When we think of off-grid, we envisage someone living in a wooden hut in the middle of nowhere. But in fact it just means not being connected to the ‘mains’ systems such as electricity and gas etc. So if you don’t have direct access to things such as mains electricity, then you are effectively living ‘off-grid’. For example, if you are living the ‘van life’ you are most probably ‘off-grid’ getting your electricity from solar or some alternative source (we have an article on this elsewhere). That said, here we will focus on using a Portable Power Station in an off-grid stationary building such as a cabin etc.
How could you use a Portable Power Station off-grid?
Portable Power Stations are by definition built for off-grid situations because you can access electricity wherever you put it. But in what capacity can they be used? Well as discussed elsewhere, you could technically use your Portable Power Station as your main power source, however there are a few things you will need to consider.
- Firstly, you will need to ensure that all of the things such as lights, fridge, water-pump etc have the appropriate plugs to connect it to your Portable Power Station.
- If it’s connected to permanent fixtures such as lights you may want to ensure that it is possible to recharge it without constantly unplugging everything and moving it every time.
- You will need to ensure that the Portable Power Station stores enough power for your needs. Some higher end products have additional power pack options, so that shouldn’t be a problem (this however comes at an additional cost).
If you have excellent conditions for recharging via solar or something similar, then using a Portable Power Station as a main power source may be an option. However, if not, then maybe a generator is a better option for a main source of power. Then just use your Portable Power Station as a back-up or in cases of an emergency.
Power Considerations.
As mentioned, some of the higher end Portable Power Stations can hold an absurd amount of power (check our comparison page), but that comes at an additional cost if you are buying extension batteries.
If you are truly off-grid then you will need a way to charge your Portable Power Station. If you have good conditions, then solar could be a great option and most manufacturers sell solar panels that you can simply plug in and be up and running within minutes. If you have a generator and are just using your Portable Power Station as a back up then maybe you could charge it that way. Of course, if you have a vehicle, you can also charge it via the car-port.
Whatever your situation, a Portable Power Station could be very handy if you are living off-grid. For a comprehensive look at the various products on the market, take a look at our comparison table.