Technology to Weather the Storm

Summer Storm Season is Here

Prepare for Power Outages with the Right Tech

This week, we have a different kind of Friday Quick Tip. Summer Storm Season has arrived,  and for many, that means winds, rains, and possible flooding. It also means power outages. Sometimes these outages are brief; other times they last for hours.  And for a lot of us, that means no technology. Modems and routers need power to function. And how many times has your phone's battery died, and it was ALL you had for entertainment during a storm?  Luckily, there is technology to help keep your tech useful during bad weather, and all that comes with it.

Today's tip discusses what tech you need to prepare your electronics for a bad storm.  Basically, we discuss how to keep things up and powered, so you're not stuck with nothing to watch when a storm hits other than the bad weather. With the right equipment, you can keep your electronics up and working.  And we're not talking about buying generators that cost hundreds of dollars.  Rather, we're talking about solutions that cost less than your average night out.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

In this case, UPS stands for "uninterruptible power supply," rather than the guys who deliver all your packages.  In other words, a UPS is a device that allows a computer to keep running for a period of time when the power goes out. It also provides protection from power surges.

There are a lot of different types of UPS devices. Some are designed to keep high current devices up and running for days.  These are expensive though. The devices the FAA uses to keep the Control Towers running cost thousands of dollars.  Consumers do not generally need devices that are this robust.

Personally, I have an inexpensive UPS, designed to keep my low power devices up and running during a storm.  I am not as concerned with keeping EVERYTHING powered.  If I were, I'd install a generator. However, I DO like to keep my smart home devices running, as well as my router and modem.  APC makes an inexpensive device for just this purpose: the APC Back-UPS Connect.

This UPS only runs about $35.  It is designed to protect your modem, router, smart home hubs, landline phones, and other low-power devices.  This UPS will provide approximately 4.5 hours of backup power to these types of devices.  This means I can keep my internet up and running during a storm.  In addition to power backup, this UPS also offers surge and lightning protection.

I live in an area with a lot of power "blips."  Even during mild storms, the power can fluctuate.  This can be a real pain, as it causes my internet box to continually reboot itself,   Now, although my TV may turn itself off, my internet remains steady.  The UPS gives it constant power even during these "blips."  This particular UPS has 3, two-pronged outlets. (Most consumer networking equipment does NOT require 3 pronged outlets.)  It also has 2 USB outlets, so I can plug in a cell phone or tablet.  In between storms and power fluctuations, I can use those 2 USB ports to charge cell phones, tablets, MP3 players, etc.  The UPS itself has a small footprint, and is not  much bigger than a tablet. It is smaller than your average shoe-box, and is wall-,mountable, should you desire.

Unlike most UPS devices, this one only beeps once when the power goes out. Many a UPS device beeps continuously. until its own  battery dies.  In fact, that obnoxious beeping is why many consumers choose NOT to use a UPS at home.  This UPS will NOT keep you awake should the power go out at a time you are sleeping.

Purchase the APC Network-Backup UPS

For about the cost of dinner and a movie, I added a really useful piece of equipment to my collection. This is probably one of my favorite tech purchases of all times.  I do a lot of uploading and downloading while I am asleep. It is very frustrating to wake and discover a power fluctuation prevented your upload from completing.  I no longer need to worry about that since purchasing this UPS.

Power Banks

Lipstick Power Bank

A Power Bank is basically an external battery, wrapped up in its own portable case.  They are meant to re-power a device with a depleted battery on the go.  Rather than plugging your device into the wall to charge, you can plug it in your handy power bank.

Power Banks come in many shapes, strengths, and sizes.  "Lipstick" sized-power banks are meant to provide back-up power to phones or music players, rather than to recharge the device back to its full strength.  Larger and more powerful ones can charge a laptop or tablet to its full capacity.  Some power banks have a single charging port, while others have multiple ports to charge multiple devices at a time.  They even make power banks that can double as a jump starter for a car.  But of course, the higher the capacity, and the more functions it has, the higher the cost.

As with any tech product, many make power banks, but not all power banks are made equally.  Cheap power banks only charge a few times, and often fail when you most need them.  ALL batteries only recharge a finite number of times; the cheaper power banks have cheaper batteries inside.  Thus, a $10 power bank from the Airport Store may be okay in an emergency, or for a single use, but you should really spend a little more on the one for your Emergency Kit.  I had two fail on me during my last trip, both of which were inexpensive.  I replaced them with better devices.  I never want to be left with a dead phone and a power bank that won't power it ever again!

Anker is one of the better names in Power Banks.  They make a good product at a reasonable price.  And they have frequent sales, both on their own site and at Amazon.  You should NEVER have to pay full price for an Anker Power Bank.  If the particular one you are looking at is not on sale, scroll down to the "Special offers and product promotions" section to see if there is a code, or scroll down to the "compare" section to see if a comparable model is on sale.

I am going to link to two models robust enough to charge a tablet and a phone, and a third one that is probably the MINIMUM capacity you want for an Emergency Kit. Power Banks are rated in mAh, or milliamp hour.  Higher mAh numbers indicate higher capacity. For your Emergency Kit, look for something with a rating of 10000 mAh MINIMUM. If you'll be charging a tablet and more than one phone, 100000 mAh will probably not be sufficient, and you'll want a higher capacity power bank.  If your kit covers a large family, you'll want to have multiple power banks, with at least one over 100000 mAh bank.  If you have child who is autistic and cannot get through a storm without his tablet, you'll need a device capable of charging it fully, at least once, and maybe more. You should probably buy a Power Bank specifically for that tablet, as well as a second to power other devices.

Anker Power Bank

A Power Bank of this capacity should be in the $25-35 range.  A decent "lipstick" charger should run less than $20, but will not hold enough power to charge multiple devices.

Power Banks are available at almost every Big Box Store.  Anker is not the only decent brand out there. Pay attention to the mAh rating, as well as the warranty listed on the package.  Check to ensure they work with third-party cables, as not all do.  And be aware that off-brands and cheaper banks have cheaper batteries inside, with fewer charging cycles.  They will fail sooner.  Avoid those put out by the "major" consumer alkaline battery companies, as these are not "built to last."  I learned that the hard way.

Amazon links are provided as a courtesy to those who do not want to have to "shop around." These are "affiliate links," and Techlaurels will get a few pennies if you click through and order.  The three "example products" are all from Anker, as they really ARE the best in external battery packs.  However, Amazon offers many alternatives that are of similar specs.  There are plenty of Power Packs from which to choose, and the important thing is to pick one that will work with YOUR devices and is robust enough to fit YOUR needs.

Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger

•  A super-high 13000 mAh capacity with two high-speed-charging USB ports is all contained in a portable charger smaller than a wallet. 
• Charges an iPhone 6s almost 5 times, a Galaxy S6 3 times or an iPad Air 2 once.
• Includes 2 charging ports to charge two devices simultaneously
• Compatible with third-party cables
• Available in black or white
• Weighs less than half a pound.  
• Available at Amazon       

 Anker PowerCore 10000 

• Slightly lower capacity than the 1300, and with only one USB Port. Also has a smaller price tag.
• 10, 000mAh is enough capacity to charge an iPhone 6s well over 3 times, a Galaxy S6 over 2 and a half times and most tablets at least once.
• 2.36 x 3.62 x 0.87 in, and only weighs 6.4 ounces
• Compatible with Third-Party Cables
• Good for keeping a phone or two charged, but you may want a higher capacity bank f you'll be watching a lot of movies.
• Available at Amazon

Buy at Amazon

Anker PowerCore 15600 

• Higher capacity than either Power Pack listed above
• Charges the iPhone 6 five times, the Galaxy S6 four times or the iPad air almost One and a half times.
• 2.28 x 6.54 x 0.87 in, and weighs less than a pound
• Fast-charging technology: PowerIQ and Voltage Boost combine to deliver the fastest possible charge up to 2.4 amps per port or 4.8 amps overall.
• 2 USB ports can charge 2 devices simultaneously
• Available at Amazon

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Buy at Amazon

Other Uses for Power Banks

Power Banks are NOT just useful in a storm.  Many people like to keep a charged power bank with them at all times, in a purse, backpack, or even in the car.  I never travel without at least one Power Bank, and I've been known to carry both a lipstick-sized bank and and a higher capacity bank in my carry-on.  I often toss a lipstick-sized charger in my bag if I'm going out on the town, and I'm fearful my phone battery will not last a night of photo-taking,  However, because I live in a Hurricane Zone, I own a power bank that is strong enough to charge my tablet and my phone.  And I actually have a couple of them, as I own a LOT of tech!

Preparing Your Technology for the Storm

Now you may have all of the Power Packs and battery backups in the Universe, but none of them are any good unless they are charged.  Power Banks will only hold a charge for so long. I like to pull out ALL of my storm equipment at least once a month, and make sure it is ready in case I need it.

If I hear a storm is coming, I pull out ALL of my wall warts and ALL of my mobile technology. EVERYTHING goes on to charge.  For me, that includes my power banks, my current cell phone, my old cell phone, 2 laptops, a tablet, a kindle, and a kindle fire tablet.  (I charge the old cell phone as a 911 backup, should I need it.  Even a phone with no carrier service can connect to 911.)  I take advantage of having power before the brown outs and the outages start.  Once my electronic devices are charged, I turn them all OFF, to conserve battery power until I need it.

While the Fire Tablet is charging, I connect it to wi-fi and hit Amazon Prime Video.  I know the cable is going to go out, so I like to fill my tablets with entertainment. I can watch DVDs if I have power, but I never depend on having a good enough internet connection to stream during a storm.  Amazon lets you download video content to Amazon Devices, so I take advantage of this perq   

I also scan any documents I might need in case of evacuation to my "Emergency Flash Drive."  (I try to update this at the beginning of Storm Season, so I do not have to worry about pulling paperwork together, should I need to leave quickly.)  I make sure I have some favorite tunes on a flash drive, so I can use it on whatever device is powered at the time.  I have an "Entertainment Flash Drive" that is dual USB/Micro-USB, so I can use it in my phone, tablet, or PC.  (These are a great way to increase storage space on your cheap, Kindle Fire Tablet.)  And of course, I gather my dry bags from my beach bag.

I also check my supply of batteries, ensuring I have what I need to replace those in my flashlights and lanterns, as they die out.  Then I gather my non-perishable snacks, and I prepare to hunker down, knowing I'm ready for the power to go out.

Rain or Snow, Prepare for a Storm

That image at the top of the article was taken in June, 2016, almost a year ago to the day as I write this, just a few blocks from my own house.  I live on a barrier island on the Florida Suncoast. Storms can build rapidly and unexpectedly, and they can leave a lot of damage in their wake.  NO ONE was expecting flooding like we had on that day, and many were unprepared.  And of course, the power was one of the FIRST things to go, even before the water had risen.

I always gather my storm supplies at the beginning of Hurricane Season.  A few days earlier, I had charged up all of my tech, as the first step in preparing for the Season.  I was one of the few who had anything more than a weather radio working that day.  By dark, few people had any battery left in their cell phones. People kept wondering how I was posting storm updates to Facebook , as they barely could get a cell signal.  My internet was up, thanks to my UPS, and my equipment had juice, thanks to foresight and Power Banks.  I was watching Prime movies as they were sitting in the dark.

Wind, hail, sleet, snow, or rain, the preparation is similar.  Have auxiliary power, and make sure it is charged and ready to be used.  Keep it ready throughout the season, so you do not have to worry about running home to prep when a storm event threatens.  Plugging everything in once a month will keep you prepared, so that you can focus on getting other supplies when a storm is called.  With the right equipment and a little prep, you can weather any storm, comfortable and well entertained.

How Do You Prepare

How do you prepare for a storm? Is there ant technology you find essential? Anything you cannot live without, even in bad weather?  Let us know in the comments.  We'd love to hear feedback or answer any questions you may have.