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This Storm is Brutal

Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2023
Messages
379
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.
 
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Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2025
Messages
107
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.
 
Past President
Joined
Apr 13, 2004
Messages
5,071
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.
Which eg4 charger/inverter are you using?
 
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2025
Messages
107
Which eg4 charger/inverter are you using?
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.
 
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2025
Messages
198
I put a UPS on my 30 gallon after the last power outage. I also have a Honda EU1000 sitting in the garage.
 
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