One thing you shouldn’t do is disconnect your battery from the charge controller and leave the panels plugged in. When I service my batteries I always throw something over the panels to block the sun. If you don’t do this you risk overheating the controller
Nice. It's a haul, sometimes. You're good at it. Hilarious that all vid after 3:30 is like black screen and headlamp. I live in northern NH in my camper. I get it. Hang in there
That panel on the roof needs to be angled, too. The further north you are, the higher the tilt should be. You might be better off with the panels near vertical. As a bonus snow/leaves/dirt won't gather on a vertical panel, so less maintenance.
I have always run regular in everything and never had a problem. I have a 20 year old Craftsman lawn tractor that I still use to plow snow (deck was shot so I got a John Deer for mowing) never had trouble with it.
the grade of fuel doesn't really matter if the station still advertises ethanol content. There are stations that have no ethanol which is the major difference. Running supreme on anything other than a "performance" engine that requires it because of their compression ratio, is literally just igniting money.
I, like you have been around for a little while. Ethanol is a good thing as it binds with water making gas line antifreeze obsolete in most cases. The real problem is when you store your small engine with Ethanol gas in it. I've always drained my gas before storing equipment and things are fine.
I can't wait for your video to start off with, "nothing is broken today" lol I feel your pain! My furnace is in need of a new part and no one feels the need to hurry up with it! Hope things get better soon. Have as good of day as possible!
I always used premium for my small motors because it kept over winter and I didn't need the fuss of draining. Ramsey reminds me so much of my cat Winston miss him very much. You are doing so well with figuring things out. I bet your family is very proud of you.
@@gypsyjenna Sorry if youve seen it but i think this is crucial, your ecoflow can accept charge from your solar panels too(built in MPPT). Thing ive been meaning to ask but was watching your past videos to make sure it wasnt mentioned before, whats the ah and voltage rating on the batteries?
Read the directions. They usually state pretty clearly what grade gas and what percent ethanol. I have never seen a generator ask for more than 89 Octane rating R+M/2. Most state 87. And never any more than 10% ethanol. Unlike nowaday cars a generator cannot compensate for etoh in the fuel and putting in even 10% etoh forces it to run leaner. Etoh absorbs so much water it will rust steel parts if you leave it in long term. ben/ michigan
Hi Jenna, as always great content. Seems like when you're off-grid something is always crapping out at the wrong time, but when you have no mortgage, no over priced homeowners insurance, and no utility bills, it's an even trade off.....
@@gypsyjennaRegular 87 gas is fine for your generator or lawnmower unless it says otherwise...You did nothing bad using 87 octane...Most generators & lawnmowers are made to run on 87.....A higher octane 91 won't hurt it but is throwing money away.....If your scooter said use only 91 or higher. Then it was a higher compression engine. Like my motorcycle that needs 91 to prevent engine knock at high rpm. Which is pre ignition/auto ignition and very bad on an engine. Your generator is 100% fine on 87 unless it says otherwise....91 doesn't burn cleaner and isn't any better quality. It's just higher octane made for higher compression engines. I posted a longer comment about it and ethanol gas in the comment section. If you have a few things that run on 91 & a few that run on 87...It's easier to just buy 10gal of 91 and use in everything 🆚 separate containers of 87 & 91. But then again 2 containers is easier to carry. I hate having multiple 2 stroke tools that require different gas/oil ratios. Snowblower 50:1 bike 32:1 chainsaw 40:1....I run 40:1 in snowblower I think 50:1 is just too little oil.
Two comments, the charge controller might have an internal factory reset button that might help also try tech support before condemning the charge controler. The generator... two ideas come to mind, one is that your generator might have a sensor in or on the muffler to sense if it's getting too hot. When you load up the generator it makes more heat thus the muffler gets hotter. It might be faulty and shutting it down. Also, some generators have an oil switch, you might have enough oil in the unit, but a faulty low oil switch could be shutting you down.
I'm so glad I came across your channel!!!I live the same way here in New Mexico. With my 2 dogs, Gypsy and Honey. I'll continue to follow you. I have only been off grid since April 2023 Definitely going through it dealing with the leaky camper generator issues comma that I finally hopefully got resolved. Working with the buddy heater inside. Frozen water the list is never ending however I still love my new life!
Hi Jenna. I once fixed my no start issue with my generator with a new spark plug. I guess when an engine only has one spark plug, it becomes important to its ability to function properly. Glad you got that sorted.👍🏾
Hi Jenna 👋🏻 good to hear things are looking better for all the issues you've been having 🤞🏻Hope the rest gets sorted out ok🙏🏻Stay safe and take care my friend 🙂 Appreciate you!
I wondered if you ever considered another small generator just for emergency , it would be just to charge your battery's in case your big generator goes down, I bought a small 1000 watt generator on amazon for emergency battery charging myself in case my large generator goes down ,mine is called a ALF 1000 GENERATOR, it's a small 4 cycle engine and is propane powered and is really fuel efficient, i can run mine on a grill tank for 24 hours if needed and comes in handy for charging my eco flow delta or small items in and emergency. I think mine ran around 300 dollars but was well worth the money so far, I know from experience you always need a backup plus a back up for your back up when possible.
Great video, I used to get tired of charging batteries all the time when you put new batteries I would double the amount that you were going to do that is what I did I never charge them even on cloudy days it's better to have a big battery bank far more than you would ever need, Thanks for the great video 😊
One thing you can do on a generator is be sure it is not low on oil check the oil a lot of generators have an automatic cut off. If they’re not low on oil, they won’t start or they won’t run.
Hi! New subscriber here..found you while watching CZcams,and I'm loving your videos..the scenery and the hard work you do to stay and live in your trailer is inspiring..love your cats and your down to earth style.Look forward to watching your older videos and what is coming next.Best of health and luck this winter!
Glad to see you have power again. Never saw a spark plug fail that way. It is likely a defective plug from manufacture or rare type plug failure. Plug fouling is often a problem. Regular gas is fine. Non ethanol is the best but not worth the added cost for a frequent use generator like yours. The battery charger is your weak link there at 25A and 12.9V is only using about 10% of your generator rated full output available. So it is better to charge using an RV power converter - battery charger of 100A to reduce the run time for your generator by two thirds what is required now. The fuel used by the generator to charge your batteries would be much less.
when you mess with your batteries you do not need to disconnect your batteries from the chargecontroller , however every time you disconnect your batteries you always have to disconnect your solar panels as there is no where for the energy to go (you could add a dc breaker on the panel wires if you need) if your model have a fuse it could just be blown (diode ? good repair you can also messure on the batteries or the terminals on the controller if you have charge comming trough) , i am offgrid in Denmark(as my house burned down last year) and sitting in my caravan in the snowy weather and for the first time in a month have had 2 days with a bit of sun in a month,,and i have been trough days of failure opon failure ,the only thing that matters is to keep solving the problems and you shine at that, so good work and enjoy the beer.....
It helps if you cover the solar panels at night you know it’s going to get frosty and uncover them when the sun is out kinda like your windshield if it’s going to snow or be freezing rain it’s so much easier to keep them clean and charging keep on keeping on !
My electricity teacher always said that all electronic equipment came with smoke in it. Just don't let the smoke out and your ok👍 great Video Jenna, thank you 😊
I'm an old un from the UK n I just so look forward to your videos each week! You put a lot of people (was gonna say men...oops I've done it now 😅) to shame with how you tirelessly try and problem solve and taking time to be humorous too...true grit!
It looks like you have a similar situation as I have with the trees around. I built a portable solar panel rack on wheels. It helped a lot being able to move them around.
Woohoo I have never seen a plug break like that and I was a auto tech for 24 years. 5 stars to your friend very nice. Getting that control back on should get you almost 100% back to normal. Great video Jenna you need to buy your friend 6 pack just put it on my tab lol.. stay warm
Hi Jenna, new subscriber here and I am an experienced person living off grid now for 4 years. Sometimes the generator will kick off due to lack of oil. There is a safety mechanism built into generators that prevents engine damage from low oil, should also try and change the oil every 100 hours of use on a generator. Enjoying your content thank you for sharing your world with us.
In that video about lithium batteries he makes at least one point that may be applicable to your gel battery bank, he says that if you connect the positive cable going to your camper to the last battery in the chain then the negative cable should be attached to the first battery. He claims that even the small resistance from the jumper connections between the batteries adds resistance and if both cables are on the last battery in the chain then it will do more work therefore his suggestion to put the positive snd negative cables st opposite ends of the battery bank. Worth a try!
Wow, that's a first for me. Spark plug fouling out like that. That generator must vibrate like crazy. Charge controller in hand, things are looking up!
I feel your pain about things breaking down! My chop saw is acting up (I use it to chop my firewood), my laptop isn’t working, and I had to get a new generator. Tis the season for things to break down I guess 😅
Whenever you have multiple batteries in parallel and you take a voltage reading you get an average of all 3 so potentially you have one battery which is not like the others and bringing the team down. I've seen you check them individually before and maybe just swap out the weakest one and you might see an improvement.
Glad you got the generator going with just a spark plug . It usually is something simple , but it will drive you crazy figuring out what it is . As for the charge controller , that's kind of scary. I just ordered my first solar set up and i'm afraid that I will screw it up. Well it is good to see you are back in business .🙂
I'm thinking with a few relatively easy changes we can greatly improve your electrical system. Here are a few suggestions: Step 1: Run a set of light duty battery cables from the battery bank to the battery on the generator, making it the 4th battery in the group. Step 2: Connect one of the spare batteries to the group, making it the 5th in the battery bank. Step 3: Connect the battery charger to the generator battery and plug it into the 120V outlet on the generator. When you start the generator it charges all 5 batteries at once and it should last much longer between charges. Step 4: Connect the 300W inverter to the battery bank. Step 5: Disconnect the 30A hookup cord from the generator and plug it into the 300W inverter. You can now run everything in the trailer, both 120V and 12V.
This brings us to the secondary system: Step 6: Move the remaining battery to the rear compartment where the water tank lives. Step 7: Connect the remaining battery to the controller for the small solar panels. Step 8: Connect the small panels to the controller. This is the battery that powers the water pump
EcoFlow: Step 9: Keep the ecoflow charged by plugging it into a 12V socket inside the trailer. This is your portable spare system. Take it with you when you go 4-wheeling out in the woods, along with an electric blanket... just in case. It will keep your phone and camera batteries charged and keep you warm as well.
Glad you found some of your gremlins. Crossing my fingers and sending good vibes your way for no more of them for a while. You need a break from them!! Be safe up there!🥰🙏
I live in north east PA..our gas stations have a pump with a white handle…that gas is for generators..golf carts etc… I can’t remember what they call that gas…but it doesn’t clog or evaporate fast
Its good that you have people around you to help you out. Love that you have ago yourself though. Have you looked into getting your Ecoflow hooked up in a way so you have supply 12v to all your lighting and shower should you need to. It would have more than enough power to do this for you. 😀
Jenna, if you removed the batteries from your controller and left the solar input connected, then you may have damaged the controller. One should ALWAYS connect your batteries first to the controller before a solar input is connected. NEVER have the solar power coming in with NO BATTERY connected to the controller. By the way I think I have the same model controller in use at my house. I'm a old Newfie but I now live in Colorado Springs. Great videos!
Well, I've never seen a spark plug fail quite like THAT! I'm really happy to see your generator is fixed. That's the most important thing. The second most important thing is that one of my suggestions in the last video was to change the plug yearly...... 😜 LOL You've had a real rollercoaster ride with your power for a couple weeks, it must be nice to have at least one of them back up and running again. I bet you're super relieved! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to Walmart and get me some of that ice cream! IT'S THE CHINESE FOOD INCIDENT ALL OVER AGAIN! LOL Have a great day Jenna, glad things are on the up swing again for you.
Thanks! Now I know where to find the spark plug too! I looked everywhere for it and it's well hidden. My friend showed me so now I can change it myself....yearly! Lol. Enjoy that ice cream, it seems like I'm driving up your grocery bill! Haha
Can’t remember if I have commented. I sure hope the plug fixes your generator. Hang in there until you get everything fixed. But, things break all the time as you well know. Glad you have a friend that can help you some.
I’ve never had a spark plug do that on a small engine.. lol I never use premium gas in any of my small engines other than the chainsaws. I’m way too cheap to burn premium in a lawnmower or snow blower. Lol gas prices are at 1.449 here ..and it’s snowing like crazy ,
lots of comments and desire to help you but I bet it starts to make your head spin with the diversity of suggestions. One in particular I keep seeing is suspected water in the fuel and dirty carburetor. Water from condensed out of the air in the tank or from ethanol absorbing it over time is going to do its nasty thing on start up, because water settles to the bottom of a tank owing to density properties. The engine may not want to start or sputter a lot for a few seconds or more then smooth out as the water is ingested and the water free gasoline finally feeds the carburetor. If you had a dirty carburetor you would have definite symptoms of hard starting, flooding and such and it would not go away. Your generator engine carburetor is doing fine for now. I would want to do a change out or rebuild it in the summer season. Installing a new replacement would be easiest for you, then you could opt to buy a rebuild kit and refurbish the old one to have on hand as spare.
The funny thing about ethanol is that it binds with water making gas line antifreeze obsolete in most cases. If you are old enough to remember pre-ethanol days you may remember the problems with water in gas or "bad gas". In my humble opinion ethanol is a good thing, but you must take certain precautions with small engines that get stored for long periods otherwise they can get gunked up
I had a 250 watts heat lamp plugged in most of the day, and it has kept the temperature 🌡️ at 24°C in here. It was -5°C last night, so I made a 🔥🤗. I had 715 watts coming in for awhile but the batteries filled up. There's too much power in the early afternoon, and the darn wind generator starts making power, of course, right when I don't need it. So I hooked up the hotplate for awhile for extra heat. I was going to cook on it, but the water 💦 jug was empty so I couldn't stir anything up or make coffee 😔☕... So the batteries 🔋 are full and I guess I will have to make some brownies to use some of this 🌞 juice. This lamp is making my solar flashlight 🔦 charge. I'll order a controller next week. I have to rewire twenty batteries from 24 to 12 volts. Ugh. I don't even want to, lol. I'll just do part of them at a time, eh? Then I can let the wind generator so it's thing more properly. I've decided it must be 12 volts. It likes to make about 18 volts a lot. So it will work better at least. It doesn't get over 24 volts enough to do much. You might get lucky with the generator and it was just the plug. I haven't been to the store in weeks, five I think, anyway I'm out of ice cream 🍨 for a few weeks, so when you were showing it there, my stomach was growling for some, lol. So now that you did that, I'm going to the store for ice cream. And a couple of pizzas. While the sun is out, I'm going to carry in some wood 🪓. I'm going to need the ice cream to start in on these battery connections. I was going to wait on the new controller, but the wind generator can charge them for a week. It's okay to have a spare controller. Tomorrow is going to be a little warmer, so the plan is to get the big window put in the greenhouse. I had to fix a little boo boo I made earlier or I would have had it in already. After I got the free lumber, I decided to make it bigger. I bet you were glad the generator kept going, lol. That old plug was too long, might not have been the right one. That's why small engine plugs are short usually. If it does it again, use a shorter plug.
@@gypsyjenna , all this gave me an idea 💡🤣, since I have the heat lamp in the lamp, I can use it and get the window hung tonight in the greenhouse 😁👍😎🤔 🔥🌡️🔦🌞🔋💡I'm going to retire eight of the oldest batteries to the hot water pump system that I'm going to put in the greenhouse to have hot water 💦. So I only have twelve on the other inverter. But I think it will work out. Then I'll get two more 24 volts 100 amp hours lithium iron phosphate batteries ⚡😎👍 so that will be 400 amp hours. Since the inverter maxes out around eighty amps, each battery 🔋🔋🔋🔋 would only have to give twenty amps at the most. So that way there's enough for a few days of no sun. Then there would be the 12 volts side, with 12 batteries, I guess it would last a week. Yeah, I guess that'll be enough. That way I never have to use the ⛽ generator when it's cold. Or ever. Isn't that better?
You are amazing...Get a battery charger with temp senor charging running off of the generator. Battery's need to be charged at a higher voltage at lower temps. Also get a solar charger with MPPT tracking. it will charge more current with temp control. Those changes will charge more power in a short period of tame.
@@phillyfathead while i also agree with you on the premium thing, that might be the only grade in their area that is marked "non-ethanol". That would be my only argument for using premium on the generator when storing the fuel for a long time.
Everybody rails on ethanol gas, blaming it for everything from hemorrhoids to post nasal drip. I've used it for over 30 years in all my small engines and never had an issue. She uses it fast enough that long term storage is hardly a problem. Properly treated (Stabil, Sea Foam) regular will last 2 years.
@@MrSTOUT73 "I dont know why the fuel gets blamed for everything" _Meanwhile does everything in their power to counteract the things it gets blamed for_
Here is something for you to try! Take your inverter power source and fully charge it! hook up your battery charger to it and start charging your batteries! also hook up your battery charger to your inverter You may be able to make a loop and have it go further may have to get a second charger one for the batteries and one for the inverter! also why not take the extra three batteries and hook them up in series with your existing batteries this way it will give you a longer run time as you will have more battery capacity.
You need ethanol-free gas, not premium. The alcohol is bad for small engines. Premium is a higher octane that you do not need. You can add Sta-Bil for storing fuel.
Hi Jenna, just found your vids, amazing how many little problems you have to deal with all the time but you’re a trooper for sure, you never give up, lol. I have a Bluetti power box that I use at my property, it’s a 200max, I’m thinking you should use the Ecoflow more, hook it up to the panels to see if it can power everything better, I know it can only handle 220 watts solar but the panels rarely get full power anyway, test the 4 small ones and test the big one separately. You can overpower the Ecoflow, it will just let through what it can handle. That little power box is probably better than all your batteries. It would be nice if Ecoflow would send you a Delta Pro Max, more like what you need for off grid, much higher solar charging. Just my 2 cents, have a good day.
Another really good video, hope you get the battery situation sorted , I love the way you will have a go at most things , plus you are one really good looking lady , Ramsey and Rory are so cool , take care keep up the off grid way 😊😊
You can keep using power while they charge, yes they charge slower because your using some of the power but still thats what most people do or they only run what power they need while charging but no need to unplug the camper when the charger is on
Hi Jenna, can't expose the gas generator to the open elements like that, some vermin got into mine. Also, if you can afford it, upgrade to lithium battery's. That alone was a big game changer for me. I applaud your consistent ideas and thinking to get around your problems. And yes, I talk to my cats like children like you do.
Yes, yes, yes, Sea foam is really good and easy to find. You should use it too, once a year for instance to prevent problem, good too for car injectors.
Hi Jenna, I am sorry you are having trouble with your solar setup. I am not sure how you are using that modified extension cord but an extension cord is made to extend 120VAC. Even though it can be used to connect DC if you know what you are doing, it's wires are designated so that they are connected to the hot side and the neutral (grounded) side of the AC circuit not as positive and negative. In no case plug that cord into an AC outlet if you are connecting it to DC or you will burn something out. If you wanted to test the charge controller to see if it is working you need a volt or DC amp meter. If you only have a volt meter. Disconnect the solar panels from the charge controller by tripping its breaker and measure the battery voltage. Now turn on the breaker connecting the solar panels to the charge controller. If the charge controller is working the battery voltage will rise to a slightly greater voltage. If you have a DC clamp on amp meter you can clamp it around one of the two wires going between the battery and the charge controller. If the charge controller is working and the DC clamp on ampmeter has a low enough current scale it will measure a DC current from the charge controller to the battery.
Those Epever controllers have a fuse inside I believe, might be worth opening it up and checking it hasn't blown. I am loving your content, hi from a fellow van life off gridder in Australia
Girl I don't know how you do it! We just moved into a rental for 3 months, we where in a 23 foot trailering 2 cats and a dog for 6 months in NS. It was the hardest during the month of Nov. Everything damp all the time and cold. Good on you but I honestly couldn't do it full time.
Great to see that you have worked through solving the generator-electrical problems. There is a saying that if can't be fixed with a hammer it must be electrical. Take care.
Seems I Remember reading that the Solar panel should only be connected or disconnected to MPPT controller with batteries connected. Noting damage will occur if panels are “live” and are hooked to MPPT without batteries connected. But then the Corner Kids might of sold me some bad kool aid.
Costs more, but non-ethanol gas is better for small engines. Also, fiddle with solar electronics at night for safety. I eventually bit the bullet and acquired lithium batteries to replace my 13-year old (!) golf cart batteries.
Diodes are one way electrical valves. Could have prevented the battery from connecting properly. Also Epever are slow at tracking the Maximum Power Point. MPPT controllers made by SRNE are faster. Ask BougeRV to let you review one of theirs. They are made by SRNE. Sponsors can be a great asset for your channel.
One thing you shouldn’t do is disconnect your battery from the charge controller and leave the panels plugged in. When I service my batteries I always throw something over the panels to block the sun. If you don’t do this you risk overheating the controller
You will fry the charge controller.
Nice. It's a haul, sometimes. You're good at it. Hilarious that all vid after 3:30 is like black screen and headlamp. I live in northern NH in my camper. I get it. Hang in there
A surge protector is needed for the 12v system or it will overload fuse panel and cause sparking fire
Yeah on MPPT chargers you need disconnect panels first before disconnecting battery from charger or high probability you will damage charger.
You just need a breaker setup so when you need to you can disconnect your input power/panels from the circuit.
Super simple optimal solar panel angle...empty can set on solar panel glass, now simply make the can shadow disappear. Remove can.
That panel on the roof needs to be angled, too. The further north you are, the higher the tilt should be. You might be better off with the panels near vertical. As a bonus snow/leaves/dirt won't gather on a vertical panel, so less maintenance.
I think you need a small wind generator that hooks up directly to the batteries that will give a little extra charge and get you over the bad times
I have always run regular in everything and never had a problem. I have a 20 year old Craftsman lawn tractor that I still use to plow snow (deck was shot so I got a John Deer for mowing) never had trouble with it.
the grade of fuel doesn't really matter if the station still advertises ethanol content. There are stations that have no ethanol which is the major difference. Running supreme on anything other than a "performance" engine that requires it because of their compression ratio, is literally just igniting money.
I, like you have been around for a little while. Ethanol is a good thing as it binds with water making gas line antifreeze obsolete in most cases. The real problem is when you store your small engine with Ethanol gas in it. I've always drained my gas before storing equipment and things are fine.
I can't wait for your video to start off with, "nothing is broken today" lol I feel your pain! My furnace is in need of a new part and no one feels the need to hurry up with it! Hope things get better soon. Have as good of day as possible!
I always used premium for my small motors because it kept over winter and I didn't need the fuss of draining. Ramsey reminds me so much of my cat Winston miss him very much. You are doing so well with figuring things out. I bet your family is very proud of you.
Thank you so much 😊
@@gypsyjenna
Sorry if youve seen it but i think this is crucial, your ecoflow can accept charge from your solar panels too(built in MPPT).
Thing ive been meaning to ask but was watching your past videos to make sure it wasnt mentioned before, whats the ah and voltage rating on the batteries?
Read the directions. They usually state pretty clearly what grade gas and what percent ethanol. I have never seen a generator ask for more than 89 Octane rating R+M/2. Most state 87. And never any more than 10% ethanol. Unlike nowaday cars a generator cannot compensate for etoh in the fuel and putting in even 10% etoh forces it to run leaner. Etoh absorbs so much water it will rust steel parts if you leave it in long term. ben/ michigan
Premium has nothing to do with over winter. Use Stabil or drain the gas and use it in something else.
You can hot charge your batteries with jumper cables and your running car.
Hi Jenna, as always great content. Seems like when you're off-grid something is always crapping out at the wrong time, but when you have no mortgage, no over priced homeowners insurance, and no utility bills, it's an even trade off.....
Definitely!
@@gypsyjennaRegular 87 gas is fine for your generator or lawnmower unless it says otherwise...You did nothing bad using 87 octane...Most generators & lawnmowers are made to run on 87.....A higher octane 91 won't hurt it but is throwing money away.....If your scooter said use only 91 or higher. Then it was a higher compression engine. Like my motorcycle that needs 91 to prevent engine knock at high rpm. Which is pre ignition/auto ignition and very bad on an engine.
Your generator is 100% fine on 87 unless it says otherwise....91 doesn't burn cleaner and isn't any better quality. It's just higher octane made for higher compression engines.
I posted a longer comment about it and ethanol gas in the comment section.
If you have a few things that run on 91 & a few that run on 87...It's easier to just buy 10gal of 91 and use in everything 🆚 separate containers of 87 & 91. But then again 2 containers is easier to carry.
I hate having multiple 2 stroke tools that require different gas/oil ratios.
Snowblower 50:1 bike 32:1 chainsaw 40:1....I run 40:1 in snowblower I think 50:1 is just too little oil.
Retired and house/ land paid for ! Wouldn't trade places with her nor would most of commentors if you're honest about it !!!
Two comments, the charge controller might have an internal factory reset button that might help also try tech support before condemning the charge controler. The generator... two ideas come to mind, one is that your generator might have a sensor in or on the muffler to sense if it's getting too hot. When you load up the generator it makes more heat thus the muffler gets hotter. It might be faulty and shutting it down. Also, some generators have an oil switch, you might have enough oil in the unit, but a faulty low oil switch could be shutting you down.
Thank you for the videos, glad your generator is working.
Thanks so much 😊
I'm so glad I came across your channel!!!I live the same way here in New Mexico. With my 2 dogs, Gypsy and Honey. I'll continue to follow you. I have only been off grid since April 2023 Definitely going through it dealing with the leaky camper generator issues comma that I finally hopefully got resolved. Working with the buddy heater inside. Frozen water the list is never ending however I still love my new life!
Always something eh, keep on rockin it! 🙂
Jenna, wonderful problem assessment and solving. Thank you for sharing, everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Awesome that your generator is up and running. Good to have friends that are willing to help out.
That's what friends are for lol 😹
Hi Jenna. I once fixed my no start issue with my generator with a new spark plug. I guess when an engine only has one spark plug, it becomes important to its ability to function properly. Glad you got that sorted.👍🏾
If you disconnect the batteries, while the solar is still plugged into the charge controller, it can fry the charge controller.
Glad you made some progress on your projects!!
Hi Jenna 👋🏻 good to hear things are looking better for all the issues you've been having 🤞🏻Hope the rest gets sorted out ok🙏🏻Stay safe and take care my friend 🙂
Appreciate you!
I wondered if you ever considered another small generator just for emergency , it would be just to charge your battery's in case your big generator goes down, I bought a small 1000 watt generator on amazon for emergency battery charging myself in case my large generator goes down ,mine is called a ALF 1000 GENERATOR, it's a small 4 cycle engine and is propane powered and is really fuel efficient, i can run mine on a grill tank for 24 hours if needed and comes in handy for charging my eco flow delta or small items in and emergency. I think mine ran around 300 dollars but was well worth the money so far, I know from experience you always need a backup plus a back up for your back up when possible.
True that!
Great video, I used to get tired of charging batteries all the time when you put new batteries I would double the amount that you were going to do that is what I did I never charge them even on cloudy days it's better to have a big battery bank far more than you would ever need, Thanks for the great video 😊
Thanks for your videos! God bless!
One thing you can do on a generator is be sure it is not low on oil check the oil a lot of generators have an automatic cut off. If they’re not low on oil, they won’t start or they won’t run.
Hi! New subscriber here..found you while watching CZcams,and I'm loving your videos..the scenery and the hard work you do to stay and live in your trailer is inspiring..love your cats and your down to earth style.Look forward to watching your older videos and what is coming next.Best of health and luck this winter!
Thank you 😊
Never hurts to have a backup controller. At least this happened now instead of middle of winter. Cheers.
I run my generator on propane,it's an easy conversion.Runs cleaner than gas,and easier to store,propane doesn't go bad like gas.
Great find on the broken porcelain in the spark plug center electrode! Glad that no pieces made it into the engine.
Phew, me too!
Last week had a lot of problems ,this week solutions !!🔆🔆🔆
Yeeehawwwww!
I'm glad you got it fixed sweetie good job
Glad to see you have power again. Never saw a spark plug fail that way.
It is likely a defective plug from manufacture or rare type plug failure.
Plug fouling is often a problem. Regular gas is fine. Non ethanol is the
best but not worth the added cost for a frequent use generator like yours.
The battery charger is your weak link there at 25A and 12.9V is only using
about 10% of your generator rated full output available. So it is better to
charge using an RV power converter - battery charger of 100A to reduce
the run time for your generator by two thirds what is required now. The
fuel used by the generator to charge your batteries would be much less.
when you mess with your batteries you do not need to disconnect your batteries from the chargecontroller , however every time you disconnect your batteries you always have to disconnect your solar panels as there is no where for the energy to go (you could add a dc breaker on the panel wires if you need) if your model have a fuse it could just be blown (diode ? good repair you can also messure on the batteries or the terminals on the controller if you have charge comming trough) ,
i am offgrid in Denmark(as my house burned down last year) and sitting in my caravan in the snowy weather and for the first time in a month have had 2 days with a bit of sun in a month,,and i have been trough days of failure opon failure ,the only thing that matters is to keep solving the problems
and you shine at that, so good work and enjoy the beer.....
Thanks and I am so sorry about your home. I hope the winter is good to you
well i have heat and food. a bit of entertainment and a cat for company so winter is treating me well
@@gypsyjenna
Jenna another top show thanks for sharing hope you get it all sorted
Johno Darwin NT 👍🍺
Awesome living, wish I could get in that situation.. Best of luck with everything!
Thank you 🙂
Glad you got sorted. What a cute pretty visitor you had. I think the walking around in circles was telling you "I am hungry".
100%! Haha
I do relate second winter off grid second homestead on a kY ridge top
Ty
Suvscribed
Lower Oktane 87 Runs better in Gen Sets. Generator are not High Kompression Engines Like in Korvettes…. Korvette Engines Rquire 91 + Oktane.
Living off the grid, Not for the faint of heart.
It helps if you cover the solar panels at night you know it’s going to get frosty and uncover them when the sun is out kinda like your windshield if it’s going to snow or be freezing rain it’s so much easier to keep them clean and charging keep on keeping on !
My electricity teacher always said that all electronic equipment came with smoke in it. Just don't let the smoke out and your ok👍 great Video Jenna, thank you 😊
I'm an old un from the UK n I just so look forward to your videos each week! You put a lot of people (was gonna say men...oops I've done it now 😅) to shame with how you tirelessly try and problem solve and taking time to be humorous too...true grit!
How does Jenna onlly have 12.4k subscribers? She works hard to put out amazing content, give her some love people
Generator and firewood sorted. Good job👍
It looks like you have a similar situation as I have with the trees around. I built a portable solar panel rack on wheels. It helped a lot being able to move them around.
Woohoo I have never seen a plug break like that and I was a auto tech for 24 years. 5 stars to your friend very nice. Getting that control back on should get you almost 100% back to normal. Great video Jenna you need to buy your friend 6 pack just put it on my tab lol.. stay warm
Yes, I do! He geared me up with two spark plugs and a fuel filter and took the charge controller apart. Guess I owe him some beer!
@@gypsyjenna yup
I seen the side-by-side gone from the wood shed. Did he finally take it home?
@OurCabinInThewoods I moved it out if the wood shed to finish piling the wood lol
Hi Jenna, new subscriber here and I am an experienced person living off grid now for 4 years. Sometimes the generator will kick off due to lack of oil. There is a safety mechanism built into generators that prevents engine damage from low oil, should also try and change the oil every 100 hours of use on a generator. Enjoying your content thank you for sharing your world with us.
While you have your generator out. You should clean the spark arrestor if that generator has one.
Always unplug your panels before disconnecting your batteries.
Hang in there I can relate on things happening back to back And it sucks!!😊 Keep your. Chin Up!!
Never disconnect the batteries from a controller while the solar panels are connected because that can blow up the controller
In that video about lithium batteries he makes at least one point that may be applicable to your gel battery bank, he says that if you connect the positive cable going to your camper to the last battery in the chain then the negative cable should be attached to the first battery.
He claims that even the small resistance from the jumper connections between the batteries adds resistance and if both cables are on the last battery in the chain then it will do more work therefore his suggestion to put the positive snd negative cables st opposite ends of the battery bank.
Worth a try!
Wow, that's a first for me. Spark plug fouling out like that. That generator must vibrate like crazy. Charge controller in hand, things are looking up!
I feel your pain about things breaking down! My chop saw is acting up (I use it to chop my firewood), my laptop isn’t working, and I had to get a new generator. Tis the season for things to break down I guess 😅
Right!? Why does it all go at one time?? Haha
Whenever you have multiple batteries in parallel and you take a voltage reading you get an average of all 3 so potentially you have one battery which is not like the others and bringing the team down. I've seen you check them individually before and maybe just swap out the weakest one and you might see an improvement.
Glad you got the generator going with just a spark plug . It usually is something simple , but it will drive you crazy figuring out what it is . As for the charge controller , that's kind of scary. I just ordered my first solar set up and i'm afraid that I will screw it up. Well it is good to see you are back in business .🙂
loved the video, Jenna :)))))))
I'm thinking with a few relatively easy changes we can greatly improve your electrical system. Here are a few suggestions:
Step 1: Run a set of light duty battery cables from the battery bank to the battery on the generator, making it the 4th battery in the group.
Step 2: Connect one of the spare batteries to the group, making it the 5th in the battery bank.
Step 3: Connect the battery charger to the generator battery and plug it into the 120V outlet on the generator. When you start the generator it charges all 5 batteries at once and it should last much longer between charges.
Step 4: Connect the 300W inverter to the battery bank.
Step 5: Disconnect the 30A hookup cord from the generator and plug it into the 300W inverter. You can now run everything in the trailer, both 120V and 12V.
This brings us to the secondary system:
Step 6: Move the remaining battery to the rear compartment where the water tank lives.
Step 7: Connect the remaining battery to the controller for the small solar panels.
Step 8: Connect the small panels to the controller.
This is the battery that powers the water pump
EcoFlow:
Step 9: Keep the ecoflow charged by plugging it into a 12V socket inside the trailer. This is your portable spare system. Take it with you when you go 4-wheeling out in the woods, along with an electric blanket... just in case. It will keep your phone and camera batteries charged and keep you warm as well.
Thanks for all of the info! I appreciate it!
Glad you found some of your gremlins. Crossing my fingers and sending good vibes your way for no more of them for a while. You need a break from them!!
Be safe up there!🥰🙏
Thank you 🙂
Lord I love your videos. Just love love love lol
You’re absolutely right….i’m cringing to the point where I might implode
I live in north east PA..our gas stations have a pump with a white handle…that gas is for generators..golf carts etc… I can’t remember what they call that gas…but it doesn’t clog or evaporate fast
Its good that you have people around you to help you out. Love that you have ago yourself though. Have you looked into getting your Ecoflow hooked up in a way so you have supply 12v to all your lighting and shower should you need to. It would have more than enough power to do this for you. 😀
I haven't yet but that does sound interesting 🤔, hmmm thanks!
Very interesting video. I understand cats. They want to be fed first. And when I eat, they want to check out what I am eating.
Jenna, if you removed the batteries from your controller and left the solar input connected, then you may have damaged the controller. One should ALWAYS connect your batteries first to the controller before a solar input is connected. NEVER have the solar power coming in with NO BATTERY connected to the controller. By the way I think I have the same model controller in use at my house. I'm a old Newfie but I now live in Colorado Springs. Great videos!
Thanks, hope you're enjoying CO!
Well, I've never seen a spark plug fail quite like THAT! I'm really happy to see your generator is fixed. That's the most important thing. The second most important thing is that one of my suggestions in the last video was to change the plug yearly...... 😜 LOL
You've had a real rollercoaster ride with your power for a couple weeks, it must be nice to have at least one of them back up and running again. I bet you're super relieved!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to Walmart and get me some of that ice cream! IT'S THE CHINESE FOOD INCIDENT ALL OVER AGAIN! LOL
Have a great day Jenna, glad things are on the up swing again for you.
Thanks! Now I know where to find the spark plug too! I looked everywhere for it and it's well hidden. My friend showed me so now I can change it myself....yearly! Lol. Enjoy that ice cream, it seems like I'm driving up your grocery bill! Haha
@@gypsyjenna Excellent news @ you know that you need to gap it too right ? with a feeler gauge.
Most new spark plugs are pre gauged.
Can’t remember if I have commented. I sure hope the plug fixes your generator. Hang in there until you get everything fixed. But, things break all the time as you well know. Glad you have a friend that can help you some.
So far so good with the spark plug change!
Thanks!
Thanks so much 🙏
We have used a small cast iron skillit on low all night on propane stove, careful not to burn up all oxygen
I’ve never had a spark plug do that on a small engine.. lol I never use premium gas in any of my small engines other than the chainsaws. I’m way too cheap to burn premium in a lawnmower or snow blower. Lol gas prices are at 1.449 here ..and it’s snowing like crazy ,
lots of comments and desire to help you but I bet it starts to make your head spin with the diversity of suggestions. One in particular I keep seeing is suspected water in the fuel and dirty carburetor. Water from condensed out of the air in the tank or from ethanol absorbing it over time is going to do its nasty thing on start up, because water settles to the bottom of a tank owing to density properties. The engine may not want to start or sputter a lot for a few seconds or more then smooth out as the water is ingested and the water free gasoline finally feeds the carburetor. If you had a dirty carburetor you would have definite symptoms of hard starting, flooding and such and it would not go away. Your generator engine carburetor is doing fine for now. I would want to do a change out or rebuild it in the summer season. Installing a new replacement would be easiest for you, then you could opt to buy a rebuild kit and refurbish the old one to have on hand as spare.
The funny thing about ethanol is that it binds with water making gas line antifreeze obsolete in most cases. If you are old enough to remember pre-ethanol days you may remember the problems with water in gas or "bad gas". In my humble opinion ethanol is a good thing, but you must take certain precautions with small engines that get stored for long periods otherwise they can get gunked up
Yaa it runs 👍I knew you could do it with a little help from a friend.
Katio that’s so kewl!!!!
Hey. Hi from Pei. Love your channel. Keep the great content coming
Hello over there, thanks!
I got a Victron Energy 150/70 MPPT Solar panels controller, an I can say is "WOW" 900watt panels runs a lot in my square box camper
You are very smart and easy on the eyes Jenna love your videos
I had a 250 watts heat lamp plugged in most of the day, and it has kept the temperature 🌡️ at 24°C in here. It was -5°C last night, so I made a 🔥🤗.
I had 715 watts coming in for awhile but the batteries filled up. There's too much power in the early afternoon, and the darn wind generator starts making power, of course, right when I don't need it. So I hooked up the hotplate for awhile for extra heat. I was going to cook on it, but the water 💦 jug was empty so I couldn't stir anything up or make coffee 😔☕... So the batteries 🔋 are full and I guess I will have to make some brownies to use some of this 🌞 juice. This lamp is making my solar flashlight 🔦 charge. I'll order a controller next week. I have to rewire twenty batteries from 24 to 12 volts. Ugh. I don't even want to, lol. I'll just do part of them at a time, eh? Then I can let the wind generator so it's thing more properly. I've decided it must be 12 volts. It likes to make about 18 volts a lot. So it will work better at least. It doesn't get over 24 volts enough to do much. You might get lucky with the generator and it was just the plug. I haven't been to the store in weeks, five I think, anyway I'm out of ice cream 🍨 for a few weeks, so when you were showing it there, my stomach was growling for some, lol. So now that you did that, I'm going to the store for ice cream. And a couple of pizzas. While the sun is out, I'm going to carry in some wood 🪓. I'm going to need the ice cream to start in on these battery connections. I was going to wait on the new controller, but the wind generator can charge them for a week. It's okay to have a spare controller. Tomorrow is going to be a little warmer, so the plan is to get the big window put in the greenhouse. I had to fix a little boo boo I made earlier or I would have had it in already. After I got the free lumber, I decided to make it bigger. I bet you were glad the generator kept going, lol. That old plug was too long, might not have been the right one. That's why small engine plugs are short usually. If it does it again, use a shorter plug.
Well better to have too much power than not enough I suppose! Hope you got your ice cream fix!
@@gypsyjenna , all this gave me an idea 💡🤣, since I have the heat lamp in the lamp, I can use it and get the window hung tonight in the greenhouse 😁👍😎🤔 🔥🌡️🔦🌞🔋💡I'm going to retire eight of the oldest batteries to the hot water pump system that I'm going to put in the greenhouse to have hot water 💦. So I only have twelve on the other inverter. But I think it will work out. Then I'll get two more 24 volts 100 amp hours lithium iron phosphate batteries ⚡😎👍 so that will be 400 amp hours. Since the inverter maxes out around eighty amps, each battery 🔋🔋🔋🔋 would only have to give twenty amps at the most. So that way there's enough for a few days of no sun. Then there would be the 12 volts side, with 12 batteries, I guess it would last a week. Yeah, I guess that'll be enough. That way I never have to use the ⛽ generator when it's cold. Or ever. Isn't that better?
You are amazing...Get a battery charger with temp senor charging running off of the generator. Battery's need to be charged at a higher voltage at lower temps. Also get a solar charger with MPPT tracking. it will charge more current with temp control. Those changes will charge more power in a short period of tame.
Disconnect from the battery BEFORE playing around with the other end! lol And you don't need premium fuel in your generator. Read the manual.
🤣living on the edge over here
Don’t waste ur money on premium fuel for the generator!
@@phillyfathead
while i also agree with you on the premium thing, that might be the only grade in their area that is marked "non-ethanol". That would be my only argument for using premium on the generator when storing the fuel for a long time.
Everybody rails on ethanol gas, blaming it for everything from hemorrhoids to post nasal drip. I've used it for over 30 years in all my small engines and never had an issue. She uses it fast enough that long term storage is hardly a problem. Properly treated (Stabil, Sea Foam) regular will last 2 years.
@@MrSTOUT73
"I dont know why the fuel gets blamed for everything"
_Meanwhile does everything in their power to counteract the things it gets blamed for_
Here is something for you to try! Take your inverter power source and fully charge it! hook up your battery charger to it and start charging your batteries! also hook up your battery charger to your inverter You may be able to make a loop and have it go further may have to get a second charger one for the batteries and one for the inverter! also why not take the extra three batteries and hook them up in series with your existing batteries this way it will give you a longer run time as you will have more battery capacity.
You need ethanol-free gas, not premium. The alcohol is bad for small engines. Premium is a higher octane that you do not need. You can add Sta-Bil for storing fuel.
I buy used generators off of face book marketplace cheap . Always have a backup for the backup lol
Hi Jenna, just found your vids, amazing how many little problems you have to deal with all the time but you’re a trooper for sure, you never give up, lol. I have a Bluetti power box that I use at my property, it’s a 200max, I’m thinking you should use the Ecoflow more, hook it up to the panels to see if it can power everything better, I know it can only handle 220 watts solar but the panels rarely get full power anyway, test the 4 small ones and test the big one separately. You can overpower the Ecoflow, it will just let through what it can handle. That little power box is probably better than all your batteries. It would be nice if Ecoflow would send you a Delta Pro Max, more like what you need for off grid, much higher solar charging.
Just my 2 cents, have a good day.
She might almost be big enough to get a larger model out of them. I've seen smaller channels get mid size units
🆒 Video Jenna!!!!!
Ah video reminded me i need to dig out my spare epever for my son.
Another really good video, hope you get the battery situation sorted , I love the way you will have a go at most things , plus you are one really good looking lady , Ramsey and Rory are so cool , take care keep up the off grid way 😊😊
I built a 180w array to a 300Ah AGM bank. I'm switching to all jackery and it's working better.
You can keep using power while they charge, yes they charge slower because your using some of the power but still thats what most people do or they only run what power they need while charging but no need to unplug the camper when the charger is on
To avoid shorting your circuit, always make all connections first, before applying power!
I've had the white porcelain crack off but never neen a sparkplug pull apart like that....🤪.......Glad generator is at least fixed.
Hi Jenna, can't expose the gas generator to the open elements like that, some vermin got into mine. Also, if you can afford it, upgrade to lithium battery's. That alone was a big game changer for me. I applaud your consistent ideas and thinking to get around your problems. And yes, I talk to my cats like children like you do.
I use a resetable fuse to turn off solar and batteries so you can service the charge controller.
Put some Sea Foam in your tank. It will get rid of the ethanol and gummy build up.
Yes, yes, yes, Sea foam is really good and easy to find. You should use it too, once a year for instance to prevent problem, good too for car injectors.
Hi Jenna, I am sorry you are having trouble with your solar setup. I am not sure how you are using that modified extension cord but an extension cord is made to extend 120VAC. Even though it can be used to connect DC if you know what you are doing, it's wires are designated so that they are connected to the hot side and the neutral (grounded) side of the AC circuit not as positive and negative. In no case plug that cord into an AC outlet if you are connecting it to DC or you will burn something out. If you wanted to test the charge controller to see if it is working you need a volt or DC amp meter. If you only have a volt meter. Disconnect the solar panels from the charge controller by tripping its breaker and measure the battery voltage. Now turn on the breaker connecting the solar panels to the charge controller. If the charge controller is working the battery voltage will rise to a slightly greater voltage. If you have a DC clamp on amp meter you can clamp it around one of the two wires going between the battery and the charge controller. If the charge controller is working and the DC clamp on ampmeter has a low enough current scale it will measure a DC current from the charge controller to the battery.
And don't forget to check the battery make sure you have enough bolts in your battery too
Those Epever controllers have a fuse inside I believe, might be worth opening it up and checking it hasn't blown. I am loving your content, hi from a fellow van life off gridder in Australia
Girl I don't know how you do it! We just moved into a rental for 3 months, we where in a 23 foot trailering 2 cats and a dog for 6 months in NS. It was the hardest during the month of Nov. Everything damp all the time and cold. Good on you but I honestly couldn't do it full time.
For sure! The wood stove makes all the difference, honestly! I don't know what I would do without it lol
Your last video took a drink every time you said generator.
Just woke up today in time for today's video 😂
Hahaha. Glad I can help
Great to see that you have worked through solving the generator-electrical problems. There is a saying that if can't be fixed with a hammer it must be electrical. Take care.
Haha, I was almost ready to take a hammer to a fee things lol
Seems I Remember reading that the Solar panel should only be connected or disconnected to MPPT controller with batteries connected. Noting damage will occur if panels are “live” and are hooked to MPPT without batteries connected. But then the Corner Kids might of sold me some bad kool aid.
Costs more, but non-ethanol gas is better for small engines. Also, fiddle with solar electronics at night for safety. I eventually bit the bullet and acquired lithium batteries to replace my 13-year old (!) golf cart batteries.
13 yrs!? Wow those were some lotlysl batteries! I hope you replaced with the same ones! 😊
When your generator wears out I suggest you get a Honda, I had one for many years and it always ran well and started easy.
Diodes are one way electrical valves. Could have prevented the battery from connecting properly.
Also Epever are slow at tracking the Maximum Power Point. MPPT controllers made by SRNE are faster. Ask BougeRV to let you review one of theirs. They are made by SRNE. Sponsors can be a great asset for your channel.
Check the choke on your generator if it's staying on when it gets warm that will shut it down