portable power station

“I want to buy a ‘solar generator’, are they worth it?”

“I want to buy a ‘solar generator‘, are they worth it?” Yes! But… Do you mean portable power stations? If so let me clear up some confusion a lot of people have. Manufacturers market those boxes with outlets and USB ports as “solar generators,” but they aren’t generators at all. No one’s trying to deceive you—it’s just a catchy marketing term. What they really are is battery packs with built-in inverters that store energy and convert DC power from solar panels (or any other power source) into AC power. A generator produces electricity, typically by burning fuel like gas, diesel, or propane. These don’t. They store power, not generate it. The term “solar generator” comes from the fact that they can be charged with solar panels, but without solar, they’re just portable power stations or battery backups—not generators. This mislabeling sometimes leads people to believe they work like traditional fuel generators, running indefinitely in the sun. In reality, their performance depends entirely on battery capacity and solar input rate. Can you charge them quickly? Sure—if you have a big enough solar array. The more solar panels you add, the faster you can refill your battery pack. What is a “solar generator“? They’re called photovoltaics, or solar panels, and they convert (not generate) solar energy into electrical energy. You can then store it in the portable power station’s battery pack. An inverter inside the unit converts the DC electric current output from the solar panels into AC electric current to power the 110V outlets you plug your appliances and devices into. The USB, USBC and other power outlets work the same way. Interesting science fact. In reality there’s really no such thing as a generator. “Generators” actual “convert” energy, they don’t produce it. The First Law Of Thermodynamics states: “energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another“, but that gets into some physics and the laws of thermodynamics, and the point of this article isn’t to confuse you (or anyone), but to help you understand what you’re actually buying when you buy a “solar generator”. SCIENCE NOTE: If you’re interested in the science I’ve got an article over here explaining why there’s no such thing as a generator.  Should I buy a “solar generator“? Absolutely! I own one, and millions of other people do too. They’re amazing technology and they work well to power your appliances and charge your devices. A portable power station is a versatile and reliable backup power solution. Reliable Backup Power – Provides an emergency power source during blackouts, keeping essential devices like lights, phones, and medical equipment running. Off-Grid & Outdoor Use – Perfect for camping, RVing, and off-grid adventures, allowing you to power appliances, charge batteries, and run lights without relying on a grid connection. Quiet & Eco-Friendly – Unlike gas generators, portable power stations operate silently and produce no emissions, making them ideal for indoor use and eco-conscious users. Rechargeable & Renewable – Can be recharged

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The Best Long Term Off Grid Living & Survival Fuel

“You can’t get propane after the shit hits the fan, dumb@$$!” True. That’s why they call it “preparing” and not postparing, GENIUS. If you wait until after the fact, you’re not gonna make it. Also, you can’t get gas or diesel either after 6-12 months. So…there’s that too. I say this because yet again, some people are confused about the propane thing and why they should use propane instead of gas or diesel. Here’s why? Something folks should understand about propane. If there’s a total collapse of the system… (unlikely, but let’s roll with it for shits and giggles for a sec) …gas and diesel will degrade over time. Also, fuel tanks “sweat” and this moisture can get into the fuel and engine and do damage or at least cost you valuable time. It could also cause tank corrosion in metal fuel tanks. If the gasoline and fuel is not treated with additives to preserve the fuel, it will go bad over time. Depending on climate, humidity etc,, diesel and gasoline will degrade in 6 months to a year. Sometimes longer if you’re in ideal conditions. But generally speaking you can expect gas or diesel to last a year on the outside. Then what? If the shit does actually hit the fan, you’re better off with propane because it lasts forever and does not degrade. Your tank will rust or corrode before propane ever goes bad. As for sourcing propane. You’re right. After the shit hits the fan is the wrong time to stock up on propane. That’s why they call it “preparing” instead of postparing, because you do it BEFORE the shit hits the fan. I’m of the firm belief that propane is the perfect long term survival fuel. You’re welcome to try to convince me otherwise, and I’m open to being wrong if you can show me evidence I’m wrong. But I don’t think I am. Propane is the best long term fuel you can buy simply because it lasts forever. It’s a little more expensive, but well worth the peace of mind in my opinion. That’s what survival is all about. Surviving. If your fuel goes bad, you’re screwed.

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