05/25/2018 / By Zoey Sky
If you have enough time to prepare, you might have access to an emergency power source and even a backup, such as a generator or solar panels, when you lose power after SHTF.
However, if for any reason these aren’t available to you or they become unusable, you need to know how to turn a car battery into an emergency power source during a blackout. While it won’t be powerful enough to generate electricity for your whole house, this method will do in a pinch.
Before you begin, review each step carefully. While it looks small and harmless, a car battery stores a lot of energy. The DC power it contains will electrify you if you’re not careful. (Related: Long-term blackouts are a harsh reality: 7 scary challenges you probably aren’t prepared for.)
You will need the following tools:
When you have all the tools you need, get a power inverter that has a cable with crocodile clips. Inverters will turn the current from the battery into electricity that your appliances can use.
Since car batteries put out 12-volt DC current, they can’t power appliances. The voltage is too low (appliances need at least 100 volts), and AC power is dangerous. The constant output will kill at a much lower voltage than DC. With an inverter, you can convert a car battery’s steady output to AC while also increasing it up to 110-volt. A power inverter also has a standard power outlet that you can plug things into.
To connect the car battery to the power inverter, locate the positive and negative terminals of the battery. These have markings embossed beside the terminals.
Fasten the black lead from the inverter to the negative terminal, then connect the red lead to the positive. Now you can plug in small appliances like a lamp to the inverter.
You’ll need to remember these safety tips when you’re using a car battery as an emergency power source:
If you need an emergency power source, car batteries are some of the cheapest options at your disposal. Knowing how to convert a car battery into a power source can help you survive a power outage, especially if it lasts for a couple of days or so.
Aside from a car battery, you might need various power and light sources to prepare for a blackout in your neighborhood.
Power sources:
Lighting:
You can read more articles about other emergency power sources that you can use when SHTF at Preparedness.news.
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