There are many factors to consider when choosing a portable power station to suit your needs. Below are some of the most crucial differences we think you should consider.
Calculate Your Expected Usage
Choosing a portable power station that works well depends on how much power it will require. Make a list of all the equipment you intend to utilize. List all these devices together with the wattage required. After subtracting the electricity consumption from the battery’s total consumption, multiply this by your anticipated usage for a day. This is a necessary capacity for a mobile power station.
Watts needed * hours of use = total power
Of course, it can be used to reverse this equation to estimate the lifetime of a portable power station.
The Setting in Which You Plan to Use the Power Station
It’s quite an obvious point, but we must state it either way. Where and how long you will need to be dependent on your power station is one of the biggest deciding factors. Some may need less while others may need much more power.
For example, let’s say you plan to camp out in the woods behind your house for one night with the kids but want to glamp it up a bit. Well, you most likely just need a compact portable power station with enough power to run a small light, a laptop, and charge your phone. And even then, if you run out of power, you’re still only in the woods behind your home.
Things get a lot more serious when you plan a major expedition with vehicles going into the arctic or into any off-grid scenario where you plan on being without power for a prolonged period. When it comes to these extreme situations, you have to ask yourself, how will I be using the power source, and what does it have to be capable of?
Most off-grid adventures tend to use a vehicle-mounted setup, while keeping the solar panels on the roof and the generator mounted inside of the vehicle providing it with additional protection from the elements.
That said, we have seen some users simply mount a small generator on their boat and take it with them that way too. Your options are endless!
Battery Management System
It’s crucial to keep your battery-powered power unit safe. The power station should have integrated management systems to protect against excess voltage, overheating, and short circuits. Most modern power stations have this technology built-in, and you really don’t have to worry about it. But you have to be wary of third-party power sources such as topping up your batteries in a campground or trailer park, some public power sources are not as secure as they may seem, and you would hate to fry your generator.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right portable power station is no easy task. With so many factors to consider, how are you supposed to know which solution is right for you?
Hopefully, this article has shed some light on some of the most important things to consider when deciding.
