What should you do when your electric vehicle's battery is running low during a trip, and you can't find a public charging station? This is where a "portable electric charger" that you can carry with you and use immediately comes in handy.
What is a portable electric charger? A portable electric charger is compact and easy to carry. It can charge your car through a household socket, without the location and environmental restrictions of fixed charging stations. It is relatively low in terms of charging environment requirements and very convenient to use, making it widely popular among new energy vehicle owners.
Portable electric chargers generally come in 7kW/3.5kW/2.2kW options. Overall, a 3.5kW portable electric charger is more recommended.
A 7kW (32A) portable electric charger requires supporting electrical equipment, and the wire is heavy and expensive. If there is no suitable place to use it, the recommendation index: 2 stars.
A 3.5kW (16A) portable electric charger has good applicability, with moderate weight, price, and charging speed. It is recommended to choose an adjustable current charger. When there is no 16A socket, a 10A socket can be used. Generally, portable electric charger manufacturers will include an adaptor. Recommendation index: 5 stars.
3A 2.2kW (10A) or lower portable electric charger has the advantage of being able to plug in anywhere, but the charging speed is very slow, only suitable for micro pure electric or hybrid models. Recommendation index: 1 star.
The cable length of a portable electric charger ranges from 5 to 30 meters. A cable that is too short lacks applicability, while one that is too long is heavy and expensive. A 15-meter length is recommended as more suitable.
If you frequently use a portable electric charger in unfamiliar environments, such as during long-distance self-driving trips, it's advisable to also have a 16A extension cord with a length of 15-20 meters, and the interface should be waterproof.
When purchasing, it is best to choose a portable electric charger with indicator lights and a smart display. This allows you to check the device usage and charging status, charging progress at any time, and the control box also features fault warnings, making it safer and more convenient to use.
Of course, if the portable electric charger you purchase does not have a screen, cannot be controlled, or does not show charging data, you can buy a socket with a power meter or a smart socket to use with it. This is very convenient when charging in unfamiliar environments, as you can check voltage, current, and charging capacity, making it easy to calculate electricity costs.
Generally speaking, the higher the protection function, the safer the charging station. When charging outdoors, you may encounter extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, and thunderstorms. It is generally recommended to choose a charging station with functions such as waterproofing, compression resistance, lightning protection, short-circuit protection, and leakage protection. An IP protection rating of 54 and above can ensure the safety of people, vehicles, and equipment.
In addition, on rainy days, avoid charging in low-lying areas to prevent the car from being trapped or even submerged in water. Even if the charging station is installed in a low-ground indoor area like an underground parking lot, be cautious about whether there is any water accumulation underground.
The cost of purchasing a charging station is relatively high, with portable electric chargers generally priced between 1000-3000. Therefore, after-sales service is very important as a charging station should be used for at least 3-5 years. What should you do if performance failures occur?
This is where choosing a well-known brand comes in. Their product quality is reliable and their after-sales service is generally good.
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