Short on Time? Here’s The Article Summary

The article discusses the Patriot Power Generator as a backup power source for emergencies but highlights several reasons why it may not be the best choice. It points out issues such as high price, heavy weight, limited battery capacity, inability to add extra storage, limited solar input, and lack of DC charging. The article recommends alternatives like the EcoFlow Delta 1800 Solar Generator Quad kit, which offers twice the battery capacity, a bigger surge, and faster charging.

Other alternatives mentioned include the Bluetti EB240, Titan Solar Generator, and Bluetti EB150, all of which offer better features and value compared to the Patriot Power Generator. The article concludes that while 4Patriots is a reputable brand, the Patriot Power Generator is overpriced and not as powerful as other options on the market, making it less ideal for powering multiple appliances and devices in an emergency.

Introduction

If you are preparing for an emergency, you need a great backup power source in your home. With solar generators, you can generate and use renewable clean electricity to power your appliances and life-saving devices in the event of a grid failure.

For some, the Patriot Power Generator may appear to be a good option for a sustainable source of electricity. However, as outlined in our massive Patriot Power Generator review, it may not be the best choice for you. Keep reading to find out why.

On one hand, the Patriot Power Generator could work well for a weekend camping trip (although that might be a stretch). That said, it is not ideal as a long-term source of power. Here, we break down ten reasons why the Patriot Power Generator is not the best power station for a survival situation.

Just Want To Know What The BEST Patriot Power Generator Alternative is? 

The most popular and best Patriot Power Generator alternative is by far the EcoFlow Delta 1800 Solar Generator Quad kit with 4 x 100-watt solar panels.

The Delta solar generator has twice the battery capacity, the same size inverter with a bigger surge, weighs 15 pounds less, and charges up twice as quickly!

Check out the comparison of the two solar generators below, and you'll quickly see why the EcoFlow is better:

Patriot Power Generator Vs EcoFlow Delta 1800 Solar Generator:

Click here to see the EcoFlow Delta 1800 Solar Generator Quad Kit 

10 Reasons the Patriot Power Generator May NOT Be Your Best Choice

1. Price

To be blunt, the Patriot Power Generator is totally overpriced. The unit, which is only available on the 4Patriot website, costs over $2,400. Of course, the package does come with some extras, such as a foldable 100W solar panel, flashlights, emergency food, and reading materials.

But the truth is, even with all of the extras, there are simply more affordable and better solar generators on the market. We're going to compare the Patriot Power Generator to the Bluetti EB240 later, but right now, the EB240 is available for just $1,899 and has almost 3.5 times the battery capacity at 2,400 watt hours! Crazy.

2. Weight

Solar generators are often called portable power stations; however, the weight of some units really pushes this definition. The Patriot Power Generator weighs roughly 40 pounds, which is a bit heavy for most users to consider portable, not to mention the 790 watt hour battery. Something like the Bluetti EB150 has a 1,500 watt hour battery and weighs just over 35 pounds. 

Older or disabled clean energy enthusiasts may have a very difficult time transporting the Patriot from one place to another. Although the Bluetti weighs about the same amount, it comes with tons of upgraded features. Those looking for a truly lightweight solar generator may want to consider the EcoFlow Delta 1800. Weighing in at around 30 pounds, the Delta is a great alternative.

3. Battery Capacity

Perhaps the biggest flaw in the Patriot Power design is the limited battery capacity. The internal storage of the Patriot Power Generator 1800 is a shockingly low 768Wh. Not only is this much smaller than many alternative products, but a battery that small is potentially dangerous.

 4Patriots Website Says:

At less than 800 watt hours, the Patriot can only store enough energy to power life-saving appliances like fridges, lights, and phones for a short period (think, less than 8 hours). On the other hand, the Bluetti EB240 has a 2400 watt hour capacity, meaning that you can store nearly four times as much power in a unit with a similar weight and MUCH lower upfront cost.

4. Battery Limitations 

The inability to add extra storage capacity is another significant issue with the battery of the Patriot Power Generator. That’s right, the Patriot’s system is self-contained and does not allow for additional battery banks to be added, charged, or discharged through the power station.

This problem is something encountered with most solar generators, but there is one exception. For a truly unlimited amount of battery capacity (plus a more powerful inverter), take a look at the Titan Solar Generator. The Titan’s unique battery stacking system makes it possible to easily charge, store, and use multiple batteries.

5. Limited Solar Input

Although it comes with 100W of solar, Patriot Power Generator users cannot upgrade its wattage much further. Unfortunately, the Patriot maxes out at a limit of 240 watts of solar power. If you’re stuck in a cloudy area or one with limited sunlight hours, 240 watts of solar may not be enough to keep your home’s appliances running sustainably.

Looking back at the Bluetti EB240, MaxOak’s solar generator handles up to 500W of solar! Although the recommended amount is 400 watts, that is still a significantly larger amount of potential energy.

6. Charging Efficiency

The limited solar input highlights the larger problem: the Patriot’s overall levels of charging efficiency. In ideal conditions, the Patriot Power Generator 1800 fully charges its battery in about 10 hours. This period is not ideal as there are only about 6 hours of sunlight per day.

With the Bluetti EB240, the ideal solar charging time is around 6 hours, which may not seem significant at first, but you must remember that the EB240’s battery is over three times as large as the Patriots. So, you will have a lot more solar energy to use, thanks to Bluetti’s superior charging efficiency.

7. Lack of DC Charging 

In a survival situation, you may want to cross town (or the country) to be with those you care about. Although it is not a huge deal, you cannot recharge the 4Patriots Power Generator using your car’s alternator. Other solar generators used in RVs and vans have this as a standard feature, including a DC input and cable with your purchase.

8. The Size of the Inverter

Don't get me wrong, the 1800W provides plenty of continuous power. In fact, the 1800-watt inverter included in the Patriot Power Generator is much larger than that of the Bluetti EB240. However, due to its limited battery capacity, the point is somewhat moot.

With a 1800W inverter and only a 690Wh, you may be paying for capabilities you will rarely be able to use. Sure, you can run all of your devices simultaneously but only for a limited amount of time. For those who need an outrageous amount of electricity, you will also need a larger battery. Otherwise, the 1000W inverter included in the Bluetti EB240 should be large enough to run each of your survival devices as needed.

9. The Limited Output Options

When it's time to use your backup power, the Patriot offers only a few options of where to plug in your devices. The machine is limited to only two AC (wall plug) outlets, two DC outlets, and four USB ports.

Unfortunately, if you have your fridge or freezer plugged into one of the AC outlets, that means that you only have one more available spot to plug in normal household devices. Otherwise, you are limited to only powering smaller electronics via the USB ports or specialty appliances with the DC inputs.

10. 4Patriots The Customer Service

One of the most important things to understand about 4Patriots is that they are a survival company and not a solar generator company. The company’s customer service representatives, though responsive, are generally not knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the technical aspects of power stations. Instead, the phone representatives are mainly trained to upsell the company’s other products and services. You can see what some of their customers have said in our Patriot Solar Generator reviews article here.

The Top 4 Patriot Power Generator Alternatives

As we have alluded to many times throughout this article, one of the main reasons not to buy the Patriot Power Generator is that there are better options out there. At over $2,400, the Patriot Power Generator is a huge investment that is simply not worth it when looking at competitor alternatives.

1. The Bluetti EB240 Solar Generator

For survivalists, the Bluetti EB240 is the ultimate long-lasting energy solution. The unit sells for less than the Patriot and has a battery capacity that makes the Patriot Power Generator somewhat laughable. Although it can only sustain 1000W of continuous power, the Bluetti is a far better option as an emergency source of backup power.

2. The Titan Solar Generator 

If it is power you need, then the Titan Solar Generator is right for you. If you are willing to spend the extra money to ensure the safety of your family, the Titan will not disappoint. It is the best option to sustainably backup the electricity needs for your entire home. The unit comes with more output options, an enormous inverter, and stackable batteries so that you can power more of your life-saving equipment for longer periods. 

3. The Bluetti EB150 Solar Generator

The Bluetti EB150 is listed at $1,299 and comes with a 1500wH battery (double the Patriot Power Generator) and a 1000W power inverter. Weighing in at just 38 pounds with an easy-to-carry handle, it's one of the most popular alternative options to the Patriot Power Generator. You can see the Bluetti EB150 solar generator here. 

4. The EcoFlow Delta Solar Generator (BEST Option)

The EcoFlow Delta makes it in as an honorable mention since it's one of the smallest most powerful solar generators on the market today. It has the same 1800W power inverter PLUS a 1,260wH battery (still almost double the Patriot Power Generator). It also only weighs 30 pounds and has a limited lifetime warranty on the battery. Coming in at $1,399, it's hard not to consider the EcoFlow Delta as a much better option than the Patriot Power Generator. You can see the EcoFlow Delta here.

The Patriot Power Generator compared to the rest of the solar generators on the market...

Final Thoughts

Again, 4Patriots is a great brand with a great mission. That said, charging over $2,400 for a solar generator that is not nearly as powerful as the alternative options on the market is not ideal. If you want something that might be able to handle powering just a fridge or some lights and electronics, then the Patriot Power Generator might work for you. But, if you need to maintain multiple appliances and devices in an emergency situation, we would HIGHLY recommend considering one of the four alternative solar generator options above. 

Still not sure if the Patriot Power Generator is any good? Read our in-depth Patriot Power Generator review here.

As always, if you still have questions feel free to reach out or give us a call at 877-242-2792.

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