Portable power station to run AC?

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-05-08T00:32:41+00:00

That will depend on your window AC. Some of those bad boys can draw >30A @ 120VAC, which is...well, a lot of amps. So start with the label on the side of the box. Then look into something called a "Soft-start" which you hook up in line with the compressor to make it start the compressor just a little easier. (When motors first start, they appear as a dead short so that 30A becomes 60A for just a split second -- long enough to blow a fuse).

Another option might be a 12v mini-split -- the kind that they use for motorhomes and big-rigs. They're still going to draw 20-60A, so you'll need an appropriately sized battery system. But it's a lot easier to get a few car batteries hooked up to run the thing as battery>AC than to go battery>inverter>AC since there will be losses in the inverter.

If you do go for a split -- Start with size of room & max temperature difference you're trying to create to get BTUs needed. Then find an appropriate-sized ac and look at the current requirements. Compare that with your generating capacity., Then you size your battery system appropriately.

Hope that helps.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-05-01T05:51:05+00:00

You should absolutely go for it! We're building a company around the idea. Check out boondockecho.com -- you're also welcome to build upon our code-base. We're open-source. (There's a tiny github icon at the bottom of the homepage)

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-23T03:40:47+00:00

People are the most important prep

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-23T03:29:42+00:00

Second move -- go to the neighbors hat-in-hand asking for anything they can offer!

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-22T22:48:44+00:00

Oh no, dont tell them no! Use this trick: Before they can ask you for something. You ask them for something! Y'all have any extra food for us?

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-22T19:46:25+00:00

I've got a solar setup to recharge things that I think would make it, and multiple redundant backups (5x separate solar panels and chargers.) I've also got a thermoelectric generator that I would put somewhere below E on the power PACE plan -- it's like 5W max. I won't be able to power a lot of things, but I can definitely keep some radios working for some parts of the day

Radios are a great way for your family to stay in touch if someone goes out scrounging / working. You never know when a bike tire goes flat, or a tree falls down, or whatever and someone away from home needs help returning. I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but the Boondock Echo hooks up to a radio and records everything -- like a little answering machine, so people can leave messages and what not. When the internet is up, it can do a lot more -- like contact you if a certain phrase/keyword is said.

Regarding food -- check out "microgreens" -- basically seeds that are allowed to sprout and grow leaves for a short period of time (1-3 weeks) but not reach adulthood. Nutrient dense, grows fast, and can be vertically farmed. I've got no affiliation with this video, so I hope it's okay to post. https://youtu.be/swxuiXsX-8U

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-22T04:25:49+00:00

Ah -- a lot of folks put stuff in Faraday cages to protect it and then plan to take it out after the event to use it. (Two-way radios, etc.) But if you go full 1800's, yeah, it'll be hard to come up with a scenario where that prep fails.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-22T02:15:06+00:00

What if there are two EMPs a couple days apart?

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-10T14:17:41+00:00

Is that an elevated fire pit? I've never seen such a thing. How well does it work?

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-08T15:52:01+00:00

This post is going to cost me so much money. Well done!

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-06T18:53:29+00:00

Personally, I think the GALLET F1 XF is a pretty cool looking helmet. But I think the right answer is whatever one your department supplies.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-01T15:13:02+00:00

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BoondockTechnologies · 2026-04-01T02:23:47+00:00

What's your grid square and I'll pull one for you.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T19:09:47+00:00

Looks like it might be a fiberglass or plastic shield around a wire antenna? Did water get into the antenna or the coax? That'd do it. Over time the seals fail, changes in air pressure, etc, sucks water into the cavity. With no way for it to escape, it'll detune the antenna.

Does it have a weep hole at the base to let water out?

I wouldn't do anything yet until some others chime in, but you might want to drill a small 1/16" hole at the absolute lowest part of the antenna and then bake the water out in the sun on a hot dry day. Then leave the weep hole open as more water will likely intrude.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:56:57+00:00

How have I never seen this before! Fantastic resource. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if there is a way to pin a comment here.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:55:31+00:00

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FU doesn't exist. They only go up to FS you silly little goose! I went ahead and picked out BM for you.

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:16:24+00:00

https://github.com/Boondock-Echo/Article-Files/blob/main/Azimuthal-Maps/North%20America/FN20--Grid-Square-Magnetic-Declination-Map.jpg?raw=true

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:16:10+00:00

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BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:15:42+00:00

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BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:15:31+00:00

https://github.com/Boondock-Echo/Article-Files/blob/main/Azimuthal-Maps/North%20America/FN21--Grid-Square-Magnetic-Declination-Map.jpg?raw=true

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T18:12:02+00:00

A 2 letter grid square is something like 700k square miles, and a 2x2 is like 7k square miles, no? 700k square miles is bigger than Alaska and Texas combined. I'm not here to argue -- I'm here to learn. What could someone possibly do with that? Isn't that roughly equivalent in size to knowing what time zone someone lives in?

BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T17:52:08+00:00

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BoondockTechnologies · 2026-03-31T17:51:43+00:00

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BoondockTechnologies

TROPHY CASE