Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

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Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

January 12, 2021, 03:47:02 pm

Is anyone using a portable power station like the Bluetti instead of the generator? If so, how do you like it? I have the Onan gas generator that came with my unit, but it is not installed as of now. I was considering getting it installed again when I saw that these portable power stations are available and so much lighter. I know I would not be able to run the coach AC From it, but I'm thinking it may suit our needs better to build a cabinet where the generator was and get a portable power unit instead. It's not unlimited power, like a generator, and it's not enough power to run the roof AC, but we are not off grid for long periods of time. For what I can sell the generator for, I can probably get a portable unit, a portable solar screen and have the cabinet built. Any thoughts?

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #1 – January 12, 2021, 04:16:54 pm

Add to your battery bank instead so you have 4 or more house batteries and maybe an inverter along with "adequate" solar. Frank

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #2 – January 12, 2021, 04:37:00 pm

"...Onan gas generator that came with my unit, but it is not installed as of now."

I cannot understand why someone would want to uninstall a perfectly good generator! Perhaps you'd like to clarify why you removed yours?

I am aware that a lot of folks do not like to hear the sound of a genny, whether it is their own or someone else's. However, the benefit far outweigh other considerations. Sure, it can run your microwave, power your AC appliances, run the A/C, charge the house batteries or even provide power to tools, BBQs, grills, etc. remotely. So what's not to like? And certainly resale value has to enter the picture. So tell me, what benefit do you derive from a 'power station' beyond the genny?

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #3 – January 12, 2021, 05:23:54 pm

Mine didn't come with a generator, so we bought the bluetti 500, and it has worked for our needs.

We are very conservative on electricity use, and use it mostly to change phone and computers, and locational coffee grinder.

We keep it changed when driving with the help of the alternator, and since we don't stay at a single place for a long time we are able to make it last for a week.

However honestly if I had a generator I would use it.

Currently considering adding solar and upgrading to lithium batteries....

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #4 – January 12, 2021, 08:28:24 pm

Hmm, 2400 watt-hours, at 12 volts, is 200 amp-hours. That is the capacity of one of my 6 batteries.

Ken F in NM

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #5 – January 13, 2021, 02:06:15 am

Quote from: Kenneth Fears - January 12, 2021, 08:28:24 pm

Hmm, 2400 watt-hours, at 12 volts, is 200 amp-hours. That is the capacity of one of my 6 batteries.

Unless one needs a portable, high-wattage inverter, adding batteries or changing the stock batteries to lithium, seems to be a simpler way to add storage capacity, plus it will work without major modifications to the Factory solar and converter charging system. The owner has no new responsibilities. With a separate, portable power pack, you need to keep it charged and store it someplace.

Many owners wish they could operate the microwave without shore power or having to run the generators without the high cost of having a 2000-watt inverter. Unfortunately, Battery packs with1000-watt inveters are not powerful enough to run the Factory microwave, the 2000-watt surge capacity can ony be used for a few seconds. A alternative is a smaller, college-dorn room type, microwave, that uses less power, replacing the Factory unit.

A portable power pack would be useful if you must have power available at times without fail. One member here works online, captioning class lectures in real time. With three computers running to perform the tasks, he bought a Jackery as a backup supply.
Those with medical needs that require full time power are also potential users.

The need for 120-VAC power can be reduced to almost nothing by using 12-volt powered appliances and electronics, reducing or eliminating the power supply system
A $50, 400-watt inverter serves our minimal needs for 120-VAC power. It get used, maybe, once a week for charging our e-bike batteries and laptop, always during daylight hours so the generated solar power is used immediately, a more efficient way of using solar power. Our next laptop will have a 12-volt charger.

Larry

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #6 – January 13, 2021, 02:12:40 am

Quote from: Lazy Bones - January 12, 2021, 04:37:00 pm

"...Onan gas generator that came with my unit, but it is not installed as of now."

I cannot understand why someone would want to uninstall a perfectly good generator! Perhaps you'd like to clarify why...

The generator was not working when we bought our LD (not a perfectly good generator) so we had to remove it to be fixed. Since we were taking long trips in tall mountains we didn't miss the extra weight and we were always using shore power. So, we were not in any hurry to reinstall it.
Now we are considering doing more dry camping, but short jaunts and are considering reinstalling it.
I have looked into lithium and solar, but the conversion and expense we can't justify at this time, we aren't off the grid enough to make it worth the investment and we have no Factory converter or solar charging system. We mainly need the extra power for our many electronic devices.

I appreciate all the input!

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #7 – January 13, 2021, 02:41:00 am

Quote from: Kenneth Fears - January 12, 2021, 08:28:24 pm

Hmm, 2400 watt-hours, at 12 volts, is 200 amp-hours. That is the capacity of one of my 6 batteries.

Ken F in NM

I only have two wet-cell batteries at 100 Ah each, which equals a total 100 Ah drawn down to half life. Not much power. But to upgrade to lithium means I have to install an inverter and etc. It's not only a big project, it's also a big expense and we just don't use our unit enough to make the investment at this time.

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #8 – January 13, 2021, 02:42:03 am

Quote from: SoCal-girl - January 13, 2021, 02:12:40 am

The generator was not working when we bought our LD so we had to remove it to be fixed. Since we were taking long trips in tall mountains we didn't miss the weight and we were always using hook-up power. So, we were not in any hurry to reinstall it.
Now we are considering doing more dry camping and are considering reinstalling it.

I just noticed the year of your RB, it is built on a E350 chassis, with a 11,500 GVW. 3000-lbs less than a new RB.
It is easy to overoad the E350, 26.5 RBs, have yours weighed it yet? A few solar panels are a lot lighter than a generator.
It’s not a perfect solution, I would want to know how much CCC is available before proceeding

If you plan on dry camping, some way of generating power is needed to recharge the battery, battery storage is just part of the energy supply package.

Larry

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #9 – January 13, 2021, 03:48:09 pm

I have a small Goal Zero Yeti 1000 (GZ) solar generator that I use to power almost all of my personal electronics (phone, laptop, battery fan etc.) and really like the flexibility I get from this setup. The factory microwave has also been replaced with a smaller 700W unit so I can run it and my 4 cup coffemaker using the GZ. The GZ inverter has a 1500W continuous/3000W surge capability. It's just my personal opinion that to get some good flexible use options from a smaller solar generator it should have at least 1000W storage and 1500/3000 inverter capacity. The GZ 1000 weighs 43lbs. and is pretty compact. It is a couple years old now and newer units with similar spec's may be lighter and more compact. I also have the 200W Renogy Eclipse portable briefcase that I use for solar charging of the GZ. Since this briefcase package also includes its own solar controller I can also charge the coach batteries if I want/need to. I'm attaching a couple pictures of where I have mine located just to give you an idea of size. I use this tabletop as a desk at times and sit on the round ottoman that appears in the second picture as a desk chair. From your inquiry it sounded like you were most interested in having a power source to use primarily for your electronic devices so I'm just sharing my own experience in meeting pretty much the same desire. Best of luck.

Matt

Matt

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #10 – January 13, 2021, 04:38:13 pm

That’s an interesting dinette setup you have, Matt!

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #11 – January 14, 2021, 10:09:31 pm

Quote from: Mattb - January 13, 2021, 03:48:09 pm

I have a small Goal Zero Yeti 1000 (GZ) solar generator that I use to power almost all of my personal electronics (phone, laptop, battery fan etc.) and really like the flexibility I get from this setup.

Matt

Matt, thanks for sharing your experience, this is exactly the type of input I was looking for.

t.

Re: Gas generator vs portable lithium power stations

Reply #12 – January 18, 2021, 02:48:00 pm

"That's an interesting dinette setup you have, Matt!"

In the 26.5 IB layout there is a table top extension for the dinette to be used if you want to utilize the expanded love seat as part of the dinette. Let's just say LD gets and "A" for creativity but a "C-" for function on that feature. The extension is too far from the love seat and it blocks access to one side of the dinette and the doorway:) I cut it in approximately half, cut the support leg to a length that would allow it to function as a cantilever support and have a table top that has plenty of room to seat two for meals and because the extension leg is out of the way I can sit on the end if I want a desktop. I still have the original dinette top stored in a back closet if I want to use it as a full size dinette top or to convert the dinette area to a sleeping or couch area. I really like the 26.5 IB layout but it definitely limits living space and this mod has really opened up some additional space and function for me. I also added a swivel base to the passenger cab captain chair so it can be incorporated as part of the living space seating as well.

Matt

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