"If you live in a place that gets wintry weather, you know the magic of a snow day," words from a YouTube channel that goes by the name MrMobile. This is true, because during a storm, we cover ourselves with a few more fabrics than usual and scramble to buy necessities such as candles, coffee and matches before the closes down.
So, how does one stay connected during a storm and the lights go out? Well, here are a few useful tips that you can use:
The Battery Pack
First and foremost are the battery packs. Nowadays, these devices are widespread and you probably already have one, two or more. But if you don't, you can always buy a cheap one at a store near your area, there should be at least one there.
However, you must also note that those battery packs that you can buy at a local store are probably the single-use disposable type. So it is better to buy the expensive ones, to really get your money's worth. And in case you're not satisfied with a "normal" battery pack, you can also check out the Anker PowerHouse battery pack.
What's An Anker PowerHouse?
Well, it is not you normal portable battery pack. The thing is, it has a body dimension of 200 x 145 x 165 mm and weighs 4.2 kg. Its battery capacity is 434Wh. It as a DC input of 16-17V/6A, an USB Output of 5V/6A, a DC Output of 12V/10A and an AC output of 110V.
Regarding its retail price, it costs at around $499.99. Yeah, it is kind of expensive and it may be not the best looking or most easy to carry around with you, but when a storm hits and there is no electricity, this device definitely gets the job done.
Proper Use Of The Battery Packs
Keep in mind that lithium ion batteries are temperamental boxes of chemicals. If you're not using them, but keeping them in a safe place, be sure to store them at a moderate temperature. Preferably, these should be stored around 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 degrees Celsius.
Also, don't full charge them when you're not using them, it should be around 40 percent. You may only fully charge them if you will use them. Yup, it's kind of a hassle, because you should charge them in advance before the storm comes.
Use Power-Saving Mode
Most smartphones these days now have a super low power-saving mode. Essentially, this mode keeps the basic functions running and kills everything else. This is a big help in prolonging the battery life in case you ran out of juice on you battery packs.
Have An Extra Phone
In case you live in a place where power failures are common, you might want to consider buying an emergency phone. Well, not just any smartphone, but a smartphone that has a great battery capacity and a high water and dust resistant feature, preferably IP68.
Remember to store it with care, because it has a battery too. Also, be sure that it works with the wireless network that has the best coverage in your area.
Have A Cellular Hotspot
When the power goes out, there will be no electricity to power up your Wi-Fi router. It is best to have a cellular hotspot, which can either be through a dedicated device or by turning your smartphone into one.
Download Files In Advance
If you hear that a storm is coming, it is better to save any documents you are working on. This will help you be productive even during a storm. And for those who plans to chill, you can either download some movies to watch or PDFs to read until the storm passes.
