Inverter -vs- Gas Generator?

I'll be starting work on our house next spring, and, as there's no power out there yet, I need to bring my own. So, I would like to know the pros and cons of using a gas generator, vs an inverter that is run off my 4-cyl Ford Ranger. Just so you know, the inverter set up already has a point in its favor in that I will be able to continue using it after the solar panels are set up.

Generator for running power tools

The fuel costs favor a small gasoline genny…

You need to tell us what you're trying to run off the inverter. Maybe saws, drills and other small tools can work off it without killing the truck's alternator. A generator will be expensive if you want one that can run the house or an arc welder. A gas generator also needs to exhaust to the outside so you don't poison yourself. Maybe you can get a few extra batteries from the salvage yard for a lot cheaper than a generator and run the inverter for longer periods.

Buy a 2nd hand gas generator in good shape and sell it when you're done. I've done this for years when I need something like this and always get in and out for free. Works well for cement mixers too.

A 600 watt tool draws 50 amps at 12 volts. This could be near the limit of your alternator. O what Anonymous said, get a 2nd hand alternator then resell it later

We don't know what you'll be running, but whatever it is could prove too much for the inverter. I, too, would get a generator which is capable of meeting your demands with capacity to spare, and you could always have it as a standby in future. If you're going to do that once mains power is laid on, make sure it is properly connected so you don't feed power back into the grid and electrocute some poor repairman trying to fix a faulty cable. And always run it outside because of the exhaust fumes.

Are you planning on going all solar when the house is up? If so it makes the most sense to go now. When we built a friends barn several years ago, the same situation occurred. In the end he bought a small 8 X 8 tool shed at the lumber yard, already built, that they delivered on a flat bed truck. We had it slid onto some bricks, put in 4 golf cart batteries, a charge controller and inverter and stuck some solar panels (2 Kyocera KC-120) panels on the back and used it for a power shed. It still runs today, powering lighting and small power tools in the barn and shed.

You can also start smaller, get two Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries (6 volts each) wire them in series for 12 volts, and connect your inverter. Then put the entire assembly in the tool box of your pickup truck, or the trunk of the car. Run a wire from the car battery to the golf cart batteries with a switch someplace. When you drive just turn on the switch and the batteries in the trunk charge. When you shut down for work turn the switch off, run the inverter all day for power tools, then charge up on the way back. You can always put the batteries and inverter in the home later, and add the charge controller and solar panels, so you'll not be wasting anything. Just make sure the inverter is one you want for the final installation. Also, if you use those batteries in the home, and want more capacity, you have to buy them within one year of the original two. Two old batteries and 4 new ones don't work well together, you can read about it in the book below. I'm voting the inverter, unless you or someone you know well has a generator to loan you anyway. Take care, Rudydoo

Usually, a gasoline generator (or diesel) has a higher wattage capacity than inverters connected to your car or inverter generators. Inverter generator are about 2x more expensive than gasoline generators but they are a hell of a lot quieter. Sounds like you'll be running your Ford Ranger's engine to power the inverter. I wouldn't do it. Excessive wear on the Ford's engine with no vehicle purpose (transportation related). If I'm going to wear out my engine, I want to wear it out by using it for transportation.