Since generators generate carbon monoxide, you must take important safety precautions, like operating the machine outside structures. Yet, there should be a convenient way to restore power at a time when we can charge our gadgets with a battery pack that fits inside a jeans pocket. Or you want to power a campsite without having a gas-powered generator hum constantly.
These are the benefits that portable power units, commonly referred to as battery-operated inverter generators, guarantee. These are large rechargeable batteries that can be topped off by plugging them into a standard 110-volt outlet. These are about the size of a countertop microwave oven.
EVVR is making great leaps and strides in the smart home space with its innovative software and hardware solutions. Whether you need the EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug or the whole suite of smart home gadgets to monitor your energy consumption, feel free to connect with us today!
- Portable Home Power Station - Just A Big Battery or More
- Things To Know About Portable Power Stations Before Buying One
- Things To Consider In A Portable Power Station
- Best Portable Power Stations In 2023
Portable Home Power Station - Just A Big Battery or More
Is a bank merely safe? Although the battery is the primary component of a portable power station, some other parts and technologies help transmit stored energy to your appliances safely and effectively. They are equipped with technology that enables faster recharging, screens that display input and output, and even apps for remote energy management.
Additionally, portable power stations have far greater capacity and outlets than power banks, which typically have USB plugs. Mobile power stations are available for devices that normally plug into a wall or automobile socket. This is because they can output more electricity and have the juice to run equipment for hours.
Things To Know About Portable Power Stations Before Buying One
Our experts list some advantages and disadvantages of using portable power units below. EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug provides real-time insights through the EVVR smartphone app to stay on top of the power usage stats. This allows you to optimize your power consumption accordingly.
Poor Power Delivery Compared To Gas Generators
Suppose you want to use portable power stations to run your house's furnace, overhead lighting, or any other hardwired appliances, just like their gasoline-powered equivalents. In that case, you'll need a transfer switch.
However, whereas a recreational inverter generator would likely keep the appliances on for a couple of hours on one gas tank, a portable power station would provide between 3 and 9 hours of power under the same conditions.
You won't be able to run certain appliances, including your power-hungry well pump.
Noticeable Time To Charge
In our tests, most of these models took hours to fully charge and reach their maximum runtime (usually overnight).
As a result, a portable power station might provide you with hours of electricity to run a refrigerator or another important appliance—assuming you properly charged the battery before an anticipated weather event.
Poor Charging Compatibility With Solar Panels
Solar panel charging the power station is your only alternative if you're experiencing an outage or are otherwise off the grid—but only if you have good sun and no obstacles.
In our studies, we discovered that solar panels could extend the runtime, although, with larger appliances, this equates to an additional hour or two of power.
If you need to gauge how much power your solar panels deliver to the portable power station, EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug can do the trick.
Questionable Portability
Most portable power stations we tested weighed more than 80 pounds despite being roughly the size of an average microwave oven.
Therefore, lifting one into your automobile's trunk will require another set of hands. Some of the models have wheels, but not all are huge, making it challenging to move them across a lawn.
Pricing Can Be The Deal-Breaker
The prices of the portable power units we examined ranged from $1,500 to $3,500. And the most expensive mobile power station is less expensive than our best portable gas generator.
Consider whether a portable generator could be more useful for you before purchasing one of these power stations. You can keep adding gasoline during a power outage, and portable generators usually have enough power to keep larger appliances operating. Find out which kind of generator fits your needs by reading our shopping guide.
Things To Consider In A Portable Power Station
Certain versions are appropriate for some people but not others based on portability, capacity, and longevity. The first three will be significantly impacted by the battery type used. While LFP (LiFePO4) batteries have a longer lifespan and higher efficiency, NCM batteries are lighter.
The Ease of Carrying it Around
Considerably lighter and more effective ones have replaced the lead-acid battery chemistries used in cars. Although we haven't yet reached the stage where your house can be powered by a battery the size of your phone, we are very near. With today's portable power stations, you can accomplish many things that weren't practical a few years ago.
Power Capacity
Watt-hours (Wh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh) are units used to express how much electricity a portable power source can store and represent one watt of power used for (you guessed it!) one hour. A 50W bulb consumes 500Wh of energy if it is on for 10 hours.
As for the usage, you can always connect EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug with your appliances to know how much power they are drawing. This is as easy as swiping a couple of times on your smartphone!
Best Portable Power Stations In 2023
Jackery Solar Generator 1000
In an emergency, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is built to give you warmth during a winter storm. This includes charging your smartphones and tablets. It has 3 normal AC outlets, 2 USB-C ports, and 2 USB Type-A ports for charging electronics. These outlets can plug in things like lamps, heated blankets, etc.
The easy-to-read monitor makes it easy to know how much power the generator has left. Being battery-powered means you don't have to worry about maintaining the battery pack charged up or venting dangerous emissions, and you get quick electricity with a one-button push start.
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X
This home battery backup is made for usage in more demanding situations. Its enormous 2,000-watt or 120-volt output and 7 various outlets can power practically anything in your home. Adding solar panels allows you to charge your devices more quickly than with wall outlets and keep your generator in peak condition during extended power outages.
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000
One of the home battery backups with the fastest charging times available is the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000. You can juice up your device using a regular wall outlet to get up to 80% of the way there in only 65 minutes and to 100% in just under two hours. This makes it ideal for unexpected events like sudden storms in the summer or winter, as you can quickly recharge the generator's battery while monitoring news alerts. You can power up to 15 gadgets simultaneously with the amazing 5000-watt output, including refrigerators, CPAP machines, and even your electric or induction range!
According to Ecopower, you can daisy-chain a number of Delta Max 2000 devices to provide even more power for your home. Additionally, the associated app makes it simple to monitor power levels and spot problems before they become major ones. Like other battery backups available on the market, solar panels can power this device more sustainably.
Generac GB1000
If you're looking for a mobile power station that is more compact, the Generac GB1000 is a fantastic choice. GB1000 can be placed on a table with just 14 x 12 x 10 dimensions. It weighs 29 pounds, making it a little weighty but manageable to carry on camping vacations or job sites. It has a 1600-watt peak output and a 1000-watt steady, uninterrupted output. During a power outage, you can use mini-fridges and air conditioners to charge your mobile devices and operate medical equipment. Even a 12V outlet for specialty equipment and auto accessories is included.
Westinghouse iGen300s
If you're looking for a home battery backup, the Westinghouse iGen300s is a more reasonably priced solution. This 300 continuous-watt electric generator can power important tools for less than $300. Along with USB connections and normal AC outlets, it also features an embedded flashlight for use in an emergency. You can choose intermittent and continuous electricity during emergencies.
According to Westinghouse, this device can charge a smartphone 31 times. You can monitor battery capacity, charging status, temperature alerts, as well as electrical input and output, all at a glance, thanks to the integrated LCD screen. Additionally, you may monitor the USB ports to detect problems before they escalate into serious ones.
EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug & Relay Makes All The Difference
EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug is no short of a miracle device. Through simple plug and play, you cannot only control the gadget remotely from the screen of your smartphone but can determine the amount of power drawn. It is compatible with Apple HomeKit, so you will not see hassle with your iPhones and iPads. It comes laced with safety features such as thermal and fire protection.
So, take your smart home one step better than the rest!
