What is a portable charging station: types and areas of use?

In the conditions of fan outages, more and more Ukrainians are thinking about their own energy independence. Power banks and generators are in great demand today. Each device has its pros and cons.

Powerbanks are compact, mobile and can be used in any conditions. But their capacity and power are relatively small. They are suitable for tablets, phones, "smart" watches and similar consumers.

Generators are used to provide electricity for household appliances and boilers. There are models on the market for almost any capacity. Generators are allowed to be installed only in open areas. They emit a fairly high level of noise. This imposes usage restrictions. Rising fuel prices can also be considered disadvantages.

But if you need a powerful and universal charging device. A portable charging station is suitable for this role. It can be used in the apartment, in nature. Power and capacity allow you to power household appliances for a long time, charge several gadgets in parallel at once. This material will be about portable power plants.

How is the charging station arranged?

To simplify the terminology, a charging station is an improved power bank. It does not produce electrical energy, but acts as a storage device. A capacious battery with a long service life is installed inside.

The station provides for the presence of various power ports for consumers. Includingthere is a 220 Volt outlet. No need to search for suitable adapters. The power plant is completely ecological, does not make noise, does not emit harmful substances.

Modern portable stations support 3 types of charging:

• Through a network socket;
• With the help of a solar panel;
• Through the cigarette lighter of the car.

Depending on the characteristics of the model and the charging method, the charging takes 1-6 hours.

Manufacturers use various algorithms and technical solutions that protect consumers from overloads and power surges.

Options for using charging stations

Modelslow power (within 200-700 W)suitable for powering laptops, routers, smartphones and similar equipment. They can also be used to power small LED lamps and a gas boiler.

Deviceswith a power of 700-2000 Wrecommended for boilers, air conditioners, freezers, pumps. To provide electricity to all home consumers, models with a capacity of 5 kW and above are required.

Portable stations can be used as a backup power source in homes, shops, workshops. They are also suitable for the role of the main source of electricity in places where there is no network at all. Power stations are relevant for picnics, outings, and hikes. If you additionally purchase solar panels, there will be no problems with electricity for many days.

Charging stations are widely used in the military today. They help soldiers charge thermal imagers, drones and other equipment in the field.

Main and auxiliary functions of charging stations

Portable stations weigh 3-7 kilograms on average, which makes them convenient for transportation. The compact body does not take up much space in the room, it is easily placed in the trunk. Manufacturers equip their devices with convenient carrying handles or special covers with straps. Many models can provide both alternating and direct current, depending on the needs of the consumer. Also, today there are more and more power stations with the function of fast charging, and some devices also support wireless charging.

Portable stations do not require maintenance, as in the case of generators. All that is required from the user is to charge the device on time, to prevent mechanical damage.

Additional options:

1. Built-in display.Facilitates process control. It can display the current charge of the station, the total power of connected consumers, the number of charging cycles.
2. Integration with "smart home" systems.The function will be needed in the event of a power outage. The system automatically switches from the normal network to the charging station and back.
3. Management as an application.The option opens up wide opportunities for monitoring the operation of a mini-power plant with separation.

The more features it providescharging station, priceit is more expensive. Therefore, when buying, it is necessary to determine which options are important and which can be abandoned.

Comparison table of portable charging stations

Options for choosing portable power plants

The main selection criterion ispower. It is calculated as follows - it is necessary to sum up the power of all devices that will be connected. In the characteristics of mini-power plants, attention is paid precisely to the output power, and not to the nominal power. It is recommended to purchase models with a small margin for this parameter. Stations with a power of 600-1500 W are in the greatest demand on the Ukrainian market. The share accounts for approximately 80% of sales.

The second important parameter isbattery capacity and battery type. Capacity indicates the amount of energy stored in the battery. As with power, output capacity is important here. It may differ slightly from the capacity of the battery itself, because an internal resource is spent on energy storage and transmission.

The battery type determines the service life. Charging stations are equipped with the following batteries:

• Li-ion and NMC– the average resource is 800 cycles;
• LIFePO4- resource exceeds 2000 cycles.

Also, when buying a station, pay attention to the charging options, the number and type of connectors, and the complete set. Here everything is individual.

Popular brands of charging stations in Ukraine

More than 10 manufacturers of mini-power plants are represented on the Ukrainian market. One of the leaders is ANKER. The company is one of the few that uses rechargeable batteries of the LIFePO4 type.ANKER charging power stations (power station)can last up to 10 years with daily use. The line includes devices of different power and capacity. Some models support the option of installing an additional battery.

Other advantages of ANKER power plants:

• Fast charging of consumers;
• A rich selection of ports - Type-C, USB-C, USB-A, 220 Volt socket, etc.;
• Built-in LEDs as an additional light source;
• Informative display with output of all current indicators;
• Fast recharging from proprietary solar batteries;
• Energy saving mode – as soon as all consumers are charged, the station automatically switches to sleep mode, which increases the operating time.

JACKERY charging stations have good reviews. Most often, they are bought in a set withsolar panels. The solar batteries of the brand have efficiency indicators at the level of 23%. All models are compact in size. Built-in controllers and inverters are responsible for a stable current sine wave.

ToTOP of the best charging stationsmodels of the Ukrainian manufacturer BanderaPaver are also included. It manufactures charging stations under the Bandera Power brand. The company's products are mainly aimed at the military. Stations have a reduced weight, which makes them convenient to carry over long distances. It simultaneously acts as a source of electricity and lighting.

Charging stations allow you to minimize the negative impact of power outages and use various equipment in the field. When choosing a suitable model, focus on the above criteria. Additional advice can be obtained from employees of our store.