Living Off-Grid: Generators

Generators

Generators just have to be one of the best inventions ever — power when and where you need it.

I’m not any kind of generator expert; I’m just a user and a big fan of what these machines have allowed us to do over the years. In the past, I’ve owned several types and sizes of generators in my commercial construction company. We were able to work way up in the mountains or anywhere else that power wasn’t available. We’ve built everything from buildings to bridges with nothing more than a generator to power our tools.

Two Types of Generators

Right now, living off the grid, I own two generators. One is an inexpensive, 3,500-watt portable generator. The other is a more expensive, 12-kw home standby generator.

I use the small one for all kinds of things. If I have to install a new entry gate, I just load my tools, materials, and the generator up in a vehicle, drive it to the work spot and get to work. When we camped on our property, I used it to pump water into a holding tank. I've also used it to charge my trailer batteries. Sometimes I may have to load it up along with the air compressor and drive to a remote spot on the property and air up a flat tire. There is almost no limit to the usefulness of a small portable generator.

The only thing I would recommend in a small one is that you go for one that has a 220-volt option. I still use mine to pump water on occasion. I also use it sometimes to charge my solar batteries and that is done on 220-volt because of the way my system is wired. You may never use the 220-volt option, but it sure is nice to have when you do need it.

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Most of us who live off-grid and use an alternative power source such as solar, wind or hydro, also have a battery-backup power storage system. That is where my power comes from at night or anytime the sun isn’t shining and the solar panels aren’t producing power.

Charging Battery-Backup Systems

I can go about 3 to 4 days living off my batteries until they need to be charged again. If the sun still isn’t shining then I use one of my two generators. When the batteries are very low, I use my Kohler 12-kw (12,000-watt) propane generator. It produces about 125 amps at 90 percent capacity, and in my case, that brings the batteries up about 10 percent per hour. So if the batteries are at 60 percent capacity, I can run my big generator for one hour and they will be charged to 70 percent capacity, an increase of 10 percent.

Mathematically that would mean if you started charging when the batteries were at 60 percent capacity, then you would have to charge for four hours to get them to 100 percent — but unfortunately that isn’t quite how it works. All of our systems are different, but for mine, as you get close to 85 percent to 90 percent capacity, the (ever so smart) inverter will slow the charging down. It’s not good to throw that much charging power at your batteries as they get closer to full charge.

The inverter will slow the charging capacity down from 125 charging amps to 60 and then 30 and so on, so that by the time you get to 100 percent, the charge will be very small. My small generator will charge the system as high as 60 amps although that is pushing its capacity.

Bottom line, when the batteries are way low, I use the big generator up to about 90 percent capacity and after that, I may switch over to the smaller generator. Why run the big one when the inverter won’t let it charge at its total capacity? I think it’s more efficient to use the small generator to charge that last 10 percent or so.

Standby vs. Off-Grid Generators

I like the 12-kw Kohler but be forewarned that if you are using it like I am for off-grid purposes, Kohler will not honor the warranty. They claim the generator just isn’t built for long-term use. It has an aluminum block, is not water-cooled, etc. It was created to come on a couple of times a year when the power goes out in an urban residence. That’s why it is called a “Standby Generator." They say it is not intended for the type of regular use it would get in an off-grid situation. I run mine about 100 hours per year.

It is my understanding that Generac now has a 6,000-watt generator that is made for off-grid use and that size would be adequate for us. I’m not promoting products, just trying to make you aware of some of the pitfalls of backup generators in the off-grid world and what options you might have to overcome that. Backwoods Solar used to sell a propane fueled, water cooled, name brand generator but it was very expensive and not UL listed so in this state you couldn’t use it anyway.

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Like I said, I’m not an expert. Like anything else involving off-grid living, do your homework and you will be okay. Just be aware that warranties can be an issue and you always want to be careful you get the right size generator. Too small and you will wear it out before its time. Too large and excess power may be wasted.

Ed and Laurie Essex live off grid in the Okanogan Highlands of Washington State where they operate their website GoodIdeasForLife.com and OffGridWorks.com.

jamesbrady256

11/15/2017 5:54:52 PM

All this talk about generators and not one word about safety. Generators can be very useful, but always be aware of three things that are very often overlooked. First and foremost the most deadly danger is not shock although shock is not to be taken lightly as it can kill you. The most deadly mistake with generators is carbon monoxide. Always make sure you have proper exhaust and there is no way for it to enter your living and sleeping areas. Number 2 is electrical shock. Although most people have a respect for the pain and sometimes embarrassment one feels from doing something stupid and getting shocked to know to respect it. However getting a little too comfortable leads to carelessness and if we walk away with some pain and embarrassment we are the lucky ones because it can kill you. Never hook a generator into the circuit of your home or other building without an isolation switch installed to prevent it from running back on the mail line and killing a lineman who believes the line is dead. If this happens in many states you can face criminal charges. Third never use rinkey dink extension cords with a generator. Not only can they lead to shock dangers they are also a fire waiting to happen. People often overload a generator when it's the only power source. As far as the generator goes it most likely has a built in circuit breaker to protect it and an overload will likely bog the motor down and you know it right away. However rinky dink cords may not be able to carry enough load to trip the breaker of bog the motor down much. This can result in fires which could be deadly, or at least destructive. Then there is the insulation problem on cheap extension cords. The generator will produce vibrations which will in-turn cause any sharp edge to cut through the insulation leaving you with the problems outlined above.

rick w

9/29/2017 4:07:20 PM

http://www.generac.com/Residential/EcoGen_Series/Product/6kW/ I went to this site but only found portable or standby generators, no permanent off grid constant use units. Rick

dcwwms

9/29/2017 4:07:19 PM

http://www.generac.com/Residential/EcoGen_Series/Product/6kW/ I went to the site and only found portable and backup generators. Nothing for constant use off grid living.

More Comments

barry

7/26/2016 1:42:34 PM

ALL BRIGGS STAND BYS ARE NOT WARRANTED AS WELL BUT THEY ARE THE BEST WHEN IT COMES TO LASTING. CHANGE OIL AND FILTER OFTEN. I WORK ON ALL THESE LOW COST UNITS AND THEY ARE ALL OK. BY FAR ANY WATER COOLED UNIT IS BETTER. EVEN A HONDA.

Susan

5/27/2014 3:29:33 PM

We have a Generac 10kw standby for our 48V off-grid home. It is CRAP! I have already been through 3 engine replacements. What does Generac say about this....you are not supposed to run it for more than 1000 hrs. Who needs it? I'm looking to a different solution...not sure what it will be yet, but it has to be better than this. Meanwhile I have a small 5kw portable generator that runs just fine...it is just not automatic.

First L

3/15/2013 9:19:17 PM

Totally agree. In Europe the CE mark (voluntary conformity to standards) is all that is required and doesn't involve expensive destructive lab tests, inspections, or adding "extra" protection where it does no good. And yet Europe hasn't burned to the ground. Ironic how we see Europe as socialist where the state controls every aspect of private life, but there is often much more freedom than in the US where big companies are locked in, competition and innovation is locked out, and zoning regulations keep most people from having any choice to produce rather than to consume.

Meredith Vezina

3/3/2013 5:28:29 PM

Been living off grid for approximately 7 years. We have a Kohler 12KW that we use approx. 150 hours per year. We use solar and wind energy when possible. I am religious about changing oil, air and plugs on the Kohler, but we are starting to experience some major problems and it is almost impossible to get a good mechanic to come out to the backcountry. And it is always a $600-$700 service call. After having this 12KW for a number of years, I think the size is over-kill and I am thinking about going to a Generac 8KW. I think that this size should charge the batteries without shunting as much energy. We have a 48 volt system. The Generac seems to use less propane per hour and should cost less to operate. But more important is that it weighs only 220 Lbs and could be loaded onto my truck and and brought to the big city for servicing. I have a portable back-up to use while servicing. Any thoughts or words of wisdom? Thanks

PCGGenerators

10/12/2012 6:29:18 PM

KOHLER also has a new off grid generator that includes a warranty. We've written about it here: http://www.palmergenerator.com/new-off-grid-generator/

JENNINE WARDLE

5/11/2012 4:37:15 PM

We have two 2kw generators that can be patched together to produce 4kw. Not only does this allow us to have more power when needed, but it also means we always have a spare for our normal power needs. Of course, out in the boonies, you should always have a backup for your backup, and we also have a 3kw generator. All of these have onboard inverters and are true sinewave so they won't damage electronics (or negate a whole bunch of warranties). We're looking into a slightly larger multi-fuel model, just in case the winters temps or availability limits our access/use of the primary fuel. And, of course, our homestead welder also has it's own 220v generator, which is often the one we use for the hydrant pumps and such when needed.

Rick

5/6/2012 2:53:49 AM

UL is a sham. They SUPPRESS more good tech than they pass to you.

ROBERT JOHNSON

5/4/2012 9:33:54 PM

If you go to http://www.generac.com/Residential/EcoGen_Series/Product/6kW/ you will find a generator where it says its for off grid use. It is UL listed too.