*I would like to thank Ecoflow for sponsoring this video. Ecoflow is having a Christmas Sale! Get up to 50% OFF from now until December 26th. Use the code 6DSMXK4Z with either of the links below to get and additional 5% OFF! EcoFlow Website: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=136 (affiliate link) DELTA MAX Amazon: amzn.to/3F36kR4 (affiliate link) DELTA 2 Amazon:amzn.to/3FjQz9r (affiliate link) This channel is owned and operated by DIY Prepper. DIYPrepper.com and DIY Prepper TV is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This channel also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.
For anyone investing into a solar generator for the first time, I'd highly recommend hopping on Amazon and ordering some extension cables to run from your panels to your generator. You don't want to keep it in direct sunlight and this will make it easy to keep it in the shade.
One extra thing I considered when I purchased my solar generator was the operating temperature. I noticed different brands and even same brand but different models have different operating temperature. Not all of them can operate below zero. Remember to pick the one suitable for you.
Best option is to use a fuel generator to charge the solar generator. I can get 5 full charges out of my 5000w solar generator from 1 tank of fuel from gas generator.
I have the Delta Pro and one of the best feature is that you can charge it at a EV charging station really fast if you also have the adapter. This helps a lot when it's only your neighborhood that gets the black out but other areas outside your neighborhood still has power.
I am presently Camping in my Van in the Chattahoochee Mountains in Georgia and I have Solar and a Gas Generator, my Solar has hardly been working because of being in a Valley and the Suns position here in the Mountains, even though the Trees have lost their Leaves they still block allot of the Sun that I would get so I have to use my Gas Generator to charge up my Batteries daily, about two hours a day.
I have a small Jackery but since I have a small acreage farm (80 acres) with a few cows I also have a 13000 w dual fuel portable generator that hooks into a double throw switch at my meter and it will power the whole place including my well to water my livestock.
I had a Honda 2200 generator and I installed a tri-fuel adapter. I run it mainly off propane which has numerous advantages over gas. I prefer to use to recharge my solgen's over the solar panels because I can full recharge them in an hour or so, and the panels take all day. Remember, you need an inverter type gen to recharge solar gens.
I have a small collection of ecoflow power stations and I absolutely love them. But we’re in a weather pattern right now where it’s so dreary and overcast day after day I need to use lights indoors even in the daytime. So not a chance of solar recharging. I do have an inverter generator as backup and it recharges my power stations. It’s not ideal and not my preferred way of supplying backup up power, but I’m glad I have the backup gas generator because I would be weeks without power in the current weather pattern. It’s interesting to see how much the sun moves with the seasons and your preferred spot to place panels may not be the same throughout the year. Great and informative video!
Great video! I do want to point out you are in Texas so you have sun, I’m in Seattle…not a great place to charge a solar generator so mostly useless a lot of the year.
This subject gets more interesting every year as the manufacturers improve their products and increase their product lines, giving us much wider choices at varying price points. I am saving for a solar generator but didn't make it it for this year, next year for sure. I do believe that a combination of both systems really is your best choice as long as you can swing the expense and have room to store everything.
I've collected quite an assortment of generators. I have a couple of battery generators that I can charge with solar panels, AC power or DC car charger. I have a 22KW whole house generator and 400 gallons of propane for it. I have a nice Honda 2200 inverter generator with 50 gallons of gasoline that I rotate and add stabilizer. If we did lose the electrical grid I don't plan on powering my house 24/7, but rather now and then as needed to reserve as much fuel as possible. There is every chance that if the grid was down gasoline and propane will no longer be available so I'll try to make what I have last as long as I can. Another great video JR, thanks a bunch!
Install a tri-fuel adapter to your Honda 2200. Then run it off propane. Buy and store a lot of propane tanks and the propane is good for 25 years, or more.
I live here in Houston, and have decided to go with the Generac, they should start in the next couple of weeks. Of course, hurricanes and flooding are our biggest threats, and from what I understand the gas company have to leave the lines on to keep water, etc. from seeping into the lines during those events. Big plus is not having to stand in line for hours, hoping to get gas from the station. Huge demand for them after the icepocalypse, wait time here is about 6-8 months for Generator Superstore to install, only two, three months for Lowes. I paid $14K, hopefully it will work as planned if needed. I do keep solar panels and batteries to supplement, or as a last ditch means.
I live in a townhouse end unit, so i have a common area space (on the side of the house) to place solar panels. But like you mentioned, security is an issue. If a grid down situation occurs, where other people in the neighborhood/ cul-de-sac are without power, will they become envious and either steal, or sabotage my panel setup. It only takes one angry person. These are my major concerns. The side of my townhouse receives a ton of sunlight too... so it's ideally the best location. I wish I had a real house, with a fenced in backyard, then this wouldn't be an issue.
They're very useful for short term scenarios and the early stages of long-term where most people still think normalcy will return. I wouldn't count on one for long term though. You'd practically ringing the dinner bell every time you fired it up. Imo the ideal setup is a hefty solar system with a small gas inverter generator to charge the batteries on occasion, and a modest amount of gas that could be stretched out a week or two.
*I would like to thank Ecoflow for sponsoring this video.
Ecoflow is having a Christmas Sale! Get up to 50% OFF from now until December 26th. Use the code 6DSMXK4Z with either of the links below to get and additional 5% OFF!
EcoFlow Website: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=136 (affiliate link)
DELTA MAX Amazon: amzn.to/3F36kR4 (affiliate link)
DELTA 2 Amazon:amzn.to/3FjQz9r (affiliate link)
This channel is owned and operated by DIY Prepper. DIYPrepper.com and DIY Prepper TV is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This channel also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.
For anyone investing into a solar generator for the first time, I'd highly recommend hopping on Amazon and ordering some extension cables to run from your panels to your generator. You don't want to keep it in direct sunlight and this will make it easy to keep it in the shade.
One extra thing I considered when I purchased my solar generator was the operating temperature. I noticed different brands and even same brand but different models have different operating temperature. Not all of them can operate below zero. Remember to pick the one suitable for you.
Best option is to use a fuel generator to charge the solar generator. I can get 5 full charges out of my 5000w solar generator from 1 tank of fuel from gas generator.
I think BOTH is the way to go!
Yes! "Two is one, and One is None!" Best wishes to you!
I keep forgetting that I have a 4500 watt gas generator in the garage. I fire it up annually, give it a test, and forget it. Still works!!
I have the Delta Pro and one of the best feature is that you can charge it at a EV charging station really fast if you also have the adapter. This helps a lot when it's only your neighborhood that gets the black out but other areas outside your neighborhood still has power.
I am presently Camping in my Van in the Chattahoochee Mountains in Georgia and I have Solar and a Gas Generator, my Solar has hardly been working because of being in a Valley and the Suns position here in the Mountains, even though the Trees have lost their Leaves they still block allot of the Sun that I would get so I have to use my Gas Generator to charge up my Batteries daily, about two hours a day.
I have a small Jackery but since I have a small acreage farm (80 acres) with a few cows I also have a 13000 w dual fuel portable generator that hooks into a double throw switch at my meter and it will power the whole place including my well to water my livestock.
The best video I have seen on the subject, by far. You have covered many things I had not thought about. Thank you.
Thank you Julia!
I had a Honda 2200 generator and I installed a tri-fuel adapter. I run it mainly off propane which has numerous advantages over gas. I prefer to use to recharge my solgen's over the solar panels because I can full recharge them in an hour or so, and the panels take all day. Remember, you need an inverter type gen to recharge solar gens.
You win the Christmas sweater game this year! 🤣 Love it! Good information! Thank you.
Thank you!
I have a small collection of ecoflow power stations and I absolutely love them. But we’re in a weather pattern right now where it’s so dreary and overcast day after day I need to use lights indoors even in the daytime. So not a chance of solar recharging. I do have an inverter generator as backup and it recharges my power stations. It’s not ideal and not my preferred way of supplying backup up power, but I’m glad I have the backup gas generator because I would be weeks without power in the current weather pattern. It’s interesting to see how much the sun moves with the seasons and your preferred spot to place panels may not be the same throughout the year. Great and informative video!
Great video! I do want to point out you are in Texas so you have sun, I’m in Seattle…not a great place to charge a solar generator so mostly useless a lot of the year.
@@mikecaster4612 agreed and that’s my plan. Run gas at day and recharge and solar at night for opsec. Good points
This subject gets more interesting every year as the manufacturers improve their products and increase their product lines, giving us much wider choices at varying price points. I am saving for a solar generator but didn't make it it for this year, next year for sure.
I do believe that a combination of both systems really is your best choice as long as you can swing the expense and have room to store everything.
Just helping the algorithm
Thanks Pete!
Great video...and nice sweater! Happy holidays to you and your family.
Thank you Jenn!
Hi, J.R. Always appreciate your videos. ESPECIALLY power options. I have solar panels and two Jackerys. Stay well!
Thanks Karl!
It all depends on the need or quietness of said use. Storm.. regular generator. End of the world solar generator no one can hear it.
I've collected quite an assortment of generators. I have a couple of battery generators that I can charge with solar panels, AC power or DC car charger. I have a 22KW whole house generator and 400 gallons of propane for it. I have a nice Honda 2200 inverter generator with 50 gallons of gasoline that I rotate and add stabilizer. If we did lose the electrical grid I don't plan on powering my house 24/7, but rather now and then as needed to reserve as much fuel as possible. There is every chance that if the grid was down gasoline and propane will no longer be available so I'll try to make what I have last as long as I can. Another great video JR, thanks a bunch!
Install a tri-fuel adapter to your Honda 2200. Then run it off propane. Buy and store a lot of propane tanks and the propane is good for 25 years, or more.
There are some RUclips videos on how to make gas generators a lot quieter.
Such needed information. Thank you!
Nice sweater JR!! Stay safe and thanks for sharing. Cheers from Canada!
Thank you!
I live here in Houston, and have decided to go with the Generac, they should start in the next couple of weeks. Of course, hurricanes and flooding are our biggest threats, and from what I understand the gas company have to leave the lines on to keep water, etc. from seeping into the lines during those events. Big plus is not having to stand in line for hours, hoping to get gas from the station. Huge demand for them after the icepocalypse, wait time here is about 6-8 months for Generator Superstore to install, only two, three months for Lowes. I paid $14K, hopefully it will work as planned if needed. I do keep solar panels and batteries to supplement, or as a last ditch means.
Go with 100lb propane tank. That way it will last a while. You can find them on things craigslist, marketplace, and auctions.
I'll go with both... great tutorial there is a winter storm heading to east coast.. 🙏
Thanks for watching!
I live in a townhouse end unit, so i have a common area space (on the side of the house) to place solar panels. But like you mentioned, security is an issue. If a grid down situation occurs, where other people in the neighborhood/ cul-de-sac are without power, will they become envious and either steal, or sabotage my panel setup. It only takes one angry person.
These are my major concerns. The side of my townhouse receives a ton of sunlight too... so it's ideally the best location. I wish I had a real house, with a fenced in backyard, then this wouldn't be an issue.
@@Jean.A.squirrel true.
Let neighbors charge their devices and everyone will be happy and protect your settings.
Where do live? What's your address?
Great content
I think it all depends on the situation. You might be the guy/gal that everyone on the block is going to be looking towards.
it's ok in a house but what do you do in an apartment and money is tight
me personally i don't think gas generators are good prepping wise. just normal power outages. too loud and use too much fuel for a SHTF situation.
True. My neighbor has a big open frame generator and when he cranks it up, it is so frigging loud... I bet you can hear it a mile away.
They're very useful for short term scenarios and the early stages of long-term where most people still think normalcy will return.
I wouldn't count on one for long term though. You'd practically ringing the dinner bell every time you fired it up.
Imo the ideal setup is a hefty solar system with a small gas inverter generator to charge the batteries on occasion, and a modest amount of gas that could be stretched out a week or two.
Solar. Definitely solar. Unless of course, the sun goes away. In that case...gas. Then you'll need to string up some lights, too.