Especially as I need 240v to power things like my well pump and central AC. A gasoline generator was all that I could find that could put out 240v at 50A and run my house.
I could really only see myself getting a (very heavy) pure sine wave gas powered generator with a battery backup at this point. Had too many permanent problems with old generators, and outages seem to come too frequently in my area with the lightest breeze.
Specifically heavy because this area has become a lot more crime ridden over the years, and ain't no one really wants to go out tired at 3 AM and get ambushed when their generator goes off and they're not thinking straight enough to have a firearm with them.
The idea about the solar is that it doesn't make a bunch of noise and give off that tell-tale smell that a gas-powered generator does, and won't alert the roving thieves and neighbors that you have a stealable generator if the SHTF.
I don't recommend them. I have a few and my first one went out using a hair dryer. I don't know about the newer model but the older ones could use improvements.
I got one 4 years ago, since I don't believe in straight solar. I use hybrid system. I use the solar to cycle my fridge and freezer. Occasionally run the coffee machine or microwave. I keep one 200 watt panel attached while it's operating. Its good for about 24 hours if I manage it well. Then I turn on my duel fuel generator. Gas or propane, recharge my patriot 2000wh in about 4 hours while i also let the generator direct run then fridge and freezer. This uses about 1.25 gals of fuel. Once the patriot is all charged i turned off the gas Jennie amd start over. 24 gals of fuel give me about 80 hours of generator and 480 hours of patriot power. Between and 30 days off grid. I extend that even further by not powering my freezer at all for 8 hours overnight. I also set the freezer on its highest setting while the gas is on. That gives me about 8 to ten more days in 70 to 75 degree avg daily temps. Trying it out while we are wothout power from Milton. 48 hours in. Ran gas genny four hours. It's a good system. Solar only extends My run time a little. I'm sure other models besides patriot work well. There wasn't as much selection 4 years ago amd it was 2500 bucks. We ahve their food too and a bunch of their tools like the solar water heater which is awesome if u got sun. Florida does. Hope that helps.
Maybe we should stock up on the Patriot solar power generators before they raise their prices.
These? https://4patriots.com/collections/solar-generators
I can't see myself spending that type of money when I can just get a gas generator. Let's hope there is no gas shortage
Especially as I need 240v to power things like my well pump and central AC. A gasoline generator was all that I could find that could put out 240v at 50A and run my house.
I could really only see myself getting a (very heavy) pure sine wave gas powered generator with a battery backup at this point. Had too many permanent problems with old generators, and outages seem to come too frequently in my area with the lightest breeze.
Specifically heavy because this area has become a lot more crime ridden over the years, and ain't no one really wants to go out tired at 3 AM and get ambushed when their generator goes off and they're not thinking straight enough to have a firearm with them.
The idea about the solar is that it doesn't make a bunch of noise and give off that tell-tale smell that a gas-powered generator does, and won't alert the roving thieves and neighbors that you have a stealable generator if the SHTF.
Good point, however, I don't think it will be mad max style, well..... perhaps in bigger cities.
I don't recommend them. I have a few and my first one went out using a hair dryer. I don't know about the newer model but the older ones could use improvements.
I got one 4 years ago, since I don't believe in straight solar. I use hybrid system. I use the solar to cycle my fridge and freezer. Occasionally run the coffee machine or microwave. I keep one 200 watt panel attached while it's operating. Its good for about 24 hours if I manage it well. Then I turn on my duel fuel generator. Gas or propane, recharge my patriot 2000wh in about 4 hours while i also let the generator direct run then fridge and freezer. This uses about 1.25 gals of fuel. Once the patriot is all charged i turned off the gas Jennie amd start over. 24 gals of fuel give me about 80 hours of generator and 480 hours of patriot power. Between and 30 days off grid. I extend that even further by not powering my freezer at all for 8 hours overnight. I also set the freezer on its highest setting while the gas is on. That gives me about 8 to ten more days in 70 to 75 degree avg daily temps. Trying it out while we are wothout power from Milton. 48 hours in. Ran gas genny four hours. It's a good system. Solar only extends My run time a little. I'm sure other models besides patriot work well. There wasn't as much selection 4 years ago amd it was 2500 bucks. We ahve their food too and a bunch of their tools like the solar water heater which is awesome if u got sun. Florida does. Hope that helps.
Great info, thanks. o7
Thanks!