Need Recommendations for Gas Generator and Strategy

[theprimitive]

Hey Everyone,

My plan for short term power outages has been to charge small batteries/electronics and power my chest freezer with my 200W solar rig and 100Ah (12V) battery. It's a 7cf freezer, I think it only draws 160W, so in theory that should cover it, but just barely. After the events of the last few days, I'm thinking I need a backup plan, which will eventually be a more robust solar rig, but a smaller gas generator seems to be the first thing I should buy.

I've been looking at Predator and Champion, leaning towards Champion because of the dual fuel option. Does anybody have experience with these? I'm happy to spend more money on something that's more reliable--that would be the highest priority. Honda seems like the gold standard, but the prices are ridiculous--are they actually worth it? Looking at the smaller units in the 2-3kW range. Inverter is also a desirable feature.

I'm also wondering if anyone has suggestions for the general strategy of what I should be trying to power when electric is out, meaning what size generator should I be looking at. Due to the fact that I rent and also I don't want to store tons of fuel, I don't plan on trying to power the central air in the house. Seems like overkill. So in my mind, the only real important thing would be my chest freezer which contains a significant food supply. I think I can avoid powering the fridge by moving some items to the freezer and keeping some in a high quality cooler with ice packs rotated from the freezer. Charging electronics and batteries for headlamps and lanterns would require negligible power. I guess I might need to run a couple fans or maybe a dehumidifier, but the latter would use lot of energy. At what point does humidity become a problem (other than discomfort)? Thinking about getting a second smaller freezer for redundancy. Any thoughts or criticisms of this plan much appreciated.

[RWS]

I am building an off grid BOL in the mountains.  I am using 48VDC which I recomend for anyone as you can now buy a 48V Li battery for not much more than a lead acid battery.  The prices are really coming down.  I am planning on using a propane powered Small generator to charge the battery thru a 48v outboard battery charger.  Using an inverter/generator uses less fuel.  That is in addition to a string of solar panels.  It's the shelf life of the fuel for me.  LOADS - Well pump is number 1, freezer/frig is #2 and a few LED lights.  Hot water is a luxury.  I changed out the electric heating element from 4500w to 1800 w as it loads up the inverter less but takes longer to heat up.  On demand propane water heater is also an option.  Good Luck!

[theprimitive]

Thank you, great ideas.

Agreed about the fuel shelf life. It seems like propane/nat gas is a no-brainer for long term fuel storage. Now I'm thinking whole house power is more realistic with natgas.

When you say "inverter/generator uses less fuel" do you mean a generator with the inverter feature built in or do you mean using a generator to charge your Li battery and then an inverter to get AC power from the battery to your loads uses less fuel?

What is your preferred source/brand for the Li batteries?

For your outboard battery charger, are you using a hybrid inverter with the generator power going in through the port you would normally connect to 120VAC from the power lines, and solar panels connected to the same unit?

Also for your loads, are you using all 48VDC appliances or AC appliances with inverter?

Thanks again.

[BennyMG1]

I have two of the Predator generators (two different sizes) that I’ve had for years and never had a problem out of either of them. They are for short term power outages as well as powering things around property where grid power isn’t available. I store gas with Stabil mixed in and rotate that supply about every two years.

[theprimitive]

I have two of the Predator generators (two different sizes) that I’ve had for years and never had a problem out of either of them. They are for short term power outages as well as powering things around property where grid power isn’t available. I store gas with Stabil mixed in and rotate that supply about every two years.

Thanks for the feedback on Predator. Just curious--what is your preferred solution to long term outages? Solar? Large propane generator?

[RWS]

Some of these new smaller generators output actually is an inverter.  The advantage is the engine slows down to match the load but the inverter keeps the 60hz.  Uses less fuel that way.  Look for the model number to have an 'i" sufix.

I use the "iota"  battery chargers for my solar batteries. 
https://www.solar-electric.com/search/?q=Iota+battery+charger

I know a guy that has a solar system 24v with a small battery bank.  The batteries will not stay up over night so when he goes to bed he turns on the battery charger.  Other wise he says his inverter shuts down on low battery at 2 or 3 AM.  That works if you have grid power but in a power outage it is best to shed night time load.

[theprimitive]

Some of these new smaller generators output actually is an inverter.  The advantage is the engine slows down to match the load but the inverter keeps the 60hz.  Uses less fuel that way.  Look for the model number to have an 'i" sufix.

I use the "iota"  battery chargers for my solar batteries. 
https://www.solar-electric.com/search/?q=Iota+battery+charger

I know a guy that has a solar system 24v with a small battery bank.  The batteries will not stay up over night so when he goes to bed he turns on the battery charger.  Other wise he says his inverter shuts down on low battery at 2 or 3 AM.  That works if you have grid power but in a power outage it is best to shed night time load.

Got it, thank you.

[nj_m715]

well sum bitch
I spent an hour writing a book with links and got a server error when trying to post
so now you get the cliff notes version just the links

most of my stuff is open box, close out cheap deals so keep checking until its in stock or on sale

this guy has tons of info, how to's and product reviews. sit down with a beer on a rainy day and go to youtube university
https://www.youtube.com/@WillProwse





direct tool has great deals from time to time and a side walk sale in anderson. get on their mailing list
https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/search?facets=&query=generator&page=0&sorting=relevance&catalog=
https://ibb.co/CVZ5jF2

I got this for 400$ at the sale in anderson
https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396023483

[nj_m715]

I've been buying these batteries, they are DIY Will approved
https://www.litime.com/pages/like-new-batteries   this is the discount open box page get on the mailing list and check back - stock and prices change

this is my favorite for most applications
https://www.litime.com/products/%E2%9C%85like-new%E2%9C%8512v-100ah-group-24-bluetooth-lifepo4-lithium-deep-cycle-battery
it has a higher surge BMS that is self re-setting with low temp protection. it's only 2 lbs more than the lightest 100amp hr battery and only a few bucks more than the cheapest option
weigh your needs to see what features you need. right now theres a few in stock at 200$ with a 6% sale
I just ordered 2 for my next project. I paid 250$ last time so this is a good sale

I have these in the house waiting for my solar panels to be installed
https://www.litime.com/products/%E2%9C%85like-new%E2%9C%85litime-48v-100ah-server-rack-lifepo4-lithium-solar-battery

[nj_m715]

search "all in one solar inverter 24v" on ebay and amazon
you can get it under 250$ if you want to wait
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=all+in+one+solar+inverter+24v&_sacat=0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305719674878

it's cheap and use the cheaper PWM solar charger but I mostly use it as a UPS so its charged from the grid
it also doesn't have a preset charge profile for lithium batteries but you can select AGM which works fine or create a custom profile to match your batteries
DIY Will has vids on doing this  -- Or spend more for better features if you need them

**watch out for 230v inverters built to match overseas power. you can make them work with a transformer but its better to just get the right one

model numbers and prices of my panels
https://ibb.co/0F1vTkM

my flex panel is not available now this one is close but you would need 2 in series for 40v. I wouldn't buy that, I think its expensive, its just an example
https://www.ebay.com/itm/194738060814

wait for a better deal - keep checking search other sellers
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=recycledgoods.com&store_cat=0&store_name=recycledgoodscom&_oac=1&_nkw=xunlight

[nj_m715]

harbor freight has a very good rep on their gensets they are probably the best selling unit in the country
they have a big dual fuel or you can slap a kit on anything they sell
https://www.harborfreight.com/13000-watt-tri-fuel-portable-generator-with-remote-start-and-co-secure-technology-epa-71386.html

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=propane+conversion+kit+for+generator+

just take the cost of the gen plus cost of the kit plus your time and compare to getting one already converted

if you plan to eventually connect the genset to your house and upgrayyedd from running extension cords everywhere try to buy a 220v generator if you can afford it
you'll need 220v to tie into a breaker panel but dont need it for extension cords (unless you have a well or other 220v need)

[nj_m715]

I have this one, I converted it to LP and its never had any gasoline
https://www.samsclub.com/p/7000-watt-generator-with-electric-start/prod8010540

it's off brand but it has a honda engine
I dont think they make it any longer

and I definitely don't connect it to the entire house through the 220v welder plug in my garage with a suicide cord

but I started with a 1500w HF inverter and a couple golf cart batteries
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-continuous3000-watt-peak-modified-sine-wave-power-inverter-63432.html
they go on sale under 90$ pretty often and even less if you get lucky on the clearance rack
it will run anything you can plug into the wall
for another 13 bucks you can power it from your car https://www.harborfreight.com/16-ft-6-gauge-jumper-cables-60396.html
I buy those, cut it in half then fold it in half, double up the wire. connect the wire to both sides of the clamp to carry more amps

for 300$ you can have one and a lithium battery. if you can charge it with the 12v car battery charger that you might already have in your garage

[nj_m715]

https://ibb.co/6Dzq26J

bare bones power supply just a battery and inverter
12v automotive charger
I use this on the most because it easy to move it powers my chainsaw and other power tools around the property

and the modified jumper cables for a quick connect inverter to run from any vehicle

[tlwagg]

If you haven't got Will's book you should get it. I believe you can now download for free. We put a system that runs two freezers and a refrigerator. We run it constantly but have a transfer switch just in case. It's been running for about 4 years now and no problem.

[Ravenwood1950]

Can you post a link to the book please? Will and Engineer 775 are the ones that installed my simple pump many years ago.
Ravenwood