It is your Car.
For this reason, it is a PREPPER HANDBOOK RECOMMENDATION to have a good DC to AC inverter in your vehicle to use as a 120 VAC power supply. For under $50 you can use your vehicle as a back up power supply.
This 300 watt (continuous) inverter is enough to power most refrigerators, or Freezers as long as your vehicle motor is running. For this reason, it is good to never drive with your fuel tank near Empty. Here is a list of estimated power requirements. that will allow you to see what you can run (power wise) using this.
A typical Car Battery stores about 50 Ah (Amp Hours) at 12 VDC (Volts Direct Current) which is 600 watts but you can only use a vehicle battery when the motor is running. You can however add an additional 200Ah Deep Cycle Battery for about $400 that will store 2,400 watts (12 VDC X 200 Ah) or 1,200 usable watts (2,400 X 0.5). While the above 300 watt charger could charge your 200Ah battery, it would take at least 4-5 hours. Buying a dedicated Battery Charger for $200 could keep this 200Ah battery charged using your household electricity and have it at peak readiness when the power went out.
Include a Battery Clip-on Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Adapter (above) for $10 and you have a standby battery back up system for about $660 that will provide 1,200 watts of power. Here is a list of estimated power requirements. to show what 1200 watts can run. For example, it would keep a small refrigerator or freezer running for approximately 2 days, and a large one for over 1 day.
Combine this with other Backup Power options to have more power available for longer periods.
Another low cost item for power outages are solar powered lights.
It provides solar powered lighting for outside security AND lighting for the inside of your home. In addition, these can be used as a solar charger for rechargeable batteries and make great stealth Prepper gifts for family members. With a package of extra rechargeable batteries, these will provide lighting for years.
Here are a few good passive lights that are solar powered and use common AA so they can double as solar battery chargers:
1) LED version
2) Economy version
I would avoid solar powered lights that use non-standard battery sizes as you will not be able to use these as battery chargers nor their batteries to run other devices like your radios.
Both of the Inverter and Solar Powered Lights are handy to have and very affordable (under $50), making them each a PREPPER HANDBOOK RECOMMENDATION.
For more information:
Blog Table of Contents
Power Outage Preps
Power Outage Heater
EMP Survival
The SHTF Day One
Survive a 2 week Power Outage
Complete Sustainable Living Plan
Backup Power Supply
Backup Electricity for under $50