What’s Your Go-To Backup Power Solution?

[BlueMarigold]

When the grid goes down, what’s everyone relying on as their backup? I’ve been using a mix of solar panels with deep-cycle marine batteries, but I’m curious what others have found most reliable. My setup runs the freezers, some lights, and a few small appliances, but on overcast weeks it can get dicey. I keep a small propane generator as last resort, but fuel storage and noise are always concerns.

Has anyone tried those newer portable lithium power stations (like Jackery or EcoFlow)? Wondering if they actually hold up for more than a day or two of steady use. Also interested in how folks are safely storing extra fuel, or if anyone’s had luck with wind turbines for supplemental charging—our property has decent wind at times, but I’m not sure if it’s enough to justify the investment.

Really looking to reduce dependence on fuel-based generators and keep things as low-maintenance as possible. Tips for keeping batteries healthy through winter would be a bonus, too. Let’s hear what’s actually worked in real-life power downs, not just on paper.

 

[PrepperLinda65]

Relying on solar myself, but those gloomy stretches definitely push the limits. The smaller lithium power stations (I have a Jackery 1000) are handy for essentials, but they won’t run a freezer for long—great for lights or charging devices, though. I rotate my stored gas with stabilizer and keep it outside in a lockable shed. Still thinking about wind too, but can’t say if the return is worth the upfront cost. Does anyone have real-world numbers on daily wind turbine output in mixed weather?