Have you ever thought about using your car to power your stuff during a blackout? It’s not as crazy as it sounds! Let’s explore how you can turn your car into a mini power station.
What’s This All About?
When the lights go out because of a storm or other emergency, having a backup power source is super helpful. Instead of buying a big, expensive generator, you can use something you already have – your car!
How Does It Work?
To use your car as a power source, you need a special gadget called a power inverter. This cool device changes the type of electricity your car makes into the kind that your home appliances use[1].
When Can You Use Your Car as a Power Source?
There are lots of times when using your car as a power source can come in handy:
- During power outages to keep important things running
- While camping to power fans or radios
- For medical equipment like oxygen machines
- At tailgate parties to run a TV
My Experience: Last summer, a big storm knocked out our power for two days. We used our car to keep our fridge running and charge our phones. It was a lifesaver!
The Magic Device: Power Inverters
Power inverters come in different sizes. Small ones plug into your car’s cigarette lighter, while bigger ones connect directly to the car’s battery.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Inverter Size | What It Can Power |
|---|---|
| 100W | Phones, laptops |
| 2000W | Small appliances |
| 3000W | Larger appliances |
Bestseller No. 1
BESTEK Power Inverter DC 12V to AC 110V - 300W Car Plug Adapter Outlet with 4.8A Dual USB Fast Charging Port - Car Charger Cigarette Lighter Adapter for Phone, Laptop on Road Trip - Aluminum Housing
- BESTEK Advantage Upgraded: Bestek is power inverter patents owner, America's leading power inverter brand. Our inverter tech upgraded to 11-17V compatible with Tesla. It provides 300 Watts continuous DC to AC power and 700 Watts instantaneous power, featuring 2 AC outlets and 2 USB ports
- Fast Charging: Two 110V AC outlets for charging larger devices such as laptops and tablets, 2*4.8A USB charging ports for powering USB compatible devices, a good choice as requisite car accessories
- Ultra Compact and Lightweight: iPhone-sized design ideal for use on vacations, work trips, and camping. 32 inch cigarette lighter plug makes the power inverter can be plugged into almost any vehicle
- Multi-Protection: Bestek inverter 12v to 110v Built-in 40 amps fuse to protect your device. Safe charging design provides protection against, overheating, under and over voltage charging, short circuiting
- Durable Aerospace Aluminum Housing: Bestek car inverter provides advanced protection from drops and bumps.Smart cooling fan system makes the car power inverter very silent when operating,and the fan runs faster when the device gets warmer or output power exceeds 70W
$24.99
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
BELTTT 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter, Car Power Inverter 12V to 120V AC Converter for RV, Truck, Solar, Outdoor with Dual AC and 20A Socket, 5V 2.1A USB, Surge 4000W, Hardwire Port, Remote Controller
- 【POWERFUL DC to AC CONVERTER】: This car power inverter delivers 2000W of continuous DC 12V to AC 110V 120V power and up to 4000W of peak surge power when the load is started. The car inverter has a conversion efficiency of greater than 91% during normal working and low no-load losses
- 【PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER】: The power inverter output waveform is consistent with the AC waveform of the utility grid and is suitable for inductive and capacitive loads. It extends the service life of the equipment and reduces the fault rate. Can be used with electrical equipment such as televisions, home theaters, car stereos and other sensitive loads for a long time
- 【INTELLIGENT LCD DISPLAY】: This 2000Watt inverter comes with a high-brightness real-time smart screen that simultaneously displays input and output voltages, battery and load status, multiple operating conditions for timely troubleshooting. At the same time, the output voltage and screen can be adjusted independently in a small range
- 【POWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS】: The inverter 12V to 110V features dual AC socket, 20A Outlet, 5V2.1A USB port, Hardwire Port and remote controller with 23Ft Cable. This solar inverter is ideal when you need energy for off-grid, outdoors, RV, trucks
- 【MULTIPLE SAFETY PROTECTIONS】: Pure sine wave inverter provides undervoltage, overvoltage protection, overload, over temperature protection, short circuit and reverse connection protection. Aluminum and sturdy plastic housing ensures long term use
$169.99
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 3
2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter - 12v DC to 120v/110v AC Converter with Built-in 5v/2.1a USB Port & Hardwire Remote Controller | Ideal for Home, RV, Truck, Off-Grid Solar Power Systems
- 【POWERFUL DC-AC】Providing 2000W continuous DC to AC power, 2000W peak during load start-up, and 12V to 120VAC pure sine wave with conversion efficiency >90% to reduce conversion loss, this 1000 watt inverter 12V to 110V performs strongly.
- 【SAFE FOR USE】LED indicators for under-voltage and over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, over-load protection, and short circuit indication are featured in the power inverter, along with cooling fans and ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection.
- 【PROTECT YOUR ELECTRONICS】Quality AC equivalent to grid power is provided by the advanced pure sine wave inverter, which protects and extends the life of your electronics and appliances like flood light, TV, freezer, laptop, tablet etc. Operating with quiet and high inductive loads, the solar inverter produces no buzzing sounds when your electronics are on, allowing them to run smoother, cooler, and quieter.
- 【EASY-TO-USE】A built-in 5V/2.1A USB port, 3 AC Outlets, 1 AC Terminal Block, two 3Ft 4AWG Cables, and a 16.4ft Wired Remote are offered by this 1000W inverter 12V. It’s perfect for outdoor emergency AC power supply during work trips, camping and more. NOTES: A deep cycle battery with 80% discharge depth and above should be used for power input.
- 【RELIABLE QUALITY】Safety and quality are ensured by this UL 458 & CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 certified product. The 12v to 110v converter is protected from bumps and impact by a durable metal housing. High-speed ventilation fans help keep the pure sine wave inverter running at a low temperature.
$154.99
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 4
BELTTT 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V AC for RV, Truck, Off-Grid, Home, Solar Car Power Inverter with Dual AC, 20A Socket, 5V 2.1A USB, Hardwire Port, Remote Controller 23Ft Cable
- 【PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER】: The power inverter output waveform is consistent with the AC waveform of the utility grid and is suitable for inductive and capacitive loads. It extends the service life of the equipment and reduces the fault rate. Can be used with electrical equipment such as televisions, home theaters, car stereos and other sensitive loads for a long time
- 【POWERFUL DC to AC CONVERTER】: This car power inverter delivers 3000W of continuous DC 12V to AC 110V 120V power and up to 6000W of peak surge power when the load is started. The car inverter has a conversion efficiency of greater than 91% during normal working and low no-load losses
- 【INTELLIGENT LCD DISPLAY】: This 3000Watt inverter comes with a high-brightness real-time smart screen that simultaneously displays input and output voltages, battery and load status, multiple operating conditions for timely troubleshooting. At the same time, the output voltage and screen can be adjusted independently in a small range
- 【MULTIPLE SAFETY PROTECTIONS】: Pure sine wave inverter provides undervoltage, overvoltage protection, overload, over temperature protection, short circuit and reverse connection protection. Aluminum and sturdy plastic housing ensures long term use
- 【POWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS】: The inverter 12V to 110V features dual AC socket, 20A Outlet, 5V 2.1A USB port, Hardwire Port and remote controller with 23Ft Cable. This solar inverter is ideal when you need energy for off-grid, outdoors, RV, trucks
$229.99
Buy on Amazon
Expert Tip: Always choose an inverter that can handle more power than you think you’ll need. It’s better to have extra capacity than not enough.
Safety First!
Using your car as a power source is cool, but you need to be careful:
- Keep your car outside to avoid dangerous gases building up.
- Park at least 15 feet away from buildings.
- Point the exhaust away from people and buildings.
- Use long extension cords to keep a safe distance.
The Good Stuff About Using Your Car
- It’s easy to use – no complicated setup.
- You can take it anywhere your car goes.
- Your car probably has more fuel than a small generator.
- It’s quieter than most generators.
- You can use it for fun stuff too, like camping or parties!
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- It can’t power your whole house like a big generator can.
- You need to be there to set it up – it doesn’t turn on automatically.
Wrapping It Up
Using your car as a power source is a smart and simple way to be prepared for emergencies. It’s cheaper than buying a big generator and more flexible too. Plus, you’re more likely to use it for fun things like camping or tailgating.
Personal Anecdote: I once used my car to power a small TV during a camping trip. My friends thought I was a genius! It made our rainy day much more enjoyable.
Remember, being ready for power outages is important. Whether you choose a generator or decide to use your car, having a backup plan is always a good idea. Stay safe and powered up!
