is stored in the batteries. If there is not enough sunlight to recharge your batteries from a deeply discharged state, you can still simply plug the AMP System into any outlet and use clean utility power. Solar panels also make great additions to emergency vehicles, keeping the batteries at full charge and ready to respond when needed without needing to be plugged in constantly. Why are the roof mounted solar panels flat and not tilted toward the sun? It is true that sunlight hitting a photovoltaic (solar)
panel perpendicular to the surface wil provide the maximum energy output.
However, the sun can only be perpendicular to a stationary panel for an
instant each day. It is true that a tilted panel could provide slightly
more energy, but that would require parking the trailer in a particular
direction each time, and that direction would differ during different
times of the year. Furthermore, if the AMP System could not be parked
in the Can you put more than four solar panels on the roof? It just so happens that four Kyocera KC-130 photovoltaic (solar) modules fit very nicely on the standard AMP System roof. These excellent panel provide 520 watts of maximum power output. If you need more power from the sun to charge your batteries faster or sustain higher loads, we can outfit your AMP system with a additional solar panels. There is an option for four additional side mounted panels that can be tilted up and secured into place while stationary. Larger custom trailers can support even more panels. If you need a larger array for greater power demands, contact us for a customized solution.
What kind of vehicle can tow an AMP System? Your vehicle must have a Class III hitch, 7-way wiring, and a trailer brake controller. All of these are easily added to many light trucks, vans, and SUVs. Your vehicle must be capable of towing at least 4,000 pounds. The AMP System is heavy due to the weight of the batteries, which typically exceed one ton. Not to worry - the AMP System is mounted on a custom trailer outfitted with a 5,000 pound single axle for easy towing. The trailer gross vehicle weight rating is 5,000 pounds with a 3,500 pound payload. How long do the batteries last before they must be replaced? The batteries typically selected have a 7 year manufacturer's warranty and a 10 year expected lifespan. They are designed for a minnimum of 1,300 discharge cycles to 50% depth of discharge. A typical AMP System can provide over 25 million watt-hours of electricity before the batteries require replacement. How long will the AMP System last? The complete AMP System is expected to significantly outlast the battery life of 1,300 cycles. Proper care and maintenance of the trailer is the main factor in extending the life of the system. The electrical wiring and components should last as long as you own your AMP System. Will the trailer fit in my garage? It depends on the final configuration. There is some variation/choice in the height, and solar panels add approximately 3 inches to the height. Generally our trailers measure 6'6"W Overall, 13'L Overall, and 6' - 7' height. The box itself is 5' x 8'. What kind of warranty is provided? AMP Systems is an integrator of various systems. The individual manufacturers provide various warranties for various components installed in the AMP System. AMP System make no warranty for the performance of individual components, as this is beyond our control. However, we provide a six month guarantee on all installation, wiring, and work performed by AMP Systems. What kind of maintenance is required? The beauty of an AMP System is that, unlike a generator, there are very few mechanical parts required to generate electricity. Maintenance is very simple. If your AMP System contains lead-acid batteries (similar to a car battery), the only internal maintenance is to occassionally check and add distilled water to the batteries. Using sealed Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries eliminates battery maintenance altogether. The trailer requires infrequent periodic hub lubrication, safety checks, and brake service that can be provided by any trailer shop or qualified mechanic. Can the AMP System be charged with a generator? The AMP System can accept input from any 120V or 240V source, including generators. While we believe the AMP System should be charged with clean utility power or alternative energy sources (solar or wind), there are situations where a backup generator could prove useful. For example, in a remote locations, a single generator could be used to recharge several AMP Systems which are then transported to the point of electrical use. A generator may be used for backup power to recharge batteries or directly power loads in a mission-critical situation where the AMP System may not meet all electrical needs. In addition, using a generator to recharge an AMP Station is still far more efficient than powering loads directly with the generator. This is because the full output of the generator is used to store power in batteries. When a generator runs but isn't powering devices, or when it is powering far less than its capacity, fuel is wasted. If a generator is going to run, the excess power might as well be conserved in batteries for future use. That being said, it is better to configure an AMP System such that it can fully meet the intended power requirements at a remote site. And yes, you can still power your devices while the batteries are charging, whether it is being charged with a generator, solar electric panels, or utility power.
Unlike a portable generator that is not protected from rain, the AMP System is safe to use in all weather when appropriate precautions are taken. We provide a deck plate through which extension cords can be run out the bottom of the trailer. The outlets are protected inside the closed doors of the trailer. Have you ever needed to refuel to a generator in the rain? It's not fun. Is the AMP System safe to use? The AMP System is safe when used with normal precautions are taken against electrical shock. Unlike generators, there are no dangerous fumes produced when electricity is being used. There is no heat produced where you can burn yourself, unlike the hot muffler of a generator. There is no dangerous fuel to refill and transport. Certain precautions are required, however, when working directly within the battery and electrical compartments, which are seperated from the user receptacles of the trailer. A qualified electrician or alternative energy technician should always be used when accessing the electricity producing components of the system. That being said, the AMP System provides a safe source of tranportable remote electricity and is clearly safer than generators. Can you make an AMP System for my specific needs? Absolutely. We recognize that organizations and individuals use electricity in different ways. Some users need to use a lot of power in a short period of time. Some users need a small but steady amount of power for an extended period. If you are using an AMP System for Sunday tailgate parties, you may only need to power your audio/visual system for 12 hours, but a Sheriff's office may need to power a remote command post for an extended period of time during an investigation or emergency. Some users want the high quality power of a pure sine wave inverter to power sensitive electronic devices, while other users may want the cost savings of a modified sine wave inverter for simple devices like lighting, refrigerators, or TVs. We offer standard packages or we will work with you to meet the demands of your energy use scenario. Can the AMP System power medical equipment? The components typically installed in an AMP System do not have regulatory approval for use as a primary or backup life-safety system where critical electrical needs must be met. However, the quality pure sine wave inverters are capable of running most medical devices like oxygen generators with stable power output, but we cannot guarantee our systems for life-safety issues. We may be able to meet your needs for inverters with regulatory approval for this purpose. Contact us for more information. What theft prevention measures are
in place? Each AMP System has two doors - side and rear. Both doors are secured with heavy-duty latches and all trailers come with Master Pro-Series padlocks. The locks are keyed different to allow selective access to the battery/inverter compartment and the compartment with the end-user receptacles and gear. The trailer itself can be secured with a combination of devices, including pin locks, coupler loop locks, and wheel boots (not included) at the buyer's discretion. Solar panels are mounted in a manner in which they cannot be easily removed without accessing both interior compartments of the trailer. High voltage stickers can be added to discourage thieves. How quickly can I get an AMP Station? One of our standard packages can be delivered in about 6-8 weeks. Custom designed units require a minimum of 8 weeks for delivery depending on the components requested. Contact us with your needs. How can I obtain technical support with my AMP System? We offer telephone and email technical support, and we respond fast, knowing that your energy needs are important. Should you need service on any component of your system, we are happy to provide on-site repairs and maintenance in the Southwest Florida area. Should you need service outside this area, most components can be serviced by local providers. We are happy to provide you with recommendations. How does the cost compare to other mobile power solutions? It is difficult to compare the AMP System with other mobile power solutions because it offers features unavailable in any other system and will last far longer. The AMP System is a premium product using top-of-the-line components designed for use in the alternative energy industry. Therefore, the initial cost can be substantial, but very efficient in the long-run. Furthermore, AMP Systems have unique characteristics that cannot be found in any other mobile power syatem or portable generator. For example, the AMP System:
Let's take a look at estimated operating costs of an AMP System recharged using utility power compared to a 5kW portable generator:
Note: An AMP System using solar panels will cost even less in the long-run, and save even more! When you compare the life of the AMP System to generators, the choice is clear. Portable gasoline generators may last only 1,000 hours before a complete engine rebuild is required. Compare that to an AMP System. For example, you can use a typical AMP System 1,300 times for 10 hours each time using a continuous 2,000 watts. That is 13,000 hours producing over 25 million watt-hours of electricity over the life of the batteries. Compare that to the generator above that only ran for 1,000 hours and produced 2 million watt-hours of electricity. Let's look at it another way. Assume you wanted to use a mobile power system every day to produce 2,000 watts of power for 8 hours per day. The portable generator above would last 125 days before a complete overhaul was required and would produce 2,000kWh of electricity at a cost of $0.53 per kWh in gasoline costs. The AMP System would last 1,300 days (10 times as long) before batteries need replacement and would produce over 20,000kWh (10 times as much power) at a cost of $0.125 per kWh. Can I purchase an AMP System for use outside the United States? Absolutely. The AMP System is perfect for powering remote villages, emergency response, and all of the same great uses throughout the world. We can also provide 230V/50Hz configurations with a variety of international plug receptacle types. What are the technical specfications of the AMP System? That depends on what you order and what options you select. We like to discuss your needs and customize a system for you.
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What
can I plug into the AMP Station?
optimum
direction for whatever reason, the angling of panels away from the sun
would exacerbate the loss of energy production. We feel it is most practical
for a mobile system to flat-mount the panels on the roof. This provides
maximum 
Can the AMP System be used in all
weather?
