The best micro generator comparison I've found!

[JennyJ]

For the last month I've been trying to decide which generator to get, seems like each has their pros and cons, but as a complete beginner, I'm still confused.

Then I found this excellent video that explains a great deal: Micro Solar Generator Buyer's Guide! Jackery vs Rockpals vs Expertpower, by Will Prowse (DIY Solar Power): 

He performs in-depth testing on three brands of micro-generators, each with a lower and a higher cost model for six generators total.  And explains which features are best on which generator, depending on what your needs are... a very unbiased review.

If anyone's still confused about which generator to get, check out this video!

 

[DLTooley]

LiFePo4 products, with a greater number of charge cycles, are just becoming available.

A critical feature for me would be the ability to use the power station while it is charging without damaging the battery.

I think the value in these tops out around 500 watt hours, above that you could build your own for less. One feature in the larger devices that is a plus is the ability to run full load ac devices, like power tools, hair dryers, and microwaves. That’s not a huge factor for me, but might justify the cost.

 

[Qxxx]

And jenny, did the video help you to make a final choice?

 

[Weight]

My wish is they stop calling these shtboxes "generators". They are small storage batteries with a cheap inverter.

 

[wayne49]

"portable power stations"

 

[highdesertranger]

I hear you on the generator thing but it's hard when these you tube "experts" also use the wrong term. either out of ignorance or deceit. highdesertranger

 

[JennyJ]

So the video isn't any good??  It is a year old, so probably generator or power supplies, whatever one calls them, have advanced since then, but I thought he explained things pretty well for newbies like myself, who are solar- and electricity ignorant. I thought it was interesting that of the six products he reviewed, some are much faster to recharge via solar panels than others, while others had the same rate whether recharged by the 12-volt plug or solar. Usually there are only two products compared in most videos I've seen.

Traveling in my cramped Prius, my needs will be fairly simple. I have propane stove so don't need a microwave, I never use a hair dryer or other high-voltage items anyway, and the only tools I own are wrench, pliers, hammer and screwdrivers.

I'm just interested in some solar backup; based on that, the smaller Rockpals with a solar panel looks good, but.... I haven't fully decided yet. 

 

[JerryJ]

The video is ok for what it is, a comparison. What everyone here is upset about regarding that genre of videos, is that the video creators don't call out the manufacturers for using the term generator. Many people have purchased these thinking it was a generator, when in fact they have zero ability to generate power. As I'm sure you've gathered, they are a power station with a battery, charger controller, and inverters, all in a single box. And of course they require a solar panel, shore power, a true generator, or a vehicles charging system to charge up their batteries.

 

[highdesertranger]

exactly, thank you Jerry. people who aren't truthful when describing a product I don't trust. highdesertranger

 

[Trebor English]

Prius and a jackery? You are driving a mobile electric utility. People have hooked their house up to a Prius.

 

[tx2sturgis]

They make money for every click so OF COURSE they will use the terms that will get you and everyone else to click on the video. Clickbait=money in their minds...and pocketbooks.

Some youtubers provide good, reliable, vetted, fact-checked and un-biased information. They are few and far between.

Lots (or maybe most) of these youtube 'reviews' will have a financial affiliation in the products being reviewed...check for amazon links....bingo! 

Most of the videos of this type are simply info-tainment.

 

[JerryJ]

Prius and a jackery?  You are driving a mobile electric utility.  People have hooked their house up to a Prius.

Even Prius owners have reasons for needing alternative power. 

If a Prius is not in ready mode, and the doors or hatchback are left open, the small 12v battery will drain, and the Prius uses the 12v battery to start the computers and relays necessary for the main battery to start the engine.  Having a second battery or power station gives you a means of jump starting it.

When using the Prius as an air conditioner and power station, you are using gas.  The Prius has a tiny gas tank, so using a half gallon of gas per day for power generation limits the amount of time you can spend between trips to the gas station.  Using solar for most electric usage means more air conditioning available, and or less trips to get gas. (for 14 days on BLM  land, I'll have a backup gas can as well)

My reasons for having solar are I don't want to have to leave the car in  ready mode 24/7 to run my Alpicool refrigerator, and I don't want to be stranded if a door is left ajar draining the Prius 12v battery.

 

[tx2sturgis]

That's the best simple explanation of how the Prius operates that I have seen.

 

[JennyJ]

They make money for every click so OF COURSE they will use the terms that will get you and everyone else to click on the video. Clickbait=money in their minds...and pocketbooks.

Well, I don't mind that as long as they provide good info or new ideas; it's not money out of my pocket.  Everyone's doing it anyway... fact of life today, nothing's free anymore. Not like 1998 dial-up days with my clunky Apple II computer and YahooGroups... I'm still partial to forums! 

It can be hard to figure out what's good... there is crap info out there, I've seen a lot of it in twenty years, reason I thought this guy's comparison was good:  he's enthusiastic about his topic, got right into the info, didn't babble, didn't repeat himself. He knows his stuff, gave lots of explanatory info, tested six units, didn't push one brand over another, and didn't list links other than his website, book and channel.  I've seen some of his other videos, they're similar, but even more over my head, lol.

Click bait videos, OTOH, are fairly obvious:  They babble endlessly before getting to topic, tend to drone-read from off-screen charts or computer, repeat themselves to fill up time, they've often got the product for free, tend to extol the virtues of that product over another, and have a boggling array of links for products, often very expensive.  They're obviously more about making money than sharing info. Once you've seen a few, you know what to avoid, lol.

Even so, they're pretty harmless, unlike Facebook.  Talk about making money off your presence and personal data!

My problem with YT is that I'm a visual learner, not an auditory one. I'd rather read a book or a website for info than watch a video. Plus I'm easily distractible, it's much easier to flip back to reread than to replay something I just missed. Worse, I have to review even basic info several times before it finally sinks in. Rewatching a video doesn't really work for me. 

Like you said, I consider videos as mostly infotainment, heh.

 

[JennyJ]

My reasons for having solar are I don't want to have to leave the car in  ready mode 24/7 to run my Alpicool refrigerator, and I don't want to be stranded if a door is left ajar draining the Prius 12v battery.

Excellent post, Jerry... you said everything I forgot to say, and better to boot!

I want an Alpicool too, the biggest potential energy draw and reason for solar when the car's not on.

How much extra gas would you carry for dispersed camping? I always get nervous about carrying gas in an open car like the Prius.

 

[Weight]

My post was not to put Willie Prowse down. just to complain about nomenclature. i am disappointed that he doesn't call these bricks out as Not Generators. He provides much information in a very simplified manner. Plus i am jealous of all the free things he gets and how much money he makes. just ask him he will tell all.

 

[JerryJ]

Excellent post, Jerry... you said everything I forgot to say, and better to boot!

I want an Alpicool too, the biggest potential energy draw and reason for solar when the car's not on.

How much extra gas would you carry for dispersed camping? I always get nervous about carrying gas in an open car like the Prius.

I plan on a 3 gallon gas can.  That's the amount you have to put in if you accidentally run out of gas, less than three gallons risks the sensors not detecting enough fuel to allow it to start (per the owners manual and Prius chat).

There are special gas containers made for storage on the back of motorcycles that are very durable, and virtually leak proof. RotopaX is highly rated, but expensive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RT0BPO/ref=twister_B009DYU4WI?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1  There may be cheaper alternatives that would do fine.

 

[highdesertranger]

real NATO cans beat Rotopax hands down,

https://wavianusa.com/products/steel-fuel-jerry-can

DO NOT buy the cheap Chinese knock offs.

highdesertranger

 

[jacqueg]

My post was not to put Willie Prowse down. just to complain about nomenclature. i am disappointed that he doesn't call these bricks out as Not Generators.  He provides much information in a very simplified manner. Plus i am jealous of all the free things he gets and how much money he makes. just ask him he will tell all. 

I agree, but I like his reviews. AFAIK, HoboTech is the only youtuber that consistently points out that these gadgets are not generators. And he and Prowse pretty much agree on the units they test. Whenever I see someone else recommending something, I check to see what Prowse and/or HoboTech have to say about it.

 

[JerryJ]

real NATO cans beat Rotopax hands down,

https://wavianusa.com/products/steel-fuel-jerry-can

DO NOT buy the cheap Chinese knock offs.

highdesertranger

Don't know if I can resist that, after all, it is a Jerry can!