Generator Test: How To Get The Most Energy Per Gallon!

[@oneisnone7350]

This is great! It’s my experience that a larger engine is better for a constant draw, whereas a smaller engine with a fluctuating draw is better. It surprises me that no one does these tests.

[@JohnCillian]

Please do a follow up video comparing them to similar inverter gens like Genmax/Champion or Duromax. They all claim very good efficiency numbers

[@rw9737]

Especially your favoried the Champion 4650 gen vs Honda eu3200....

[@cryptickcryptick2241]

I did a little research on the Generators, and according to marketing material, they all produce close to the same fuel efficiency. Most generators list run time and load and 50% capacity. The big question is how big of a generator do you want and how long do you want it to run. Most of the manufactures have dialed in to try to get the most gas and run time out of a gallon of gas. Obviously, some of the generators are much more expensive than others. There are also fuel choice differences. Is is also recommended to have more than one generator as "One is none and two is one." Aka when it come time to really run the generator, only one will start.

[@timwagster9458]

I really like your "real world scenario" testing. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻😁

[@yolo_burrito]

This really explains one of the reasons why Hybrid cars are so much more efficient. Run at higher loads less idle.

[@johnclyne6350]

I’ve never seen this comparison? Thank you for running this test. I have a Honda EU 7000is the bigger brother to both of the units you used in your test. Instead of charging a battery, I use mine to back feed my entire 1700 sqft house as the EU 7000is is a 240 volt generator. I love my generator. I average 4 hours of run time to a gallon running my entire house at 3750 watts at 240 volts. That’s with the 2-1/2 ton Trane central air. As for fuel. I never have to worry. I keep 100 gallons of pretreated gas in my shed. I rotate the fuel so I never have gas that is older than a year old. I was out of power after Isais for 54 hours. Our house was comfortable & cool. My wife was able to run laundry & cook food in the kitchen without having to worry about fuel usage or running out of capacity. After 54 hours we used 14 gallons of gas. At that rate & fuel storage we’d have enough for a 2 week interruption. We live just outside city limits & our power is restored pretty quickly compared to the rest of the state. Thank you for doing this comparison.

[@jaysonstebbins2539]

This was a well needed video! Everyone has to understand that the engine running alone uses gas. Almost like a nuclear power plant that uses the same amount of fuel for peak demand hours and off peak hours for our electricity. Might as well utilize the power being used to generate. I did a similar test with my westing house igen4200 inverter generator using a quart of gas and multiplied by 10.5 quarts to get my results since I wasn't waiting 15 hours for this thing to run out of gas and also I didn't have the battery capacity to hold this much. Your test according to the water bottle of approximately 16.9 ounces of gasoline on your 3200 watt model which is 2800 max running watts. That generator would produce 1kwh per 0.14 gallons. That's impressive. I ran the same test on my igen4200 at 1800 watts on eco which was 50% load and got .095 gallons per kwh or 27.5kwh per tank running for 15.3 hours. Then ran the same test at 900 watts which was 25% load and got 18.9kwh per tank running for 21 hours and got .123 gallons per kwh. I really wanted to know the answer to the same question you had. What is my best efficiency for charging off my generator. My answer for this generator was 50% load which is the highest rate I could charge at anyway lol.

[@thesilvertechie3070]

Awesome video! Specific to the point and seemingly reliable results. Scientifically this makes sense. Internal combustion engines give off most of their energy as heat the less runtime the less heat loss..

[@jeffreyhanks551]

How about comparing the 3 Ecoflow generators for efficiency on which one produces more power since you are charging an Ecoflow unit. It would be interesting to see them compared to other brands also. I realize the smart auto start on the Ecoflow is their selling point but I’m more concerned with efficiency. Thanks have a Great Day!!! P.S. I really enjoy all your videos.

[@johnnysweekends]

😀👍🏼👊🏼

[@warrenglen7636]

EcoFlow AC efficiency really depends on the load as there is a base level of about 20-40 watts of loss when the AC is turned on.

[@jeffreyhanks551]

⁠@@warrenglen7636 I own 2 DPU and 4 DP and 1 Delta so I am aware of their efficiency. I was talking about the 3 gas Smart generators as far as same amount of gasoline as the ones tested here and what the gross output of each model would be …I already own the 1st smart generator but want to know if it would be worth upgrading or switching to different brand altogether as I don’t us the auto start function anyway.

[@warrenglen7636]

@ Makes sense

[@BarakBuck]

I always learn something from your videos but this is one of my favorites! This info is incredibly valuable. Thank you so much for answering this question. Keep up the good work, very much appreciated.

[@muddyaim]

This is one of your best video topics. If the video is successful in views, please do another using other generators! (Might have to find something different than the your meter, though)

[@johnnysweekends]

Already planning but have other videos coming first so 3/4 weeks. And yea the problem is the meter setup but already have 2/3 ideas 👍🏼

[@keithbrookshire]

Excellent test and info. I appreciate you going through the trouble to show these efficiencies.

[@johnnysweekends]

😀👊🏼👍🏼

[@rw9737]

You could also use noninverter/standard generators with AVR to compare efficiency with the inverter ones....

[@JLTPhotog]

Nice to see some data on what many say, running at 7-80% is best for efficiency. Thanks!

[@slidewaze]

Your idea to test in this manner is brilliant! Thanks for doing and posting this test. Good stuff indeed.

[@SaabAholic]

Good information here. Also, good reminder to stock up on fuel in case of any emergency that might come soon. Be prepared folks! 🤠👍🏻🇺🇸

[@jgazdik1988]

Love these fuel efficiency tests! The biggest cost of running these generators long term is fuel. Most gloss over the fuel efficiency or don't have access to generators to give a good comparison. I'd love to see you put your genmax carberator and efi model through this test. I'd also like to see you add a fuel efficiency test in your new generator videos.

[@cryptickcryptick2241]

Wow. This is really useful information. Getting 45% more power per gallon by running the generator at 70% verses 50% is a significant difference. Particularly, during a hurricane, or other disaster when fuel is scare this could make a difference. With the app on Ecoflow, one can set Delta 2 power station to charge at any speed. To dial this speed back to the best charging speed can be very useful. Without a power station, the small generators that can keep the fridge charged, yet just sip fuel can be really good for long term hurricane recovery. Pairing gas generators and power stations is a real winning combination.

[@barryswatman2398]

how many oz. was that container? Could you present the data also in kWh of electricity / Gallon of gas?

[@ChaJ67]

I really like this video. I think you put these generators through a good range. I don't like running generators at 100% load, so this test picks a range that people might actually want to try and shows which makes sense to do if you are trying to be efficient. I just went through the Eaton fire in LA. While my place was South enough of the fires to be spared, I didn't want to take my generator outside. Large swaths of town lost power for extended periods. The crazy thing is Edison kept the power lines energized when they did absolutely nothing to prepare for these wind storms that happen annually now around this time of year. In San Diego, SDG&E has been undergrounding for decades after power lines sparked a massive, destructive wildfire. Getting back to LA and the Eaton fire, I needed to run an errand when the winds kicked up and I was seeing bone dry tree debris everywhere being blown around by the hurricane force wind gusts and large branches and whole trees down everywhere that this section of town was completely unprepared for, no trimming back like what they do further East in town as usually further East in the LA basin takes the brunt of these wind storms. There were blight blue and green flashes all over town from the above ground power infrastructure arching and transformers exploding and such. The Eaton fire was not the only fire I saw under power lines that night. As I was driving back from running my errand, which brought me close to where the Eaton fire started and I could see the flames under large transmission towers after I saw a particularly bright flash from the direction where the Eaton fire started just about the time that it started that looked to be about the right distance to where the Eaton fire started, I saw another fire under power lines just a few blocks from my place. It is just the fire department was on top of that and managed to get it out before all of that tree debris blowing around everywhere ignited and carried the flames around the middle of town. This was all nice parts of town with lots of vegetation, which the vegetation was just ripped to shreds and blown everywhere by the strong wind gusts. But getting back to my place, there were large objects being picked up by the powerful wind gusts and being thrown about. My full 30 lb propane tanks with support bases on them stayed firmly planted on the ground outside fortunately, but with all of the things I saw flying around and all of the heavy banging I heard from large objects banging around outside and against the place, I didn't think it was wise to get the generator out, especially seeing I would normally set it up in the open where I saw large debris where it did not belong. I fired up a battery-inverter setup and plugged a lamp in as the power flicked on and off at my place for hours, especially as I had a small child with me and he was terrified. At least a light would stay on to make things a little easier for him and I had UPS power handling other things. Really, Edison should have cut power before the winds got so strong and people who were prepared like me just run off of battery - inverter setups. Some people I know didn't have power for several days after and were running off of generators for days. In that case, a video like this is important to say how to make the best use of your fuel. The other people I knew actually didn't have any sort of battery - inverter setup, so they were inefficiently running their generators for days. One guy didn't even know he needed to change the oil in his small generator every 50 hours until I told him. But yeah, as this is really becoming the "new norm" for the LA basin, a lot of people around here are going to need to know this stuff and how to keep the lights on and their food from spoiling in these wind swept fire events. Even if Edison gets smart and does power cuts, hopefully avoiding some of these wind swept fire events, just making them more only wind events, it is going to be a long road to get things undergrounded if they get smart enough to do that. In the meantime, there is going to be a lot of powerlines knocked out for days at a time until they can get things fixed up. So people are going to need to have their emergency power systems ready and know how to set it up and use it effectively. I should point out that this is not the only high wind event that I have been in. A couple of years back I was living further East in the LA basin and a high wind event around this time of year blew over things like a brick wall that had stood for 70 years and even with the trimming back of trees and such by the city I was in, power was still knocked out all day at my place from trees falling into powerlines. Especially with heavy metal clanking outside from my neighbor having sheet metal in his backyard that was blown everywhere by the high winds, I stayed inside and fired up the battery - inverter setup I had at the time to keep some essentials going like my fridge. I did not go outside as I was afraid of getting killed by flying debris, especially as I could hear metal debris clanking around very loudly and was worried about getting hit by flying sheet metal or falling tree limbs. But then when the winds died down, I was without power, but it was safe to setup backup power outside.

[@tdapple1]

Beautiful Detailed & Informative Video. Thank you 🙏 Brother. Such important Knowledge to Know. I’ve been running around 50% of rated load. Now I will go up to around 70% of rated load for better efficiency & faster charging etc. thank you 🙏

[@johnnysweekends]

😀👍🏼👊🏼

[@philhawley4445]

Great video! I just bought 2 pecron e3600’s and plan to charge them with a 3600 watt wen dual fuel generator. Haven’t broken in the generator yet but will soon. This was great information.

[@mikecon7634]

Definitely like these type of videos the best. And new product launches. Oh yeah, and stuff on sale. Tks JW

[@johnnysweekends]

Thanks Mike 😀👊🏼

[@HVACRSurvival]

Good information Johnny 👍👍🤜🤛

[@whitenas]

A collection of solar batteries and a small generator is best in my opinion. My rv with solar and batteries backed up by propane generator and a 500 gallon propane tank is theoretically a lifeboat that could conceivably last 5 years with careful usage

[@arnoldreiter435]

i noticed that my gen manual showed a chart of efficiency and it was best at 70% of its rated output. I discovered the same results....run your gen at 70-80% for the best power production, this also works with propane.(used 1lb bottles and a scale) which is how i run my gen to charge my battery bank.

[@charlesklaus6290]

Interesting results. Thanks!

[@Don008Ramon]

That was good and surprising. Thx for this test

[@Sidicas]

The importance of properly sizing your generator determines whether you are burning gas just to burn gas vs. burning gas to generate power.

[@user-jt5vm3mi1w]

Cool so it's better to charge my battery quickly at higher load than slowly, I wonder about 100%

[@warrenglen7636]

@@user-jt5vm3mi1w I’ve read that generators generally have better efficiency at 60-80% load.

[@robertkubrick3738]

@@warrenglen7636 80% is what I have always heard but I can see where an inverter generator could extend that efficiency down to 70% load.

[@todd.parker]

Very cool test, I didn't expect those results. I like the science.

[@johnnysweekends]

Thanks Todd, I do as well ! More and more are charging batteries so good info to have 👍🏼

[@Jasonoid]

Loved seeing these results! Do we get the same results with propane? I'm guessing it would be similar. Now I know to run my genny at around 70% load for the most charging energy.

[@kcgunesq]

Nice test and nice video presentation. While the relationships should stay constant, its important to remember that the absolute values could change depending upon whether it is summer or winter. Cold gasoline has more energy per volume unit.

[@stevelee6667]

Great video. I was going to do this test myself......now i dont have to. Thanks.

[@-GrimEngineer-1337]

The idle overhead is a smaller component of the load so efficiency will be higher at the higher load levels. The newer tech FI engine is also going to have higher efficiency so it will be the best efficiency at higher loading of the two.

[@YukonHawk1]

Excellent vid. Thank you.

[@ryanyoder7573]

This confirmed my assumption thanks for the excellent video.

[@johnnysweekends]

😀👍🏼

[@robnelsen]

Would be interesting to see this same test done using Ecoflow's Smart Generator using their DC-DC charging to see if there is that big of an improvement.

[@ronhawkins8604]

Great info!

[@johnnysweekends]

Surprising results! Your thoughts? #rv #backuppower #blackout #solar ITEMS USED IN VIDEO........ Tach:amzn.to/4g5yVWj Kill-o Watt Meter:amzn.to/40DDK4w Honda eu2200:amzn.to/4ap0M2f Honda eu3200:amzn.to/3DVF2PE Gas Can:amzn.to/4hmoPS2 Fuel conditioner: amzn.to/3DZrEtD Ecoflow Delta Pro 3: amzn.to/4g8yaLT Ecoflow Delta pru Ultra:shopsolarkits.com/products/ecoflow-delta-pro-ultra?ref=1134&variant=42007016013964 SAVE $101 Code: JOHNNYWKND Eg4 Power setup :signaturesolar.com/eg4-wallmount-indoor-battery-280ah-51-2v-14-3kwh-eg4-6000xp-off-grid-inverter-bundle-8000w-pv-input-6000w-output-all-in-one-solar-inverter-bndl-e0009/?ref=JOHNNYWKND Be sure to Subscribe 👍🏼 :www.youtube.com/@johnnysweekends?sub_confirmation=1 Have a question you want answered fast: asqme.com/@johnnysweekends SAVE BIG ON EG4 BATTERIES SOLAR AND MORE HERE: signaturesolar.com/?ref=JWKNDS DISCOUNT CODE: JOHNNYWKND BEST PRICING ON EG4 ENPHASE ECOFLOW BLUETTI & MORE! BUNDLE DISCOUNTS: shopsolarkits.com/1134 Discount Code: JOHNNYWKND CHEAP USED CERTIFIED SOLAR PANELS HERE: www.santansolar.com/?ref=Johnnys%20Weekends MC4 All in one Kit : amzn.to/37jwLVb CHECK OUT MY AMAZON STORE: www.amazon.com/shop/johnnysweekends

[@b0bsaget007]

I am a mechanical engineering student. The results lined up exactly with my expectations, based on my knowledge of ICE efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, larger displacement engines produce more power more efficiently. The EFI system also allowed for more optimal combustion of the fuel compared to the carburetor. Additionally, these small engines, especially in generators, are typically designed to be most efficient close to their rated power output, so it made sense that both generators were most efficient at higher loads.

[@shaunnightfire8269]

Awesome video! Im thinking 70% is close to max efficiency for most small engines, but would be interested to see if it is higher at 60, 80, or even 90% load.

[@nallebrean]

In hilly Norway you got the same thing. No every use downhill when motor breaking and high power and efficient upptill.

[@craigs5212]

Based on my back of the envelop calks using your best number of .94 kWh run time the production rate is around 7.1kWh per gallon of fuel. Better than I expected. At $4/gallon that equates to $0.56 per kWh of electricity. Our local tier on PG&E rate is $0.402 per kWh, so it doesn't make sense to generate your own power. Things may look different with a generator burning red diesel (no road tax).

[@rpsmith]

ICE are less efficient when you restrict the air (partial throttle). You create more pumping losses as you pull a vacuum on the intake manifold.

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

That was interesting. But only shows the perspective of a power station. Redo the test with lithium chargers at 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 and 160 amp (160amp = 2000 watt).

[@jordanstephenson5265]

Hey! I have a honda eu2200i also and am thinking of getting the same ecoflow you have. I'm just wondering how you are changing the loads that you are demonstrating, from 25%, 50%, and 70%? Thank you! Awesome video!

[@robertcurtis1191]

I believe he is doing that on the ecoflow side. with the ecoflow app you can set the charge rate.

[@jordanstephenson5265]

Oh awesome! I appreciate the reply, thanks! 👍🏻

[@roberts8783]

Unsurprisingly less restriction from the throttle butterfly means less losses and more efficiency. Use the power station for light loads. Start generator for charging and large loads. What's the payback period on the extra cost of the eu3200 in kwh ? I.e. extra cost divided by cost savings per kw or per year

[@rcguymike]

Runtime is useful if you're running loads directly off the generator, everything in this test is as expected to me😁. Next we need tests like this for the full energy lifecycle, aka more excuses to go camping, track fuel and energy usage without battery backup, then with👌😁

[@rodcros]

I'd love to see the same test done between a 5 kw Honda generator and a pto generator driven by a diesel tractor. I believe my 18 hp diesel tractor with a 3 speed pto shaft driving a 7.5 kw Buamalight pto generator is quite economical, at least in comparison with other diesel tractors.

[@tsherbs1309]

Very cool

[@peterklotter7298]

Maybe I am being stupid but how were you varying the load. I could see the generator , battery unit and the kill a watt like device.

[@cryptickcryptick2241]

Ecoflow has an app on the smart phone, which allows you to control the charge rate. Without the app there is only two settings, as there is just a button, but with the app and a bluetooth connection one can fine tune it. You can set the charge speed or electrical load to any number you want within the range.

[@peterklotter7298]

@ Thanks, he just never mentioned that. I just. Purchased a Jackery 5000 but have not setup the app yet.

[@snubblaren]

What was the volume of the bottle?

[@johnnysweekends]

16.9oz but could have varied per test by .1-.2

[@skylerdylan1005]

I just got a Honda 2200i for exactly this reason. Its such a great little machine. Thanks for the video

[@Chooseyouruniquehandlebyaddin]

Engines in general prefer to be run at 80% load. If you have a Honda, run it at the rated load, because they usually under rate. For all china gens, run at 80% the rated “continuous” load. Ive always gotten exceptional kwh per gallon with my generators.

[@williambikash6645]

A generator running with no load uses a certain amount of fuel just to run. A car that gets 40 mpg on average is getting 0 mpg when stuck in traffic and not moving. But it is burning less gph then a big v-8 stuck in the same traffic ! Use a generator that is sized to run at about 70% most of the time. 2 smaller inverter generators running in parallel will give you much more flexibility then one larger generator. Run one up to 70% and then bring in the second one when you need more. Running a large generator at a light load is very fuel inefficient. Comparing 2 similar size generators, One fuel injection and one carburetored would be interesting. I believe the f I unit would show a bigger improvement at light to medium loads. As you get closer to higher percentage of output the difference wont be that great. It depends on how sophisticated the FI is. if it senses air pressure (altitude) and temperature it might be noticeably better. Carburetors have to compromise jetting and some gensets come with higher altitude jets in a kit. Do f i generators use an oxygen sensor?

[@FewerOptions-mx7qt]

In a hurricane first thing to go is gas even before the storm hits. Gas doesn't store very good compared to propane. Maybe do same tests with propane fuel using small propane bottle. I wouldn't buy a generator unless its dual fuel.

[@rpsmith]

Real gas easily stores for a year or two! Ethanol crap will start going bad in a few months! Propane only works if you have a huge tank in your back and then you may still have problems if it's above ground and it gets really cold outside!

[@FewerOptions-mx7qt]

@rpsmith why does a few gallons of gas work but a 20lbs tank of propane does? You do know propane is a refrigerant? The properties are about the same as r12 and boiling point is around -44f so doubt you'll ever be in that kind of weather

[@realJohnLab]

A test I always wanted to do but way too lazy to even try.

[@daveulmer]

That proves it. Inverter generators are obsolete. With lithium batteries you want the generator to run full speed and then have a charger that can put the full load into the batteries. Charge batteries at ;1C if you can.

[@Tiktokrefugee69]

Would have been interesting to put it a full 100% load.

[@johnnysweekends]

You shouldn’t run generators at full load as it will wear them out quicker and most times shut off due to over heat over load and more.

[@stuff3661]

Great video! I assumed that the generators worked that way but it's great to have confirmation. Honda EU3000iS owner with a battery inverter unit. It's nice to charge quickly twice a day, less likely to have the generator stolen and easier to keep an eye on the generator for a few hours than all the time.

[@MrZorbatron]

Why are you running such a low charge rate? Should do a 90% load test on each too.

[@johnnysweekends]

Because running generator above 80% continuously is bad for them as it shortens life span, over heats and then eventually overloads and shuts off. Running any equipment at near rated loads for extended periods of time with shorten its life span dramatically.

[@MrZorbatron]

@johnnysweekends my understanding was that this doesn't apply so much with inverter generators, with it being best to keep it to 90% or less. This exact number is included in the documentation for three different inverter generators that I have, from three different manufacturers. They do not recommend running the generator above 90% for more than an hour at a time for heat reasons. This is included in warnings from A-iPower, Harbor Freight, and Yamaha. My personal view is that I don't like maxing something out, but this will always go situation by situation. If I have to maximize what I can get out of a gallon of fuel, I might not care too much about some extra engine heat. I'll do the next oil change early and keep an eye on temperature. I actually have only had to run one of my generators once in an emergency, with every other situation being handled by solar panels and batteries.

[@FewerOptions-mx7qt]

Its recommended to buy a generator that can produce the load you need at 50%

[@MrZorbatron]

@FewerOptions-mx7qt For continuous operation with transient loads, the guidelines is usually 50-67% according to most manufacturers, depending on the manufacturer and the size of the unit. Constantly under loading an engine is bad for it, too. For intermittent or cycle use (a generator that automatically starts and stops) with steady loads, most companies recommend numbers more like 85%. My place up north is solar powered with a diesel generator that starts automatically, so I looked into these specs very closely. Comfortable loading factor depends heavily on use case, environment, even frequency of operation. My diesel generator, for example, introduces yet another specification. They want a minimum cycle length, so basically don't start and stop it all the time. It's highly recommended that it be allowed to reach normal operating temperature and then remain there for at least half an hour every time it's started for actual use (not testing). My diesel generator is spaced for 8800 watts continuously, 10400 for I believe either 5 or 10 minutes, and 12xxx (I forget) for momentary starting loads. It has a 3 cylinder 21 HP Onan engine on it. Now, I also did go to engineering school, but generators weren't really a big part of that. They also didn't have these inverter generators everywhere back then. Part of what confuses me with this advice is that it runs counter to what the manufacturers claim - that inverter generators are comfortable running at higher fractional output levels than conventional generators, but 2/3-3/4 is the same old rule we always would follow with conventional generators

[@hardymichael533]

Good EcoFlow delta smart Duo fuel Generator 4000W 😊👍

[@james10739]

There was probably more efficiently upgreads aside from juat fuel injection

[@james10739]

I assume you more or less want to be drawing near peak power the whole time because if you are not using any power it is still using fuel not as much as under load but still so depending how much power you can get out of your charger do that and use whatever else you can like a heater or lights whatever

[@adrianb6073]

Skip the solar “generator” all together. Rather use that money to convert the inverter to propane or even better natural gas. Then you have stable (and unlimited in the case of natural gas) fuel!

[@FzudemB]

But you have to keep the generator running aas long as you need energy which is less efficient, noisy and leads to more maintenance and wear. The battery enables you to run the generator for an hour a day and keep using the enery for the rest of the day

[@robertkubrick3738]

Especially as the battery is your standby power and the generator isn't needed for that it makes sense to go for the most watt hours. I'm sticking with the generator for my needs though. I have a very efficient small generator that gives me base power for lights refrigerator, Mini Split AC various computers but if I want to cook with electricity, heat water, wash and dry clothes, I crank up the bigger generator for an hour or two. I also have the option of slow heating water in a cheap 1 gallon rice cooker at about 400W with the smaller generator and cooking with propane. If your generator is sized to the load, the battery is an unnecessary step.

[@rpsmith]

You couldn't be more wrong!

[@robertkubrick3738]

@@rpsmith No, you just realized how wrong you are and got triggered.

[@jnmc-vx4fw]

Don’t understand how you only get 45 min of runtime of 1 gal of gas from the eu2200. ? My Honda 2000 gets 6 -7 hrs off 1 gal of gas , running my full size fridge

[@Hardpee789]

@@jnmc-vx4fw he didn’t run the test with 1 gallon of gas. He only used one water bottle worth of gas. ⛽️

[@jnmc-vx4fw]

@ who puts a water bottle full of gas into their generator? Wouldn’t it be better to show how long 1 gal ( full tank) would give you for runtime or how many times it would recharge your solar generator?

[@sph_000]

@@jnmc-vx4fw The 2200 doesn't even have a 1 gallon tank (0.95) and the 3200i has 1.2 gal so he couldn't do direct comparison unless he uses a smaller amount of fuel. There are 128 oz in a gallon and it looks like he used about 12 oz of fuel so you can multiply the results by 10.5 to get a good idea for 1 gallon of gas.

[@Jasonoid]

Somebody doesn't listen or didn't watch the video... 😂

[@todd.parker]

@@jnmc-vx4fw Th point of the video was to test what is the most efficient load % to run a generator to maximize energy, not to test how long it will run for a gallon of gas.

[@KungPowEnterFist]

I understand the concept of the test, but I will also say that this test is irrelevant/nonsensical for the vast majority of people the vast majority of the time. I can see this being useful information for someone that is regularly using these generators daily for several hours to charge batteries in an off grid situation, because of the "a little fuel savings adds up to a lot of fuel savings over time" mentality. However, these generators are not rated for such usage and will not last very long in that use case (and exponentially less so the further you get above 50% of maximum output), and you'll be replacing them too often for the fuel savings to meaningfully chance the calculus. You will be better off with a larger inverter generator (but still a standby rating) running at a lower percentage of its max output even if that is not the absolute most efficient kWh/gallon for that generator, because the unit will likely last you much longer and reduce the overall cost per year (the unit, maintenance, fuel). FI vs carb comes down to will the extra cost of FI pay for itself through fuel savings during the service lifetime of the generator and nothing else. So far that's a big, fat no.

[@rickh5047]

It’s not nonsensical if you are trying to maximize the electricity between the EcoFlow and generator. Gas can become a limited option sometimes too. 45% more energy on the same amount of fuel to be used on an EcoFlow is significant in that context.

[@christopherdiaz1350]

I passed hurricane Maria back in 2017 and I was without power for 5 months. Gas expense quickly added up. Today I have an ecoflow pro 3 and 2200 honda. This test was amazing for me, considering I have both. HONDA 2200 can totally go over 50% for hours and hours. I used a ryobi 2300 at over 50% put over 3000 hours on them during hurricane Maria. Sold it in 2022 for $350 adn was still running smooth. Pretty sure a honda can outdo a ryobi.

[@KungPowEnterFist]

@@rickh5047 So you are saying you have been in a situation where you could only have one pint of gasoline in a water bottle and could not obtain more? Really?

[@KungPowEnterFist]

@@christopherdiaz1350 I am not claiming these generators cannot go over 50% output. I am also not claiming that it is impossible to get 3000 hours of runtime out of them. You, however, seem to be implying that 3000 hours is typical and can even be outdone by another brand, and you would be flat out wrong on that. 3000 hours on these portables, including Honda, is not typical at all. One important thing the influencer missed is that the kWh's are not ideally conserved. It is far more efficient to power the load directly from the generator than it is to charge a power station and later power the load from the power station, because you are executing two unnecessary power conversions not to mention the control/monitor power burden and self discharge rates. Again, if the objective is saving money, this demonstration is an exercise in how not to do it. In your case, which is definitely outside of the "vast majority of users the vast majority of the time" disclaimer I made, you were better off investing in a few solar panels and perhaps more battery capacity than purchasing all that gasoline. The gasoline (and all those oil changes and other maintenance items) is gone, but the panels would have been making you power for the last 7-8 years and for more years to come.