Solar generator or power pack.

[Ajoilver96]

Consider a portable power station with a higher watt-hour rating to cover both nights. Look for one with AC outlets, USB, and DC ports. Solar panels can help recharge during the day. If you're concerned about generator noise, explore quieter options like Goal Zero Yeti or Jackery.

[XDJYo]

OP-Check into your local utility as they were providing free of charge power stations for CPAP users. It's been a while since I heard about it, but it might be nice to have a free one too. IIRC, PG&E was offering a 3k WH unit???

I bought an inexpensive off-brand 1k WH unit a about 8 mos ago and it has worked well for my uses. It was $450 or so. Also bought a 100W solar panel at $100. Not a bad deal. They were both Grecell units.

[200Apples]

A lot of "boondockers" safely use lithium Ion batteries. You have to monitor them, not overcharge them, and use them if damaged. They are lighter, have more capacity, consistency discharge, and last longer. They also cost more.

Sounds like you are describing LiFePO batteries: Lithium Iron Phosphate, but you say "lithium ion". I am unaware of any larger-size lithium ion that boondock rv'rs use, but prices are coming down for LiFePO, now mostly seen advertised as LiFePO2.

Whatever. I'm using heavy, sealed (VRLA, recombinant) lead acid AGM batteries and appreciate them for their ballast weight directly over the axle in my little camp trailer project. I'm using Odyssey, but they have their own charge voltage parameters, so an equal investment in an appropriate charger and solar charge controllers is necessary.

[XDJYo]

Sounds like you are describing LiFePO batteries: Lithium Iron Phosphate, but you say "lithium ion". I am unaware of any larger-size lithium ion that boondock rv'rs use, but prices are coming down for LiFePO, now mostly seen advertised as LiFePO2.

Whatever. I'm using heavy, sealed (VRLA, recombinant) lead acid AGM batteries and appreciate them for their ballast weight directly over the axle in my little camp trailer project. I'm using Odyssey, but they have their own charge voltage parameters, so an equal investment in an appropriate charger and solar charge controllers is necessary.

It seems that the LiFePo batteries are becoming more and more popular as costs come down and tech improves. A lot that jumped on the power station bandwagon early on are using Lion batteries. One plus is that they are inexpensive. Many companies are making units at a much more reasonable price point via the Jackery/Bluetti units for $/WH.


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[200Apples]

Ah. Li (lithium ion) in the Jackerys, the Bluettis, etc... those are used by some bo0ndockers.

I associate lithium ion w/ cellphone, laptop and r/c batteries.

[200Apples]

And I associate LiFePO2 w/ $150,000 campervans.

[Epaphroditus]

A sound dampening box containing a Honda EU1000i generator with a retro fitted extra large fuel tank will run for days and be exceedingly quiet.

Those little Hondas are already really quiet.

Even with no box but a 200' extension cord and a small lean-to that deflects sound away is barely noticable.

[acegunnr]

I built my own 280Ah LiFePo4 battery. Cheaper than AGM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsvBlQJr7b0&t=2s

[brassburnz]

Ah. Li (lithium ion) in the Jackerys, the Bluettis, etc... those are used by some bo0ndockers.

I associate lithium ion w/ cellphone, laptop and r/c batteries.

Battery terminology is misleading when it comes to "lithium." There are many types of batteries that contain lithium just as there are many types of batteries that contain lead. At best, the marketing departments are ignorant of the differences. At worst, the false marketing is intentional.

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt (LiNMC) batteries are safe when used properly. Jackery, Bluetti, and others currently use both types. You need to read the specs. There have been reports of fires in DIY systems, but this is usually due to a failure in the system and not a failure in the battery.

Cellphone, laptop, and r/c batteries are lithium polymer (LiPo) which may become very unstable. Rapid discharging and charging is the usual culprit. The battery pouch will expand and become "puffy." I store my good LiPo batteries in a fireproof LiPo pouch. My "puffy" LiPo's go into a metal GI .50 cal ammo can outside on the cement patio. They get disposed of properly when I get too many.

Technically, all of these different batteries are "lithium," but they are very different.

[CrazyCobraManTim]

Let us know how the trip goes!

For Ms. Crazy and I - after a city-wide power outage (and water flow stopped for some after 5-7 days), I said screw this - I've got family responsibilities...

Got a couple small and large EcoFlow Delta / Delta pros (ZERO noise), got several solar panels to quietly charge them as they are alternated. And if things are animated - I don't mind using the dual-fuel (propane or gas) powered generators (which can be coupled and provide 30+ Amp shore power to RV's, camper or even house if I went that route) to power up the Ecoflows.

All Eco's can be powered by house 110v, 12v vehicle (much slower), solar (110-440w) and the biggest can even be charged at electric vehicle charging stations if you are on the go.

So 5 power sources (electric, gas, propane, stored battery and solar), with 3 devices that are absolutely silent and can even charge one another. The little units can run a 1/2 sized fridge (wouldn't bother trying to run the 27 cu.ft beast) and 10 cu.ft chest freezer for around 24-36 hours via testing.

The big Eco unit can run anything but the home HVAC....but I have one smaller unit + a portable for most eventualities.

Agree with others - EXERCISE your batteries on occasion! And even if you don't run the gas / propane generators, cold crank them to get the oil back into internal passages. I prefer to run the more expensive (cleaner) propane until it cuts into a part of the cooking reserve fuel, then I'd switch to dino-fuel.

Good times....

PS - the EcoFlow do have LION Lifepo4 batteries. Good for a couple thousand recharge cycles before losing 20% of their overall capacity. Not too shabby: https://blog.ecoflow.com/us/how-long...atteries-last/

https://blog.ecoflow.com/us/how-long-do-lithium-batteries-last/

Long Lifespan

Compared to other lithium-ion technologies and lead-acid batteries, LiFePO4 has a much longer lifespan. LFP batteries can charge and discharge between 2,500 and 5,000 times before losing around 20% of their original capacity. Advanced options like the battery in the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station battery can go through 6500 cycles before reaching 50% capacity.

[edgerly779]

I have an ad in sales for solar. panels, batteries, hybrid inverters, etc. LiFePo4 is the best batteries never lion. I have aircraft agm gel batteries.

[200Apples]

I have aircraft agm gel batteries.

No, you do not.

Those are either AGM, or they are GEL-cell batteries. Not both at the same time.

Two different technologies. Please clarify your post. You might just be missing a comma...

[edgerly779]

agm,gel correct. I just picked up 4 new mk power batteries.