Portable power station

[David_D]

I got an email from Anker about this:

https://www.anker.com/uk/powerhouse_521

I have no need for one but find myself strangely drawn to the idea! (Might be useful when electricity rationing starts!)

I've got Anker chargers and cables and very happy with those but wondered whether there are better or cheaper similar products.

Thanks for any responses.

[Mj2k]

I could carry it to work, charge it there....hmmmm!!

Joking aside there are a few times where this would be really useful.

[JasonM]

That looks really good!

[eletos]

I have this UPS to protect my IT kit from outages. Different use case, but it works a treat:

https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/produ...QaAhQeEALw_wcB


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[David_D]

That looks really good!

Joking aside there are a few times where this would be really useful.

I know! I don’t need one but I want one!!

[Carlton-Browne]

I've recently bought one of these:

https://uk.anker.com/products/b1290?_pos=1&_sid=8f59c1c2a&_ss=r



I've been spending a bit of time recently on long distance trains with intermittently functioning power sockets. Have only tested it at home but I'm expecting it to give me 4 hours on top of my laptop's battery. I'm not sure I'd want to lug the item in the OP around but I suppose it would be different if I was vehicle-borne.

[Caruso]

I have a Poweroak AC50 which I use in conjunction with an Ecoworthy 120w solar panel to charge it up. Primary purpose is for a UPS to run my work kit and wifi which it can do all day, plus the electricity is free as a bonus. It has 2 240V sockets, 5 USB and a 12V car lighter socket, plus an inductive phone charge on top.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/POWEROAK-Ge.../dp/B08168PGXF

There are a lot of different similar products on the market e.g. Jackery, Allpowers and others. The key metrics for these things are the total capacity of the battery in Watt Hours (Wh), the peak output in Watts (W) plus the size, weight and of course price. My AC50 stores 500Wh and can output 300W continuously. So you can't run a kettle off it, or even the fridge. But for lighting, electronics and AV stuff it's ok. They do an AC200 which has 2000Wh and can output at 2Kw which would be nice, but it's pricey and not especially portable.

The Anker says it has 256Wh but doesn't mention peak output. Poweroak do an AC30 which is the same price and similar spec but with the induction charger too. https://www.amazon.co.uk/POWEROAK-Po.../dp/B08RJ8RJS9

[David_D]

I've recently bought one of these:

https://uk.anker.com/products/b1290?...f59c1c2a&_ss=r

I've been spending a bit of time recently on long distance trains with intermittently functioning power sockets. Have only tested it at home but I'm expecting it to give me 4 hours on top of my laptop's battery. I'm not sure I'd want to lug the item in the OP around but I suppose it would be different if I was vehicle-borne.

Looks good.

[David_D]

I have a Poweroak AC50 which I use in conjunction with an Ecoworthy 120w solar panel to charge it up. Primary purpose is for a UPS to run my work kit and wifi which it can do all day, plus the electricity is free as a bonus. It has 2 240V sockets, 5 USB and a 12V car lighter socket, plus an inductive phone charge on top.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/POWEROAK-Ge.../dp/B08168PGXF

There are a lot of different similar products on the market e.g. Jackery, Allpowers and others. The key metrics for these things are the total capacity of the battery in Watt Hours (Wh), the peak output in Watts (W) plus the size, weight and of course price. My AC50 stores 500Wh and can output 300W continuously. So you can't run a kettle off it, or even the fridge. But for lighting, electronics and AV stuff it's ok. They do an AC200 which has 2000Wh and can output at 2Kw which would be nice, but it's pricey and not especially portable.

The Anker says it has 256Wh but doesn't mention peak output. Poweroak do an AC30 which is the same price and similar spec but with the induction charger too. https://www.amazon.co.uk/POWEROAK-Po.../dp/B08RJ8RJS9

Thanks. Very useful info.

[bloater]

I got the email as well, and am seriously considering it, I spend a fair amount of time camping or travelling with limited power access and whilst a battery bank or two is useful, this might be better especially when I need to charge phones, tablets and laptops.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[David_D]

This is another Anker one. Not on the Anker website so my be older (if more powerful) version.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284750027569

[David_D]

I got the email as well, and am seriously considering it, I spend a fair amount of time camping or travelling with limited power access and whilst a battery bank or two is useful, this might be better especially when I need to charge phones, tablets and laptops.

Perfect for that.

[David_D]

More info on the US Anker site:

https://us.anker.com/products/a1720

and it’s $250 v £250!!!

[MB2]

That is like most things, but if you think that exchange rate is 1.3 and then we have VAT really it is a 10% differential between US and UK.

[Kingstepper]

There’s also a much bigger market for the US model.

Presumably 110V too if that might make it cheaper to manufacture?

[David_D]

That is like most things, but if you think that exchange rate is 1.3 and then we have VAT really it is a 10% differential between US and UK.

True. Guess they also add state sales tax to the quoted price.

[David_D]

Knowing nothing about electricals, how does the 13A socket work? Assume it’s DC rather than AC (?!) so would any plugged items (eg camera battery/ laptop charger) work as normal?

[Kingstepper]

Knowing nothing about electricals, how does the 13A socket work? Assume it’s DC rather than AC (?!) so would any plugged items (eg camera battery/ laptop charger) work as normal?

No, will be AC like a normal household socket and anything plugged in should work as normal though current will be limited to 3A (or 5A?) fused devices.

[David_D]

No, will be AC like a normal household socket and anything plugged in should work as normal though current will be limited to 3A (or 5A?) fused devices.

Thanks. Very helpful.