JWR:
Through a minor power disruption event, I made some discoveries that I thought I would share. A laptop computer can be run by an inverter of proper size. A laptop can be powered by a jump pack with a 12 VDC power port. The jump box can be recharged by a hand crank 12 VDC generator. We were able to continue e-mail and business communications, since the wireless towers are generator backup powered. This is good to know in local or short term disasters. – JG
JWR Replies: Thanks for mentioning that topic. In my experience, running a laptop (and/or charging a cell phone) from a 12VDC “car adapter” (DC-to-DC adapter) plugged into your jump pack is far more efficient than using an AC inverter and then a DC “power cube” transformer. That way you are just changing one DC voltage to another DC voltage–instead of a DC-to-AC-and-transformed-back-to-DC proposition. (Which is very inefficient.)
To keep your “jump pack” charged, a hand crank generator does indeed work–even one McGyvered from an electric drill motor. But I’ve found that is labor intensive and time consuming. I’m more of a fan of photovoltaic (PV) power panels, such as the small panels available from Northern Tool & Equipment–one of our Affiliate Advertisers. At Northern Tool’s web site, search on Item # 339973. OBTW, jump pack variants are available with either110 VAC (US/Canada) and 220 VAC (UK) utility power charging cords.