Running hybrid for hours as a power source, is it harmful to the engine?

[JimKivi]

Having lived in a solar powered home for 50 years, here are a couple thoughts. $400-500 will buy a Honda clone "suitcase style" generator that will run for hours on a single gas fill. If needed, a deep cycle battery and charger, plus small inverter will allow you to run low wattage loads like a modem and laptop in between charges. The truck to the left has a single panel on the roof that will run a 12 v (compressor type) refrigerator when it is not plugged into the 12V Mav bed outlet. Using your truck to run an inverter for extended periods, IMHO, is using a steam engine locomotive to pull a little red wagon.

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[Kingfish]

Having lived in a solar powered home for 50 years, here are a couple thoughts. $400-500 will buy a Honda clone "suitcase style" generator that will run for hours on a single gas fill. If needed, a deep cycle battery and charger, plus small inverter will allow you to run low wattage loads like a modem and laptop in between charges. The truck to the left has a single panel on the roof that will run a 12 v (compressor type) refrigerator when it is not plugged into the 12V Mav bed outlet. Using your truck to run an inverter for extended periods, IMHO, is using a steam engine locomotive to pull a little red wagon.

That's an interesting alternative. I've removed the need to store gas in my garage, so I was hesitant to buy a gas-powered generator. But I won't rule it out. Thanks for the info!

 

[Automate]

Having lived in a solar powered home for 50 years, here are a couple thoughts. $400-500 will buy a Honda clone "suitcase style" generator that will run for hours on a single gas fill. If needed, a deep cycle battery and charger, plus small inverter will allow you to run low wattage loads like a modem and laptop in between charges. The truck to the left has a single panel on the roof that will run a 12 v (compressor type) refrigerator when it is not plugged into the 12V Mav bed outlet. Using your truck to run an inverter for extended periods, IMHO, is using a steam engine locomotive to pull a little red wagon.

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

 

[JimKivi]

Kingfish, Totally agree. We spend part of the year in an area where power outages are frequent - weekly, so the generator and above allow us to stay connected as well as power a small refrgerator freezer (generator direct) but for most US applications, old gas in a generator is not ideal. However, two o four 6v golf cart batteries that stay charged through the grid, and then provide 110 via an inverter when power is down, will get you through a few days IF you don't need AC, frig, hot water drains. That saves the panel and charge controller cost. My maverick carries two smaller deep cycle batteries. (If money is no object, LIFEPO bats are super light weight and offer many discharges.). The batteries can be charged via the truck's outlet or solar panel. That provides fans for ventilation, lights, and refrigeration. Our lifepo (about 15 pounds) easily transports to the house where a small, inexpensive inverter will keep the modem on for days, or power 12v lights when the power is off.

 

[skyhawk]

The worlds most expensive and complex 400w generator. Terrific idea

If you time the purchase of these right, you can grab one of them near $250. Same ones they sell at Costco for near $1k. Awesome generator, I love mine. Run it on propane (same stuff you use in your BBQ) and you never have to worry about gas going bad or a gummed up carb.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314644637511

 

[Kingfish]

Kingfish, Totally agree. We spend part of the year in an area where power outages are frequent - weekly, so the generator and above allow us to stay connected as well as power a small refrgerator freezer (generator direct) but for most US applications, old gas in a generator is not ideal. However, two o four 6v golf cart batteries that stay charged through the grid, and then provide 110 via an inverter when power is down, will get you through a few days IF you don't need AC, frig, hot water drains. That saves the panel and charge controller cost. My maverick carries two smaller deep cycle batteries. (If money is no object, LIFEPO bats are super light weight and offer many discharges.). The batteries can be charged via the truck's outlet or solar panel. That provides fans for ventilation, lights, and refrigeration. Our lifepo (about 15 pounds) easily transports to the house where a small, inexpensive inverter will keep the modem on for days, or power 12v lights when the power is off.

That sounds great! And maybe something useful for camping, too.

 

[Kingfish]

The worlds most expensive and complex 400w generator. Terrific idea

If you time the purchase of these right, you can grab one of them near $250. Same ones they sell at Costco for near $1k. Awesome generator, I love mine. Run it on propane (same stuff you use in your BBQ) and you never have to worry about gas going bad or a gummed up carb.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314644637511

Yeah, I kinda laughed at the idea of a 3,600-pound generator that can't power a hair dryer. At least it's portable.

I hadn't thought of the propane option. I'll look into that since I keep it on hand for my grill.

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