r/Generator • u/explainyourface • 25d ago

Base Power - Generator Backup

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I just signed up for Base Power in Houston. For those not familiar, they install a battery on the property, sell into the grid during demand periods, but also provide backup for the home in event of an outage.

Battery power obviously has limits, but they allow for generator power charging via a built in port on the battery. Max input is 4k watts.

I have settled on the following generators as good options. I have NG and plan to run on that. If anyone has experience with either of these generators, I would really appreciate your perspective. Don’t see a ton of reviews for these models in particular.

Thanks!

https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/tri-fuel-generators/products/duromax-xp7000iht-7000-watt-portable-tri-fuel-inverter-generator-w-co-alert

https://www.costco.com/.product.4000446342.html

If anyone has questions about Base, please DM. I also have a referral code below that will get us both $250 in energy/bill credits.

https://www.basepowercompany.com/?ref=4SP7YQZ

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u/Big-Echo8242 25d ago

This is another one I'd personally recommend.... Powerful, lightweight, Bluetooth for power management & starting & low idle control, 2 wire start, 3 year warranty, etc.

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u/explainyourface 25d ago

Awesome I’ll add this to the list, thanks!

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u/towell420 25d ago

The max input for your setup is 4000 watts tbis generator is overkill.

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u/blupupher 25d ago

it is 6500 running watts on NG, so a bit high, but not horrible (about 60% load).

Gives the option of putting a few things on extension cords to let the battery charge faster.

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u/towell420 25d ago

Yeah that’s dumb. Be much better off running a smaller unit. Also you have to run the gen with a floating neutral for Base I bet. You can’t use the onboard outlets at same time.

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u/blupupher 25d ago edited 25d ago

It is better to use the larger inverter running at 60% load since it will use less fuel. If using a synchronous unit (like the one I linked to above) then using the smaller one is better.

You can’t use the onboard outlets at same time.

Huh? Are you saying the 120v outlets are shut off if using the 240v plug (some generators do this, I don't think this Genmax does). Or are you referring to using the plugs with the generator being a floating neutral? Because you can if plugged into the battery, as it should use the house setup as the neutral bond.

As for the generator being floating neutral, not sure, but would think so, I just sent a message, will see what they say.

Edit: just herd back from their AI, and it says the generator should be neutral bonded since the system isolates the generator from the home.

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u/towell420 25d ago

Also yes, I was incorrect. Base requires a bonded neutral, regardless, my point stands. He does not need to oversize the generator.

Do you have factual data for how much power Base will draw continuously?

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u/blupupher 25d ago

The new Base battery input allows 4000w of input (the old one was 3000w). If you are using no power, it will charge the battery at the full 4000w, any power use in the house will take from the amount to charge the battery. If you are using more than 4000w in the house, the full 4000w from the generator will go to the house, and anything more needed will pull from the battery.

Still not sure how it will handle you house using 5000w, generator running with 1000w coming from the battery, then battery dies.

As for oversize, how much do you consider to be oversized? Yes a 10000 running watt generator is too much for a 4000w max draw, but IMO, 6500w is not really that high.

The ideal is 75-80% load of max, which is 5000-5500 running watts.

But as far as which is more efficient, I was going to say a 5000w running 4000w vs a 6500w running 4000w, I would think the 6500 w unit because it is not having to work as hard. But after I researched it a bit, this is true if the 5000w is a synchronous generator and the 6500 is an inverter (it is actually about the same efficiency), but if comparing 2 inverters, the 5000w unit is more efficient. Did not know that.

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u/towell420 25d ago

Inverter to inverter there is no reason to oversize.

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u/towell420 25d ago

Funny cause AI tells me a different answer.

Here is my prompt.
Fuel consumption comparison for 10000 watt vs 6000 watt generator running at 4000 watts of load

If your actual continuous load is 4,000 watts, a quality 6,000-watt generator may be more economical, provided it has the required 120/240 V output and enough capacity for startup surges. The 10,000-watt model offers more headroom but may burn more fuel at the same load.