Quote Originally Posted by rforsythe View Post
Out of curiosity, what do you *need* a genny for? I'm having a hard time coming up with things that couldn't be handled with solar chargers or hand-crank-type items, or done with less convenience but less/no power usage.
My well pump- 1.5 HP motor, 240V

This can be run with an inverter & solar- but will require 4kW inverter with nothing else running for startup. If I ever do a new well pump (here or elsewhere) I'll spring for the extra $$ for a DC-powered well pump.

I also have a heat pump for heat currently, that could be replaced with emergency wood-burning system- but if I need a 4kW inverter to run the well pump, that same inverter can run the heat pump (just not at the same time), and it's very efficient.. (ground source heat pump, 400% efficiency)