Before even getting started on all topics about the portable power station, let's just consider the situations of lacking a power supply. Say what if the power was cut off for an extended period of time due to a natural disaster like a thunderstorm or hurricane!
Nowadays, people tend to spend weekends and holidays outdoors, driving, camping, fishing, etc. In order to enjoy the fun of outdoor activities, you have to be well-prepared. First on your checklist will be the electricity problem, for, without it, various electronic devices such as refrigerators, cameras, drones, your phone, or a laptop will not be able to use.
Hence, you will need a portable power source to keep them working. However, a portable power station isn’t the only one you can choose. There is actually various power source devices to compare:
What is the difference between power bank, power station and generator?
Power Bank: USB Power Banks (power stations) are meant for charging USB devices such as smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, action cameras, etc. ... The capacity of the power bank is limited, suitable for a person to take a mobile phone out of the house.
Inverter: When using the inverter, the car should keep starting, although it can be used when the car is turned off, it will be troublesome if the battery runs out, and it may harm the battery, decreasing the lifetime.
Diesel and gasoline generators:They have high power and noise. Moreover, the fuels will be troublesome for your trip, and the safety risk is relatively high.
Portable Power Stations have in addition to the USB and DC outputs also one or more AC outputs. You can connect almost all devices, from TV to fridge to the largest generators.
In summary, a portable power station is your best choice.
So how do you know which power station is your best choice? There are a lot of factors to consider when you are selecting portable power stations. Let's talk about the top 10 factors you need to know about Portable Power Station.
Power Capacity
Power capacity is also called battery capacity. You must check out the capacity of the battery before buying the station, since each portable power station is powered by a battery pack. The battery power capacity is measured in Watt-hours (Wh). A Watt-hour is the voltage (measured in V) that the battery supports, multiplied by how much current (measured in mAh) the battery discharges for how long time (measured in hours).
The formulas is Voltage(V) * Current(mAh) * Time(Hours) = Wh.
(Image Source: Google)
So, here are 2 steps to calculate the battery capacity you need.
Step 1, check out the number of appliances and devices that you need to connect to the power station.
Step 2, check the power input of all devices and add up the power requirement of each device.
The ideal power station should have a capacity that is at least five times higher than the total needed power supply. Say if you have a short-term power outage and only need to power your fridge, a 200-watt-hour power station could keep it running for nearly three hours.
Outlets and Ports
Since the device is with various kinds of connectors, you will need multiple outlet options to use for your power supply and for charging your devices. Basically, a USB A port is necessary, USB-C ports. A three-prong AC outlet is usually connected to an appliance like a TV.
Stable Power Supply
A pure sine wave inverter is adopted for the AC outlet, reducing audible and electrical noise in fans, lights, speakers, TVs, or other electronic devices. Otherwise, if the power is not stable, it will damage the battery of the device that your are charging.
Input Current
Another factor to consider is how long it would take to top up the charge and this is determined by the portable power station's input current.
For OSTATION , it can be fully charged in about 6 hours and supports fast charging for your devices that are compatible with PD protocols.
Size/Portability
As outdoor lovers always try to choose the essentials which are lightweight and compact, especially on long trips. Most portable power stations are generally compact and very convenient to bring, this is still a factor that you can take into your considerations. Generally, the higher the capacity, the bigger the portable power station will be.
Some of the models come with a handle, which makes it easier for you to move them. A good portable power station should be lightweight and compact, which need to be able to carry with you everywhere.
Safety
Well noted the exploding battery problems that surrounded the Samsung Note 7, you may want to ask, is it safe to use a portable power station? Although there are very few examples of portable power station explosions, buying from a well-known company is a must. They offer high-quality batteries that have battery safety tests and quality inspections to avoid overcharging and overheating, which is why exploding batteries are rare relatively.
Design
In any of the tools you will ever purchase, you should check on their durability. I mean the body material of the power station, is it made by aluminum alloy or plastic? Generally, a metal body will be more durable, which is more suitable for the outdoor environment and long trip carrying.
Cables
Portable power stations generally come with connecting lines. However, it's stylish to check that the string eliminations suit your requirements. If they do come with connecting lines. Immaculately for iOS druggies, you can also look into if the lightning string connector that comes with its MFI is certified. You could also check out the string lengths as some do offer different lengths of lines.
Lasting time
How many years do portable power stations last? Well, it depends on two main factors:
· How well the product is maintained
· How often it's used
Say if one power station supports about 500 cycles (One cycle means using the product from fully charged to zero charges). Therefore, if you use your portable power station several times a week, it might only last a year or two. But if you don’t need to use it quite often, it could last for a much longer time.
Most portable stations will require little to no maintenance, but you still need to make sure that you are buying from a qualified and trustworthy company.
Additional Functions
A digital LED or LCD display can make it easy to read the information like the battery information, and input and output data, the time until empty.
Conclusion
With the development of technology, electronic devices are becoming more and more important in our daily lives, so as is electric power. Everyone needs to get a portable power station as an indispensable investment!
