Back before the screen broke, I posted here asking about rechargeable batteries. While I was thinking more in the small-scale (AAA, AA, D, etc.), there were a number of good comments including an actual use testimonial of a larger system by Old Paratrooper (who I was glad to see came through Helene in decent shape). Read the comments, as there is a lot of good food for thought there.
While I do have (and want to beef up, please hit the tip jar) a fair supply of basic batteries with long shelf life, I don’t like single modes of operation. I especially don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket when it comes to emergency power. If I had my own place, I’d love a large generator, one of the small ones for critical items, and lots of UPSs around as an additional layer for critical items like heat, sump pumps, etc. It’s the same reason I have multiple ways of lighting in an emergency.
Repeat After Me: Single mode is a single point of failure. Redundancy Rules! Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
On the last one, count on Murphy to stick a finger or more in on the failure. That’s guaranteed. Don’t let him get the chance.
Now, I am interested in the smaller rechargeables for more than one reason. First, is general use in day-to-day life. Second is having another layer if you move beyond inconvenience and into a real emergency or disaster (inconvenience: 0-3 days; emergency: 4 days – 4 weeks; disaster: >4 weeks, may talk about this more soon as revising previous definitions). Having something you can recharge, particularly if you can use USB or an interface with a solar blanket or other similar system gives you a way to power small electronics, light, and more. Even better, it is independent of outside systems. Think about it a bit, think there couldn’t be circumstances where even after an “emergency” is over it might not hurt to have the capability to run radios/coms or other devices without the need to access grids outside your control?
The more layers of redundancy you can add, the better off you will be. That is especially true if things go sideways. And things go sideways more often and more easily that we really want to think about.
So, regular batteries are a finite resource, especially if things have gone from emergency to disaster. Having another layer that falls between batteries and larger backup systems is a very good thing. It’s also relatively inexpensive, which makes it easier to put in place. Just remember, if things go sideways, you can’t have enough layers.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Consumer (or light professional) uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) for electronics are generally based on a sealed lead-acid battery for the energy storage. If you’re lucky, the shelf-life of the battery will be 5+ years, but the battery will eventually die even if the UPS never kicks in. If you’re less lucky, the battery will die 1 day after the warranty expires…
Useful (I don’t do it, but I ought to) tip: Write on your UPS the battery type, and when the battery was installed or purchased. Then, periodically test the battery by unplugging the UPS and see how long your computer, router, TV, etc. still run before the UPS begins to beep madly…
Now, if you’re talking a backup generator, that’s a different conversation. More useful if you’re in the boonies with no neighborhood architectural control committee to harass you. The battery-only backup power stations typically use LiFePO4 chemistry (a bit safer than Li-ion, but similar shelf-life, 5 years or so). For gasoline, propane, natural gas, or multifuel generators for house backups, the rural community that I hang out in swears by Generac (and you probably want a professional electrician to wire it for you). Again, highly recommend periodic test/maintenance of any of these items!