Tech Info - Document #1035, Compass Tech Info

Portable Power

What is portable power?

Portable power is any device that can either generate electricity or store electricity for use with a multitude of equipment when regular AC/DC power is not available.

What types of portable power are available?

• Batteries—The old standard of carrying extra batteries has been available for years. This is still widely used and very popular with people that adventure out of doors. Convenience and the ability to trust battery power is the main reason why batteries remain the number one use for equipment in the field. Rechargeable batteries have become more prevalent to cut down on the cost of new batteries. Drawbacks include: batteries can be very heavy, hard to dispose of properly and they can become very expensive over time. Another issue is that if you have multiple pieces of equipment to operate, they may not all use the same size battery or cell.

• Power Inverters—These units are great to power just about any piece of equipment from any car, boat, motorcycle or ATV that has a cigarette lighter or power port as they are more commonly referred to. These units can be purchased in multiple sizes, by wattage, to fit just about any need to power a 110/120V piece of equipment directly from your vehicle. Just make sure that the unit you choose has the wattage capability that your piece of equipment will draw from the unit. For instance, a television will draw more watts than a laptop computer.

• Power Plants—These units are similar to a very large rechargeable battery. They can be charged to store electricity from an AC outlet, your vehicle or by solar cells. The biggest difference is these units are capable of providing 110V.

• Solar Panels—These have come a long way in technology since the fist big units we saw being bolted on top of people’s homes and they the tiny ones that powered our calculators and still do today. Today’s units can power your PDA, charge your cell phone, run your laptop computer and even keep a trickle charge on your car or truck battery. They come in many different styles and sizes and can easily be packed up and carried into remote areas for power when you need it.

What unit or combination of units will work best for your application depends on many factors. Here are the three items that must be reviewed prior to choosing portable power:

• How many volts are required to run your equipment?
• How many watts does your equipment draw at full capacity?
• How much weight do you want to carry?

With these three questions answered you can start the process of choosing the right portable power for your individual needs.

Voltage and wattage are normally printed directly on every electronic piece of equipment or printed inside owner’s manual. This information is critical to ensure the portable power you have chosen will provide enough power to operate safely and not too much as to damage your equipment.

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Please Note: The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.