Generators and power stations: What you need to know

11 februari 2026

Generators and power stations are currently our biggest expenses – and the demand is enormous. Over the past years, we have gained experience with these devices and their characteristics. We would like to share this knowledge to help you make informed purchasing decisions.

πŸ”Œ Generators: Choose an inverter model

There are generators with inverter technology and without.

Inverter generators provide a clean sine wave, stable voltage, and stable frequency, similar to grid power. This makes them much safer for sensitive electronics.

Generators without inverter technology can:

  • Damage sensitive equipment
  • Damage power stations during charging

Our experience? Brands such as K&S and Maxpeedingrods perform almost as well as Honda, but are approximately 8 times more affordable.
We mainly supply 2 kW and 3 kW gasoline generators.

πŸ”‹ Power stations: Bigger isn’t always better

We supply power stations ranging from 0.5 to 6 kWh. Availability depends on demand and market supply.

Keep in mind:

  • More capacity means more weight
  • Differences between brands and types include charging speed, discharge speed, and connection options
  • In practice, price-capacity ratio is often the deciding factor

⚑ The ideal combination

Generators and power stations make an excellent duo.

When grid power is unavailable, generators are the most reliable and fast way to recharge a power station. Solar panels:

  • Are visible from the air
  • Perform less efficiently during winter

Ideally, the generator’s output matches the maximum charging capacity of the power station.
πŸ‘‰ The faster the power station charges, the shorter the generator needs to run.

Important:

  • Generators must operate outdoors due to exhaust fumes
  • They produce a heat signature and can be visible from the air

πŸ”„ Pass-through mode: Important to understand

When AC devices remain connected while charging, the power station switches to pass-through mode.

Incoming power is transmitted directly to the connected equipment β€” without passing through the internal inverter.

This means:
If you charge using a non-inverter generator, the β€œdirty power” is passed directly to your connected devices.

πŸ› οΈ Practical Tip

There is a safe way to charge power stations using a non-inverter generator:

Use a separate 58 volt LifePo4 battery charger via the extra battery port of the power station. The port gives direct access to the battery pack.
This helps prevent damage to both the power station and connected equipment.
Most power stations run on 52 volt LifePo4 battery packs.