Portable power stations are getting increasingly popular these days, offering a reliable and convenient source of electricity for various applications. In Canada, portable power stations have become the go-to devices for outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, Verified Market Research reports that the portable generator market in Canada is likely to reach a value of $372.1 million by 2026, compared to $277.9 million in 2018.[1]
Although a portable power station from famous brands is incredibly easy to use, it does not mean that it isn’t dangerous. It can cause electrocution, fire, or other damages if used carelessly. Therefore, it is important to familiarize ourselves with how to use portable power supplies properly. This article presents a comprehensive guide on the safety tips for portable power stations so that users can leverage the benefits of portable power stations efficiently and securely.
Portable Power Stations and Their Working Principle
Portable power stations, also known as battery power stations, are all-in-one, compact devices that store and supply electrical energy to fulfill on-the-go power needs when the grid supply is unavailable. They are used in applications like outdoor activities, emergency power backup, remote working, off-grid living, RV living or boating, etc.
Components
A typical portable power station includes power inputs for charging, a rechargeable battery, power outputs for supplying, and built-in safety features. These portable devices mostly use lithium-ion battery technology, as it offers a long lifespan, lightweight design, and high energy density.
How it works
When a portable power station is connected to a power source, such as an AC wall outlet, car charger, or solar panel, it begins to charge its internal battery and starts storing electrical energy. The time it takes to completely charge a battery depends on the external power source. For instance, AC charging through wall outlets can charge a 1000W in around 2 hours, while it takes 8-12 hours to charge through DC charging via solar panels or car chargers.
After a portable power station is fully charged, it can power multiple devices through its various output ports. Mostly, it includes AC outlets, DC outlets, and USB ports to power different electronic devices. For instance, users can charge their smartphones with fast USB ports or power their coffee makers with AC outlets.
When an external device is connected to a portable power supply outlet, it supplies the electrical energy stored in its battery. For AC outlets, the built-in inverter converts the DC energy stored in the battery to AC. However, the battery directly powers the device for DC or USB outlets.
The battery power station also has built-in protection mechanisms, such as overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, low-voltage protection, temperature control, etc. These intelligent features help to protect the portable station and the connected devices from potential hazards and damages.
Safety Tips About Portable Power Stations
Understanding the working principle of portable outdoor power stations is one thing. However, it is equally important to learn and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and general maintenance and safety guidelines to maximize the performance and lifespan of such portable devices.
Since portable power stations come with their own unique set of safety precautions, below are the key safety tips related to charging, discharging, and maintaining portable power stations:
Safety Tips for Charging Portable Power Stations
- Use Manufacturer Recommended Charging Cables/Accessories
Most portable power stations come with manufacturer-certified charging cables/accessories designed to handle the device’s power rating. Therefore, it is essential to use manufacturer-provided accessories.
In case you have lost or damaged the original accessories, you should use similar-rating, manufacturer-recommended accessories. It is because an incompatible or low-quality charger can cause electrical malfunctions or even damage the power station.
- Charge Fully Before Use
For portable power stations that don’t support pass-through charging, you should avoid using the portable power station when it is getting charged, as it can impact its efficiency and performance. The recommended approach is to charge the portable power station fully before using it.
If you cannot charge it fully, unplug the charging connection and connect the device that you want to charge through it. If you charge and discharge the portable station at the same time, it can damage the power station due to an imbalanced current supply.
- Avoid Charging Unattended
There is a common practice of leaving portable power stations unattended while charging, especially charging overnight. Although most portable battery power stations come with built-in safety mechanisms, it is still recommended to show caution in this matter and unplug the charger once the battery is fully charged.
Safety Tips for Charging Other Devices with Portable Power Stations
- Use Manufacturer Recommended Cables/Accessories
As with charging, it is essential to use manufacturer-certified cables/accessories when connecting AC/DC loads with portable power stations. These accessories are meant to ensure safe operation and compatibility.
Using unauthorized cables might lead to power fluctuations, overheating, and damage to the load or power station. Therefore, make sure to use manufacturer-recommended cables/accessories.
- Caution about High-Power Devices
High-power devices mean more power-hungry machines. When connected to a portable power supply, they consume a significant amount of energy, generating more heat within the power station.
It is recommended to connect only one high-power device at a time to avoid overloading. Moreover, ensure that the cumulative power consumed by high-power devices does not exceed the power station’s capabilities, as it can lead to overloading, overheating, or other potential damages. Besides that, keep an eye on the temperature and even take breaks to ensure optimal performance.
- Unplug Unused Devices
It is a common mistake to leave unused devices plugged in with the portable power station even when they are not in use. For example, you may inadvertently keep your laptop plugged into the power station despite being fully charged.
Keeping unused devices plugged in can lead to many safety hazards, such as overheating of the device due to prolonged exposure to power, battery degradation, risks of electrical hazards (power surges or short circuits), and energy wastage. Therefore, it is recommended to disconnect the devices from the power station when not in use to optimize the performance and ensure safety.
- Avoid Complete Battery Drain
To keep the battery health optimal and long-lasting, you are recommended to avoid draining the battery completely. If you frequently drain the portable power station battery, it will reduce its overall lifespan.
Therefore, whenever you see that the battery is about to drain completely, disconnect the loads and connect it to a power supply, such as an AC supply, car charger, or solar energy.
- Monitor Heat Generation
The portable power station maintains the normal internal temperature for light loads or cool outdoor places. However, high-power devices or hot outdoor places can overheat the power station.
The internal overheat precaution system might give you an alarm for the device overheating. So, if you feel like the outdoor power station is getting excessively hot, disconnect all loads, turn it off, and wait until it gets cold.
Other Maintenance and Precautionary Tips
- Keep it Dry
Water and electricity don’t go along well, so always try to keep portable outdoor power stations dry. Avoid using them in wet or rainy conditions and store them in dry places.
If the power station gets in contact with water, immediately disconnect all the loads, turn off the station, and let it dry completely. This practice helps to increase the lifespan of portable power stations and reduce maintenance hassle.
- Use at the Ambient Temperature
While using portable power stations at outdoor places, you should prefer to use them at ambient temperature conditions. In fact, such devices often come with specific temperature ratings under which they can perform efficiently.
Operating them outside their recommended temperature ranges can compromise their performance and reliability. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid using portable stations in extreme environmental conditions.
- Regular Inspection
If you are a frequent user of the portable power station, it is essential that you regularly inspect the power station to identify any signs of loose connections, physical damages, or other issues. This way, issues can be dealt timely to avoid further costly damages.
Best Portable Power Stations with Jackery
Besides getting familiar with the working principle and safety tips for portable power stations, exploring and purchasing the best portable power station is also important. To assist in this process, below are the three recommended portable power stations that have gained a strong reputation among users in Canada for their performance, reliability, and innovative features:
1. Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 300 portable power station is a compact and powerful device that can charge six smart devices simultaneously. With a 293Wh battery capacity, it can supply power to essential small appliances during outdoor adventures, such as charging, LED lights, smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras, etc. Moreover, its 2.5 hours super-fast recharge time allows it to swiftly replenish the battery.
Key features of Jackery Explorer 300 include:
- 293Wh capacity battery
- 7.1 lbs lightweight device
- Multiple power outlets, i.e., 2x AC outlet, 1x QC 3.0 port, and 1x 60W Type C PD port
- Simultaneous charging of 6 devices
- Multiple charging methods, i.e., wall, car, and solar charging
- Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) and pure sine wave inverter
In short, the compact Jackery Explorer 300 is an ideal companion for people on the go who need a reliable portable power supply for powering small essential appliances.
2. Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station is another powerful and lightweight portable device that can charge many electronic appliances for long hours. With just 13.32 lbs weight, it is extremely easy to carry for road trips and RV camping. Moreover, its rechargeability with renewable solar energy and durability in extreme hot and cold temperatures make it a reliable outdoor power station.
Key features of Jackery Explorer 500 include:
- 518Wh capacity battery for long performance
- Multiple power outlets, i.e., 1x AC outlet, 2x DC ports, 1x car port, and 3x USB-A ports
- Easily charge low to high-power appliances, such as TC, mini-refrigerators, air pumps, laptops, smartphones, cameras, etc.
- Multiple charging methods, i.e., wall, car, and solar charging
- Working temperature range from 14-104°F (-10 to 40°C)
- Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) and pure sine wave inverter
In short, Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station is an ideal, compact device to have a continuous supply of uninterrupted power for outdoor adventures.
3. Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station
When there is a need for high-capacity and long-lasting power demands, Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro portable power station rises to the occasion. Its massive 1002 Wh battery capacity and multiple power outlets can power up to 90% of daily used appliances, from smartphones to refrigerators. Whether you want to charge devices, run essential equipment, cook meals, or do other similar activities, Explorer 1000 Pro is an ideal outdoor power station for off-grid living, extended camping trips, or emergency backup power.
Key features of Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro include:
- 1002Wh long-lasting battery
- 25.4 lbs weigh
- Multiple power outlets, i.e., 3x AC outlets, 1x car port, 2x USB-A ports, and 2x USB-C ports
- Power 90% of appliances
- 1.6 hours full charging time
- Multiple charging methods, i.e., wall, car, and solar charging
- Working temperature range from 14-104°F (-10 to 40°C)
- 30 DB quiet green energy
- Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) provides 12 levels of protection
- Pure sine wave inverter
In short, Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro is a long-lasting and reliable portable power station to meet a wide range of high-power needs in an eco-friendly way.
Wrapping Up
Portable power stations have become must-have devices for Canadian households who are enthusiastic about camping or off-grid living. Jackery has emerged as the top-choice and global top-selling brand for portable power stations, holding an impressive record of selling 2 million units worldwide.
Today, Jackery’s state-of-the-art Explorer Pro portable power stations, solar panels, and solar generators provide individuals and commercial sectors a one-stop place to fulfill their power needs for any adventure or off-grid living scenario. So don’t hesitate to check their solar energy products and grab them at the best price!
References
[1] https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/canada-portable-generator-market/*Feature Image: Jackery