I can't really afford this setup but the guy makes a great argument for these solar units.

Agreed there's an argument to be made. That said, also worth considering what could go wrong on those systems. Computer chips control the charging, displays, prevent overcharge, the batteries may be great, or the may have flaws that flame up one day. He demonstrated controlling with a smart phone app, which I'd like to think was app to system via Bluetooth (I'm sure it was in part at least), but I wonder if cloud systems are necessary for any of the functionality? Perhaps not, except for software updates.

From a noise perspective, I am a huge proponent of those Honda EU systems over non inverter-based generators. When your draw is less (maybe only charging a flashlight or cell phone), the motor slows down, and it just creates the 60Hz AC with lower current/wattage capability. When your power requirements increase (coffee pot kicks on), it ramps up automatically to deliver the necessary power output. All the while making a clean 60 cycle signal.

Traditional generators (non-inverter) always spin a 60 Hz (or maybe 30 with two poles?). And in my experience they are always loud, and always louder than the Honda EU. You can stack two EU inverters to make 220V.

All that just as a counter point to that man's thoughts. But he has some very valid points to consider as well when picking what's best for one's situation.

quote:

Traditional generators (non inverter) always spin a 60 Hz (or maybe 30 with two poles)

The noise from non-inverter engine driven generators comes from the engine spinning at a constant speed that has to be a multiple of 60 (to produce 60Hz AC), usually 3,600rpm for gasoline/propane/natural gas or 1,800rpm for diesel.

I have a couple of small Ecoflow units. Their best use for me is as backup power for the computer/internet/phone and incubators and brooders. They go on sale with deep discounts often and have really come in handy keeping the birds alive a few times.

He's embellished about how many people die from gas generators every year by putting them too close to air intakes. At least I've never heard of it happening and I live in an area where gas and propane generators are abundantly in use. The inverter generators are very quiet. For someone to hear them they have to be within less than fifty yards of you. If that's the case they already know you're there if you're trying to conceal your whereabouts.

The big advantage solar over gas powered is the solar generator can be kept inside the cabin while the charging solar panel is outside. Gas and propane generators will give you trouble in sub zero temps. Yes the gas generators require maintenance but if you have basic small engine skills you can keep these things running. The Honda's are crazy reliable. As rOgue mentioned there's a lot of complicated electronics and circuitry going on with these solar generators. If it suddenly up and quits you are most likely dead in the water.

His noise argument is kind of BS. An inverter generator, especially in eco mode is pretty quiet. I've had mine on my back porch which is 15ft. of the ground and you can't hear it in the house. You also can't hear it in the front or side of the house. If you have a standard generator, yes they are loud because they are maintaining constant RPM.

You have to have massive panels and batteries to get close to the performance of a gas generator.

I'm rocking a 3500W dual fuel inverter generator and I have one of these solar chargers for devices. I would still like to get a decent solar generator to supplement.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
He's embellished about how many people die from gas generators every year by putting them too close to air intakes. At least I've never heard of it happening and I live in an area where gas and propane generators are abundantly in use.

Consumer product safety commission statistics are generators account for 20 deaths per year (i.e. 23% of 85 annual CO deaths). Unfortunately, happens after practically every hurricane here as peak hurricane season we typically have heat index of about 108. Typically, people in an apartment sweating their ass off get their hands on a generator and put on tiny balcony. Other times, people put in attached garage as they don't want risk it getting stolen or have a limb/tree fall on generator during the 8 to 12 hour hurricane.

Speaking of theft:

I used to chain my portable generator to a tree before I even started it. I agree with the guy in the video as my experience is that mass electrical outages leave neighborhoods eerily quite and they know who is running a generator 24 hours a day. Hurricane Ike tore my gate off its hinges and I found strangers in my backyard staring at my generator. They just wanted their phone charged but it's creepy. Also, my doorbell didn't work so people were walking out back and knocking on my bedroom window (i.e. the one with the portable AC unit hanging out of it).

The news had an unique story in Hurricane Ike's aftermath. A family had a generator in their backyard and didn't have their shed locked. The family heard the engine running all night, but by morning were hot and sweaty since the AC window unit had stopped running overnight. Went out back to investigate which is when they found their lawnmower running and a missing generator. In the middle of the night, the generator thief started their lawnmower before stealing the generator.

In other words, there is a some merit to being quiet and not bringing attention to yourself with the noise of a generator.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

Agree with sig4eva and trapper. Them little Hondas purr like a kitten. My big ass dual fuel is loud enough to wake the dead, however, and I wouldn't mind getting rid of it at all.

These solar generators are pretty slick. While expensive, they are substantially cheaper than a conventional set up for me. All I want/need is something to keep the freezers going and to run the well pump every once in awhile to take a shower. A traditional set up was quoted at around $35K including one one-day battery. These'll do the same for about 1/3-1/2 of that, and they are eligible for the 30% tax refund. The big problem with solar, though, is this past week. We've had overcast and rain every day and will for another few days. In that case, you're kind of screwed unless you've got several $3000 batteries.

I will watch this thread, I am very interested in getting a solar generator, but they are pricey. The two brands I'm considering are Jackery and BLUETTI, hopefully something better than 1000 watts.

I already own two gas portables, both Hondas, EU1000i and a EU2000i.

from what I see in the first minute or so of the video, I wonder why he didn't go micro hydro.

Of course micro hydro is not without it's own obvious issues, and legal problems depending on what stream it is etc.

That said, it seems like if you can afford this fancy solar system you can also afford the Honda at the same time, so it's not an either/or, and I bet most who have the fancy solar setup also have the option of gas too. Then you no longer have that dreaded "single point of failure."

If there's ever an EMP, the I know what kind of generator I would want to choose to get my non-solid state things powered.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
I have a couple of small Ecoflow units. Their best use for me is as backup power for the computer/internet/phone and incubators and brooders. They go on sale with deep discounts often and have really come in handy keeping the birds alive a few times.

I picked up the Ecoflow River Pro and the extra battery (total of 1440wh) a few years ago as a UPS for my router and internet etc.. I realized that unless the power outage is local to my physical location, the broadband power would also be impacted, so it wouldn't help in that situation but I could keep the fridge/freezer going and set up the solar panels. I'm also thinking that electric rates are lower at night so I could run most stuff off battery power during the day and charge back up at night from the grid.

I have the EcoFlow Delta 2 and Delta2 Max solar generators with extra battery for each. Also just added their dual fuel generator to the equation. I use this on my property to power my container workshop. Have 500w of solar to charge the Delta2 to keep it topped off and run Starlink 24/7. Also charging my tool batteries and running a mini fridge full time. It is so nice driving up and just flipping on the lights and everything is ready and working. LED and energy start certified appliances make getting the necessities so easy.

Can you do this cheaper, most definitely yes, but this setup works the best for me. EcoFlow is in my opinion the best of the available manufacturers. They just work and adding their dual fuel generator is belt and suspenders option to keep everything up and working.

At some point will look into wind as well to add to the mix. Once I start with the small cabin, will re-visit the power setup. But, for now this is by far the best way to go. Research and get a picture of what exactly you want to accomplish and then buy what you can afford and keep in mind upgrade ability. You will always find that you want more power, not necessarily need though.

Any plan like this should be done in layers. Solar, fuel, wind and if at all feasible add water.

Also have 2 small gas Champion generators that are like the little Hondas. These can be put in parallel to run larger loads while sipping on gas or propane. They are very quiet and have run like champs when I need them to.

The big ice storm we had several years ago here in Texas got me off my butt to be prepared. Added heat to this plan as well with Mr Heater and ability to run on propane or natural gas. Whole home generator will be added as well soon.

You can find some good deals on the Wellbotswebsite. This is where I bought all of my EcoFlow items. You can also look at EcoFlow official refurbished to get into it and see if makes any sense at a discounted price before further investment.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
from what I see in the first minute or so of the video, I wonder why he didn't go micro hydro.

Of course micro hydro is not without it's own obvious issues, and legal problems depending on what stream it is etc.

That said, it seems like if you can afford this fancy solar system you can also afford the Honda at the same time, so it's not an either/or, and I bet most who have the fancy solar setup also have the option of gas too. Then you no longer have that dreaded "single point of failure."

If there's ever an EMP, the I know what kind of generator I would want to choose to get my non-solid state things powered.

But wouldn't an EMP also fry the electronics in a generator?

We have a solar generator. Been too busy to set it up and familiarize myself with it. We got it as an emergency unit to run basics. Probably wouldn’t use it for running a furnace but other stuff for sure.

If I were that guy, I’d harness the energy of that water behind him. I think redundancy is key for off grid living.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:

If there's ever an EMP, the I know what kind of generator I would want to choose to get my non-solid state things powered.

But wouldn't an EMP also fry the electronics in a generator?

if you get an old 1970's era 3600 RPM 2-pole Sears (or similar) generator, they really don't have any electronics to worry about.

Sure, they are loud and use a lot of fuel, but that's what I would want for the EMP scenario to power my electrical things which also survived the EMP.

The $7,000 Bluetti setup in the second video bendable posted is 120v only. If you have any 240v circuits you want to run, it won’t do it. The guy mentions using a lockout instead of a transfer switch in order to pick and choose which circuits you want to run.

I’m not sure, but I believe that using the Bluetti setup with a panel lockout will only power half of the panel because it’s only 120v. With a 240v panel there’s three connections to the transformer on the power pole, 2 end taps and 1 center tap. The center tap is the neutral on the panel. The each end tap powers one side of the panel. Either end tap to neutral uses only half the transformer’s windings giving you 120v. Using both end taps uses all of the transformer’s windings giving you 240v. My panel lockout is wired to a 4 prong socket and if I plugged a 120v generator into it, only half of my panel would be powered.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

I've looked into solar "generators" a little but don't know much. They seem more like batteries than generators in that they don't seem to generate electricity but only store it. Again I don't know much but they don't seem to store a whole lot unless we're talking about charging things like cell phones and the like. With a load like a small window ac unit a few thousand watt hours is gone in a few hours. I think.

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
I've looked into solar "generators" a little but don't know much. They seem more like batteries than generators in that they don't seem to generate electricity but only store it. Again I don't know much but they don't seem to store a whole lot unless we're talking about charging things like cell phones and the like. With a load like a small window ac unit a few thousand watt hours is gone in a few hours. I think.

Yeah it's a play on words . The solar panels charge the battery and the inverter converts DC into AC .
" Solar Generator " is more of a marketing term .