any recs for low-idle-draw power station?
Posted by BernKurman@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 10 comments
Hey all, I pulled my emergency power station out of storage for a recent storm prep. Hooked up a motion‑sensor LED hallway light (around 20 W) plus my router for the security cams (another 30 W), total draw barely hit 50 W. By morning, the battery had lost a solid 20% even with almost nothing running.
Looks like it’s time for an upgrade. Anyone switched to a station with genuinely minimal parasitic draw? Which models actually deliver on low‑idle performance in real life? Appreciate any firsthand insights!
Dangerous-School2958@reddit
The inverter has a draw of its own. If you're looking for something to just run a nightlight. There are better ways to go about it.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
Yes the inverter is a waste powering a router too. Just run everything off 12v. There are lots of lighting options for boats and RVs.
Fresh-Revolution-895@reddit
You might want to check out the F3000. Its idle draw is the lowest I’ve seen, and honestly, tons of brands gloss over that stat. Idle consumption really matters when your loads are light, every watt counts.
NoPressure__@reddit
Can confirm. My f3000 has been solid on low loads. It’s worthy if you want minimal vampire draw
TBone205@reddit
Honestly if you have the room build your own . Buy a couple deep cycle batteries ( pb, lipo, life) or whatever you prefer and can afford. Buy the proper charger for the batteries. Add a solar pannel or 2 . Pick the inverter of your choice . That way you will know how it works and how to fix it. If something get broken or a battery goes bad just replace it.
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Just leave it plugged in. Technically bad for the battery. But I will take the 100 percent of the now 70 percent battery over 40 percent or on a better condition battery.
mediocre_remnants@reddit
Power stations aren't a set-it-and-forget-it prep. They need to be charged/discharged regularly if you want the battery to last. This has nothing to do with the product or how its designed, it's a function of battery chemistry.
Lithium-ion and LiFePo batteries should not be stored fully charged or fully discharged, but around 50-60% of charge. Many power stations and even things like the batteries for my drone will self-discharge on purpose if they aren't being used to extend the overall battery life.
Storing one fully charged and never using it means it'll still lose charge over time, but also lose capacity and will never recharge fully.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
Ideally yes, but you still get many years just charging them fully. I have flashlight and old cell phone batteries that are still good that are 12-15 years old.
High power ljpos are different
fenuxjde@reddit
Your draw and battery seem about right, but what is your method of recharging the battery? Does it have a solar in? If so, a single 200w panel would keep that pretty topped off running those few devices.
hope-luminescence@reddit
50 watts for hours is a fair Amount of energy.