Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 42
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Montco, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    4,171
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default Off grid power sources (portable)

    As an offshoot to the emergency communications threads, this thread should focus on PORTABLE off-grid power solutions.
    Portable could be carried by a person or in a vehicle. Not permanently installed.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Somewhere, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2,910
    Rep Power
    21474856

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
    Posts
    1,639
    Rep Power
    21474852

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    I guess the question is, what level of "portable" are we talking here?
    Person or vehicle covers a pretty wide range of items.
    Member: NJ "undocumented" Felons Club. NRA Life Member

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Wayne, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Posts
    1,609
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    I bought this NOCO BOOST PRO GB150 around two years ago. I've used it to jump start cars, P/U trucks, recharge cell phones, flashlights, and run other electronic devices. While it may be more than you think you need, glad I have it wherever I go for we always need to recharge something while we're on the road (but not so much these days since we've essentially been in a kinder and gentler version of "lockdown"). It's always in the footwell behind the driver.

    As you know, most electronic stuff can be recharged just by plugging a charging cord into one of the many ports in your vehicle, so I guess this is our "back-up".

    Have heard that you can use it on heavy farm equipment and bigger vehicles, but we've never tried that. Rated for gas and diesel engines up to 10 liters. Also, it has the capacity to do about 40 jump starts before you need to recharge it.

    Feels like it weighs about 7 - 8 lbs, but since I'm not hiking around with it, the weight is not a consideration for me. About every six months, I usually plug it in and recharge it. But I've never found it below 75% charged, even after sitting in a vehicle parked outside for around six months including through freezing winter conditions.

    https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB150-Ul...%2C2032&sr=1-8

    NOCO BOOST GB150.2.jpg
    Last edited by bamboomaster; April 17th, 2020 at 09:38 AM.
    - bamboomaster

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Moscow, Pennsylvania
    (Lackawanna County)
    Posts
    4,026
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    I’ve got one of these for when I’m going to be out and off grid. Like the range

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PF9S9NY..._z1AMEb76Z7XZ4

    There have been times I’ve needed to take my daughter with me for a match day and she’s yet to kill it with an iPad playing games and watching movies all day

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
    Posts
    384
    Rep Power
    21474849

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    One that I have experience with and plan to keep in my truck is the jumpsmart flashlight. Campground host had several and let me borrow twice as my battery died twice. Battery since replaced but still plan to keep in truck. Jump-started it no problem. He said qvc always had the best price.

    https://www.qvc.com/JumpSmart-Portab...t.E232295.html

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Rheems, Pennsylvania
    (Lancaster County)
    Posts
    727
    Rep Power
    21474843

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    Its a little out there, but if I were to suddenly have money to burn, a PTO operated genset for my truck would be legit. Toss a large fuel cell in the bed and have easy 85gal of diesel to idle forever on.
    Una Salus Victis Nullam Sperare Salutem

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    (Lebanon County)
    Posts
    1,811
    Rep Power
    9718106

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    I have both of these:
    https://harborfreight.com/home-outdo...ger-62449.html
    https://harborfreight.com/home-outdo...ger-60449.html

    The fordable is in my go-bag, the 15 Watt was modified to use Anderson Power poles (https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power...-sb-connectors) sits in my vehicle (under the sunroof) hooked to a lawn tractor battery from Walmart ($35 after "core charge") in an oversized ammo can (modified) The battery is light enough to carry most places, but heavy enough for long term work.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Montco, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    4,171
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    Quote Originally Posted by sota View Post
    I guess the question is, what level of "portable" are we talking here?
    Person or vehicle covers a pretty wide range of items.
    Good question. I guess I would not restrict it to either. I am just not looking for stuff like rooftop solar systems.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Montco, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    4,171
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default Re: Off grid power sources (portable)

    Quote Originally Posted by bamboomaster View Post
    I bought this NOCO BOOST PRO GB150 around two years ago. I've used it to jump start cars, P/U trucks, recharge cell phones, flashlights, and run other electronic devices. While it may be more than you think you need, glad I have it wherever I go for we always need to recharge something while we're on the road (but not so much these days since we've essentially been in a kinder and gentler version of "lockdown"). It's always in the footwell behind the driver.

    As you know, most electronic stuff can be recharged just by plugging a charging cord into one of the many ports in your vehicle, so I guess this is our "back-up".

    Have heard that you can use it on heavy farm equipment and bigger vehicles, but we've never tried that. Rated for gas and diesel engines up to 10 liters. Also, it has the capacity to do about 40 jump starts before you need to recharge it.

    Feels like it weighs about 7 - 8 lbs, but since I'm not hiking around with it, the weight is not a consideration for me. About every six months, I usually plug it in and recharge it. But I've never found it below 75% charged, even after sitting in a vehicle parked outside for around six months including through freezing winter conditions.

    https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB150-Ul...%2C2032&sr=1-8

    NOCO BOOST GB150.2.jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by Hoppy View Post
    One that I have experience with and plan to keep in my truck is the jumpsmart flashlight. Campground host had several and let me borrow twice as my battery died twice. Battery since replaced but still plan to keep in truck. Jump-started it no problem. He said qvc always had the best price.

    https://www.qvc.com/JumpSmart-Portab...t.E232295.html
    I have the old fashioned battery jump box that looks like a small suitcase. It has a lighter socket so I could use it for charging items.
    My buddy has one of those new compact jumpers like these. We have used it to start a boat and two jet skis. Amazing amount of power for the size.

    Quote Originally Posted by NathanB View Post
    I’ve got one of these for when I’m going to be out and off grid. Like the range

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PF9S9NY..._z1AMEb76Z7XZ4

    There have been times I’ve needed to take my daughter with me for a match day and she’s yet to kill it with an iPad playing games and watching movies all day
    This is labeled as a Generator, but I cannot figure out how it generates electricity.

    Quote Originally Posted by theshadow View Post
    I have both of these:
    https://harborfreight.com/home-outdo...ger-62449.html
    https://harborfreight.com/home-outdo...ger-60449.html

    The fordable is in my go-bag, the 15 Watt was modified to use Anderson Power poles (https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power...-sb-connectors) sits in my vehicle (under the sunroof) hooked to a lawn tractor battery from Walmart ($35 after "core charge") in an oversized ammo can (modified) The battery is light enough to carry most places, but heavy enough for long term work.
    I have that 15 watt one, leave it connected to a spare vehicle. I really never thought it did much more than offset the slow drain from the alarm system. I;d like to hear more about your setup.
    I am also intrigued by the foldable. How long does it take to charge a typical portable battery or phone?

Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •