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About

These pricey [url=https://www.jkchinasourcing.com/]battery-

powered device[/url]s are the only type of generator that can be used

indoors safely


Since generators emit carbon monoxide, they require that you take

critical safety measures, including running the device outside, at

least 20 feet away from any structure.


But in an age when we can charge our smartphones with a battery pack

that fits inside a pants pocket, shouldn't there be a simpler way

to restore power in the wake of a storm? Or, say, power a campsite

without the constant hum of a gas-fueled generator?


Such is the promise of [url=https://www.jkchinasourcing.com/]portable

power station[/url]s, also known as battery-powered inverter

generators. Essentially, they're oversized rechargeable batteries

—about the size of a countertop microwave oven—that you plug into a

typical 110-volt outlet to top off. 

When duty calls, you can safely run a portable power station inside,

since it doesn't generate any emissions. They have enough

capacity to power a few small appliances for a short time. With a

host of different outlets (standard 120v outlets, USB ports, and DC

chargers), you can use the station to charge electronics, too. And

the units often come with portable solar panels, to add more charging

capabilities and extend runtime.


“These generators have no fumes and all of the models we tested made

virtually no noise,” says test engineer Dave Trezza, who oversees

generator testing at Consumer Reports. “But, if these power stations

go dead and you’re unable to use your solar panels, you can’t

recharge them. You can’t just use another gallon of gas.”


We see models from brands, including Goal Zero, Humless, K2, and

Kohler in our portable power station ratings. Some companies, like

Goal Zero, market these portable power stations as perfect for

apartment preparedness during storms (as opposed to single-family

homes with a yard that can accommodate a generator).


How We Test Portable Power Stations
In our labs, CR test engineers evaluate five key measures to rate

portable [url=http://www.jkchinasourcing.com/outdoor-power-station/]

outdoor power station[/url]s: runtime, power delivery, power quality,

ease of use, and noise.


To test runtime, we run a constant 300-watt load to simulate powering

a TV and a few lights. We also hook each battery up to a side-by-side

refrigerator to see how long it lasts. The best model in our tests

powered the fridge for 44 hours on one charge (the worst only managed

for 13 hours). For power delivery, or how well a model can maintain

voltage when tasked with different loads, we use a variety of

devices, including a 1?2-horsepower submersible pump and a 10,000-BTU

air conditioners.


We also judge noise output and found that, as a category, these

batteries run quietly: All the models we tested earned an Excellent

score for noise.


Below, our experts share some pros and cons on using

[url=https://www.jkchinasourcing.com/]portable power station[/url]s.

See how the most popular models fared in our ratings, and check our

generator buying guide to compare portable power stations to other

types of generators.


1. They Can’t Deliver Nearly as Much Power as Gas Generators
As with their gasoline-fueled counterparts, portable power stations

require a transfer switch should you wish to

[url=http://www.jkchinasourcing.com/power-bank/]power bank[/url]

things such as your furnace, overhead lights, or any thing else in

your home that’s hardwired.


But while a recreational inverter generator would probably keep the

TV and a few lights on for 8 to 13 hours on one tank of gas,

you'd see anywhere from 3 to 9 hours of power, under the same

circumstances, with a portable power station.

And you won't be able to run, for instance, your power-guzzling

well pump.


2. They Take Awhile to Charge
In our tests, most of these models require hours of charging

(typically overnight) to provide you with a full battery and max

runtime.

So—assuming you fully charged the battery before a predicted weather

event—a portable power [url=http://www.jkchinasourcing.com/beauty-

device/]beauty device[/url] station could give you hours of

electricity to run a refrigerator or another essential appliance.


But Trezza notes that once the battery is dead, if you’re without

power and minimal sun, there’s no way to recharge.


3. Charging With Solar Panels Can Be Iffy and Lengthy
If you're dealing with an outage or you're otherwise off the

grid, charging the power station via solar panels is your only option

—and that's provided you have good sun and no obstructions.


In our tests, we found that the solar panels can add to the runtime,

but that might only amount to an extra hour or two of power

with  larger appliances.


4. They’re Not All That Portable
Portable power stations are about the size of an average microwave

oven, but they're fairly heavy—most in our tests weigh more than

80 pounds.


That means you'll likely need an extra pair of hands to lift one

into the trunk of your car. Some of the models come with wheels, but

not all wheels are large in size, which makes rolling them across a

lawn difficult.


5. They Don’t Come Cheap
The portable power stations we tested cost between $1,500 and $3,500.

And our best portable gas generator costs less than the worst

portable power station.

Before buying one of these power stations, consider if you might be

better served by a portable generator. In the event of a outage, you

can continue to add fuel, and portable generators typically provide

enough power to keep larger appliances running. Check out our buying

guide on generators to learn which type might best suit your needs.


Generator Tips
Damaging storms can happen at any time. On the 'Consumer 101'

TV show, host Jack Rico learns from Consumer Reports’ expert, Paul

Hope, how to avoid being left in the dark during a power outage.

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