This week we will explore different alternate power options which can be helpful when you leave the "grid". Our travels normally take us into remote areas where none of the accommodations of “civilization are to be found, and when the trip lasts for a week or more, these options can add a real measure of safety and comfort.
If your goal is to get as far from civilization as roads will allow, sooner or later you will need to consider the benefits of some alternate power options. For many back country travelers, the necessities of survival means an increased need for power. The average vehicle battery can only supply so much before it dies or the engine must be started to recharge it. When you add up the power needs of things like freezer fridge units, charging batteries for various electronics, Ham radios, APRS, GPS units, lights, computers and the like, it is very easy to run the vehicle battery down in a hurry. For extended trips, where fuel is scarce, starting your motor just to charge your battery, may not be an option. This is where alternate power options can help.
If you enjoy the opportunities that these remote county trips offer for Ham radio users, then having alternate power becomes an absolute necessity.
Although most people think solar when the discussion turns to alternate power, and while solar can be an important component to an overall plan, there are so many other options that should be considered to help meet your energy needs. We will cover as many as time allows during the net, and urge everyone who has alternate power ideas to post them here.
These are the alternate power options we expect to cover:
- 1. Solar
2. Wind
3. Dual batteries
4. Power supplies / jump starters
5. Generators
6. Vehicle batteries
7. Batteries for small electronics, e.g. GPS, cell phones, flashlights, cameras, pumps, camp lights, etc.
8. Inverters (DC to AC)
9. Charging cables and ports
