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Backup power solar generator

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andyvh1959

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Feb 15, 2020
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Location
Green Bay WI
My wife said something like a solar powered backup power source may be a good idea. This was after she saw the commercial on TV for 4Patriots.com. Not to get into a whole different discussion on that webpage in general, the idea of a power backup is a reasonable discussion.


However, the 2200X solar generator is $3500. For that kind of money a Generac 10Kw backup generator makes more sense to me. I've lived in Green Bay WI for 22+ years and the times the power went out for more than a few hours is maybe five times.
 
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carlaisle

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May 14, 2022
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That's a 200 watt solar panel, a 180AH LifePO4 battery, charge controller, and 2,200/4,400 watt inverter. You can piece it together for a fraction of that if your fairly handy and don't need the nifty suitcase packaging/portability.

Inverter: 250
Battery: 180
Solar panel and charge controller: 200

Given your location, a wind generator might also be a viable recharging option.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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43,076
Location
SE MI
IMHO, this is the BEST DEAL on backup power.

Champion Power Equipment 4000-Watt and Free 3-Year Warranty - Amazon $560

This will easily run and a refrigerator and freezer and you can still make coffee and use the microwave. Make sure you have enough extension cords to run all of you appliances.

Do not store it with fuel inside ! Make sure to drain the carburetor if you want it to start next time !!!
 
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HoosierBuddy

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May 9, 2006
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Southern Indiana
I've looked at putting in a whole house backup NG (natural gas) generator in many times, but just can't justify it as my power has proven very reliable over the years. Instead, I have a small inverter style camping generator that I use for remote power around the property as well as have it available for backup power. I installed a single circuit transfer switch on the house that my NG furnace, NG power vent water heater, and sump pump can be powered from. The generator can simply be plugged in to that box and the switch thrown and my house stays toasty and I get hot water and a sump pump. Paid less than $100 for the switch through Northern. Took maybe 2 hours for me to install.

I also have a decent sized inverter, adapters so my 18V power tool batteries can be used to recharge cellphones and flashlights, and my truck has a 2400W power outlet if it comes to that.
 
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Stuart in MN

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Sep 8, 2005
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Location
Minneapolis
andyvh1959 said:
My wife said something like a solar powered backup power source may be a good idea. This was after she saw the commercial on TV for 4Patriots.com. Not to get into a whole different discussion on that webpage in general, the idea of a power backup is a reasonable discussion.


However, the 2200X solar generator is $3500. For that kind of money a Generac 10Kw backup generator makes more sense to me. I've lived in Green Bay WI for 22+ years and the times the power went out for more than a few hours is maybe five times.
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The name of that particular website kind of raises my eyebrows, but besides that I assume they're simply reselling products from other companies at a profit. There's a bunch of power stations on the market today and I think many of them have optional solar panels for recharging. Jackery and Bluetti are two names I see a lot.

I think they're a good solution if you don't anticipate extended power outages. If you have an RV or camp a lot you can use them for that as well. There's no messing around with the noise of a generator and having to worry about gas going bad and gumming up the carburetor and having to run power cables into the house from outside and all that.

Edited to add: the two companies I mentioned are often sponsors for various YouTubers, who will then have a discount code so you can get 10% off the purchase price, so it would be a good idea to look around for one of them.
 
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pembol

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Feb 13, 2014
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Captain Spaulding

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180AH isn’t going to be much of a backup. Solar only generates near max for 6 or 7 hours on an absolutely clear day in an area with no blockages. Not the kind of weather you are likely to have power outages. IMO, those solar generators are scams as they are marketed to perform well beyond their capability.
 
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pembol

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Feb 13, 2014
Messages
263
Captain Spaulding said:
180AH isn’t going to be much of a backup. Solar only generates near max for 6 or 7 hours on an absolutely clear day in an area with no blockages. Not the kind of weather you are likely to have power outages. IMO, those solar generators are scams as they are marketed to perform well beyond their capability.
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I am not sure about the specific ones the OP posted, but in general I don't think these are a scam. You just need to know what the appropriate application is.

I stumbled on one while looking for a UPS for some critical loads. For the same price as a 'traditional' UPS that would back up my equipment for 30 minutes, I could get a portable power station that would run the same equipment for 12 hours. With solar it could run indefinitely. As to solar during power outages, it depends on what drives your power outages. In the west, power outages are increasingly public safety shutdowns because of high fire danger - which tend to hot, sunny and windy, perfect for solar generation.

Yes they are over marketed, but what isn't these days?
 
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