May 29, 2023

The 5 best ways to charge a portable power station(the last way 90% of people do not know)

In some scenarios, the role of portable power stations is invaluable. Can you believe it? A person working under a starry sky, in the middle of a vast wilderness —— without worrying about power? That's what portable power stations accomplish!
In modern life, whether it is outdoor camping, home power backup, garage DIY, or disaster emergency, the portable power station can provide reliable power support. This article will detail how to charge portable power stations and the factors to keep in mind to ensure that you can fully utilize the potential of these devices and extend their lifespan.

Choosing the right charging device for your portable energy storage power supply
The 5 best ways to charge your portable power station/solar generator
Choosing the right charging environment
Precautions during charging
Handling after finishing charging
Frequently asked questions

Choose the right charging device for your portable power station

We can usually use the included charging cable or adapter for charging. If you accidentally lose them, make sure to use a charging cable or adapter that is compatible with the power station and strictly follow the input voltage and current requirements of the power station. But don't worry! The BMS inside every DaranEner portable power station is embedded with an active protection feature that prevents the voltage from exceeding the threshold.

How to charge a portable power station or solar generator

· Using a standard household power outlet

This is the easiest and most common way to charge a portable power station. All you need to do is to connect the included charging cable to a suitable wall outlet to charge it. There is no doubt that this method has the fastest charging speed. For example, the NEO2000 portable power supply only needs 1.8 hours to charge the huge capacity of 2073WH to 100%. With such fast charging speed and ease of use, it is always fully charged with power.

· Charges using a USB-C port or a bi-directional PD port.

There are some power supplies that will have a USB-C port or bi-directional PD port; these DC ports can also charge the power station and can be used together with the AC port; there is no doubt that this combination can charge even faster than just charging with a wall plug.

· Using Car Charging Cables

You can use car charging cables to charge your devices while you are on the go. You simply connect the cable from the input port of the power station to the output port of the car. This is perfect for people who are traveling and need to charge by car. It's not as fast as plugging into an outlet at home, but it's certainly a wonderful thing to have a full charge on the drive to camp. It's worth noting that make sure your car battery and devices are compatible with the voltage output of the car adapter - otherwise, they may not charge properly.

· Charging with solar panels

This type of charging is a blessing for remote areas where electricity is in short supply, but direct sunlight is plentiful, and the extra investment in solar panels gives you access to free renewable energy - solar power. To charge your power station with solar panels, you can place them in the sunlight and find the solar charging port on the back of the station. Then connect the power station to the solar panels with a charging cable. If you are outdoors and away from other charging options, using solar panels is a good choice. Some portable power supplies support the connection of more solar panels, which can speed up the charging speed.

· Charging with a portable turbine generator

This is an option that 90% of people are unaware of. The biggest advantage of this charging method is space-saving. Compared to solar panels, wind turbines require much less space. For people with strict space requirements, it may be many times smaller than larger products with similar features. Wind energy is also a renewable energy source. There are three main drawbacks to using portable wind turbines for charging: noise levels, unpredictable wind patterns, and expensive upfront costs.

Choose a suitable charging environment

Temperature: Avoid charging in an overly cold or hot environment, and avoid direct sunlight.
Humidity: Keep the charging environment dry and avoid charging in an overly humid place.
Ventilation: Since the power supply will be hot during charging, please keep good ventilation during the charging process.

Notes on the charging process

Observe the charging status: Monitor the charging process through the power supply screen; some power supplies also support connecting apps; you can also check the charging status through your phone at any time.

Avoid overcharging: After the power supply is fully charged, please disconnect the charging as soon as possible; it may affect the battery life.

Handling after finishing charging

Store the power supply. Store the power supply in a cool, dry place away from heat or direct sunlight.

Charge to 100% periodically. Because lithium batteries are self-discharging, we recommend that you store the DaranEner NEO200 Portable Power Supply at more than 60% of its capacity. And we recommend charging it to 100% every 3 months to keep your battery in top performance and condition.

Check the remaining capacity regularly. It's a good habit to check the condition of your portable power supply regularly. If possible, check the capacity once a month to keep the battery healthy and fully charged. You can always be prepared for any unknown power outages that may occur.

FAQ

Is it normal for the power supply to heat up when charging?

It is normal for the power supply to self-heat up within a certain temperature range during charging; please keep good ventilation during the charging process. The whole series of DaranEner power supplies use lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are more resilient than typical lithium-ion batteries, and they can withstand higher temperatures in comparison.

How can the life of a power supply be extended?

Lithium batteries typically degrade for three main reasons: time of use, charge cycle, and environment of use. By understanding these factors, you can take targeted steps to extend the life of your power supply. 1. Better cells, Lithium Iron Phosphate cells typically last five times longer than NCM cells. 2. Do not use the power supply in extremely hot or cold environments. When storing the portable power supply for a long time, it is best to keep it in a stable environment with a temperature range of not more than 15℃ - 35℃ (59℉ - 95℉).

Can I always leave the portable power supply charged?

Not recommended - both overcharging and over-discharging a battery will reduce its capacity over time, so it is best to charge it only when necessary.

What are the factors that affect solar charging time?

The main factors that affect the charging time of solar panels —— the quality of the solar panel itself, the weather, the angle at which the solar panel is placed, the efficiency rating, and the battery capacity.

The amount of power that can be captured by a solar panel depends primarily on the surface area and energy efficiency, with an industry-standard efficiency rating of 15%-18%. The higher the wattage of a solar panel, the faster it will charge the sun's power source.

The sun is beyond anyone's control, and the weather is a variable that can change at any time. All we can do is place the solar panels as perpendicular to the sun as possible to optimize the sun coverage to capture the most UV rays during the day.

The power station likewise affects the total length of charge; the larger the power supply, the more energy can be stored, but also, the longer the charge time.

Is the portable power station worth it?

Yes. Portable power supplies are a convenient way to back up your power when you need it. They are not only good for emergencies, but they can also come in handy for home power, camping trips, or other outdoor activities.

Conclusion

Portable power stations offer the possibility of freeing people from dependence on the grid, and there are many different options for charging them. Each option has its own unique benefits, so it's important to consider all of them before deciding which one is right for you.

Following this guide is believed to allow you to properly charge your power supply, thus ensuring proper performance and long life. If you experience problems with charging, please consult the product manual or contact the manufacturer for support.