Generator vs Inverter

[mammynun]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a large (2k+) inverter attached to an efficient car vs a gas generator of the same output? Projected use would be more for power outage than shtf; i.e. keeping food cold/frozen and charging devices.

 

[Mark 1911]

An inverter converts DC into AC. It's intended more for generating "clean" power for equipment that really needs it (like computers and electronic equipment) than for being an alternate source of AC power for your home. Some electronic equipment will lose memory if it loses power, so you need an Uninerruptible Power Supply, or UPS, that can keep making AC when the lights go off. It takes the output of a battery and converts it into AC power. A UPS is basically an inverter that senses when the lights go out, and switches over to the battery source, converting it to AC.

I can see no advantage in using an inverter for supplying power to your home in case of a power outage. In fact you would be at a disadvantage because of the need for a source of DC power. You need to have a battery and to maintain it. To supply enough amps to run your house, you would need a rather large battery or bank of batteries.

For a power outage, a generator is simple. Put gas in it and start it. Done.

 

[brandonq2]

2k watts at an optimum 14.4v from an automobile is 139 amps. Some trucks come with an optional 140 amp alternator, but most vehicles come with alternators rated around 100 amps on average, and most vehicles I test are closer to 13.5 volts with a load which comes out to 1350 watts. Keep in mind that max alternator output is usually only available above about 1200 rpm's and the fact that the factory wiring is not sized for a constant load of that size. Add a second battery and I imagine you could get away with a load of that size for a few minutes, but if you're looking for constant power I would suggest a generator.

I do have a 1000 watt inverter mounted in my truck, and have run some small power tools from time to time...but most of it's use is restricted to much smaller loads. If that was my only option, I would use it where I could, but I have a generator for those times when I need a long term or high load power source. In my opinion vehicle mounted inverters are hugely convenient day to day, but for an emergency situation I would recommend an actual generator.

 

[mammynun]

2k watts at an optimum 14.4v from an automobile is 139 amps. Some trucks come with an optional 140 amp alternator, but most vehicles come with alternators rated around 100 amps on average, and most vehicles I test are closer to 13.5 volts with a load which comes out to 1350 watts. Keep in mind that max alternator output is usually only available above about 1200 rpm's and the fact that the factory wiring is not sized for a constant load of that size. Add a second battery and I imagine you could get away with a load of that size for a few minutes, but if you're looking for constant power I would suggest a generator.

Good point(s) on the alternator, I hadn't considered/remembered that... and I knew because I toasted many 1964 Plymouth voltage regulators in high school playing the stereo (and drinking beer) for hours before I figured it out! I'm pretty sure my truck could deal with it, but it's far from efficient...

Probably better to get a generator and mod it to accept a Jerry can(s) as its fuel source.

 

[giovani]

2k isn't going to run much of anything , when you consider everything electrical in your home.
And a 100 amp alt is max that u would find on an "efficient" car will not produce 2000 watts for long if at all.
Go with a 5k generator , and you will soon find that it is too small.

 

[mammynun]

whether a generator (probable) or inverter my plan is to run it sparingly in both duration and load.

 

[woowoo2]

For me, a 4800 watt generator works perfectly.
It gives me three 15A circuits to play with, and runs for 10-12 hours on a six gallon tank.

I would also look into a small 4-600 watt inverter for the car.
They can be useful for charging 110v devices if you are going for a drive anyway.


There was a company called Road Power that made a bolt on kit that would give you 40A from a vehicle, my old work vehicle had the kit installed.
They were pricy ($5K) but the kit would control the idle to make clean power, it did not use the vehicles alternator, it was a bolt on belt driven generator head.
The vehicle would run all day on half a tank.

 

[brandonq2]

If you can swing both, I'd say go for it. Having 120v everywhere you go is very handy, and I use mine a LOT when camping. My inverter is mounted in the back of my SUV with a GFI outlet in the rear and a GFI outlet up front under the dash. As long as you are aware of the limitations, the inverter will be a great tool in addition to a generator. Most have low voltage shutdown, and that's another issue to watch for when the engine is off....they will spaz out sometimes with a moderate load if the engine isn't running.

Jerry can fuel tank is a good idea I may look into, thanks for the idea.

 

[churchmouse]

We have and use both. An alternate power source consisting of (4) deep cycle marine gel cells, 2 inverter's to split the load and a 4 battery smart charger. It stands alone from the house system. There are ways to access its power.
There are (2) genny's that are gas to keep the bank charged up if the power fails. We run the genny's in daylight and the bank at night. We have tested this system. It will run the house all night if we are careful of our consumption and there is plenty left in the morning. This includes the furnace and the fridge.
The bank I built far a buddy's cabin is (6) batts. with room for 10. It will run the cabin for days.

 

[woowoo2]

An alternate power source consisting of (4) deep cycle marine gel cells, 2 inverter's to split the load and a 4 battery smart charger. It stands alone from the house system. There are ways to access its power.

The system I put together for the storm shelter only has two batteries, I am jealous.

 

[churchmouse]

The system I put together for the storm shelter only has two batteries, I am jealous.

Nice looking outfit. Well controlled and monitored. It looks like there is room to expand.
My outfit is separate from the house and looks like a dog house. It is powered by the outdoor plug by our hot-tub. I did have only 2 batts. but there are woman in this equation..........Nuff said.

 

[woowoo2]

Here is a better pic, everything is 12 volts except for the 400w inverter.
It runs the fans and lights for the shelter, charging stations for phones, the off air HDTV, and a small radio.
I also ran the home land line out there.

 

[churchmouse]

Very well laid out. Nice package. Like I said, mine is outdoors due to space limitations. I have made and sold about 6 in the last few years. I have folks beating on me for the one I have now. After looking at your package I have some new thoughts if you do not mind me copying some of what you did. Laid out like this I could get a 6 batt bank and control panel in one of the closets I just built......HHmmmmm.....Possibly in the space by the house power panel. Thanks. Just what I need, another project.........

 

[woowoo2]

Good luck on your next build.
Most of the parts came from the big auction site, or were left over from a side job.
In hindsight, I should have used three batteries.
I like the panel meter, it's backlit and on a switch.

 

[churchmouse]

The parts and pieces are not difficult to find. Wire, term. blocks, fittings etc we scrap out of old rooftop A/C units and refrigeration sheds we pull off of buildings and grocery stores.
The inverter's come from old motor homes we get from the bone yard that good family friends run. These are getting harder to find since every gypsy and douche bag on the planet is scraping now. We had (2) 50 amp peak load units we used at the cabin. They are clean power units that are fit for computers and other electronics.
Heavy gauge wire is old welding cable that is far better then regular batter cables. The fun is gathering the bits and building up a working unit from them.
The battery's are the spendy bits. Good, deep cycle marine pieces are worth the expense. The chargers are salty but again, worth the money.

 

[10-32]

Here is a better pic, everything is 12 volts except for the 400w inverter.
It runs the fans and lights for the shelter, charging stations for phones, the off air HDTV, and a small radio.
I also ran the home land line out there.

From what I see in the pic, you are using one charger to maintain both batteries. Is that correct?

 

[woowoo2]

Yes, this one.
SSC-1500A:

 

[churchmouse]

They make chargers for up to 4 and more battery's. They are smart chargers that will maintain and cycle.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Umm, yeah. Don't plan on using your car/inverter. If it becomes necessary, remove the alternator from the car and hook it via a belt, to a small engine, run it to a battery and hook the inverter to the battery. This is what an AC generator IS. Here are the basics...Building your own generator.
Bear in mind that an inverter will drain a battery pretty quickly and there are two types of inverters. Anecdotally, when I go to the salvage yard for parts I typically bring a grinder, a battery, and a 750w inverter. Most don't allow torches and hand saws and wrenches can be very time consuming, and I really like effing things up....I can usually get what I need with the charge in a single battery, but if I have to get a second part due to the first one being faulty, I often get stuck using hand tools about half way through...

 

[churchmouse]

Umm, yeah. Don't plan on using your car/inverter. If it becomes necessary, remove the alternator from the car and hook it via a belt, to a small engine, run it to a battery and hook the inverter to the battery. This is what an AC generator IS. Here are the basics...Building your own generator.
Bear in mind that an inverter will drain a battery pretty quickly and there are two types of inverters. Anecdotally, when I go to the salvage yard for parts I typically bring a grinder, a battery, and a 750w inverter. Most don't allow torches and hand saws and wrenches can be very time consuming, and I really like effing things up....I can usually get what I need with the charge in a single battery, but if I have to get a second part due to the first one being faulty, I often get stuck using hand tools about half way through...

Have I seen you at the scrap yard....................