When you are selecting a portable power station, you must understands the difference between the capacity of the power station and the portability of that power station. The capacity of a power station is the amount of energy that it can contain. The portability of a power station is the ease with which a person can move that power station.
If you select a power station with a high capacity, it will have a high weight. If a power station is too heavy for a person to move when they would like to use that power station, then it is unlikely that the person will purchase that power station. Therefore, before you begin to purchase a portable power station, determine the power requirement for the devices that you would like to power with that portable power station.
How to Choose a Portable Power Station
Selecting a power station that will meet the power requirements of your devices will allow you to purchase the correct size of power station. If you would like to power small device, such as tablets or LED lanterns, it is best to select a small portable power station, such as a River series unit. The benefits of small portable power station units are that they are lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack.
If, however, you require power for larger appliances, such as refrigerators or CPAP machine, you will require a high capacity portable power station, such as a Delta series unit. The Delta series unit has high capacity, but is also much heavier than the River series unit. It is important to understand the difference between the capacity of the portable power station versus the output of the power station.
The capacity of the power station is the amount of energy that the power station can store. Output is the amount of power that the power station will be able to provide to the device that it is charge to. If the output wattage of the portable power station is too low for the devices that are to be powered, the power station will not be able to power those devices.
Devices like hair dryers and microwaves require higher level of output wattage. Additionally, many appliances require a high surge wattage to start the motor of those appliances. If the portable power station cannot provide that high wattage reading, the power station will enter “safety mode” and cease to provide power to the device.
Another factor to consider in the selection of a portable power station is the speed at which it can be charged. Some portable power stations may take a long time to charge from an electrical outlet. For this reason, some portable power stations are equipped with technology, such as X Stream technology, which increases the rate at which that power station can be charged.
If a portable power station can be charged at a rapid rate, it will allow those with the power station to charge that power station more efficient, and to use the power station more frequently. Solar charging is another method of ensuring that a portable power station is charged. In the instance where you have no access to an electrical outlet, you will have to charge the power station with solar panels.
Many power stations use an MPPT controller that increases the efficiency of the power from the solar panels to the power station. For instance, if you equipped a high capacity Delta series portable power station with solar panels, the solar panels would provide power to that power station while it is in need of power. In the case where you would like to utilize the power station as a backup system for your home, you may have to select a different type of power system than a portable power station.
Systems like the PowerOcean and the Ultra series are produced for integration into the home. These systems are designed to connect directly to the breaker box of the home. When the power fails in the home, these systems will provide power to the house.
These systems dont have to be portable, therefore they dont have to be lightweight. An additional factor to consider when purchasing a portable power station is the capacity of that power station relative to the needs of the individual. It is not necessary to purchase a large portable power station if your needs are limited to small tasks.
Additionally, it is not necessary to purchase a small portable power station if your needs include larger appliances. By selecting the appropriate capacity of portable power station for the tasks that you will perform, you will have a sufficient amount of power from the power station, and the power station will be easy to manage. It could of been a simpler decision if you knew your needs better.
You should of checked the wattage first. Selecting the right unit is actualy more important than teh price. Make sure you recieve teh right one.
Your going to want a moddern unit. Its alot of work to decide.