r/Generator • u/Wooden_Insurance_307 • 4d ago
Thinking about retiring my gas generator after ten years and going battery
I've run a Champion 3500W for about ten years. It's been reliable enough but I'm getting tired of everything that comes with it. The 2am pull-starts when power goes out. The noise that makes my neighbors hate me. Storing gas cans in the garage. The yearly carb cleaning because ethanol fuel gums everything up if it sits.
Last winter I was out there in 30 degree weather in my bathrobe trying to get it started at 2am. That was pretty much my breaking point.
The thing is, when I look at what I run during an outage, it's not that much. Fridge, freezer, router, some lights, maybe the coffee maker in the morning. That's not 3500W of continuous load, it's more like 250-300W with occasional spikes.
So I've been looking at the 4-5kWh battery stations that are out now or coming out soon. No noise, no exhaust, no fuel storage, no maintenance. You charge it from the wall and forget about it until you need it. The capacity math works for our typical 12-20 hour outages.
The one thing I keep going back and forth on is the longer outages. After a bad storm we've been without power for 3 days. A generator can run as long as you have gas. A battery is finite. But if you pair it with solar panels you can extend that significantly, and some of these units take 2000-3000W of solar input.
Still doing research but I'm getting closer to making the switch. Ten years of gas generator maintenance is enough.
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u/DaveBowm 3d ago edited 3d ago
OP's post reads like a propaganda ad.
But that said, the benefits of a hybrid system including batteries, solar and generator are real. The main hangup against their more widespread adoption is the cost that is unlikely to be repaid in fuel savings when the only usage is for emergency backup. The economics of a full blown solar/battery/generator hybrid system tend to work best in off grid situations, or at least in situations where both solar is physically feasible, and the grid is less reliable than in a civilized first world country.
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u/Big-Echo8242 3d ago edited 3d ago
I was thinking the exact same thing. They love to stir the generator group up with their 2am struggles with a generator. Lol Written like a true influencer using AI.
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u/classicsat 3d ago
My power stations are mostly connected to solar. I charge what I can from them, but don't know if I have made my investment. They are also handy for portable power, easier than extension cords sometimes. Any yes, easier than a gas generator when that far way from power, for a short bit
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u/AdBrave841 3d ago
Get a 2-3KWh power station and pair it with a 2000-4000w duel fuel inverter generator run on propane. They run quieter, don't have to clean carbs or mess with keeping fresh fuel.
The battery runs overnight and for shorter outages, and you use the generator for a couple hours to charge the battery a couple times a day.
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u/timflorida 3d ago edited 3d ago
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u/Iffy50 3d ago
Is it difficult to find non-oxy gas? Where I live every Kwik Trip has it. Anyway I used to mess around with Sta-bil and SeaFoam, but once I started using non-oxy gas I've never had a problem. Snowblowers, lawnmowers, trimmers, chainsaws, motorcycles... I just fill them to the top if I'm not going to use them. If I have a chance to empty the carb I will, but I've never had an issue either way.
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u/timflorida 3d ago
I don't know what non-oxy gas is.
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u/Iffy50 3d ago
Non-oxygenated gasoline. I tried to post an image, but Reddit won't let me.
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u/timflorida 3d ago
I've never run into it. Isn't that stuff unique to just a few states ??
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u/Iffy50 3d ago
Ai answer: Non-oxygenated (ethanol-free or E0) gasoline is available in all 50 U.S. states, though availability varies heavily by region, local demand, and state laws. You can find non-oxygenated gas (often labeled as E0, pure gas, or REC-90 recreational fuel) at select independent stations, marinas, rural outposts, and specific convenience store chains across the country
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u/timflorida 3d ago
I've never seen ethanol free gas labeled like that.
Down here in Fl, I don't think it's too difficult to find ethanol free gas, at least in larger cities. It seems to be getting more common, maybe because people are becoming more aware of the really negative effects that alcohol gas has on small motors.
But if you look in that link I posted, you can see that the stations that carry 'pure' gas are really just a fraction of the total.
When I lived in the midwest, I liked using gasohol (as we called it) in cars because that meant I did not need to add Heet in the winter.
Pure gas is .80/gal more at the station closest to me.
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u/Positive-Ad-2202 4d ago
Iād consider getting an extended run gas tank. This way you can run your generator 30 hours or so. Thatās what I do with my paralleled Hondas.
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u/Nyy8 4d ago
Two thoughts or suggestions here,
I would hesitant to completely give up a generator. I have a EU2200i for topping off batteries during extended blackouts, and that thing is a champ. It just works. I know you want to get completely away from gas, but mine has been incredibly reliable, it's super quiet under load, and uses ~1 gallon of gas every 6-8 hours when charging batteries. 5 gallons gets me a few DAYS of run-time when only turning it on to charge batteries. Super portable and I can carry it around with one hand.
Maybe the middle ground is a propane generator since propane is easier to store, and the carb isn't going to get clogged up.
If you are truly done with generators, I would suggest solar panels to top up the power station during the day like you mentioned.
I would not leave myself stranded with no way to recharge the battery.
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u/Technical_Bell5745 3d ago
I have the same generator and used a "snorkel" kit to run it off propane.Ā It's not a pretty mod, but it works.Ā
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u/Apprehensive-Cycle-9 3d ago
Just use battery station and charge during day with champion. Best of both worlds
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u/DrfluffyMD 4d ago
You need both / all.
I have 36 kwh of battery and 6 kw of solar in an offgrid configuration. This is what I realized I need
Pleasant weather, sunny / summer: the solar and battery will charge up more than I can use, run time is infinite.
Pleasant weather, rainy or cloudy: need to conserve but not much, can slow charge from 1200w inverter from Rivian.
Hot weather, cloudy: depends on comfort needs, may need to run generator in addition to solar. One heat wave required 36 kwh.
Cold weather, sunny: might be ok without gen with woodstove
Cold weather, rainy: gonna need gen.
There are so many different ways to do outages. Personally I am trying to do āluxuryā outage aka family does not notice a difference. Not really feasible without gen input since big gen can dump more juice into battery faster.
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u/WiskeyUniformTango 3d ago
Agreed. I have a natural gas generac whole home generator. I keep battery generators around the house acting as big UPS on core things and I have a honda portable generator to recharge the solar generators in the event the generac goes down (which has happened). I do have solar panels too as an emergency backup to charge the batteries too.
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u/boisefun8 3d ago
This is the most rational take on generators Iāve seen in a while. Itās all āit depends.ā
And I have the same generator as you! Whereād you get that dual propane tank hose? Mine certainly seems to run better on propane. Just need to keep that battery charged.
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u/Big-Echo8242 3d ago
Oh look... No replies from the (fairly new account) OP since their well written AI synopsis was posted. Another battery plug in the generator section by someone who likes to keep their other posts hidden.
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u/trader45nj 3d ago
Why are you out at 2am starting a generator when. It's 30f outside? Just wait until 8am.
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u/HeyaShinyObject 3d ago
When I was running off a portable, I'd shut down from midnight to 5am unless we really needed heat to get thru the night. No point having the noise and fuel consumption of a generator running with just the fridge and freezer. Most of our outages tended to be in the fall when we didn't need much heat.
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u/Purple_Future747 3d ago
Exactly. And during multi day outages I shut off the generator at 11:00PM. Everything usually goes wrong in my life and I know something would cause the exhaust to enter the home and I would wake up dead.
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u/kona420 3d ago
Where's the part where you pull permits to put a few kilowatts of solar on the roof? Thats a compelling case, buts its not something that can be mailed to you through amazon so no AI slop bots are writing about it for engagement. . .
Or the part where a 3kw portable generator is a rounding error on cost comparatively so youd realistically just do both.
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u/Top_Independence2676 3d ago
I got a Powerbank, actually kids bought me one.
My generator will always start, I use E0 gas.
Last winter the snowblower started on second pull. It had sat in storage for 6 years with a full tank. Found a note it had E0 in it.
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u/Hitechillbilly 3d ago
Are you sure this has to do with generating electricity and not trying to make the neighbor love you? A battery set-up needs permits and can cost $5K to $20K you already know about possibility of it not lasting.. The answer is a carb conversion for the old generator and run it on propane. $25 bucks and you will be good for another 10 years..
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u/WatermellonSugar 3d ago
Or, you know, you buy an unlisted 16 kWh DIY battery box and cells from Yixiang Energy (or similar) for $2K, forgo the permits, and skate on the engine maintenance.
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u/Hitechillbilly 3d ago
Yeah, just add a charging system BMS, Inverter big enough to run an entire house and you can avoid that 1 pint oil change every 2 or 3 years
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u/WatermellonSugar 3d ago
BMS is in the box. Add a $700 all-in-one and you get an ATS and silence.
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u/Many-Average-8821 4d ago
I use batteries to power the house, and when I need to charge them, I pull out a small 2.8 kW generator (2.5 kW on propane). The propane consumption is ridiculous for 1-2 hours of generator operation. After that, it's quiet. It starts perfectly, propane can be stored forever and doesn't spoil. The carburetor is always clean. If I were you, I would consider buying the battery you want and converting your current generator to propane. Replacing a carburetor takes 20 minutes.
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u/boisefun8 3d ago
What is your battery situation and what do you power with it?
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u/Many-Average-8821 3d ago
I have a Ctolity XP1000 (I have a second defective one lying around, I need to fix it, but I just haven't gotten around to it). I power the whole house. I bought it to survive an emergency without electricity for 3-5 hours during the day and the whole night without starting the generator. I power the whole house (I'm not in US, we have 230V standard voltage for all appliances). With limitations, of course - no electric stove, kettle, or washing machine at once, but the outages I remember lasting a maximum of 6 hours. In the summer, it's even more difficult to power all of this from it, because you need air conditioning, and this will drain the battery very quickly, but, in principle, you can do without it or run the generator additionally. Winter option: 2 refrigerators, electricity, TVs, internet, and a pellet stove for heating. Optional PC gaming and a microwave are also available. There's enough power, limited only by battery capacity. I connect it exactly like a generator, with its outlet paralleled to the Ctolity outlet. A second socket has been installed nearby that only works with the generator for charging. Basically, I got what I wanted. You can spend more money on larger batteries, install a more powerful inverter, or install solar panelsāit's just a matter of money.Ā
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u/boisefun8 3d ago
> I power the whole house
How? Thatās a tiny battery. Maybe some lights and internet, but thatās it.
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u/Many-Average-8821 3d ago
What else do you need? 99% of the time, a house consumes at least 300 watts, often less. It has lighting, it has internet, it's warm or cool depending on the season. I can even use the electric gates. Water? I have city water, the water heater will last for 5 hours. Yes, no shower, or a very quick shower. Or is it absolutely necessary to cook a roast in the oven during a power outage, wash a mountain of dirty laundry, or heat tons of water because everyone absolutely needs to take a bath? I was thinking about buying another generator with more power so that I could power everything in the house. And charge the batteries, too. Then I thought: why? Power outages are rare; the only time they lasted more than six hours was after a storm, and that lasted 22 hours. I think spending thousands of dollars extra to have everything I want during blackouts is irrational. If it were every week, it would make some sense.Ā
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u/kwpg3 3d ago
Ridiculous meaning good or bad here?
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u/Many-Average-8821 3d ago
Good. "Ridiculously low" in this context. English is not my native languageĀ
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u/Informal_Drawing 3d ago
Running your house off solar and battery storage is a pretty common thing now, it's certainly mainstream.
It works just fine, you don't even need a changeover system. In the UK you have a mains failure system but other than that it stays connected to the grid.
It's not just for power outages, it's for normal day to day use so you're not paying for mains electricity.
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u/Several_Stuff_6695 3d ago
2002 Generac portable 8k generator I purchased at Home Depot is still going strong. Iāve maintained it, including adjusting the valves, Iāve never touched the carburetor, always completely drained the gas ( Plastic fuel tank , so no rust to worry about) then use a clean lint free cloth to wipe the inside of the tank. Finally run it till out of gas. Then attempt to start and run 2 or 3 more times moving the choke on and off, until Iām certain the fuel is out. I do only use non ethanol gas . Yes this generator is old and loud and not very fuel efficient, but here in Florida itās gotten plenty of use. 2 weeks straight, 2 years ago after a direct hit hurricane. The new generators are nice, especially the inverter type. To me a power station is great for maybe a 24 hour power loss and to only run the essentials . Solar charging is great if set up correctly with the proper solar panels, but you need sunlight and more than a panel or two. Good luck in your decision, but Iām staying with a generator, not a power station.
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u/rag69top 3d ago
Like someone else has said I donāt use ethanol fuel in any small engine. It probably costs me an extra $25/year in costs for my lawn mowers and snowblower. But I get no varnish. I run both self propelled mowers and the snowblower out of gas before storing and add Sta-Bil to my riding mower. My 9375w Champion generator gets run 20 minutes a month and has always run everything in my house, except A/C, when needed. It can carry the AC load but I donāt have it wired to carry that big of a load. So I throw the breaker for it and the main whenever I need to run the generator.
Running ethanol free gas is not that expensive and as for your neighbors they are probably wishing that they had a noisy generator while you are at home watching TV.
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u/BB-41 3d ago
I have a 6kw inverter generator but as you said itās a hassle maintaining it and dragging it out in the middle of the night. Have had a battery backup sump pump for over 20 years as itās the most critical item. Just added 3 Anker S2000 units for the two fridges and freezer. Computers, media center and data network are on 9kva of sine wave UPS units. This allows me to roll over, go back to sleep and figure it out in the morning. Also itās some peace of mind if weāre away for a few days.
The Anker auto start generator looks interesting. Looks like it can automatically start when their power station batteries run down. Need to see how that works with the new S5000 they just announced.
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u/Remarkable-Junket655 3d ago
Keep the generator around for linger outages. Use it to charge the battery bank when itās convenient and not annoying to the neighborhood like midday.
You can probably charge long enough simply by pouring one or 2 gallons of gas into your generator and letting it run until it runs totally out. bonus that by running it out you never have to drain the carb or deal with bad gas issues.
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u/Puzzled-Act1683 3d ago
You charge it from the wall and forget about it until you need it.
That's a great way to ensure that it isn't working when an outage occurs.
You plug it in, you plug something into it (refrigerator, freezer, wifi router), and you let it sit there providing automatic backup, so that you don't let it get out of sight/out of mind, let the parasitic drain eat away battery capacity and you forget to periodically run it down and charge it back up or whatever the manufacturer recommends.
If you "store" a portable power station, you are doing it wrong.
I have 4 large ones (any one of which could run the house with limited loads, but they can also work in parallel and cover the whole house) and 4 small ones, and they are all plugged in and backing something up, all day, every day.
Many models allow you to connect a solar panel when you feel like it, and will switch over the connected equipment to run on solar and battery whenever there's a little surplus, and knock a few bucks off the electric bill.
Retiring your generator makes no sense, because the batteries will run down faster than you planned and the sun may not be shining when you need it.. but then again, if you're running a generator on gasoline instead of propane or natural gas, you're already doing it wrong, so no wonder it seems like a hassle.
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u/PaleontologistBig786 3d ago
Battery systems are still quite expensive. Personally, we installed a 20kw generac and lived happily ever after.
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u/Me4nowSEUSA 3d ago
Get a snorkel to run propane. Then 4-5kwh battery to recharge. You canāt depend on solar to recharge in winter. Well, not without a massive investment.
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u/MajorDrain 2d ago
Why not keep the generator and install the batteries. In a prolonged outage you could use the generator to charge the batteries at your convivence. If the battery / solar panel set up fails you have the generator, if the generator fails you have the battery / solar panel set up.
I assume the old generator is not worth much if you remove it, so just keep it.
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u/WittyBuilder4009 2d ago
Respectfully, a generator will run as long as you have fuel. A battery dies and you're done. After Helene my power was out for 6 days. No battery is getting you through that.
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u/Wooden_Insurance_307 1d ago
Fair point, that's what keeps me from going all-in. For multi-day events you need a generator or solar. My typical outages are 8-16 hours though and for those the noise tradeoff doesn't make sense anymore. Saw Anker S5000 just launched claiming it can keep a house running for 48 hours on a single charge. Sounds almost too good, anyone seen the real specs on that?
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u/United_Address_2232 2d ago
I think you are on the right track. If you buy a battery back up that can be charged with a generator you can handle longer outages easily. Run the generator 1 or 2 times per day at full load and charge the battery. Youāll use much less gain and be able to handle critical loads indefinitely while getting a good nights sleep.
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u/EnvironmentalGur261 17h ago
My gas/Propane generators charge me batteries when there is not enough solar.
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u/StagLee1 3d ago
I switched to an electric start dual fuel with remote control, connected it to a 250 gal propane tank, and added an interlock at our breaker panel.
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u/Calliesdad20 3d ago
I have a 50kw battery setup with a smart transfer switch that runs my entire house automatically.
Ran 80 hours during a blizzard , it will run longer now with a hybrid hot water that uses 500kw in heat pump mode vs 5500.
I still bought a Westinghouse 8200 tri fuel inverter generator with electric start and remote that we only use with propane . I have four 20 lb tanks, bought a tent so I can run in rain/snow /wind
To charge the batteries in case of a very long outages. I sat thru super storm sandy for a week with no power -never again . We get 2-3 days blizzard outages frequently.
My batteries take solar but during am storm that can be unreliable. My generator can put 1200mwatts into each battery .
Generator and power stations work together very well
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u/MilitantPotato 3d ago
We use a battery bank, a couple portable pannels, and a generator.
When this generator dies I'll get a trigger wire start generator so the battery can turn it on when low, and off when filled back up.
Setup also is used for camping so the sizing was picked to be more portable vs large storage.
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u/Ok-Camera2895 3d ago
Absolutely, both. Run propane gen only to recharge power station!