Portable electronics allow you to go where your day takes you without having to carry a huge load just so you can get things done. The other advantage is that they allow you to work consistently without being limited by distance due to the length of a power cable. You see, when using most electronics, you have to literally tether yourself next to a wall socket if they are not portable. In addition to that, portability enables you to use electronics in off-the-grid areas. On the other hand, powering them during a blackout can make your head spin, unless you have done it before. For instance, when you go to a camp with family or friends, you need to keep your food supplies in the fridge to keep them fresh. You might also need to heat the water for bathing among other things. Here is a list of tricks that come in handy when you need to keep your portable electronics up and running.
- Generator
Having a generator can be useful when in the midst of a power outage. This is because it guarantees that your life will not be halted just because power poles were knocked down by a heavy storm. In fact, since your intention is to use the appliances outdoors, you should zero in on a mini generator model. The advantage of owning these smaller models is that they come with a compact design, meaning they don’t require big space when heading out of your home. The other benefit is that you can easily carry the generator from one place to another as it’s lightweight. According to Wirecutter, there are some models that can power appliances for up to 60 hours. And in case you will be staying in an RV, just make sure you keep the generator outside. This is because the smoke that’s produced by generators can suffocate you by triggering a respiratory disease.
- Battery Charger
If you are preparing to go have an outdoor event such as a party, you should consider carrying a few batteries that are fully charged. When selecting the batteries, you should opt for the ones with a long life so they can serve you till you are done with whatever took you outdoors. But since batteries store energy in DC, you will need to pair them with an inverter so that the power can be converted into AC power. Fortunately, there are some batteries that come with in-built inverters and there are also some electronics that support both DC and AC power. If you find yourself in a fix when in the middle of nowhere, you can opt to use the battery of your car. However, you might have to jump-start your car once the battery is out of charge. You can also opt to use a laptop to charge your smartphone. Just make sure that the laptop is fully charged before trying this trick. All you have to do is connect the charger via the laptop’s USB port and you will be good to go. The advantage of tapping into your laptop’s power is that you will be able to kill two birds with one stone; you can make calls and browse the internet using your phone but you can’t do the same with a fully charged laptop.
- Mini Solar Panels
Nowadays there are smaller solar panels that you can carry when going to an off grid area. These panels tap into solar energy to generate power for operating electronics. The more advanced models are designed to function even when the weather is cloudy, meaning daylight is all they need to generate power. Although you can use a solar panel directly, it’s advisable you connect it to some batteries so that you can store the excess energy for future use. If your appliance doesn’t have a DC option, you might have to bridge it with an inverter.
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