Portable Power Stations

[KevinC]

Any one else here use portable power stations as an EPS? I've posted about my hurricane issues last year but never really asked if anyone else uses one for emergency power. I have several EcoFlow units as my second line of defense for power fails (a UPS is the first line since most of my EcoFlows don't switch fast enough). I've got one for my wife's medical gear which will last about 17 hours, one for the fridge that will last about 7-8 hours and one for the entertainment/modem/router that will last about 4.5 hours. I have standalone LiFePO4 batteries to at least double the run time of each and generator power to recharge everything.

And please no replies about how this won't work or it's a bad idea. I've had this setup for over a year now with no issues. Just curious if anyone else here does this.

 

[mikewazowski]

We're just starting to look at these units as a primary power source for an off-grid cottage and in the winter, as an emergency power source for our home. At the moment we're looking at starting with the Anker Solix F3000 which can be expanded if the need arises. The F3000 got fairly good reviews and we like the 30A 12vdc outlet it has. After a scare with our propane fridge, we started looking at DC fridges and this unit will easily power it for days.

 

[buddrousa]

Kevin Mike are there any possibilities of using any solar to help the batteries last longer?

 

[vagrant]

I have a 1024W and a 512W Ecoflow. I have used the larger one for the fridge/freezer and the smaller one for lights. To supplement those I have several 1280Wh LFP batteries. If the weather is nice, I have 600 watts of solar to keep things topped up. If not so nice, I have a generator that can top things up. Computers have their own UPS as well a separate one for the Internet modem and router. I have additional smaller LFP batteries and folding solar panels that keep phones and handheld transceivers/receivers topped up.

Transmitters, scanners and receivers already have their own solar and battery already in place. They sip the juice except for 50W FM transmit...which I would not use.

In addition to all of that, I use a 32Ah LFP battery with my 12v fridge (Alpicool) when camping. I stress tested it last year when it was 109°F. For three consecutive days I used a 100W solar panel and controller with that 32Ah battery. Everything was outdoors, with the fridge in the shade. It kept the water in the fridge cool at 38°F. I opened and closed the fridge at least three times each day to get some water.

Solar is nice where I live in sunny California. Still, it's those tricky 65 non-consecutive days a year when we get inclement weather where I'm at.

 

[mikewazowski]

Kevin Mike are there any possibilities of using any solar to help the batteries last longer?

Yes, I'm currently using solar to recharge a small Bluetti unit. I'll have to upgrade that when I go to a bigger unit. Also have a generator onsite to top things up if we get a few cloudy days.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I was a hard to change user but have switched to the Jackery units and been very happy with the performance. In the past I had batteries, chargers and inverters and everything was work. The jackery is simple and works great. I have one for my vehicle cooler and when we travel the fridge is plugged into it and the charger in the vehicle. In the camper its used to charge phones, lights and radios. I do havea small solar panel for one of them I used in Grand Canyon to help keep it topped off as well. The nice thing with the Jaskery is 90% of the time I grab the 300 but have others for more power when needed.

As for emergency power I already have a stby gen at home, a couple of Honda 2K quiets and lots of ol school batt in a box versions I had built.