Outdoor Battery Chargers and Power Supplies
A rechargeable battery powers these lightweight power stations, a welcome relief from loud gas generators. They can be charged using solar panels, in an automobile or standard AC wall outlets.
Look for a portable power station with the right number and type of outlets to power your gear. You’ll also want a quick re-charge time and expansion capacity.
Chargers
A battery charger supplies an electrical current to a battery in order to recharge it. It can be built into solar panel systems for vehicles, homes or businesses, where a large standby battery bank maintains power during interruptions of main grid electricity. It can also be a portable battery charger used with a mobile solar panel to provide a portable source of energy while camping or hiking.
The most basic battery chargers supply a constant DC or pulsed DC power source to the battery as it charges. They are typically cheaper than more sophisticated battery chargers, but they can also damage batteries if left on too long. A carefully designed simple charger slows down its charge rate to a safe level as the battery reaches full capacity.
More advanced intelligent battery chargers use 3-stage charging schemes to maximize the life of a lead acid or other sealed gel cell battery. They begin by quickly charging a battery to a high absorption voltage, then switch to a low trickle charge to keep the battery charged to a safe level as it discharges.
More advanced maintenance battery chargers also have features to address the specific needs of different battery types. For example, absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery chargers often have modes to prevent overcharging and to de-sulfate the lead in traditional flooded batteries, extending their lifespan.
Charger Adapters
A power supply converts AC voltage from a wall outlet into DC current to run your battery-operated electronic devices. For example, a power adapter for flameless LED candles converts the 120V AC current coming from a wall into the 3.3VDC needed to power the batteries that power these candles and other such devices.
The size of a power bank or power station depends on how many and what kinds of devices you want to power. For example, a power bank that charges a phone may not need nearly as much capacity than one designed to run an electric cooler or CPAP machine for an entire camping trip.
You’ll also want to consider whether you need a power station with several USB ports and the proper output for your device, or if you just need a power supply to recharge your smartphone or camera. And, if you plan to outdoor battery power supply be off the grid or in a remote location with no electricity available, you’ll also want to choose a solar charging option.
If you want to get started with solar power, the Jackery Explorer 290 and BioLite BaseCharge 1500 offer a great combination of size, performance and ease of use. They can charge a fridge for up to 20 hours, a laptop about a dozen times or more (depending on the laptop) and other electronics at campsites, work sites and other places. They’re easy to carry thanks to two handles, and you can also use them to charge your phone or other low-wattage electronics over long distances by connecting a cord from the battery to a solar panel.
Charger Cables
Whether you have a power bank or an external battery, you’ll need cables to plug into them. Look for a cable that is compatible with your device, and that meets the standards and specifications that your charger supports. You can always get a lower-spec cable to save money, though you may run into compatibility issues or slow transfers with that approach.
When choosing cables, consider the number and type of devices you’ll be charging, and how long you’re likely to be camping for. A phone or tablet needs significantly less voltage and goes through fewer milliamp hours (mAh), than a laptop, CPAP machine, or electric cooler.
The best charger cables will feature solid construction, durable connectors, and a durable cable wrap to protect the wires. The wires should also be thick enough to resist damage from harsh environments and heavy use. Look for certifications like RoHS, Reach, and FCC, to be sure they meet quality standards.
In addition to meeting your cable needs, the best modular power stations will provide a balanced combination of ports and outputs, with multiple ways to recharge. This might mean several USB-C outlets for camera gear, an AC outlet to charge your RV refrigerator, and even solar or DC power so you can completely go off the grid. A built-in UPS is a nice bonus for those who travel often and need to make sure their electronics are protected from unforeseen power outages.
Power Supply
A power supply is a device that converts electrical energy to usable power for electronic devices. It must meet a range of requirements to ensure safe operation, such as voltage and current output. The ability to regulate the output is also important, solar energy system supplier as it can prevent over-voltage and under-current conditions. In addition, a good power supply must be safe to use and environmentally friendly.
A portable power supply is a device that can be used to provide backup power in case of an emergency or when the grid goes down. These devices are typically lightweight, quiet and easy to use. They can be used to charge electronic mobile phones and computers, or they can be used to power lights, appliances, and refrigerators. These devices are also useful for camping and other outdoor activities.
When choosing a portable power supply, be sure to look for one that features the ports you need and offers a variety of charging options. For example, you may want to choose a model that has a USB-C port for charging cameras and other high-draw electronics, or one that can be charged using solar or DC power. It is also important to consider the capacity of the power supply and its run time. You should also choose a model that has a handle and a lid to make it easier to carry.
