New technology makes battery "power stations" more interesting

 

We've spoken in the past about emergency power generation, usually through gasoline or propane generators, and recently by using so-called "power stations", effectively large batteries that deliver "clean" electrical power but tend to be more expensive than generators (sometimes much more).  Popular brands in power stations include (but are not limited to) Bluetti, Ecoflow and Jackery.  I own products from both of the latter companies, largely because I was able to catch a price break on them when I needed one.

New battery technology is making its way into such power stations, making it worthwhile to consider upgrading to newer models.  For example, the battery of the old-model Ecoflow River Pro power station (one of which I use) was rated for up to 800 charge/discharge cycles.  The new River 2 Pro model uses improved battery technology that's rated for up to 3,000 cycles, or up to 10 years of regular use, and charges faster and more efficiently to boot.  It's also smaller and lighter, and therefore more easily portable, than its predecessor.  Other models, and other manufacturers, are offering similar advances.

These power stations are of particular importance if you rely on electrically-powered medical equipment such as a CPAP machine, an oxygen generator, or the like.  Power failures can last long enough to pose a serious health risk to those dependent on such tools.  I haven't forgotten our big power crisis in Texas a couple of years ago, when some areas of the state lost power for a week or more.  Folks who had generators were OK for a few days, but many of them made the mistake of buying generators big enough to run most of their household appliances.  That's all very well, but they use a lot of fuel to do so.  By the third or fourth day, people were running out of fuel - and without power, the gas stations couldn't pump any, or process credit card payments.  (That's why I've chosen a smaller generator that produces less power, but also uses much less fuel.  We can do without most appliances until the power is reconnected.)  A power station like those mentioned above can provide all-night power to a medical appliance, and be recharged during the day using a generator, a solar panel, even a car's cigarette lighter socket.  If you have to use the unit 24/7/365, get two power stations, so that while one's in use, the other can be recharged.  That can be a literal life-saver.

Most of the companies offering power stations also offer solar panels to recharge them when the power's out, or you can use third-party solar recharging equipment (provided it's plug- and power-compatible with your equipment).  You can get adapters to connect one type of solar power plug to another type of socket.  It's a bit fiddly, and I wish they'd settle on a common standard so that we could all use the same thing without worrying, but I guess that's not likely to happen in the short term.  For now, you pays your money and takes your choice, and hope it works.  (Test it thoroughly before you really need it, just in case!)

The new model power stations often have a higher sticker price than older models, but frequently this is offset by coupons or discounts, particularly at store level.  For example, I've just replaced an old power station with a new Ecoflow River 2 Max model.  Buying direct from Ecoflow, the price was listed as $469.00;  buying from Amazon, it was $399.00;  and from Sams Club, taking advantage of a short-duration "Doorbuster" sale and ordering online, it was $279.00.  You can guess which one I bought!  I've also noticed older models being sold at a discount.  The latest technology and bells and whistles are all very well, but sometimes they're unaffordable, so keep an eye out for such sales.  Shop around, compare prices, and don't be afraid to ask for discounts.  Given the poor economy right now, shops are probably going to be willing to cut a deal now and then.

Peter