What’s Your Go-To Power Source During Outages?

[TeaTimeTalisman]

When the power’s out for more than a few hours, I rely mostly on my Goal Zero solar setup paired with deep-cycle batteries. It’s served me well for running lights, charging phones, and keeping my mini freezer going if needed. For cloudy stretches, I keep a small propane generator on standby, but the noise and fuel storage make me reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary.

I’ve tried hand-crank devices, but honestly, most seem more trouble than they're worth unless you’re just charging a radio. I’m curious what folks here have found to be most reliable for longer outages, especially during winter when sun is limited. Has anyone had real luck with wind turbines or is maintenance too much for the payoff? Also, for those off-grid, do you find yourself rotating through multiple systems or have you settled on one that covers all your bases?

 

[CeruleanScribe]

I’m curious what folks here have found to be most reliable for longer outages, especially during winter when sun is limited.

That’s exactly the trouble I’ve run into with relying on solar during the winter, especially here in the Midwest—short days and heavy clouds make panels pretty unreliable for more than charging a phone. I’ve had better luck with a dual-fuel generator (propane and gas) for my essential appliances, though it’s not the quietest. Wood heat helps for warmth, but for real electricity, redundancy seems key. Have you tried combining small wind with solar, or do you think that’s too much maintenance for the payoff?