This Storm is Brutal
- Thread starter Turkeysammich
- Start date
I have a generator sitting around which I can plug into my electric panel. Have enough propane sitting around to run it for close to 3 days. Propane is much easier to store than gasoline so that is what I prefer.
I also have a Ecoflow portable power station.
Lastly, I also have a battery powered airstone with enough batteries to run it for several days. I would consider this to be a must have if you don’t any any backup power solutions.
I lost power three times in 2024 (twice due to weather and once due to PG&E maintenance in the area). The third blackout is when I bought the generator. The longest the power was out was around a day or so. The other outages were 2-8 hours. Painful but everything survived with just the Ecoflow and battery operated Airstone (140 gallon system). The generator provides more flexibility and will allow the family to live in greater comfort during any blackout.
I also have solar panels but have not installed backup batteries (did not make economic sense if you were on NEM 2.0 or earlier) but have been thinking about doing so.
I also have a Ecoflow portable power station.
Lastly, I also have a battery powered airstone with enough batteries to run it for several days. I would consider this to be a must have if you don’t any any backup power solutions.
I lost power three times in 2024 (twice due to weather and once due to PG&E maintenance in the area). The third blackout is when I bought the generator. The longest the power was out was around a day or so. The other outages were 2-8 hours. Painful but everything survived with just the Ecoflow and battery operated Airstone (140 gallon system). The generator provides more flexibility and will allow the family to live in greater comfort during any blackout.
I also have solar panels but have not installed backup batteries (did not make economic sense if you were on NEM 2.0 or earlier) but have been thinking about doing so.
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Chrism1330
Supporting Member
Sheeeesh sounds scary being in that situation! Glad it all worked out!
Cilyjr
Supporting Member
Can you switch your batteries to back up only?
I use an EG4 system, in the summer I can go indefinitely without the grid but in the winter my batteries will only charge to about 50% in December.
I toggle a switch in my app which tells the system to only discharge the batteries during an outage and leave it like that most of the winter.
I pay a bit more in electricity but for me it's buying piece of mind. Honestly I'm still on solar exclusively most of the day.
I use an EG4 system, in the summer I can go indefinitely without the grid but in the winter my batteries will only charge to about 50% in December.
I toggle a switch in my app which tells the system to only discharge the batteries during an outage and leave it like that most of the winter.
I pay a bit more in electricity but for me it's buying piece of mind. Honestly I'm still on solar exclusively most of the day.
Thales
Past President
Which eg4 charger/inverter are you using?
Cilyjr
Supporting Member
The hybrid inverter is the eg4 12kpv I have 2x all weather batteries and 22 jinko 425 w panels.
I designed and built the system so I can get pretty nerdy about it if you want details.