Solar vs Gas generator for SHTF: which is better?

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[alaingoyette]

Great video. My downside to solar generator is the issue of charge back capacity. Solar panels rarely produce 100% wattage capacity even in full sun. In addition to max voltage input capacity of solar generator so there is a max amount of wattage available for recharge. Typically, you may only get 70 to 45% recharge capacity from solar panels for a few sunny hours per day. It could take a long time (days) to recharge that battery depending on gear. To your point, depends on one needs. Great for preppers but not so much for houselold extended power outage. The good news is we are seeing more and more solar generators with extendedable/stackable battery packs like the Titan but could benefit from a faster recharge capacity.

[fmpApps]

Also consider a wind generator as there are small units available that work with the wind to create electricity.

[Pk_Garage]

For those concerned about using a portable gasoline generator, but running out of fuel. You can convert any gasoline generator to a Tri-fuel generator yourself for under $200. You will be able to use gasoline, liquid propane or natural gas. I installed one of these kits on our generator to use NG. It works great, and don't need to store a lot of gasoline fuel. We do have 15 gal. of gasoline and two 20lbs propane tanks though.

[jimdavis]

Hey City. I am a City Prepper . We have 12 Panels for solar 9 Batteries three charge controllers and three inverters. One Honda EU 3000. For AC and Refrigerator. Our system is running 24/7. We stay in an emergency preparedness. We have everything’s need during and after a hurricane. We plan to convert our gas generator into LP. Great vid looking forward to more.

[ericcarbonell]

I have lived through hurricane Hugo a cat 4 and Irma which was only a cat 1. Hugo left me without power for 2 months. Gas was gone day one. We survived on briquetes for cooking. The renewable aspect of solar/wind cannot be over-estimated. Even when gas does begin to get delivered again there will be lines, restrictions, theft. Also several people died of fume inhalation whole no one died from wind or flooding.

[javiermac]

No need to argue, both devices complement each other. Get both!

[pyronmasters]

I tried both in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the gas generator is good if you already have 2 weeks worth of fuel, the lines for the gas stations here were half a mile long each and only $10 of gas per person. The solar generator couldn't power my minifridge due to overcast for a whole week, BUT it did charge phones, run some lights, two usb fans and my dad's sleep machine. To sum it up, you can do alot more with a solar generator.

[Milosz_Ostrow]

For an emergency engine-driven generator, I would only consider one that is converted to run on propane and/or natural gas. Liquid fuels like gasoline go stale in a matter of months and can gum up a carburetor, while liquid propane can be stored in 20-lb steel cylinders indefinitely until needed and will never clog a carburetor. Moreover, propane may still be available while gasoline is in short supply or unavailable during a natural disaster.

[CanadianPrepper]

Great video man really well produced. I must say though I would disagree on point one I think that in terms of portability the solar generator wins if you look at that gas generator with one tank of fuel and compare it to a fully charged energy Kodiak it is twice the weight. It's only when you start adding on fuel sources that the weight goes up and of course the fuel that the solar generator uses is renewable whereas to store or carry the equivalent in gas would be a very heavy load as the Kodiak is essentially Unlimited. I agree with all your other points a very fair assessment.

[elit]

Great video, I learned a lot from living in South Florida. Most of the people had gas generators. when storm was coming, it is a mad rush to the gas stations. And proving they have fuel . Some times the gas stations would loose power too and you can not get any gas from the pumps. I think it would be wise to have more than one power source . Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience.

[Jaspero]

Solar would be my choice. It beats waiting in long lines for gas, that might break into fights.

[aulii]

I like the idea of having both, with the gas generator used primarily as an occasional backup to recharge the Kodiak for overnight use as necessary on rainy/cloudy days. My thought process may be faulty, but I'm thinking that more people would pay attention to the sound/odor of a gas generator during hours of darkness than during hours of daylight.

[dropshot]

I agree with most points you make, however on the last point you leave out an important aspect. Geological location. Our local wether in the netherlands has potential long periods of overcast/cloudy weather wich results in a drasticly lower power output of solar panels. Also, you could source/scavenge betteries for your generator too, so you don't have to run it continually and make more effecient use of the gas supply you have at hand. To me that makes them almost equal in this regard.

Edit:
It would be ideal to have both as a backup, In wich case a smaller generator could be enough to make use of the storage capacity of the batteries you use with your solar system. That does make the total system more expesive but more reliable

[bradleyr]

That was a nice comparison of the two options. I have had that very Honda model for years. It has saved me throwing out food during a power outage. I added two 100 watt Renogy solar panels with a 20 amp charge controller. That keeps two 100 amp hour lead acid batteries fully charged. I have that hooked up to a 1500 watt inverter for my AC power. That set up gives me about 1000 watts of usable power per day. It won’t run heat or AC long, but it will run everything else I need (not want) in an outage indefinitely. The Honda is my back up.

[DanSlotea]

Old and wise saying: don't put all your eggs in one basket. So having both is the solution. Relying on the sun is a game of chance. I'd add a dynamo bike to the setup.

[christinaelliott]

Once again you've provided much food for thought. Best option? Both. For California folks, I agree solar is the best choice, however, in Washington State, my home state, generator will work best in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to your next video.

[SuperTardos]

Living both in-town (YUK) & on the edge or rural & as a lifelong outdoors-man I've got some things you may have missed about the Honda generators. I also live in ND.
Buy two of them for 2K and with a couple cables you can run them at 220 volts for AC in a camper. With just one & a cable they make the best dead battery chargers you'll find.

5 deep-cycle batteries in my boat, 2 in the camper, 4 vehicles, 4 wheeler, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, tractors & a hunting shack & ice fishing shack I've got a HUGE need for batteries. I also run air compressors & dozens of electric tools, heaters & much more with them including computers (they are also inverters) for safe operation of electronics.
When a dead battery keeps me from starting my diesel pickup at 35 below zero, just a few minutes (even in the dark) and it will be going. I carry one of the 2 all the time.

With all the electronics in cars now anything below freezing is your enemy. Remote starts need a constant drain from a battery & they are the tow truck drivers best friend. I've had many of my batteries go dead while going through a 5 yr. STOP EVERYTHING medical event. Once back at it, even new (5 yr. old) batteries were beyond any of my dozen electric chargers ability to work. I started up a Honda & all got the (mechanics talk) FUZZ knocked of them and 6 yrs later I am still using those batteries.
I swore I was killing my Honda when it bogged way down on one of them for 10 minutes. But I do things with the idea "Well, I know who's got to fix it if I break it" attitude. I actually cringed & prayed for those 10 minutes. BUT, after another 5 minutes the SUV started & I then trickle charged it overnight. I'm sure the Honda's have saved me about $2, 000.00 in the past 2 years & the batteries are still going.

They are also used to run my house during outages including TV's, all fridges & freezers Plus either AC or heat depending on the season. We've got bug-out bags, but I plan on staying here or driving away if need be. If not, I've got solar for backup & use my spare gas in vehicles once a year & store fresh in cans.

Even though I'm a hunter, fisherman, hot & freezing weather survivor who has also spent time as a First Responder I still am GO-Ready. Don't forget the Kotex & popsicle sticks for bleeding & splinting ..LOL.

[baltsosser]

One of my friends that live in Florida bought a Goal Zero generator. It can't support very heavy loads, discharges very quickly and can take 72-96 hours to fully recharge under the best scenarios. That means he would have to have 3-4 of the same solar generator to provide the power. He was trying to use it to push a refrigerator. That never worked out for him though during a power loss though. I tried to teach him that it might work, but as with all disaster planning there had to be a plan B. For me that means a multi-fuel generator AND a solar generator. I see them as complimentary not mutually exclusive.

[chadpatrick]

Where I live I'm unfortunately left with only inverter generator. I'm going with the duel fuel option so I can store propane safely and use gas when I can. Thanks for the video

[finitewehosh]

When it comes to fuel, I would recommend (if possible) a day tank. We use them at work, and ours can hold up to 200 gallons of fuel. When you're operating heavy equipment and machinery such as blades, back hoes, and Class A vehicles, its not even a dent in your fuel consumption, but for a small group of vehicles that only hold between 10-20 gallons of fuel any ways, it would probably make a big difference. It costs a shiny penny, but in prolonged grid down situations a day tank will offer a surplus of fuel for extended periods of time. More niche prepping for those working in groups or expecting prolonged movement or activity during such situations, but very useful nonetheless. The less gas tins you have to carry the better.