Portable Gas Generator to Charge the Lightning?

[Tony Burgh]

That’s just a patent for a really expensive portable generator.

Very broad patent. Probably intended to prevent other more specific patents from locking Ford out of bed generator to charge system market.

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[VTbuckeye]

I managed to run out of electricity AND gas one time in my Volt. It actually lets you run for a bit on the “depleted” battery after you run out of gas, but apparently not that far.

I wanted to know the actual fuel capacity of my xc90 phev. I ran out of gas, though I had plenty of charge remaining. It limited the already limited (87hp) electric power once the fuel supply was exhausted. Turns out the 13.2 gallon tank actually takes 14.2 to completely refill.

 

[Tony Burgh]

I don’t think most portable generators would approach 20% efficiency. It gets even worse at partial load.

Looking at Harbor Freight 9500/7600 watt inverter generator, the efficiency comes out about 15% for gasoline energy content to delivered electrical energy.
Yep, about 20 hours at full tilt boogie to get complete charge and damaged generator.

 

[Ishkatan]

I have a cheap 7500 watt generator with 230 volt / 30 amp jack plus 110 jacks (from Costco 3 years ago.) I thought of doing a test with it... but how do I tell if my power output is clean enough? I don't want to burn out the F150 transformer if it creates brownouts, voltage spikes and lots of noise.

I like the idea of using the generator if I am in a hurry. Right now I am using 110 volts / 15 amps to get 50% to 80% in 3 days. LOL. (The charge station is on it's way.)

If I do wilderness camping I would like to try the generator charging the truck. The one time I used it for light home stuff it ran 12 hrs. on 6 gallons. I assume half that on full load. Anyway, it would be a fun experiment, if I don't burn out the truck.

 

[ctuan13]

I have a cheap 7500 watt generator with 230 volt / 30 amp jack plus 110 jacks (from Costco 3 years ago.) I thought of doing a test with it... but how do I tell if my power output is clean enough? I don't want to burn out the F150 transformer if it creates brownouts, voltage spikes and lots of noise.

I like the idea of using the generator if I am in a hurry. Right now I am using 110 volts / 15 amps to get 50% to 80% in 3 days. LOL. (The charge station is on it's way.)

If I do wilderness camping I would like to try the generator charging the truck. The one time I used it for light home stuff it ran 12 hrs. on 6 gallons. I assume half that on full load. Anyway, it would be a fun experiment, if I don't burn out the truck.

If it's not an inverter generator, probably not clean enough.

 

[GarrettBlake]

I had to use a generator with an inverter, a generator without an inverter would cause a fault in the mobile charger.

 

[potato]

If it's not an inverter generator, probably not clean enough.

Just a data point. My cheap non inverter (Firman T07573) will charge the Lightning. It won't *start* the charge if nothing else is plugged in - maybe signal too noisy. OBD shows weird frequency and voltage detected by the truck. But if I plug in another load while starting the charge, then it charges fine once it gets going, and I can remove the extra load.

 

[hturnerfamily]

rather than investing in a 'gas' fueled generator, which requires not only the additional fuel tanks you would have to bring, but is also noisy, of course... and, has to be 'cranked'... with it's OWN battery to start it, unless you have a 'pull rope' type...

now, maybe a better and more 'up to date' technology is simply ANOTHER battery - the 'generator battery' that you see all over the place now, whether from 'Patriot' brands, or 'Echoflow' Delta, etc., and some of these with integrated or add-on SOLAR, as well.

NO NOISE. PURE SINE WAVE OUTPUT. NO FUEL. EASY. .... just in case.

 

[queuewho]

rather than investing in a 'gas' fueled generator, which requires not only the additional fuel tanks you would have to bring, but is also noisy, of course... and, has to be 'cranked'... with it's OWN battery to start it, unless you have a 'pull rope' type...

now, maybe a better and more 'up to date' technology is simply ANOTHER battery - the 'generator battery' that you see all over the place now, whether from 'Patriot' brands, or 'Echoflow' Delta, etc., and some of these with integrated or add-on SOLAR, as well.

NO NOISE. PURE SINE WAVE OUTPUT. NO FUEL. EASY. .... just in case.

That thing probably can hold 1 or 2 miles worth of power

 

[CD4TNF]

This article popped up regarding a Lincoln Electric 50kW portable charger.

https://electrek.co/2025/09/26/e-qu...rtable-dc-fast-charger-from-lincoln-electric/


Here's the YouTube video.




I recall and see from the search we've had multiple discussions regarding a product that would do what this Lincoln Electric Portable charger claims it can do. Thought it would be worth reviving a thread and letting folks know there will be a product available at some point and put it on folks radar.

 

[hturnerfamily]

no doubt that it's good to see a company producing an 'option' to flexible, on-the-go, mobile DC 'fast' Charging options... but...

- the COST will certainly be prohibitive for any truck 'owner' looking for this type of on-the-road option to carry along... I'm sure financing will be a big part of any ownership.

- the FUEL needed will be costly, will be HEAVY, and will the on-board fuel within the generator be 'enough' to charge long enough to make sense... even at those stated 'speeds', will the five gallons of 'power' get you enough 'miles'....? Not even considering MORE fuel to carry, as well. Likely, if you're 'out of power', it won't happen to be in a gas station parking lot.

- the WEIGHT of this beast, well, might just CAUSE the extra loss of battery power, to get you to your destination, or next DC Fast Charger? Add the weight of any extra fuel, to bring along, too. Now you get the pleasure of stopping at Charges AND gas stations. The fuel smells will be nice, as well.

- Using this WHILE traveling might be a better idea - if possible - although that will take some kind of creativity and modifications with the vehicle's charge port and computer/software/electronics. The RAM and SCOUT EV's seem to be on a similar path... using an 'onboard' engine GENERATOR battery charger.

- yes, this looks like a production for FLEET vehicles, for businesses with a 'local' route, such as in a metro area, where an owner sees the benefit of being able to send out a 'tech' to take care of a 'out of power' vehicle... might make sense for that type of requirement, just in case. You might could deploy this in a 'mobile charging' business, for stranded EVs, especially along interstate corridors, but with today's Charging infrastructure growing tremendously, and expanding quickly, maybe not.

 

[RLXXI]

This article popped up regarding a Lincoln Electric 50kW portable charger.

https://electrek.co/2025/09/26/e-qu...rtable-dc-fast-charger-from-lincoln-electric/


Here's the YouTube video.




I recall and see from the search we've had multiple discussions regarding a product that would do what this Lincoln Electric Portable charger claims it can do. Thought it would be worth reviving a thread and letting folks know there will be a product available at some point and put it on folks radar.

Was cost ever mentioned? I went to their website only to be greeted with a " click for quote" those type things usually mean high dollar.

 

[CD4TNF]

Was cost ever mentioned? I went to their website only to be greeted with a " click for quote" those type things usually mean high dollar.

Article states price is not yet out. Also says they're going to sell to fleets and state agencies first. Organizations that have the money for such a high tech specialized piece of equipment.

@hturnerfamily Appreciate your thoughts breaking down the issues. Agreed with your points. This is not a product for an everyday owner.

 

[I <3 My Lightning]

https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/ev-charging/velion-50kw

Here is the MSRP.... Maybe we can get a group discount.

 

[The Weatherman]

Can I have some more porridge please, sir?

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