Best Emergency Power Generators and Batteries: You Got the Juice?

Don't Have an Emergency Generator? You Need One

Thanks for visiting my article on emergency generators. The subject matter here is very much in line with that discussed in my articles on Home Emergency Kits and Car Emergency Kits.

Typically, in an emergency situation, one of the first things to go is eletrical power. Unfortunately, we as a society have grown dependent on electricity to an extraordinary degree, so having another source of power during an emergency is paramount. Fortunately, power generators are pretty common these days, so it's merely a matter of finding one that suits your needs. Generally speaking, there are two different types of generators: battery-powered and gas-powered.

Emergency Power: Portable, Solar and Hand Cranked

Battery-Powered Emergency Generators

Battery-powered generators or "power packs", as the name suggests, tend to run off of a battery. In most instances, these devices can hold a charge for months, and can be recharged merely by plugging them into a standard electrical outlet. There are various brands and models to choose from, including the following:

Webetop Portable Generator

This  model  comes with both AC and DC outputs, 110 V AC outlet, USB ports and includes a built-in flashlight. It can be charged with a solar panel and runs a vast array of appliances, including TVs, laptops and more.






Schumacher XP2260 Portable Power Source

An ideal solution for power outages, dead batteries, etc. In addition to jump-starting car batteries, it has AC and DC outlets for powering household appliances, cell phones and much more. (It even comes with an air compressor.)





Aeiusny UPS Backup Battery

Like many other power packs, the Aeiusny UPS Backup Battery comes with AC and DC outlets, a flashlight, jumper cables and more. Thus, as expected, it can run varius tools and devices away from traditional power sources like a wall socket. Moreover, it has a rechargeable battery that can be powered up via any standard household electrical outlet or by solar panel.

It does a great job of powering items like likes and computers, as well as recharging mobile devices like cell phones, iPods, what have you. (Needless to say, it also does wonders in term sof jump-starting vehicles.) Moreover, it weighs in roughly at a paltry seven pounds.

Gas-Powered Generators

One thing you'll notice right away with respect to the difference between power packs and gas-powered generators is that the latter are clearly larger and more powerful. Gas-powered generators are what you'll really want in terms of powering big appliances like refrigerators, freezers and more.

WEN 3,000 Watt 4-Cycle Gas-Powered Portable Generator

This generator will provide excellent emergency power for the home or office.  Most customers are impressed with its ability to simultaneously run multiple items (e.g., refrigerator, computer, television, etc.) during power outages. Other benefits are that its easy assembly, and the fact that it is relatively quiet compared to most other gas-powered generators.

DuroStar DS4000S Gas-Powered Portable Generator

This is another powerful generator that seems to have no problem powering large appliances:  Items noted as being powered by this generator (usually in the wake of a natural disaster, like a snowstorm, hurricane or tornado) include air conditioners, refigerators/freezers and more.

Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator

Like many of its peers, this generator is able power a wide variety of appliances - e.g., refrigerator, lights, televisions, computers, sump pumps, etc. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it seems that whether you wish to go with a power pack or gas-powered generator should really depend on its expected use. While it is clear that power packs can indeed power appliances and the like, they are probably better utilized for smaller jobs or short-term tasks like jump-starting vehicles or charging mobile devices. (It's probably not a bad idea to keep a power pack as part of your home or car emergency kit.) For long-term, extended use, you will probbaly want the more powerful gas-powered generator, as these have a lot of juice and can keep you living in a somewhat "civiized" state during an outage - with air conditioning (or heat), television, computers, etc. - until power is restored.