When storms hit, will you be left without power? Be Prepared! [Updated 2022]

by: Justin G.

An inevitable part of the winter months in most of the USA are storms; cold, rainy, icy, and windy atmospheric conditions that knock out power and make simple every-day living difficult. When the power grid goes down, how do you keep warm, how do you heat food, how do you survive… or thrive?

“Be Prepared” is the Boy Scout motto and should be yours too.

2 solutions
Number one is a completely self contained portable power station series called the "Lithium Cube". This is a great choice for those looking for an all-in-one portable unit.

Choice number two is a power inverter. This is a perfect choice for those with a car nearby and have a higher power need or extended power requirements during an event.

Lithium Cube
There are 3 models of our Lithium Cube to fulfill your power needs. All models are PSW (Pure Sine Wave) output and are rechargeable with AC (wall), DC (car accessory socket), and Anderson input (solar, wind/water turbine).

The smaller unit known as the "Cube 325" features 2x AC outlets (like found on the wall of your house), 1x 12V DC socket (like the one in your car) + 2x 12V DC power ports, 3x standard USB power ports and a USB-C power port. This unit is great for powering your electronics!

The next size up is our "Cube 500" model. This unit has a larger battery than the 325, and includes 2x AC outlets, 1x 12V DC socket + 2x 12V DC power ports, 4x standard USB power ports and a USB-C power port that is capable of inputting and outputting power!

The last and biggest battery unit we offer is our "Cube 1200" unit; this unit offers a lot of power in a relatively small and lightweight package! Featuring 3x AC outlets , 1x 12V DC socket + 2x 12V DC power ports, 4x standard USB power ports and 2x USB-C power port with high speed (PD) charging and input capability.

What Is an Inverter and is it the right choice for me?

If you are in need of an alternate power solution than the city power grid that is simple to use, efficient, and inexpensive, then you need an inverter
Power Inverters create AC (wall outlet) power from any DC (battery) power source and offer an alternate power source that can be life-saving; that’s why hospitals, law-enforcement, ambulance personnel, construction crews, and civil services rely on them.

How to choose which is right for you It may seem scary to find an inverter that fits your needs, but it’s really quite simple.

First, figure out what devices you need to power and determine which device requires the most wattage to operate (usually printed on the device). If multiple devices will be powered at the same time (like a TV, Cable Box, and Wifi Router) add their required wattages together.

Next, take the wattage number; add an additional 20% to it (to cover any unforeseen needs). That number represents the minimum wattage the Inverter must provide.
For example, if you have a refrigerator that must run full-time and may occasionally run a microwave concurrently, take the wattage of both, add them together and add 20% to the total.

ex. (Refrigerator is 200W running + Microwave is 1100W running = 1300W+ 20%=1560 Watts) In this example, you'll want an inverter that can handle 1560W or greater.

Sine Waves

Now that you have your wattage requirement, you need to choose a Pure sine or Modified sine Inverter. Most devices will run on the less-expensive Modified Sine Wave Inverter. If you are running sensitive electronics (computers, variable speed equipment), medical devices (oxygen, CPAP, etc.), you’ll need a Pure Sine Inverter.

To learn more in-depth about Sine Waves, click the link! Learn More about Sine Waves

Inverters are simple to connect

Inverters are actually very simple to set-up and operate. All you need is a battery (or set of batteries), power cables, fuse, and the inverter.

Simply attach the power cables between the Inverter and the battery with a fuse on the positive battery cable between the two; that’s it!

Final Thoughts

The simplest choice is the Lithium Cube; it is an all-in-one compact and portable device. However, a power inverter is the best choice for those requiring higher power loads or power needs that must be sustained for an extended duration.

Now that you've seen how easy it is to find the right power supply for you and how to set up and find the perfect inverter for your needs, don't drag your feet on getting it done. Preemptively purchase, install, and familiarize yourself with your new system BEFORE you need it!

Here are quick links to our Pure Sine and Modified Sine Inverters and the Lithium Cube series.

Have Questions - Guess what? We're here to help! Find what's right for your needs and get everything planned out to make your installation and set-up as easy as possible by calling us at 1.800.231.5806. You can email us too!