Jack Daniel (often offline)Jul 24, 2025
Just ordered a 170 amp "racing" alternator for one of the Jeeps. Not for racing, but for extra electricity in case of power outage. It is far more efficient, and produces more power at lower RPMs than conventional alternators.
I have a 1kw inverter which can give 110vac to a variety of tools and small appliances, plus still run a bank of radios off the Jeep.
It's clear the federal government will be of no use in a disaster, so I am doing little things like this for prep.
Show threadkajer :unknown:Jul 24, 2025

@jack_daniel I did something similar with my shitbox. I put the biggest alternator I could find on it, and just adjust the engine idle screw to keep some RPMs up. During an extended outage that car and a 2000W inverter kept the house going perfectly fine.

EFI engines can probably run well on long term storage/stabilized gasoline if you don't have a decent ethanol free stash.

Show threadJack Daniel (often offline)Jul 24, 2025
@kajer That's awesome. I've done it before, but not with a six phase alternator. I have generators for the house. I hope I never need to use this setup, this is going to be for community assistance and disaster recovery.
Show threadkajer :unknown:Jul 24, 2025

@jack_daniel I have been building my solar / camping / grid outage stash for decades. One thing I have learned is you need to maximize options. You can't ONLY have a generator anymore.

You also need to run your equipment. If you have a $5K generator, and the fuel bowl has anything but air or ethanol free gas, you're hosed.

Inverters fail, generators fail, and that fridge full of food beer isn't going to keep itself cold.

Show threadkajer :unknown:Jul 24, 2025
@jack_daniel along these lines, I am looking in to the generator + battery hybrid solution to maximize the fuel efficiency.
Show threadgary
@kajer @jack_daniel have a dual battery setup or even more in the vehicle, if you get a couple pv panels you may use the generator less #brushless #ymmv
Jul 24, 2025 at 6:28pmWeb
Show threadkajer :unknown:Jul 24, 2025
@gary_alderson @jack_daniel my shitbox (as seen in my pinned posts) has 3 deep cycles. Last time I used it as a generator, Ran for a few hours before 10pm, and let it drain the batteries over night. Yes, i have an isolation device for the aux batteries so I can still start the rig in the morning.
Show threadgaryJul 24, 2025
@kajer @jack_daniel right on - you know things could get wild here soon #bug out bag