Batteries and Power Storage

By BD Bondy
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I’ll start by saying that power strips and battery backups, or UPS’s should be replaced every so often. Let’s say every 5 years. The batteries in a UPS probably won’t last 5 years, but they are typically replaceable. The electronic circuitry in these things is considered somewhat temporary. Yes, it is a marketing thing, but also, it’s a real thing. A power strip is not the same as a surge protector, and I’ve said this before, lightning can go for miles without any wires, so why would a surge protector help you? I suppose the answer is, it may not. In the case of some power surges from the electric company, then perhaps it will help, but a serious strike with a lot of energy, not likely.

Carol unplugs stuff during a lightening storm.
 
A UPS is a useful power supply backup for where we live. If there’s a power blip, we generally work right through it. Our stove and microwave clocks notice it though. If you get a UPS, know that it won’t power much for very long. The typical standard UPS is meant for you to have enough time to power down your computer, and not much else. A bigger UPS will buy you more time. I have a couple of them, one for my tiny computer and one for my WiFi equipment. Carol’s laptop will run for hours on its own battery so that’s less of an issue, but if you need internet during an outage, then you will need to power that equipment.
 
When traveling, you might want a small power supply to recharge your phone, or hearing aids. They come quite petite these days, so they are convenient. Remember to charge them. Usually, you can get 3 or 4 phone recharges out of them before requiring a recharge.  Speaking of small batteries, I bought a battery that can jump start my Borrego. It’s not tiny, but it’s pretty small, smaller than a package of gluten free Oreos. An example is HERE. 
 
Carol bought a battery pack that is quite powerful, for when the power goes out. You can’t run a refrigerator on it, or even a water kettle, but it’ll run your computer or WiFi equipment for some time, and lights, especially LED lights, would probably run for days. It’s the size of a very small cooler, like for holding a 6-pack. I bought a gas generator when she bought that, for a longer haul outage, and for running a fridge or freezer. Another option would be to buy a Rivian or Ford Lightning, but that’s quite a bit spendier.
 
I go on Amazon to buy everything, so that’s my reference. You can go elsewhere but read reviews on whatever you buy.  Items shipped from Amazon (rather than on Amazon from third parties) usually have a good return policy.