Battery-powered generators are a type of backup power system. This is a great solution for powering devices or even an entire house in case of a power outage. But which one should you choose, since there are so many of them, and what are the parameters to consider?
When choosing the most suitable electric generator, you need to pay attention to the functionality, type of power supply, battery capacity, weight, and size.
To begin with, it is necessary to identify all the objects that need to be powered – this will allow us to focus and exclude insufficiently powerful or, conversely, too powerful power stations. Portable power stations can be used at home, in a detached house or apartment building, in a country house, on a trip, or on a camping holiday. The power of a portable power station should be higher, so that there is a certain reserve in case of emergency. As a rule, manufacturers indicate the characteristics of each product on the back of the appliance, as well as the number of possible charges of basic devices.
In general, a generator with a minimum capacity of 40 A/h will be enough to cover basic needs, such as charging a phone, laptop and tablet or a portable lamp. If you need to power a hair dryer, iron, kitchen appliances, and other appliances, you will need an electric generator with a capacity of at least 100 A/h, ideally combined with a 200 W solar panel. Solar panels are not included in the generator package, so you need to allocate a separate budget line for it.
Once you have decided what needs the power generator should cover, you can start choosing a station.
Power generators are much lighter than gasoline or diesel generators because they are equipped with lithium-ion batteries and do not have an internal combustion engine. However, keep in mind that batteries with higher power weigh a bit more. The higher the calculated load, the larger the generator is, so not every generator will be easy to transport, for example, in a car.
A common feature of all generator types is their almost silent operation. Despite their high initial cost, they are more durable and do not require any special maintenance.
Some backup power systems can be charged both from the grid and from solar panels, making them even more energy independent.