In this article, I will be comparing the offerings of equipment from the major power tool brands that would be useful during power outages. This is simply a listing of which brands offer which of the types of devices I have selected.
I have included what I consider to be essentials:
Now click here to view the list!
I decided to include the lowest input current for a tool battery charger, which is helpful if you need to recharge tool batteries from an inverter or another source with limited output power. I often use the 150W inverter built into my car to charge tool batteries during power outages, but the higher wattage chargers prevent this.
While not every brand listed here offers a chainsaw, all of them offer reciprocating saws.
On average, heating pads use 50-200 watts, which is within the capability of most of the inverters listed here.
An important note about thermoelectric/Peltier active coolers:For food requiring refrigeration to remain safe for consumption, it must be kept below 40°F/4.44°C, ideally 35-38°F/1.7-3.3°C. These coolers will only be able to cool ~30°/1.1°C below ambient temperature. This means that if the ambient temperature is above 68°F/20°C, a thermoelectric cooler WILL NOT maintain food safe temperatures. In such a situation, they are only usable for cooling items that do not require refrigeration, such as shelf stable beverages (though some, such as juice, may require refrigeration once opened). Compressor coolers, such as those made by Ryobi and Makita, work the same way as a standard refrigerator and will maintain food safe temps regardless of ambient temp.
When I first created the list, I was unable to find the complete selection of Klutch KLiQ tools on the Northern Tool site. Because of this, I mistakenly listed lighting as the only device on this list offered in the Klutch KLiQ lineup. I have now found that a water pump, a fan, and a radio are also part of the Klutch KLiQ platform, and the spreadsheet has been updated accordingly. To find this lineup, click "Shop Klutch Deals" from the Klutch KLiQ page. Here is a direct link to (what I believe to be) the full selection.
I hope this list will be helpful with you power outage preparation! Any essentials you'd like to recommend? Any other questions, comments, or feedback? Send an email to consciousconsumercollab@proton.me
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