2000 watt Hybrid inverter as generator

[not null]

Correct. Bluetti and EcoFlow are two of the better known companies that make LiFePO4 "Portable Power Station" or also known as a solar generator (because they can charge via solar, but also through cigarette lighter (DC), or traditional outlet (AC).

I got mine on sale for $440 but it is currently $599. It is 1152wh in capacity and has a 1800w continuous output with 2700w peak.

https://www.amazon.com/BLUETTI-Portable-AC180-Generator-Off-grid/dp/B0C1SMJTDT/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.1740e8b9-be2d-46a4-a376-9d8efb903409

I have an overlanding refrigerator that if the power goes only pulls 45w max so I will run that and my chest freezer and it will still run the HVAC blower motor in the winter for my furnace with ease.

I have a 200w solar panel that on a partly sunny day will still generate 100w and goes as high as 155w in full sun.

Should I need that I have 2 - 1800w dual fuel inverter generators that I run on 30lb propane tanks and can run them in parallel.

Sounds like a neat setup. For my goal of a home fridge, freezer, heat and hot plate, it appears I'd pull too much power for a couple of days with just the power station.

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[DavidLs]

2K backup is a good. I setup a similar setup. It works and for drills lights and small fridge it hold up just fine. My mav hybrid is about six months old, covered in wood chips and dirt now. Here on the farm it fits in just fine. It is good at doing the daily task. Put a breaker or fuses everywhere on mine just in case. but so far not one has tripped. Folks and the warnings can scare the Hell out of you. The 2k inverter has been done old news when I did mine. So far as I know no one has voided a warranty ( I haven't heard of one being voided ) I did talk to our local dealer before I did my install NP.

 

[710-oil-614]

Sounds like a neat setup. For my goal of a home fridge, freezer, heat and hot plate, it appears I'd pull too much power for a couple of days with just the power station.

Short of a fuel source - yeah you would need a substantially sized battery - 4-5kwh (or more) and probably a 4k watt surge capacity.

That is the neat part of this set up - when the battery gets to a low SoC the engine will power on to recharge the battery. Is it the most efficient generator? Absolutely not, but it is using an existing power source and battery to provide power in an emergency or outage situation and that is awesome.

I was not knocking OPs work, or the effectiveness of the set up - it's my lack of faith in Ford to honor any warranty at all that would make me reluctant to do this.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I'm not quite following your ground wiring observation. Wire 1 is the factory wire that grounds the truck. Wire 2 is the one I added. Bolt 3 connects the two and still grounds the truck.

A thought? With a direct connection to 12v positive and body ground wouldn't you need a relay on the key on/off circuit to turn the inverter on/off to prevent the inverter standby circuit from draining the 12v over time?

 

[LSchicago]

... like, for your home? 120V 16A is not useless, kinda useful to charge phones, etc and I get that. but you're not running HVAC (not even a window mount) or a full size refrigerator for sure. air fryer and microwave could be useful, but you can cook with propane easier than burning gasoline to charge high voltage battery, to charge 12V battery, to power inverter.

I'm not trying to hate. I'm trying to understand what all is in your plan for emergency power loss? this isn't like a F150 Powerboost generating 7.2kW.

A simple Ecoflow power bank would solve that issue for when the AC kicks on.

 

[Gray Goose]

The parts I used are: Inverted, Fuse Holder, Wire, 5/16 Lugs, Disconnect, Kydex sheet and a Crimper.

I like DIY projects myself, but why build your own when a prebuilt generator is cheaper and easier?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsm...-Gasoline-Inverter-Generator-806687/318154202
Also, I wouldn't want my transportation tethered to the house during an emergency.

 

[paneubert]

Short of a fuel source - yeah you would need a substantially sized battery - 4-5kwh (or more) and probably a 4k watt surge capacity.

That is the neat part of this set up - when the battery gets to a low SoC the engine will power on to recharge the battery. Is it the most efficient generator? Absolutely not, but it is using an existing power source and battery to provide power in an emergency or outage situation and that is awesome.

I was not knocking OPs work, or the effectiveness of the set up - it's my lack of faith in Ford to honor any warranty at all that would make me reluctant to do this.

I think another not mentioned perk is that this is only as loud as your regular truck idling. Compare that to a 2k watt gas or propane generator running in your driveway. Benefit is twofold.

1. Nobody is going to steal your truck, as long as you have it locked. They might come along and have some sticky fingers with a running generator. Especially if we are talking a widespread power outage where all is silent other than the generators running in the neighborhood. And that brings us to number 2......

2. It isn't going to make your neighbors want to murder you, especially since it is an "only running the engine when needed" scenario versus an all the time "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHBRRRRRRRRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" of a classic generator.

@Gray Goose , the above also sort of addresses your comment. To add to what I wrote above, this is about 1/3 the cost, doesn't take up anywhere near as much space, and doesn't rely on having a gas can and oil to put in the generator. Since the one you linked is gas, it also suffers from needing the fuel system to either be kept empty until needed, or cleaned out after use so that the gas doesn't go bad/gum up the system when sitting for a year between power outages. I personally have a 10k Dual Fuel (Gas or propane) generator and I have refused to ever put gas in it. Only propane. Since I don't want to deal with keeping the fuel system clean.

 

[Gray Goose]

I think another not mentioned perk is that this is only as loud as your regular truck idling. Compare that to a 2k watt gas or propane generator running in your driveway. Benefit is twofold.

1. Nobody is going to steal your truck, as long as you have it locked. They might come along and have some sticky fingers with a running generator. Especially if we are talking a widespread power outage where all is silent other than the generators running in the neighborhood. And that brings us to number 2......

2. It isn't going to make your neighbors want to murder you, especially since it is an "only running the engine when needed" scenario versus an all the time "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHBRRRRRRRRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" of a classic generator.

@Gray Goose , the above also sort of addresses your comment. To add to what I wrote above, this is about 1/3 the cost, doesn't take up anywhere near as much space, and doesn't rely on having a gas can and oil to put in the generator. Since the one you linked is gas, it also suffers from needing the fuel system to either be kept empty until needed, or cleaned out after use so that the gas doesn't go bad/gum up the system when sitting for a year between power outages. I personally have a 10k Dual Fuel (Gas or propane) generator and I have refused to ever put gas in it. Only propane. Since I don't want to deal with keeping the fuel system clean.

Valid points for the city. My generator experience is rural. Tractor & PTO driven for enough KW to run milking machines.

 

[paneubert]

Valid points for the city. My generator experience is rural. Tractor & PTO driven for enough KW to run milking machines.

I wish I had that setup (and space). Jealous.

 

[colinl]

Also, I wouldn't want my transportation tethered to the house during an emergency.

you also have potential problems such as fumes from idling in the garage, the security of leaving it running with garage open, or in the driveway, and a lot more.

I get this for camping and light work utility (it might not run a big saw or charge a lift). But for a real disaster this has a lot of drawbacks besides just size.

 

[paneubert]

you also have potential problems such as fumes from idling in the garage, the security of leaving it running with garage open, or in the driveway, and a lot more.

I get this for camping and light work utility (it might not run a big saw or charge a lift). But for a real disaster this has a lot of drawbacks besides just size.

See that's the thing.....I feel the same exact way, but when talking about a classic gas/propane generator. As you said, "you also have potential problems such as fumes from idling in the garage, the security of leaving it running with garage open, or in the driveway, and a lot more."

Unless you have a plan to chain your generator to a tree or something, it is going to be stolen a lot quicker than a truck. If you run it in your garage, you will kill your family just as fast as idling your Mav in there.

Totally not ideal situation either way. But I feel like the "Mav as a generator in my driveway" is preferable to the "running a 2k watt generator in my driveway" scenario.

 

[Gray Goose]

I wish I had that setup (and space). Jealous.

Yes, the equipment and space is nice. But running a dairy farm is a 24x7 job.

 

[Automate]

I like DIY projects myself, but why build your own when a prebuilt generator is cheaper and easier?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsm...-Gasoline-Inverter-Generator-806687/318154202
Also, I wouldn't want my transportation tethered to the house during an emergency.

I have posted this list before when someone makes this argument.

A lot of advantages to using a Hybrid generator. The amount of ICE runtime will be proportional to the wattage being used. If you are only pulling a few hundred watts the ICE won't run much.

• Don't need to take up space storing an unused generator
• Don't need to worry if it will start after sitting for months without use and fuel stabilizers
• Less maintenance than 2nd small gas engine that require frequent oil changes.
• Quieter operation than standalone generator
• Less emissions than standalone generator
• Days of runtime on tank of gas verses hours for a standalone generator
• No need to refill with gas cans in most situations.
• Higher efficiency, less gas per kWh
• Less risk of generator getting stolen
• If you need power in remote location, don't need to take up limited bed space with generator, gas cans or propane tanks.

 

[commadorebob]

Interesting setup. I'll defer to your own judgement on the necessity to have it.

I just have a portable gas generator for the once every two years we are without power so I can keep the freezer running while I wait for power to come back. With the last tropical storm, I was without power for all of six hours; most over night. I keep the tank empty and just top of the oil before starting it.

 

[710-oil-614]

I think another not mentioned perk is that this is only as loud as your regular truck idling. Compare that to a 2k watt gas or propane generator running in your driveway. Benefit is twofold.

1. Nobody is going to steal your truck, as long as you have it locked. They might come along and have some sticky fingers with a running generator. Especially if we are talking a widespread power outage where all is silent other than the generators running in the neighborhood. And that brings us to number 2......

2. It isn't going to make your neighbors want to murder you, especially since it is an "only running the engine when needed" scenario versus an all the time "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHBRRRRRRRRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" of a classic generator.

@Gray Goose , the above also sort of addresses your comment. To add to what I wrote above, this is about 1/3 the cost, doesn't take up anywhere near as much space, and doesn't rely on having a gas can and oil to put in the generator. Since the one you linked is gas, it also suffers from needing the fuel system to either be kept empty until needed, or cleaned out after use so that the gas doesn't go bad/gum up the system when sitting for a year between power outages. I personally have a 10k Dual Fuel (Gas or propane) generator and I have refused to ever put gas in it. Only propane. Since I don't want to deal with keeping the fuel system clean.

1. I don't live my life fearing people are going to take everything I own, but they are welcome to come try.

2. I guess you don't have experience with propane inverter generators from Honda because placed on my back deck my neighbors don't hear it in their yards.

Pretty sure the truck still runs on gas. If you don't have gas this set up won't last long.

We do agree on only running propane through a dual fuel generator.

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