The ladder
1
Power banks + a small folding panel
Keeps phones, lights, and a radio alive. This is the 72-hour tier.
2
A small power station (300–1,000Wh, LiFePO4) + 100–200W of panel
Runs a CPAP, a fan, lights, phones for days. The 2-week tier.
3
A bigger expandable station (2kWh+) + 400W of panel
Adds a fridge in careful rotation. The 1-month tier.
4
Home battery with a transfer switch
Whole-circuits backup. The extended tier. Get a licensed electrician.
Three things most people don't know
- Gas stations need grid power to pump. (Gary, Indiana learned this in August 2026.)
- Rooftop solar WITHOUT a battery shuts off in a blackout. That's a safety feature protecting line workers, but it surprises a lot of solar owners.
- Battery power stations are indoor-safe. No exhaust, no carbon monoxide, unlike gas generators.
Honest limits
- Batteries won't run electric heat or central AC. Plan for one warm room in winter.
- Cut panel ratings in half for cloudy days. That's normal, not a defect.
- Stored batteries need topping off on a schedule, or the battery's own protection system can lock it out.
Safety, always
Register any powered product with the maker so recall notices reach you. Check cpsc.gov before buying anything used.
[FEATURED MODELS — PENDING VERIFICATION]
Start at step one. A charged phone and a working light beat a generator you never bought.