Using Solar Power for home when power company grid is off

[Mike90250]

... Idling a car about same or less fuel than large generator and most vehicle alternators can put out about 1000 watts.

1) a alternator at idle speeds, produces little power.

2) 1Kw @ 12V = 83 A. Different vehicles have widely different alternators. Wife's Honda has a 35A alternator. My truck has 120A New Subaru has 200A.

3) alternators at idle speeds have little cooling air flow, and can overheat when charging hard. Heck, even in RV's, there's been issues of cooking the vehicle alternator when the house batteries are really low and the alternator is called upon to charge max amps for long periods.


Regarding generators.
Gotta have one :
Either PV grid tie & a a transfer switch to generator.
or
PV hybrid GT w/batteries and a generator to keep batteries charged in foul weather .

[Ampster]

The issue the OP is bringing up is exactly why I am looking at getting a hybrid inverter for a planned system. I am now leaning toward the Sol-Ark 12 and rigging my Golf cart batteries up as the battery backup for now.
...........

Keep us informed with your progress.

[TKB4]

Mike
Yes your observations are true but like I said in general and for short outages and its for very little cost. Idle speed can be increased with pressure on accelerator and other ways but most vehicles wouldn't need to. I don't do this now, but would not think twice using my vehicle and inverter to help out a neighbor. Of course my jeep CRD alternator is about 140 amp and it has t a lifetime replacement warranty from Advance Auto and I can change it out in 15 minutes so I am not really risking anything LOL. In most situations with LED lights etc and a TV you would only be using 400 watts or less. Definitely uses less wattage than my electric seat heaters . As with everything everyone would have to use common sense and a little knowledge.