Suppose you have a Zoom hearing or mediation and your power is out. Or has been out. Or you are afraid it will be out. With this crazy weather it’s a concern.
… very urgent matters. I have several others I might prefer be postponed, but two that postponing would cause serious harm to my clients.
Heard from a panicked chap on a Facebook group recently.
Why worry?
So what’s one to do in this day of Covid-19, thus Zoom-prison, and now power outages? We may be focused on power outages now due to the blizzard of 2021, but what about spring rains and wind or summer thunderstorms? Power out is always a possibility.
Power out solutions
- A UPS to keep the computer up. Also plug in your phone charger and keep the phone charged. You only need a small one because the purpose is to catch that little blip in power or to just keep the computer going until you get the generator started. $58 at OfficeDepot and they are in stock in Marble Falls. Or go bigger from Amazon to keep things going twice as long or more, includes 6 Battery backup outlets; 4 Surge-protection only outlets. PLUS: (1) USB-C Charging port, and (1) Type-A USB charging port.
- Know how to use your phone as hotspot.
- A small generator on the patio with 5gal extra gas. You don’t need an inverter generator (which is needed to DIRECTLY run electronics). A construction type portable generator with electric start is fine. Some ideas: 4kw for $449 Lowes. Same one from Amazon w/ free shipping. 4kw $470 from Tractor Supply.
- A cable from generator into house. 50′ at Tractor Supply: 50 ft. 10ga Triple Tap 100% Copper SJTW Heavy Duty Lit Extension / Power Cord. $69.99 or $20.69 for a 25′ single tap in a 12ga. The Tractor Supply one has a ‘triple tap’ meaning you can plug 3 extension cords into it and being 10ga it will power plenty of stuff at the far end.
- A 4-plug or more power block or strip which you will need if using a single tap cable. Try Kobalt 4-Outlet 2-USB Ports Blue Power Strip from Lowe’s $24 – $44 which also includes 2 USB charging ports. I would go for the $44 version.
- Yard type (14ga) extension cords to the UPS, an electric heater, refrigerator, etc.
Total around $600 if you go with the generator. An alternative is a larger UPS like this 1000 watt UPS from Amazon for $210. I’m guessing it would run my laptop + 2 external monitors and my backup internet connection (MoFi4500) for an hour. It has 12 outlets so just put it beside the desk and let ‘er rip.
A more robust internet backup system can be had with a modem/router that uses a cell carrier sim card. Available for AT&T, Verizon, Visible and T-mobile. The plans are not cheap (~ $125/month) but what price for total connectivity? A popular modem is the Mofi4500 (around $300). Again, really what price is worth having total protection for protecting your Zoom session against having the power out?
That gives you internet and endless (almost) power for your computer. Work away.
