Guides
Plain-language explainers on the parts of portable power that actually matter — runtime math, battery chemistry, solar pairing, safety standards, code compliance, and the gear that survives real use.
Power bank vs portable power station: which one do you actually need?
A clear-eyed comparison of USB power banks and portable power stations — capacity, AC output, price, weight, and the use cases where each wins decisively.
Can you charge an EV from a portable power station? What's realistic in 2026
The math on EV charging from portable power stations: Level 1 speeds, real-world kWh delivery, the models that support it, and when it actually makes sense.
How to store a portable power station: LFP battery winter care rules
A practical guide to storing lithium (LFP/NMC) portable power stations without degradation — recommended state of charge, temperature ranges, and maintenance cycle.
Understanding solar panel voltage limits: VOC vs VMP on portable power stations
Why voltage limits are critical when matching solar panels to EcoFlow, Bluetti, or Jackery units, how to calculate VOC in cold weather, and series vs parallel wiring.
Sizing a backup power station for sump pumps: handling startup surge watts
Real power draws of household sump pumps, inductive motor startup surge math, and how to select a backup power station that won't trip on startup.
Car alternator to power station charging: 12V cigarette ports vs DC-to-DC chargers
Comparing standard car cigarette port charging to high-power DC-to-DC alternator charging, wire gauge limits, and installation overview for camper vans.
Wh to runtime: how long will a portable power station really run my stuff?
The realistic formula for portable power station runtime — accounting for inverter losses, BMS reserve, cold weather, and battery aging.
LiFePO4 vs lithium NMC: which battery should you buy in 2026?
Cycle life, safety, cost, and weight tradeoffs between LFP and NMC. Why LFP took over, where NMC still wins, and how to tell what's inside.
Solar pairing basics: matching a panel to your power station
Realistic daily energy from portable solar panels. The 78% nameplate gap, peak sun hours by US region, and worked examples.
Pure sine wave vs modified sine wave inverters: what to know
Why pure sine wave matters for CPAPs, fridges, and modern electronics — and when you can ignore the difference.
UPS switchover time: why milliseconds matter for home backup
What UPS switchover means in portable power stations. Spec interpretation and which devices actually care.
Power station vs gasoline generator: 5-year cost of ownership
Initial cost, fuel, maintenance, noise, indoor-use safety, and CO2 across a typical 5-year horizon. With EIA fuel data and CDC noise/CO references.
Battery safety standards explained: UL 2743, UL 9540, and IEC 62133
What the three big lithium-storage safety certifications mean for portable power stations, what they test, and which ones to look for on the spec sheet.
What I learned testing 6 power stations through a Montana winter
Capacity loss, charge-while-cold behaviour, fan noise, condensation, and which units actually survived −15 °F overnight in a van.
Power station charging methods: AC, solar, car, and generator compared
Speeds, real-world losses, household circuit limits, and the surprisingly common cases where car charging is the wrong choice.
Backing up a home network: routers, modems, NAS, and the UPS spec that actually matters
Power draws of typical home network gear, why some routers reboot on a 25 ms gap and others don't, and how to spec a unit for 24-hour internet during an outage.
Connecting a portable power station to your house wiring without burning it down
NEC-compliant ways to feed circuit-level loads from a portable unit: transfer switches, interlock kits, inlet boxes, and why backfeeding is criminal-level dumb.
Sizing a power station for medical equipment: CPAP, oxygen concentrators, home dialysis
Real power draws of common home medical devices, FDA classification context, and how to size a backup unit for medically necessary loads.
Lithium battery air travel rules in 2026: TSA, FAA, IATA, and what changed
The 100 Wh carry-on limit, FAA-approved CPAP batteries, what counts as a "spare," and the international airline variations that catch people out.