Crisis cellphone charging

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Our Friend Of The Blog over at Self Sufficient Mountain Living has a post up about the aftermath of what was an unusually heavy snowfall in his neck of the woods. He had a problem with his generator and was unable to charge his cellphone. I mentioned that I kept one of those battery jump-packs around exclusively for that purpose and he said he wasn’t familiar with them. I may have not described it as accurately as I could have, so that might have led to some confusion. But…as long as the topic is timely…I’ll cover that.

I bought this at CostCo earlier this year.

I couldn’t find a link on CostCo’s website so I grabbed one from Amazon. Note that the thing is about $40 cheaper at CostCo last time I checked.

Anyway, its one of those little portable jump-starters that uses an internal battery. It also has an inverter and outlet to run small household devices, a 12-v ‘cigarette lighter’ outlet, and, most importantly, a USB outlet to charge devices. It’s this last feature that made me buy it. I leave it plugged all the time so it’s always on standby. I tested it out earlier this year by hooking up a 12v desk light to it. I plugged it in, turned it on, and left it to see how long the light would keep going before the battery crapped out. After two days I got bored and figured that was plenty for my needs. I should get quite a few cellphone recharges out of it before it needs recharging.

As I said, I keep it around specifically for recharging USB devices in case of an outage but it also works for the thing it was marketed for – jump starting a vehicle. I’ve used it a couple times for that and it worked as advertised.

Anyway, I mention this because while you can recharge your cellphone off you generator, it’s a wildly inefficient way to do things and if your generator doesn’t work, for whatever reason, you’ll still have an option for cellphone charging.

11 thoughts on “Crisis cellphone charging”

  1. A couple years ago when we first moved off grid a family member bought us a halo bolt for Christmas. Since one of us always has access to power at work we simply take it to work and charge it once depleted. They show a video of it jump starting a bus several times though I doubt the bus was a cold start but it’s still impressive.

    We also rely heavily on cordless power tools for the same reason. We can charge batteries at work or on a 12v DC car charger

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01B6N52E8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513084189&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=halo+bolt&psc=1

  3. We’ve had two jump-packs die after just a few jump-starts even with keeping them plugged into the wall charger all the time. Disappointing.

  4. Just to clarify…you leave it plugged in 24/7 year round unless you are using it? If so isn’t that bad on internal battery?

    • Don’t see how. Id imagine its no different than leaving a battery on a trickle charger. I’d assume the device has something built in to prevent overcharging.

      • I think that this ability varies depending on the charger, and the battery itself. I see some that say no problem to leave a battery on constantly, and others that say to not do it. Probably need to have an ok from the charger AND the battery maker if not the same brand.

        BTW, if you use tools, don’t overlook the usefulness of the batteries that the new ones utilize. Especially the 12volt and 18volt types. There are adaptors with usb ports for them.

        Toolmakers now have heated clothing lines that use these batteries. Milwaukee claims 6-9 hours of heat in their jackets and vests, from a small 12v tool battery that fits in an internal pocket. The heating element is a carbonfibre weave that can go in your laundry machine.
        The clothing line is supposed to be very tough. Heated clothing for motorcycles was a game changer, and outdoor work clothing may have a similar impact.

      • The instructions say not to leave it plugged in. Plug in once a month to keep charged or as necessary. Yes i have one and read the instructions.

  5. Be careful using those “crank generator” radios with a USB port to charge your phone. I’ve heard several reports of over energetic cranking leading to a fried cell phone. Better to charge up your power bank, first. Then charge your phone off it. Of course, this may take you an hour or two of cranking, and drive others in the shelter to violence….

  6. Cheap, Little goal zero battery charger that’s good for a charge or two. Like $40.

    Less cheap, A solar panel and a bigger battery. I have a goal zero set up.

    Expensive- Honda EU 2000. I would use it to charge my battery while also charging the fridge.

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