portable power supplies, I am so confused

[drcoastline]

I am researching portable/back up power stations, unfortunately electricity, solar, batteries, electrical systems are a weak point for me. I am trying to learn.

Having grown up at the New Jersey shore I spent a lot of my life on the water often thirty, forty miles off shore. You learn very quickly if something goes wrong help isn't just around the corner so you need to rely on yourself and be prepared. Also growing up at the New Jersey shore I have lived through many Nor Easters, hurricanes and the ice storm of 1993 where we would lose power sometimes for a week or more. During the ice storm I lived on the bay in our town where I was stuck in the house for ten days due to flood waters. At the time probably the second or third worst flood in our area. At low tide the water was four feet deep and well below freezing there were ice flows around the house. I was half a mile form dry land. We lost power so I had no electricity or running water. Fortunately I had a fire place for heat, I could cook and melt ice for water and I could put the food from the fridge outside to keep from spoiling. Because of these experiences I am a mild prepper. Be prepared and it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

With modern technology and advancements in battery storage I have begun researching portable power options. Something that could be easily transported in a vehicle or boat, recharged by the engine, battery or solar. Could jump start an engine or used in a dwelling to keep small items powered for emergency contact such as power bricks, phones, laptops, radios, walkie talkies, power a small coffee maker or power batteries for tools. I am not trying to power a home or a mega yacht, just the basics to get through a few days at a time but can be recharged for extended power if needed.

There was a 20/20 or 60 minutes episode I watched a few years back of a couple in Yosemite as I recall trying to take a pass through the park and was trapped in a blizzard. Long story short the vehicle battery died as did their cell phones. The couple froze to death and were recovered in the spring in their vehicle. They were only about four miles from a small town. I think often of that scenario and would a small power station have helped? Not for heat but would they have been able to get the vehicle running charge their phones to call for help or use the phones to triangulate their position? I don't ever expect to be in that position but I try to use that as well as my own experience for other scenarios such as if on a boat during a storm and the boat is truck by lightning and you lose the electrical system. It happens often.

This is where I get a bit confused with the power supplies. It doesn't seem there is a single answer to my question? A Jackery seems to be a decent unit and will do most things but not jump a battery? Most jumper boxes have some USB ports and an air compressor (which I don't care about as I have other means such as aerosol slime) but can't be repowered by solar and do not have a 110v out put?

Here is one of many video's I have been watching on this subject.



The Ego looks cool but I don't have any of their equipment so the battery charging is useless to me, the inergy (he shows a Kodiak and an Apex not sure the difference?) may be the answer but the Jackery has another unit the 1000 that over comes his concern?

Lets hear it form the brain trust. Collectively you guys can fix everything and solve every problem. So what do you all have to say?

[drcoastline]

This kid did a nice review but these units may be a bit small?

[cantdrv55]

I’m in the same boat. Jackery has the best marketing and seems to have the better product for my needs but I’m still not sure.

[red-beard]

What a can of worms!

I like the Noco line of products and I have them in my BMW and F250.

The GB50 will start a gas engine up to 7 liters and a Diesel engine up to 5 liters (12VDC). It also has a 2.1A capable USB outlet. It is charged by a standard 2.1A USB cord and takes a while to charge. It does not lose charge (1% per month?) so keep it in the vehicle and charge every 6 months.

If you want something to "invert" power for 120VAC, there are options. BUT BUT BUT, make sure you know what you are getting. MSW (Modified Sine Wave) is tolerated by most electronics, because they are converted to DC before use. But motors do not like MSW. Pure Sine Wave inverters are MUCH more expensive.

We Build Backup Solutions, including the whole business and whole house. Even our "Tiny" solutions can be $5K, but they include Inverters, Batteries, Solar Panels, Generator and the protective systems.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I’m in the same boat. Jackery has the best marketing and seems to have the better product for my needs but I’m still not sure.

Yes, Jackery has good marketing and does seem to be the best as in quality of construction "robust", but as the kid in the video points out it is not necessarily the best in terms of performance and some of the cheaper options, perform better. The Jackery is far more expensive. Does it make sense to buy two cheap version vs. one Jakery? These are also smaller portable versions, do things change when you get into something a little larger say 1000amp hour units? Regardless it doesn't seem one unit does it all?

I am beginning to think you need multiple units, redundancy like an airplane. This gives you back if one goes down and a unit to use while one is charging or being repaired. Also more designated units? Such as a jump stat box, phone chargers and then the main unit such as a jackery or one of the others?

Rule of thump seems to be $1.00 per watt hour. So rather than buy one 1000wh unit for $1,000.00 can you combine multiple units that create redundancy for the same money and perform multiple tasks?

a main unit such as the Expert Power unit in the video recommended by the kid? 300wh, $250.00



Then maybe a jump box $70.00.



and maybe a few power bricks to recharge small electronics? $25.00 each.



???

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by red-beard

What a can of worms!

I like the Noco line of products and I have them in my BMW and F250.

The GB50 will start a gas engine up to 7 liters and a Diesel engine up to 5 liters (12VDC). It also has a 2.1A capable USB outlet. It is charged by a standard 2.1A USB cord and take a while to charge. It does not loose charge (1% per month?) so keep it in the vehicle and charge every 6 months.

If you want something to "invert" power for 120VAC, there are options. BUT BUT BUT, make sure you know what you are getting. MSW (Modified Sine Wave) is tolerated by most electronics, because they are converted to DC before use. But motors do not like MSW. Pure Sine Wave inverters are MUCH more expensive.

We Build Backup Solutions, including the whole business and whole house. Even our "Tiny" solutions can be $5K, but they include Inverters, Batteries, Solar Panels, Generator and the protective systems.

Thanks red-beard I am not looking for whole house units. I am thinking small reasonably portable temporary power solutions that would last a day or so on their own battery but, could be recharged via multiple power sources if needed for extend periods in an emergency situation. I will look into your recomendations.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

Yes, Jackery has good marketing and does seem to be the best as in quality of construction "robust", but as the kid in the video points out it is not necessarily the best in terms of performance and some of the cheaper options, perform better. The Jackery is far more expensive. Does it make sense to buy two cheap version vs. one Jakery? These are also smaller portable versions, do things change when you get into something a little larger say 1000amp hour units? Regardless it doesn't seem one unit does it all?

I am beginning to think you need multiple units, redundancy like an airplane. This gives you back if one goes down and a unit to use while one is charging or being repaired. Also more designated units? Such as a jump stat box, phone chargers and then the main unit such as a jackery or one of the others?

Rule of thump seems to be $1.00 per watt hour. So rather than buy one 1000wh unit for $1,000.00 can you combine multiple units that create redundancy for the same money and perform multiple tasks?

a main unit such as the Expert Power unit in the video recommended by the kid? 300wh, $250.00



Then maybe a jump box $70.00.



and maybe a few power bricks to recharge small electronics? $25.00 each.



???

When you can catch the Jackery on sale, it’ll be less than a buck amp. I like your idea of a solar power bank. Thanks.

[Seahawk]

Off topic a little bit, but my son hikes and camps a lot and wanted this for Christmas:

https://www.amazon.com/Nekteck-Charger-Waterproof-Portable-High-Efficiency/dp/B017GQ7OEA?creativeASIN=B017GQ7OEA&linkCode=w61&imprToken=b3zF9vphZ4a1AH5DTs-fww&slotNum=6&tag=hiking043-20



He will use it to get his small GPS loaded with maps charged. Phone as well.

I could't believe how relatively cheap it is!

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

When you can catch the Jackery on sale, it’ll be less than a buck amp. I like your idea of a solar power bank. Thanks.

I like the idea because it ads a free charging option. Again, if we have a power down situation a vehicle that runs out of fuel we can harness the solar power to recharge and keep small electrical items that may mean the difference of life and death powered. A phone, a GPS, a hand held radio, etc.

So the items I posted above would have a main unit like the Jakery or the Expertpower as the main unit and is constantly charging and maybe running a few things. The other units such as the jump box and power bricks would be recharged from the main power unit. All are portable and can be moved or individually?

In my case most likely on a boat, I have the electrical system go down and we will say the batteries are fried? The main unit can be hooked to a solar panel to remain fully charge and perhaps charge a hand help ship to shore radio and GPS unit. The jump box can be used to try and start the engine or run pumps. the power bricks can give extended time to cell phones plug the hand held radio or GPS in, the jump has USB also should also be able to run phones, GPS, Radio?

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Off topic a little bit, but my son hikes and camps a lot and wanted this for Christmas:

https://www.amazon.com/Nekteck-Charger-Waterproof-Portable-High-Efficiency/dp/B017GQ7OEA?creativeASIN=B017GQ7OEA&linkCode=w61&imprToken=b3zF9vphZ4a1AH5DTs-fww&slotNum=6&tag=hiking043-20



He will use it to get his small GPS loaded with maps charged. Phone as well.

I could't believe how relatively cheap it is!

Thanks for posting Seahawk, not off topic in the least, it is an integral part of a mobile power system. If all other recharging options are unavailable this is the redundancy that would be needed.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

Thanks for posting Seahawk, not off topic in the least, it is an integral part of a mobile power system. If all other recharging options are unavailable this is the redundancy that would be needed.

Funny you say that. I bought three

Also, Every car I own has one of these in it: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cigarette+lighter+power+inverter&crid=MTUVR2F1ZFSO&sprefix=cigarette+lighter+power+%2Caps%2C289&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-da-p_1_24

I am the last Trolley Station on the electric grid here so I know exactly what you are talking about!

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Funny you say that. I bought three

Also, Every car I own has one of these in it: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cigarette+lighter+power+inverter&crid=MTUVR2F1ZFSO&sprefix=cigarette+lighter+power+%2Caps%2C289&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-da-p_1_24

I am the last Trolley Station on the electric grid here so I know exactly what you are talking about!

Roger that.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Funny you say that. I bought three

Also, Every car I own has one of these in it: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cigarette+lighter+power+inverter&crid=MTUVR2F1ZFSO&sprefix=cigarette+lighter+power+%2Caps%2C289&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-da-p_1_24

!

Why? Do you plan to blow dry your hair ?

[sugarwood]

What do you need?
A jumpstarter or a generator?

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

What do you need?
A jumpstarter or a generator?

May need both at some point?

[drcoastline]

YEP I'm still at it.

A bit curious about car battery technology? Why wouldn't the technology that is used in a jump starter say the Tack life I have posted above be good enough to be permanently installed in a vehicle as the starter battery? Not that unit but the internal technology, size weight, etc instead of the gigantic heavy batteries currently used?

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Funny you say that. I bought three

Also, Every car I own has one of these in it: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cigarette+lighter+power+inverter&crid=MTUVR2F1ZFSO&sprefix=cigarette+lighter+power+%2Caps%2C289&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-da-p_1_24

I am the last Trolley Station on the electric grid here so I know exactly what you are talking about!

Would you care to reco one over the others?

[masraum]

Interesting thread

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

YEP I'm still at it.

A bit curious about car battery technology? Why wouldn't the technology that is used in a jump starter say the Tack life I have posted above be good enough to be permanently installed in a vehicle as the starter battery? Not that unit but the internal technology, size weight, etc instead of the gigantic heavy batteries currently used?

Yes they can and I expect that as the battery prices improve, they will move to LiFePo4 batteries for cars. The issue, Lead-Acid car batteries are very forgiving for poorly regulated voltage and current. Li-ion are not at all forgiving. The BMS (internal battery management system) had better be up to task. LiFePo4 is much more forgiving than Li-ion. But the voltage regulator system should be better for charging car batteries than the crude system in most cars.

[id10t]

What will work best for your likely scenarios depends on when/where your likely scenarios are going to happen.

IE, my needs here in Florida during hurricane season are far different from someone in Minnesota who is prepping for winter blizzards. Same with land based vs. boat based, and then you can also add location there are well - the needs in the Keys are different from the needs of the N. Atlantic. Most of this has to do with dealing with temperatures - 'cause you know batteries suck when they are cold.

That said, the marine battery I use for my trolling motor works great to run a small inverter so my son can recharge his drone batteries a few times while out flying for a day, and for hurricane use just wiring in a lighter plug/socket w/ a in line fuse has kept our cell phones charged, etc. while I use a generator to keep the fridge and some fans and lights going. Since I got that solar panel for the xmas exchange, I'm thinking about setting it up as a charging station for that battery when we get our next Week of No Power w/ a 'cane.

I've also thought about using one of the small 1-3hp hobby engines from Rural King and a alternator to make a direct 12v feed to power a larger electric motor or act as a generator for a camper that is rigged for 12v power.