What portable power generator are you actually running on 3-plus day trips where hookups aren't possible?
Posted by xIvyPop@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 43 comments
Trying to sort out power for a longer route I've been planning, no hookups for the whole stretch. Was running a jackery on a four-day trip and it was dead by day three, had enough sun on day two to get partial recharge but not enough to make up what the fridge and lights were pulling overnight. Not looking for what a YouTube channel got paid to recommend, genuinely curious what the overlanding community is using right now that holds up across multiple days of actual off-grid use.
Solarspotter@reddit
Been in a similar boat — partial recharge day two, still flat by day three. So I upgraded my setup to 2x 120Ah lithium batteries, 300W of solar blankets, a 50A DC-DC charger for drive-day top-ups off the alternator, My main draws are a 80L Engel ridge/freezer, electric cooktop and lights/accessories. Did my install as a DYI, but to make the job easier I used a pre-built harnesses specific to my vehicle on the install so everything worked first time.
With 300W of blankets + using an app that does the day-to-day battery math for me, I get away without needing more solar than that on my trips.
The app I mentioned is Solar Spotter — I built it as a tool me for to maximise my solar setup so I could maximise my time enjoying the outdoors. Punch in your solar panel/battery details, current battery charge and what your system is drawing for your electrics and it shows the amount of solar charge going to your battery, the charge your battery will have at sundown and what you’ll have left by sunrise. Before upgrading, the same maths helps figure out what size you actually need. Genuinely think it would be helpful for you.
The App's free (solarspotter.app for more info) you want to see if it’s useful for you. The Battery Tracker (and a few other Pro features) are a one-off purchase though — but theres no subscription. Its yours forever. No tracking. No cloud. everything stays on your phone. I’m not interested in anyones data, just in keeping the beers cold.
Quick example below — today's actually a crap solar day here but the app is still telling me I'll be at 57% battery by sunrise +2hrs. Honest math even on bad days is the whole point.
Whatever you decide just make sure you invest in good kit that will last, saves you a heap of headaches down the track
Good luck with your setup mate.
T3hBau5@reddit
Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 w/ Expansion Battery and 200w Solar Panel. Also have the Alternator Charger.
Important-Hunt-61@reddit
Bluetti 180P plus a 400W all time circuit for my 4Runner. The 4Runner is only 400W while parked 100W while driving. Min charge setting draws like 330W. I drive around too much for solar so got a circuit that will allow me 400W while driving. Used my 200W solar once on my last trip and will probably not take it next time. Basically I'd think some type of inverter for whatever you're running, might need a better alternator to go along with it.
PNWoutdoors@reddit
Get an alternator charger for your Jackery and you have everything you need. Solar as backup.
jhguth@reddit
i’ve been running a fridge 24/7 for a decade with just a group 31 AGM starting battery and 100W of solar
missouriblooms@reddit
It's camping I do without, there's a reason its called roughing it
Dkman71@reddit
I still use the OG power station - an old GoalZero 1500x with their proprietary dc to dc charging (called a Link) and it’s great. I rarely take along solar panels. Having said that, the new Bluetti Elite 300 social media is pushing is double the power I have!! Add their Charger One and you have dc to dc. It’s actually a great setup for a very decent price, but I’d also think it’s more than you need for just an efficient 12v fridge and reasonable led lighting.
50000WattsOfPower@reddit
I'm running a 1500x, too, and I have the Link set up for alternator charging.
Recently, I saw that Goal Zero was running a big sale on expansion tanks for the 1500x (they're lead-acid expansion batteries, but the price was so low that it was tempting).
I reached out to Goal Zero, because the connection on the expansion tanks was different from what was on my 1500x with the Link.
"Oh yeah," they replied, "Your version of the Link was recalled as a fire hazard, so you'll need a new version." Granted, they are offering a free exchange, but it didn't give me great confidence in Goal Zero, which I was already annoyed with for trying every which way to lock you into their proprietary system with obscure connectors, etc.
And this was after I waited a long time for the Link vehicle kit to become available again, after the original version (before mine) was recalled!
confusedseas@reddit
Are you moving each day? Charge it via the vehicle. Solar is like catching rain, vehicle charging is like a faucet. If you are sitting for 4 days, you’ll need a bigger battery
chandgaf@reddit
12v cigarette lighter outlets are limited to 100w ish
OP will need a dc-dc charger for fast reliable charging when solar can't keep up
OP - the quality of the fridge makes a big difference in power draw, make sure you spend more for a quality one that doesn't draw a shit ton of power, you might save a small amount on the fridge itself, but you literally pay way more in having to recharge more, bigger panels, running the car more etc.
I'm running a ecoflow river 2 pro 768wh with a iceco go20 and I can run this thing with 200w solar almost indefinitley without car charging in the summer.
RickMuffy@reddit
I'm currently running a full campsite for a festival, fridge, lights at night, plugging in laptops and cell phones on ac, all on 200w of folding solar.
Getting panels deployed for the morning sun and being out of shade is all you need, prior planning prevents piss poor performance.
Zestyclose_Today_273@reddit
What kind of generator are you using? Looking for a medium sized generator for a festival as well (wanting to power a couple of fans during day)
ninjawinch@reddit
This \^
I have a smaller panel for emergencies, but if I am staying put for several days I'm lugging along some big briefcase solar panels, like 200w worth of them.
squeagy@reddit
I've got a gas generator champion 2500 watt inverter and the 1 gallon tank is tons of power
PirateRob007@reddit
Haha downvoted for talking about a generator in a post about "generators".
PirateRob007@reddit
Your jackery isnt a "generator" its just a battery. You need to pair it with actual power generation, like solar panels or a (actual) generator.
lucky_ducker@reddit
At the very least get a 12V cig lighter charging cable. 90W - 100W direct DC input. Use it whenever your vehicle is running.
Make sure you're running the fridge on DC. My Bluetti AC180 lasts twice as long running the fridge on DC instead of through the AC inverter.
Be mindful of sun exposure. You may need to alter your driving times and campsite location to maximize solar input.
SoundofPsithurism@reddit
You need a dc-dc charger for the jackery.
AnonymousSpelunking@reddit
Jackery 1500 with 2 100w panels for the cooler. Jackery 100 with a 200w panel for everything else (charging phones, Starlink, coffee maker, etc.)
Astrohumper@reddit
I use a bluetti AC180 (1100w), 200w solar panel when at camp, and use the 12v cigarette plug with a Cali Raised anytime 400w harness to pull 400w while driving.
Datas_@reddit
Ecoflow delta 3 max with an 800w alternator charger. Recharge from 0 to 100 in like an hour with engine running. I never run my battery to 0 so its much quicker. I just go trail riding for a bit and when I come back I'm back at full charge.
impulsivetech@reddit
Something like this is probably the best answer without having to add a gasoline generator.
WishPsychological303@reddit
I lucked into two 500W batteries and I realized, having 2x500W is better than just one 1000W battery. You can take one to the tent while the other stays in the car to run the fridge, or you can take one and leave it somewhere to charge while the other stays.
cookerz30@reddit
Solar and a DC-DC charger. Simple and do it yourself.
Tuner25@reddit
And without the noise & pollution of a generator!
Mtns_to_Sea@reddit
I got a 1k watt hour Pecron portable battery. I just installed a dual battery and DC2DC charger to charge the Pecron from which I will run my fridge and electronics. Also have a solar blanket that I can easily hook up to the Pecron when parked. Looking forward to using it on my summer trip in another week. I’ll be on the road for 2 months and am looking forward to no longer being a slave to my battery.
Sinfluencer666@reddit
I use 2 Oddysey Extreme 27F batteries, one as a starter battery, one as a house battery. Relay hooked up between the two that closes to protect the starter battery below 12.9v and a 100w panel on the roof. I can keep ice cream in a Dometic 75L dual zone freezer/refrigerator in 100° weather if I'm moving along a bit during the day.
Vegetable-Result6417@reddit
Three things that have come up a lot lately for multi-day off-grid power:
ZupertoastNew@reddit
The alternator setup is underrated honestly, especially for drive-heavy trips where you're covering a lot of miles each day. Lithium aux battery wired properly keeps up with almost anything if you're driving 4+ hours daily. Where it falls apart is base camps where you're parked for two or three days and not moving, that's where the solar or swap setups win out.
weilding@reddit
Running a bluetti with a 200w panel on the hood, works reasonably well but panel positioning takes time every time I set up camp and even when it's perfectly angled the recharge rate barely keeps up with overnight draw if the previous day was cloudy. Decent setup for 2-day trips, starts feeling tight on day three. Works though, not complaining.
MilitantPotato@reddit
We've a 1kw ecoflow with a 1kw expansion depending on the season/length of trip.
For trips more than a few days that may need the diesel heater and/or laptops and starlink all day we bring a 2000 watt inverter generator (honda.) This saves idle hours wasting gas and beating up the truck engine.
Our truck is an f150 powerboost with a 2.4kw generator, that charges the batteries when driving. The generator is rarely used, but has come in clutch several times, especially when we're setup for several days without moving.
I've not found the need or desire to buy solar panels at this point. Maybe if we get a powered fridge, but we've done 3+ week trips and not had issues.
Kerensky97@reddit
3 plus day trips I don't need power. If you put your phone in airplane mode so only the gps is on all you need is 1 extra charge.
370gt@reddit
300ah battery with a dc to dc charger that does solar, wall outlet, alternator from renogy. Tried to use a portable battery but the size and actual power is pretty pathetic. My old EcoFlow river pro Vs my new setup is roughly the same size but holds 4x the power.
Just order the hood solar panel so now I should never need to worry about power again. I have plugs in the bumper for 120v in and out, 12v out high voltage (air pump or diesel heater)
Items that use power:
Fridge (has its own battery too, so double backup)
6 PD type c chargers
1000w inverter (should have gone 2k, have never needed it though)
Lights
Starlink
Diesel heater in winter
V00D00808@reddit
BLUETTI AC70. Plugged into the 12V while driving to keep it topped off, it’ll charge off 12V at \~100w. I’ll keep my fridge plugged into the BLUETTI, when the compressor kicks on it draws about 80w, so while I’m driving the battery stays charged.
Once I’m at camp I’ll throw up a 100w panel to help the BLUETTI from draining completely. It’s worked great on multi day trips
AR_geojag@reddit
I have the Anker C1000, it lasts me three days easy, but I don't have a lot of electronics. I will run a heating pad when cold, sometimes a fan when hot, and random small electronics. Occasionally I'll hook it to the fridge, but I have two fridge batteries that usually last the trip.
I charge the battery when the vehicle is running, and try to remember to top up small devices then as well. I have a 200 amp solar panel I'll take if I'll be stationary for a long time.
Analysis-Euphoric@reddit
You mean running or actually running? Because those two are the same answer.
Ginger_SNAFU@reddit
Dual battery system and an upgraded alternator. Never used/needed a power bank. If I can figure out how to do it, anyone can.
Hell-Yea-Brother@reddit
Are you plugging the fridge into the 120v or 12v socket? 12v draws much less power. I have my fridge plugged in for 3 days and the Jackery 1000v2 got down to 30%.
DepartmentNatural@reddit
Without details on what your power draw is it's pointless for us to recommend anything.
I use 3 ecoflows two 750wh and a 300 wh. Nice to have a backup otherwise if your one & only took a shit your potential going home early
CalifOregonia@reddit
Anything more than two days with a 1,000wh battery and you’ll either need an alternator charger and/or around 200w or solar. The 12v from your vehicle will not get the job done. Alternator chargers tend to be battery brand specific, solar you can piece together with the right adapters.
Content-Moment6551@reddit
I run a Jackery 1000 and it lasts for several days without issue. The age of your unit can make a difference in maintaining a good, full charge. I recently bought a Bronco and now I charge the Jackery via 12v connection while driving.
PartTime_Crusader@reddit
Lots of power stations will work for this, its less about the unit and more about having solar and/or DC charging to recharge it.
zpollack34@reddit
I run a custom built renogy system. Main power source is either a trickle charger in the garage before I leave or the DCDC charger that kicks on when the truck is running. Full charge takes about 3 hours but it’s rare I run it down that low. If I’m moving every day, about 90 minutes will typically bring me back up to full charge. If I really run some electronics overnight, it might take more time. I don’t love idling the truck to charge it but also don’t love bringing solar panels. So it’s really on a trip by trip basis what I use. But the system is built into my Tacoma camper and solar or ac input just use quick connects.
For outputs I keep it all 12v for efficiency. Fridge, geyser shower, lighting, extra charge ports.