I have been looking at various power stations over the last couple of days. It seems that what I want either does not exist or costs a bit more than what I am ready to pay. Here, anyway, are the things of interest to me:
-jump starter with a minimum of 750 peak amp;
-actually useful battery operated air compressor;
-at least one DC outlet
-at least one AC outlet that can recharge the battery of a powered down laptop or tablet.
-it is not junk yet it does not cost much more than 100 or so (after discounts, if necessary; I can wait).
-ability to supply power to a full-size refrigerator at home would be a nice bonus, but I assume this is too much to ask.
I am tired of looking at internet reviews, etc. Generally, it seems that multipurpose stations are either unreliable and/or expensive. Usually either the jumper is weak or the air compressor is useless or the whole thing falls apart, or quality control is poor and thus some get great units while others defective ones that cannot be returned by mail because they are generators and so on. I understand that it is hard to get much from a small unit, but I have little room in the OB to carry separate ones.
On a related note, I have come across mentions of small gas generators for camping purposes. Are those quiet? I mean the last thing I like about camping is somebody with a noisy generator. Secondly, for what can the smaller and cheaper units be actually used? It does not seem like they can power more than a light for more than a few hours. If there is a unit that can provide 1,200W for several hours quietly, that would be interesting.
Thanks for any input.
-jump starter with a minimum of 750 peak amp;
-actually useful battery operated air compressor;
-at least one DC outlet
-at least one AC outlet that can recharge the battery of a powered down laptop or tablet.
-it is not junk yet it does not cost much more than 100 or so (after discounts, if necessary; I can wait).
-ability to supply power to a full-size refrigerator at home would be a nice bonus, but I assume this is too much to ask.
I am tired of looking at internet reviews, etc. Generally, it seems that multipurpose stations are either unreliable and/or expensive. Usually either the jumper is weak or the air compressor is useless or the whole thing falls apart, or quality control is poor and thus some get great units while others defective ones that cannot be returned by mail because they are generators and so on. I understand that it is hard to get much from a small unit, but I have little room in the OB to carry separate ones.
On a related note, I have come across mentions of small gas generators for camping purposes. Are those quiet? I mean the last thing I like about camping is somebody with a noisy generator. Secondly, for what can the smaller and cheaper units be actually used? It does not seem like they can power more than a light for more than a few hours. If there is a unit that can provide 1,200W for several hours quietly, that would be interesting.
Thanks for any input.