5 good reasons to choose a charging station

A portable charging station or power station is a device that accumulates electrical energy and stores it until it is needed at home and (especially) away from home, for leisure and work. The key feature of a power station is its mobility: you always have a power reserve available wherever you are, especially in places where the power grid does not reach.

In concrete terms, a power station is a “box” containing a battery, in which electrical energy is stored, and an inverter that transforms it from direct current to alternating current, which is necessary to operate electronic devices, small appliances, etc. On the outside, it features charging sockets, sockets for powering equipment, and a display for monitoring input/output watts and remaining power autonomy. Today we will talk about the advantages of power stations, highlighting their similarities and differences with regard to generators.

Input and output versatility

You can recharge a power station in a variety of ways—depending on where you are and/or how much time you have—and you can connect the devices you want to power using different types of sockets. Along with capacity and power, charging options and the number and type of sockets are criteria for choosing the right charging station for your needs.

For example, you can charge the PSi 1650 Efco power station from a standard household power outlet, or from the cigarette lighter socket in your car or camper. With fast charging, you can recharge it to 80% in 45 minutes, and you can fully recharge it in an hour and a half. Alternatively, you can connect the power station to portable solar panels: in this case, it charges to 100% in 4-6 hours.

The PSi 1650 is equipped with 3 standard 230 V outputs, 5 USB ports (type A and C), and 1 12 V socket (cigarette lighter socket). You can power up to 9 devices at once, provided that the total power consumption is less than the power station’s rated power (1,650 W). In addition, when connected to the grid for charging, the power station enters bypass mode: it passes the current directly from the mains to the connected devices.

The difference compared to a power generator (or generator set) is therefore clear. A generator does not store electrical energy but produces and supplies it on demand. This is done by a fuel-powered internal combustion engine, which in the case of Efco generators is gasoline.

Freedom from the grid

The versatility of charging and using the power station goes hand in hand with the freedom it offers you. With a charging station, you have an additional source of electricity or backup power, giving you greater autonomy or extra security in a variety of situations:

• At home or in your shop if there is a power outage.

• Outdoors at parties, picnics, events, etc.

• When traveling and, if you love camping or boating, on vacation.

• When you are in areas not served by the power grid in your free time or for work, for example on a construction site; when you need a “mobile office”; if you work in photography or video shooting; if you are a street vendor or participate in craft fairs, etc.

The autonomy you have with the power station is measured by its capacity, which indicates the amount of energy it can store (and therefore supply). It is measured in watt-hours (Wh) and depends on the battery. The battery in our PSi 1650 is LFP type—i.e., lithium iron phosphate cells—with a capacity of 1,024 Wh. The power (in watts) indicates how much current it can deliver continuously and, in practical terms, the type of equipment it can power. The PSi 1650 power station is perfect for operating and recharging electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi modems, TVs, etc.), lights, small appliances such as hair dryers, microwaves, fans, portable refrigerators, and DIY tools such as drills and angle grinders. It also acts as a light source thanks to the front LED strip.

For heavier loads such as appliances, energy-intensive tools such as welding machines, or to support the electrical system of a camper van, we recommend a power generator. Our catalog offers several models: PGE 35 DCS with 2.8 kW power, PGE 65 DCS and PGE 65E DCS with 5 kW, PGE 80E-3 DCS with 6 kW. The latter model is also equipped with a 400 V three-phase socket that emits industrial voltage current.

Practicality, for everyone, everywhere

You can take the power station with you wherever you go: it is easy to carry thanks to its handles, weighs very little (only 13 kg for the Efco PSi 1650) and takes up very little space (just 33.6x28.6x26.3 cm).

It is ready to use immediately: just press the main switch. You don’t have to refuel it: just recharge it by plugging it into a power outlet. If you are in a remote area, you can recharge it with solar panels. Furthermore, the power station does not require maintenance. All this makes it easier to use than a power generator. You can also use it anywhere, both outdoors and indoors.

Safety and comfort

Power stations are safe. We designed the PSi 1650 battery with integrated protection systems against overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature, overload, and short circuits.

As we have already mentioned, a power station is easier to use than a generator. This is also reflected in terms of safety and comfort: with the charging station, you don’t need to set up grounding or remove flammable materials. You can also keep it close by—for example, on the table where you work with your laptop connected to it—because it is quiet and does not emit exhaust gases.

Sustainability and respect for the environment

Unlike a power generator, which runs on an internal combustion engine, a power station does not burn fuel. As a result, it does not produce exhaust fumes—as we have already mentioned with regard to safety—or unpleasant odors, which is beneficial for air quality. For the same reason, it is quiet and therefore does not generate noise pollution.

Recharging with solar panels, i.e., from renewable sources, is another environmentally friendly feature of the power station. In addition to providing you with clean energy, solar recharging saves you money on your bills and makes you self-sufficient anywhere, even in remote areas.

Returning to power generators, we conclude by offering you an overview of the possible uses of portable generators, from leisure to emergencies.