4Patriots

A backup generator should give you peace of mind during a storm or outage. But an outdated design can leave you without power when you need it most. Here are 4 signs it’s time to replace your conventional generator and why solar options are a great upgrade. TL;DR Fuel can be hard to store and even harder to find during a long outage. After 15 years, traditional gas and diesel generators start to fail. If nobody can repair it anymore, or the repair bill is too high, it’s time to upgrade. You need a backup option that’s safe to use indoors.   If You're Still Running on Fuel, It’s Time for a Change If your generator still runs on gas or diesel, it’s upgrade time. You have to buy fuel ahead of time, store it safely, and even rotate it so it doesn’t go bad. Gas stations rely on electricity to pump gas. So in a power outage, if you run out of fuel, your gas generator becomes a paperweight. That’s why many households have switched to portable solar powered generators instead. It’s an i...

Picture a kitchen shelf lined with neat, labeled meals, a generator standing by fully charged in the closet, and a 4Patriots solar panel for a backup generator setup ready to keep it charged with nothing but sunlight. That's what a truly ready home looks like, and it's easier to achieve than you might think. Here are some 4Patriots items that can help you be ready for emergencies. See the full lineup for yourself at https://4patriots.com/ Have a question? Call 4Patriots at (800) 304-4202 .  Start with the Pantry A stocked pantry sometimes matters more than a full fridge. It ensures your family has something to eat no matter what the week brings, especially if there's a power outage. A shelf of 4Patriots emergency food kits ensures your family stays fed. Most kits are simple to make and only need boiling water to prepare. Meals stay ready to eat for decades, not just a few days. That means dinner is covered even on a night when nothing else goes as planned, storm or no s...

Conventional backup generators need gas to run. Or they need extension cords. Not to mention, they can be loud, and you have to keep them outside. But you don’t have to settle for these annoying features. A portable solar generator harnesses power from the sun instead. It skips fuel cans and long cords. Many families love this option because it keeps their home prepared for unexpected power outages. Plus, it just works better for daily life and feels easier to use. Why Solar Generators Stand Out Solar generators don't burn fuel, which means no fumes around your kids or pets. You can use them safely indoors. Plus, many models are light enough to carry from room to room. You can even put them in the car to take on the road. They also come in many different sizes. Small models sit on a counter. Bigger designs can provide power for a host of devices. Want to power your phone, fridge, or a medical device? You can find a solar generator to meet your needs. Check the output to make sure...

The power goes out. Restaurants are closed, or the roads are blocked off. Feeding your family suddenly depends on whatever emergency supplies you have stashed away, and that's actually good news, because you've got them. A few easy emergency meals can feed your family and provide supplemental energy. With survival food on hand, a warm dinner is never far away. The Best Solution: Survival Food Kits Freeze-dried emergency food kits make dinner simple. Just boil water, let it simmer, and serve. No grocery run. No long list of steps. Even emergency meals can feel comforting, satisfying, and genuinely good. Here are a few options to have on hand.  Family-Friendly Spaghetti Spaghetti is a go-to for a reason. It’s also 1 of the easiest meals to make in a pinch. Grab the bag or large tin from your emergency food supplies, add water, cook, and you’re set. Top with parmesan cheese if you have it. With comfort food like this, a power outage can feel just like any other weeknight. Ri...

 When the power goes out, a portable solar generator is a lifesaver. But treating it like an emergency-only tool means missing out on some of the perks. The same reliable power source that keeps your lights on during a storm can power other things, too.    Maybe it’s your Halloween decorations or the lights for outdoor Thanksgiving seating. It could even help with Christmas lights if you’re planning that far ahead. Not to mention any fall camping trips and the tools in your garage for seasonal projects. Here's a look at how to get more use out of your solar generator. Power Up the Season Inflatables, projectors, and fog machines create a fun fall atmosphere. But outdoor Halloween displays draw a lot of power and can spike your energy bill. You may power them for hours after dark. Don’t choose between extension cords or overloading an outdoor outlet. Use a solar generator instead. A solar generator gives your display its own portable power source. Charge it up during t...

Every fall, the same items make your preparedness checklist. Check the furnace. Clean the gutters. Swap the batteries in the smoke detectors. It's the kind of upkeep that keeps small problems from turning into big issues. Some items don’t always make that list, though. Here’s the top 3 fall checklist items most people skip (and why you really shouldn’t). Add a Solar Generator to the List Solar power deserves the same seasonal attention as something like a furnace filter. You can find portable solar powered generators on the market today that run on the power of the sun instead of gas. That means no fuel to store. It also means no dangerous fumes. That makes it safe to keep charged and ready to use indoors. A closet or mudroom is a good storage location. You might even want to keep your generator in the same spot as a flashlight or extra batteries. It’s perfect for cold-weather power outages once temperatures drop this fall. If it’s charged, you can stay ready for anything. An ...

Labor Day marks the last big camping weekend of summer. Before you load up the car or RV for 1 more trip into the great outdoors, take a look at your gear list. A lot of it, including solar generators portable enough to carry, can come in handy as you enjoy the long weekend and beyond. Check out how your emergency preparedness gear can double as camping essentials. Gear You Already Own, Working Twice as Hard Think about all the supplies you keep on hand for emergencies. How does it stack up to the camping gear that’s already loaded in your RV or truck bed? A cooler. A water jug. A portable stove. Most of it works just as well during a power outage at home as it does for outdoor adventures. That's the real win: 1 purchase, 2 jobs. A Portable Solar Generator for Camping Also Works at Home A portable solar generator for camping can run a mini fridge, charge phones, or power a fan at the lake all weekend. Use that same generator at home, and it becomes backup power the moment the ...