Which Portable Power Option Works Best for You?
It's bound to happen at some point. As a powersports enthusiast who loves going camping, to the dunes, or to the racetrack for the weekend, you are bound to find yourself in need of a portable power source to power up a tool, a heater, or maybe even a curling iron (for the ladies in the family). If you are with friends, you can always borrow someone else's generator, but at some point you will most likely be looking to buy your own.
Having an independent source of power while in the great outdoors is a good thing, and it's something that you will have a hard time living without once you get used to having it! Having a generator or inverter is like a little speck of luxury in an otherwise tough and rugged environment, and can prove to be invaluable at times.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of options for portable power, and one of them is bound to fit within your budget.
If you are on a budget but still need to have decent, portable power, then a gas-powered generator might be a good fit for you. Gas-powered generators are pretty easy to get ahold of, as many home improvement stores usually carry them. These generators come in a variety of wattages to suit your needs, and can be carried and placed wherever you wish for the duration of its use. The downside to these generators are that they are usually pretty noisy, and you run the risk of annoying anyone who might be in a close proximity of your generator for any length of time.
These generators work well if you are at a race track or camping by yourself. Occasionally you will find these generators powering toyhaulers or generators, and they are commonly used as back-up generators for those living in areas with frequent power outtages.
Another less expensive, portable power option is an inverter. Inverters can be plugged into your 12v outlet in your auto or other vehicle and can power small items like your phone charger, laptop, DVD player, iPad, etc. If you wish to power those items away from your vehicle, there are also inverters that come with a battery that can be used for a certain amount of time without being plugged in for a recharge. These can be a good option if you are camping in a tent, or sleeping in your truck at the track.
If you are looking for small or big portable, quiet power, then the inverter generator is a great choice. Inverter generators are also gas powered, but they can adjust their idle and engine output depending on the power needed and operate on a much quieter level than regular gas powered models. These generators are the quietest of the gas powered generators, and are typically seen in toyhaulers and motorhomes because of their ease of use and quiet operation.
There are plenty of wattage choices available, from 1000w to 10,000w, depending on your budget and your power needs. 1000w generator is nice and small, and will easily power a small heater, a blow dryer, hot plate, etc. If you are looking to power tools, a portable air compressor, a microwave or an A/C, then a 6500w would suit your needs nicely, and allow you to power everything at once. The mid-size generators are a great choice to power these items as well, but you may not be able to power more than one or two high-draw items at a time.
The smaller generators have handles and are easily carried, while the larger generators often come with wheels and can be pushed or pulled into place.
For anyone who wishes to purchase a portable generator that can produce plenty of power yet operate on an alternative fuel source, there are plenty of generators on the market that operate on propane as well. Some of these generators will also operate on gasoline, giving you even more options when it comes to finding fuel. These generators are found in a wide range of power options, similar to inverter and gas powered generators.
Having an independent source of power while in the great outdoors is a good thing, and it's something that you will have a hard time living without once you get used to having it! Having a generator or inverter is like a little speck of luxury in an otherwise tough and rugged environment, and can prove to be invaluable at times.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of options for portable power, and one of them is bound to fit within your budget.
1. Gas Powered Generators
If you are on a budget but still need to have decent, portable power, then a gas-powered generator might be a good fit for you. Gas-powered generators are pretty easy to get ahold of, as many home improvement stores usually carry them. These generators come in a variety of wattages to suit your needs, and can be carried and placed wherever you wish for the duration of its use. The downside to these generators are that they are usually pretty noisy, and you run the risk of annoying anyone who might be in a close proximity of your generator for any length of time.
These generators work well if you are at a race track or camping by yourself. Occasionally you will find these generators powering toyhaulers or generators, and they are commonly used as back-up generators for those living in areas with frequent power outtages.
2. Inverters
Another less expensive, portable power option is an inverter. Inverters can be plugged into your 12v outlet in your auto or other vehicle and can power small items like your phone charger, laptop, DVD player, iPad, etc. If you wish to power those items away from your vehicle, there are also inverters that come with a battery that can be used for a certain amount of time without being plugged in for a recharge. These can be a good option if you are camping in a tent, or sleeping in your truck at the track.
3. Inverter Generators
If you are looking for small or big portable, quiet power, then the inverter generator is a great choice. Inverter generators are also gas powered, but they can adjust their idle and engine output depending on the power needed and operate on a much quieter level than regular gas powered models. These generators are the quietest of the gas powered generators, and are typically seen in toyhaulers and motorhomes because of their ease of use and quiet operation.
There are plenty of wattage choices available, from 1000w to 10,000w, depending on your budget and your power needs. 1000w generator is nice and small, and will easily power a small heater, a blow dryer, hot plate, etc. If you are looking to power tools, a portable air compressor, a microwave or an A/C, then a 6500w would suit your needs nicely, and allow you to power everything at once. The mid-size generators are a great choice to power these items as well, but you may not be able to power more than one or two high-draw items at a time.
The smaller generators have handles and are easily carried, while the larger generators often come with wheels and can be pushed or pulled into place.
4. Propane Powered Generators
For anyone who wishes to purchase a portable generator that can produce plenty of power yet operate on an alternative fuel source, there are plenty of generators on the market that operate on propane as well. Some of these generators will also operate on gasoline, giving you even more options when it comes to finding fuel. These generators are found in a wide range of power options, similar to inverter and gas powered generators.