Portable Back Up Power Thread

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  • Jimbob2.0

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 20, 2008
    16,600
    What options are you using? Some medical issues have led us to want some back-up for basic needs. Not quite ready for a full gen system as I envision solar and possibly a permenant lithium or nat gas generator in the 5 year plan.

    Generator?

    Portable battery with solar?

    EV car or plug hybrid (anyone manage to use a Kia PHEV as a generator?)

    Whatever it is want it to turn on power a small refrigerator, charge basic electronics, filter, aquarium heaters (this is the bigger load I am concerned about), possibly basic power tools and be chargeable from a variety of sources. In the long run looking to power maybe a minisplit in a shelter below ground area for cooling/heat. For really light stuff two of our three vehicles have built in small amp power inverters.
     

    Alan3413

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 4, 2013
    16,927
    Just a regular genny for us but looking at installing 400w of solar to keep the batteries powering the network charged. Can prolly wire them to charge small devices as well.
     

    MRH

    Never sell your sword
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 5, 2020
    1,716
    Chesapeake Bay
    I have a pretty large genset and a transfer switch that I got years ago when they were decently priced, 15KW with a surge to 22.5 so I can start hard loads like a central A/C sitting in the sun on a summer day. I used to have a smaller 7KW that would start the A/C if I just took the garden hose to the outside unit first, a few degrees cooler from the water condenses the refrigerant enough to make starting much easier when it's hot out.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I have a Generac 8000XP that I wheel outside the garage and plug into a plug inside the garage whenever the power goes out. I used to drag extension cords around but got tired of that and had a transfer box installed in the basement leading to the generator plug in the garage. I can work everything but the heat pumps and I have pellet stoves that will keep the house warm.

    It takes 10 minutes to wheel out and start up (battery start). This is my second Generac and I have never had a problem with them in over 20 years.
     

    cantstop

    Pentultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 10, 2012
    8,161
    MD
    I bought the Honda EU2000i Inverter generator back in 2009 and it has filled my needs for temporary power. There are plenty of clones that are about 1/3 of what I paid back then. It keeps the sump pump, fridge, lights, TV and internet up in the fall when we lose power.

    I like that it is really quiet and has a true sine wave output using the inverter technology. Last year I tried to run my HF 8 gallon air compressor with it and the generator shut down when the compressor induction motor kicked on. (This was a chits and giggles test, just because.)

    The little Honda starts when I need it.
     
    Last edited:

    cantstop

    Pentultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 10, 2012
    8,161
    MD
    Last edited:

    Glaron

    Camp pureblood 13R
    BANNED!!!
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 20, 2013
    12,752
    Virginia
    What options are you using? Some medical issues have led us to want some back-up for basic needs. Not quite ready for a full gen system as I envision solar and possibly a permenant lithium or nat gas generator in the 5 year plan.

    Generator?

    Portable battery with solar?

    EV car or plug hybrid (anyone manage to use a Kia PHEV as a generator?)

    Whatever it is want it to turn on power a small refrigerator, charge basic electronics, filter, aquarium heaters (this is the bigger load I am concerned about), possibly basic power tools and be chargeable from a variety of sources. In the long run looking to power maybe a minisplit in a shelter below ground area for cooling/heat. For really light stuff two of our three vehicles have built in small amp power inverters.

    Some EVs are set to be generators.

    During an emergency I used my car and a 2000W inverter to keep things powered.....

    Until the wife plugged in the electric coffee maker.:innocent0

    now I have a real generator.
     

    Roksfr

    Ardent Safety Training
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 14, 2020
    349
    Southern AA
    Lincoln Electric Ranger 250, 10,000 Watt AC Power, and I can weld stuff (anything that I need to) with it. We are set up to run the 250 amp plug on the machine to a box into the house. In the SHTF scenario requires gasoline, but runs everything in the house.
     

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