Group 58 and 58R Batteries: Alternatives and Recommendations
Group 58 and 58R batteries are mid-size cranking batteries used in some passenger cars, sedans, SUVs, and even boats as affordable and reliable Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) battery.
Group 58 and group 58R batteries share the same dimensions but different battery terminal orientations. Also, many brands that offer both group 58 and group 58R batteries offer batteries that are internally different - group 58R batteries often have better discharge characteristics than group 58 batteries.
Published: October 5, 2022.
How Many Lumens is a 60-Watt Bulb?
While Watts determines the electrical power of the bulb, the lumens determine how actually bright the bulb is.
60-Watt incandescent bulbs are very popular light bulbs, or at least they were - they are being replaced with more energy-efficient light sources, mostly highly efficient LED light bulbs. But, how many lumens have an ordinary 60-Watt incandescent bulb,s and what is the wattage of the equivalent LED bulb...
Published: October 4, 2022.
Can You Jump Start A Motorcycle With A Car Battery
Having discharged battery can leave the rider stranded on the side of the road, forcing one to try to crank the motorcycle's engine in various ways, including push/bump starting, using a motorcycle jump starter, car jump starter, and similar.
However, people often wonder if they can jump-start a motorcycle with a car battery. After all, in most situations, both motorcycles and cars use 12V electrical systems, right? Well...
Published: October 4, 2022.
YTX4L-BS Battery vs. YTZ5S Battery: Equivalents and Replacements
YTX4L-BS and YTZ5S batteries are two very similar motorcycle/Powersports batteries used as small starting/cranking batteries for 50-125 cc gasoline engines.
While having practically the same physical dimensions and battery terminal type and orientation, YTX4L-BS and YTZ5S batteries feature different specifications. Also, with the introduction of new technologies like enhanced AGM and lithium batteries, capacities and cranking currents differ even more.
Published: October 3, 2022.
SR41 and LR41 Battery Equivalents and Replacements
SR41 and LR41 batteries are small, button/coin cell batteries often used in digital thermometers, wrist watches, toys, small LED flashlights, wearable electronics, remote controls, and similar devices.
These batteries are available on the market in several chemistries, featuring similar but not the same discharge characteristics, and are often labeled differently by their manufacturers, leading to some confusion by their users.
Updated: September 30, 2022.
Lithium CR1620 Battery - Replacements and Equivalents
CR1620 battery is a lithium non-rechargeable button/coin cell battery, often used in car keys, digital watches, remote controllers, credit-card size devices, micro-LED flashlights, toys, as CMOS/motherboard battery, and similar.
CR1620 battery is manufactured by practically all of the most popular and reputable battery brands, and finding the new one should not be a problem. However, not all manufacturers use the same label for their CR1620 batteries, leading to some confusion among the users.
Updated: September 30, 2022.
C Battery vs. D Battery: The Ultimate Guide
C batteries (or C-cell batteries) and D batteries (or D-cell batteries) are cylindrical batteries manufactured as both non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries and are commonly used in toys, flashlights, remote controllers, power tools, and many other devices and gadgets.
C batteries and D batteries are very similar in appearance, but they do differ in size, capacity, and other features, making many people ask themselves what the actual difference between C and D batteries is and if they are interchangeable.
Published: September 28, 2022.
C Cell Batteries vs. 26500 Batteries - Comparisons and Recommendations
C cell batteries and 26500 batteries are physically very similar batteries - they are cylindrical batteries commonly used for powering home appliances, toys, flashlights, musical instruments, etc.
C cell batteries and 26500 batteries differ in chemistry type and thus their nominal voltage, capacity, internal resistance (drain type), shelf life, use, and similar.
Updated: September 28, 2022.
Car Auxiliary Battery Malfunction Warning
Car auxiliary batteries are very similar to the main car batteries, except that they are smaller and feature smaller capacity and smaller maximum discharge current.
Car auxiliary batteries ensure constant voltage for various car electric systems, especially when the main battery is disconnected or used in the start/stop application.
Published: September 27, 2022.
Candela vs. Lumens: What Is The Difference?
Candelas and lumens are used to describe the performances of various light sources, making it very useful to know what they actually mean.
Both candelas and lumens are units of the International System of Units, and both refer to (simplified) the amount of light. However, ...
Published: September 27, 2022.
Best Lithium Car Audio Battery
Car audio systems tend to be rather "hungry" regarding the required electricity and can drain ordinary car batteries rather fast.
To prevent any issues with the car's starting batteries, additional batteries or even battery packs are added in order to power the built-in car audio systems. As such, lithium car audio batteries have many benefits over lead-acid batteries and are becoming more and more popular.
Updated: September 27, 2022.
Can You Jump Start A Car With A Bad Starter?
Car battery jump starters can be of great help when starting a car with a weak or flat battery, especially during winter.
However, a bad starter is a completely different problem, but it can also be very annoying, and as usual, it happens whenever You are in a hurry ... So, can a jump starter help with cranking the engine with a bad starter?
Published: September 27, 2022.
AVAPOW A68 6000A Car Battery Jump Starter
AVAPOW A68 is a relatively compact and lightweight car battery jump starter that also acts as a small power station/power bank and LED flashlight, thanks to its large lithium battery and advanced electronics.
AVAPOW A68 can be used to start gas and diesel engines up to 12 liters, meaning it is able to start passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, RVs, tractors, boats, yachts, etc. AVAPOW A68 is a very popular jump starter that comes at a more than acceptable price.
Published: September 26, 2022.
DeWalt 20V MAX to Ryobi 18V Battery Adapter
DeWalt 20V MAX to Ryobi 18V Battery Adapter allows the users to power Ryobi 18V compatible tools with the DeWalt 20V MAX compatible batteries.
Users that have Ryobi 18V cordless tools with old and weak batteries can now power these tools using powerful DeWalt 20V MAX compatible batteries. However, such adapters are not officially supported by either DeWalt or Ryobi, so care must be taken...
Published: September 24, 2022.
Milwaukee M12 and M18 Power Sources
Milwaukee power sources are based on their very popular M12 and M18 battery systems, allowing the users to recharge their USB-charged devices like phones, tablets, digital cameras, and similar, with no AC power being available.
Milwaukee M12 and M18 power sources are compact, lightweight, and come in very handy in many situations. Also, they are mostly offered as "tool-only," with the M12 and M18 batteries being sold separately.
Published: September 24, 2022.
SI Prefixes: How Many Watts in a Kilowatt and Kilowatts in a Megawatt
SI prefixes are very important in electrical engineering but also in everyday life. Their use is relatively easy, but it can also cause many problems when done incorrectly.
Watts to kilowatts, kilowatts to megawatts, and other conversions are very important when electric energy and power of electric motors, pumps, winches, inverters, batteries, and other devices are being calculated, planned, transferred, or being used. SI prefixes help significantly, especially when dealing with very large or very small values.
Updated: September 23, 2022.
AG4, LR626, LR66, 177/376/377, SR626, SR626SW Battery Equivalents
AG4, LR626, LR66, 177/376/377, SR626, and SR626SW batteries are very popular non-rechargeable button/coin cell batteries, available in several chemistries and manufactured by practically all battery brands.
These batteries are commonly found in wrist watches, calculators, and similar small electronic devices requiring a reliable power source.
Updated: September 23, 2022.
How to Charge a Deep Cycle Battery Properly
Deep cycle batteries may be recharged in many ways, but the best thing to do is to follow recommendations by their manufacturers regarding charging voltages, temperatures, and currents.
However, in real-life situations, such ideal charging conditions are not always possible.
Updated: September 23, 2022.
Renogy 12V 40A DC to DC On-Board Battery Charger
Renogy DCC1212-40 is a 12V 40A DC to DC onboard battery charger intended for charging lead-acid and lithium batteries in RVs, boats, yachts, commercial vehicles, etc.
Basically, the Renogy DCC1212-40 battery charger is connected to the alternator powered by an internal combustion engine and charges the house deep-cycle battery. To keep things as safe as possible, the Renogy DCC1212-40 battery charger comes with various built-in features, including the use of a D+ ignition cable and LC current limit cable.
Published: September 21, 2022.
Antigravity ATZ-10 Re-Start Lithium Starting Battery
Antigravity ATZ-10 Re-Start battery is an ultralight and very compact Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery designed as starting battery for motorcycles, smaller boats, and various Powersport vehicles.
Antigravity ATZ-10 Re-Start battery features an intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) that protects the battery from various unwanted events, combined with so-called Re-Start technology, preventing the deep discharges from leaving the users stranded due to the deeply discharged battery.
Published: September 21, 2022.
DeWalt DCB205 20V 5Ah MAX XR Lithium-Ion Battery: The Complete Guide
DeWalt DCB205 lithium-ion battery belongs to the DeWalt 20V MAX XR battery family and is compatible with all the DeWalt 20V MAX tools (200+ tools). Also, it is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, DeWalt lithium-ion battery on the market at the moment.
DeWalt DCB205 battery is offered in several submodels, which can cause a certain confusion, but they all feature the same capacity, voltage, battery connector, etc.
DeWalt DCB205 battery features a very balanced design and comes at an affordable price, helping its popularity among its users.
Published: September 20, 2022.
DeWalt to Milwaukee Battery Adapter: 20V MAX to M18 Battery Adapter
Having plenty of batteries of one brand means that You can often power a long list of cordless tools that the brand provides for that specific battery system.
But what to do when You need a cordless tool provided by another brand? For example, what to do when You have plenty of DeWalt 20V MAX batteries but want to power the Milwaukee M18 battery-compatible tool? Well, either get a few Milwaukee M18 batteries or use Dewalt 20V MAX to Milwaukee M18 battery adapter...
Published: September 19, 2022.
Kobalt 24V Battery System: The Complete Guide
Kobalt 24V batteries are designed to power a long line of Kobalt 24V cordless tools and are not compatible with Kobalt 40V and Kobalt 80V batteries and tools.
Most popular Kobalt 24V batteries range from 1.5Ah to 8.0Ah and are able to store from ~32 to ~172 Wh of energy. Also, they accept the charge relatively fast, and using a rapid 110W 24V charger, they can be recharged quickly.
Published: September 19, 2022.
Milwaukee Battery Adapters for M12, M18, and M28 Batteries
Milwaukee batteries and their cordless tools are very popular thanks to their quality and acceptable price. With all the batteries available around, many people wonder if they can be used to power other tools, DIY projects, power wheels, robotics, etc.
And the answer is yes, Milwaukee lithium batteries are used for powering a broad range of devices, gadgets, toys, etc.
Of course, every use of Milwaukee batteries except for powering Milwaukee cordless tools is not supported/forbidden by Milwaukee.
Published: September 16, 2022.
4 Gauge/AWG Wire: 4/2 Wire, 4/3 Wire, and 4/4 Wire
4 gauge wires are relatively thick wires that are seldom used at home and residential electrical installations but may be quite common in light industrial applications and applications that require currents in the 50-60 Amps range.
4 gauge wires differ in wire material, construction, Ampacity, and a few other details, making it very important to choose the very best 4 gauge wire carefully.
Published: September 16, 2022.
Lithium CR2450 Battery - Brands, Equivalents, and Replacements
Lithium 3.0V CR2450 battery is a non-rechargeable button/coin cell battery commonly used in watches, computer motherboards, medical devices, LED flashlights, toys, remote controls, car remote keys, security systems, wearable electronics, etc.
When compared with smaller 3.0V lithium batteries, CR2450 is a large and powerful battery with a large capacity and is often used in 'high' drain devices.
Updated: September 15, 2022.
Best CR123A Battery - Rechargeable vs. Non-Rechargeable Lithium CR123A Batteries
CR123A batteries are very popular cylindrical lithium batteries, commonly used in various devices like photo cameras, flashlights, security devices, military equipment, etc.
CR123A batteries come in two major versions: rechargeable and non-rechargeable CR123A batteries, both featuring different voltages, drain currents, capacities, etc. That and the fact that many manufacturers come with their 'own' labels lead to slight confusion when picking the right CR123A battery.
Updated: September 15, 2022.
ExpertPower EXP12120 12 Volt 12 Ah AGM SLA Battery
ExpertPower EXP12120 12 Volt 12 Ah AGM SLA Battery is a very popular AGM battery. It can operate in any position, it has very good vibration resistance, it is an almost maintenance-free battery, tolerates deep discharges well, have low-self discharge rate, acceptable price, long float service life, etc.
Because of this, the ExpertPower EXP12120 battery is commonly used in both standby applications (UPS battery, for example) and for cyclic use (fish finder battery, for example).
Updated: September 15, 2022.
Quick Guide to European Plug Adapters
There is a significant difference in voltage and frequency of the mains power in Europe and the USA. Also, wall power sockets are different.
So, to use devices, tools, and gadgets intended for the US market in Europe, You need a European plug adapter. But that is not all ...
Published: September 14, 2022.
BCI Group 96R Batteries - Dimensions, Features, and Recommendations
BCI Group 96R Batteries are almost exclusively used as starting batteries in cars and other similar applications where affordable and reliable starting batteries that can provide 500-600 CCA are required.
As such, most BCI group 96R batteries are wet/flooded lead-acid batteries, with only a very few AGM, Gel-Cell, or lithium batteries being present on the market. If such batteries are required, one must look for AGM, Gel-Cell, and/or lithium batteries of similarly sized BCI groups, taking into account battery size, capacity, terminal types, terminal orientation, hold-down type/shape, etc.
Updated: September 26, 2022.
DeWalt DCB1800B FLEXVOLT Portable Power Station/Battery Charger
DeWalt DCB1800B FLEXVOLT Portable Power Station/Battery Charger is a tough and versatile unit intended for powering various corded tools and appliances that accept modified sine wave 120V AC power on construction sites, workshops, at homes, and similar.
Also, the DeWalt DCB1800B power station doubles as a 4x battery charger, being able to charge DeWalt 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT batteries using 120V AC power.
Published: September 12, 2022.
CR3032 and BR3032 Lithium Batteries
CR3032 and BR3032 are relatively large button/coin-cell batteries, often used in applications where a thin battery of relatively large capacity is needed.
Since they are based on the manganese-dioxide lithium and carbon-monofluoride lithium chemistries, CR3032 and BR3032 come with many similar features. But, they also differ in a few very important discharge features.
Published: September 12, 2022.
Battery Powered Fans: The Ultimate Guide
Battery-powered fans range from small, ultralight handheld units to larger, jobsite battery-operated fans powered by large, powerful lithium batteries.
Battery-operated fans don't rely on mains power and can be used practically everywhere, allowing smaller and more compact fans to be carried like other wearable electronics.
Battery-powered fans differ significantly in size, features, air flow, energy source, requirements, etc. So, when looking for a new battery-powered fan, be sure to choose according to your own needs and requirements.
Published: September 6, 2022.
Lithium CR2477 Battery - Equivalents and Replacements
Lithium CR2477 is a non-rechargeable 3.0 volts manganese-dioxide lithium battery, labeled as 'CR2477', but also as DL2477, ECR2477, KCR2477, EB-CR2477, BR2477, LiR2477, etc.
CR2477 battery is used as a watch battery, in remote controls, toys, medical equipment, security systems, etc.
The lithium non-rechargeable 3.0 V CR2477 battery is known as the battery with the highest capacity of all lithium button/coin cell batteries.
Updated: September 2, 2022.
Kobalt 80V Battery System
Kobalt 80V lithium-ion batteries are intended for cordless tools ranging from string and hedge trimmers to self-propelled cordless lawn mowers and cordless chainsaws, providing almost corded-like performances.
All Kobalt 80V batteries are compatible with all Kobalt 80V tools and chargers, but one should choose carefully to provide the best balance between the runtime on a single battery charge and the weight of the battery.
Published: September 1, 2022.
GoWISE PS1002 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter
GoWISE PS1002 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter is a simple but robust and reliable power inverter with a nominal output power of 1000W and surge power of 2000W.
As a pure sine wave power inverter, the GoWISE PS1002 power inverter is suitable for powering various sensitive devices at home, in RVs, boats, cars, trucks, etc., during emergencies or blackouts, or simply as part of an off-the-grid electric system.
Published: August 27, 2022.
Milwaukee M18 Batteries: 5.0, 9.0, 12.0, and Other Models
Milwaukee M18 batteries are intended for powering a long list (150+) of compatible Milwaukee M18 cordless tools, allowing users to power all of their tools using just a few standard batteries. Such practice also decreases the price of every purchased tool since it can be bought as a "bare tool."
Milwaukee M18 batteries differ in capacity and internal construction. Still, they all feature a fuel gauge, which allows the users to check the remaining capacity, and the built-in Battery Management System (BMS), which monitors the battery and protects it if required.
Published: August 22, 2022.
How to Choose the Best Electric ATV for Kids and Adults
Electric All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are a type of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) that are becoming more and more popular thanks to the improvements in batteries and other electric and electronic components.
Electric ATVs range in size from toy vehicles for small children to large and powerful vehicles with performances comparable to gas-powered ATVs.
Updated: August 18, 2022.
Car Battery Testing & Voltage - How Many Volts is a Car Battery?
The car battery provides energy not only for cranking the engine but it also powers a broad range of devices that may be turned on when the engine is off, even when the car is locked, like GPS units, alarms, and other security systems, multimedia devices, lights, etc.
While car batteries feature a nominal voltage of 12 volts, in real life, this voltage can be anywhere from just a few volts (or even 0 volts!) to almost or even slightly over 15 volts. The exact battery voltage depends on the engine being turned On or Off and the battery's charge condition, age, load, temperature, etc.
Updated: August 18, 2022.
AG13, SG13, LR1154, SR44, SR44SW, 303, 357, A76, LR44 Battery Equivalents
AG13/LR44/SR44/SR44SW/357 button/coin cell batteries are very popular batteries, commonly found in wrist watches, small flashlights, some remote control devices, thermometers, laser pointers, and other small electronic units.
According to the IEC standard, this battery should be called LR1154 (alkaline) or SR1154 (silver-oxide). Sometimes shorter, two-digit code is used: LR44 for alkaline and SR44 for silver-oxide batteries.
Many manufacturers use their own names for these batteries, but they also tend to add IEC and other standard codes, including short descriptions of the chemistry and other important features.
Updated: August 18, 2022.
Anker 747 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K for Laptop)
Anker 747 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K for Laptop) is a rather versatile and relatively compact power bank, being able to store plenty of energy. Thanks to the PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology, Anker 747 can recognize the device and use the best possible charging method.
With a large battery and strong electronics combined with efficient cooling, Anker 747 is able to charge up to 4 various devices simultaneously.
Published: August 17, 2022.
DeWalt 18V to 20V MAX Battery Adapter
DeWalt offers a wide range of cordless tools powered by their 18V batteries and 20V MAX batteries, which are not interchangeable.
However, DeWalt also offers an official battery adapter and battery adapter kit, which allows owners of 18V DeWalt tools to power them using excellent DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, simplifying battery management for owners of both Dewalt 18V and DeWalt 20V MAX tools.
Published: August 16, 2022.
Ryobi 40V Lithium Battery
Ryobi set of 40V lithium tools is powered by a long line of power fade-free Ryobi 40V batteries based on the lithium-ion chemistry.
As such, these energy-efficient batteries ensure almost gas-like performances while accepting charge rather well, allowing the users to recharge empty batteries quickly.
Having just a few of these batteries ensure powering of 75+ Ryobi cordless tools that are based on their 40V lithium batteries.
Published: August 16, 2022.
Off-the-Grid: How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use?
Refrigerators and freezers are used for preserving the food, cooling down beverages, and for other similar tasks. When the mains power is gone, refrigerators and freezers stop, with all the stored food and drinks being in jeopardy.
Regardless if You have a fridge that you want to keep operational during a power outage or you want to have a fridge or freezer running when camping, it is vital to know the power and energy requirements of your unit.
Updated: August 13, 2022.
Volts and Amps to Watts Calculator
Here is simple volts and amps to watts calculator, with short explanations, formulas, and charts.
Unit conversions sometimes can be difficult, but with most basic electric units like the voltage, current, and power, things are almost always very simple. Almost always...
Updated: August 13, 2022.
50 Amp Generator Cord
50 Amps generator cord is used to connect power generators with NEMA 120/240V 50A 14-50R receptacle and RVs and other vehicles, boats, off-the-grid, and other installations utilizing the 50 Amp receptacles, usually SS2-50R or 14-50R receptacles.
50 Amps generator cords are heavy-duty cords, usually made using pure copper wires coated with a heavy-duty flame retardant, heat, and UV resistant PVC. Such construction provides excellent protection from rain, wind, snow, soil, sand, rocks, etc.
Published: August 13, 2022.
Top 5 Best 50 Amp Portable Generators - 50 Amp RV Generators
Portable generators with 120/240V 50A (14-50R) plug and the list of other ports (L14-30R, L5-30R, 5-20R, 12VDC, etc.) are large, sturdy, and powerful units, capable of providing plenty of energy over a longer period of time.
50 Amp portable generators are often used as RV generators, camping generators, in emergencies, on construction sites, and similar. They are usually powered by gas or gas/propane combination (dual-fuel models), with some larger industrial/commercial models featuring diesel engines.
Updated: August 13, 2022.
20 Amp Wire Size: What Size Wire For 20 Amp Circuit
20 Amp wires are often used for household outlets, extension cords, and similar applications, where the circuit must be strong enough to power one larger or a few smaller tools and/or appliances, with the maximum current through the wires of 20 Amps.
However, when calculating the right wire thickness, one has to consider safety measures, wire length, type and material, and a few more details.
Published: August 12, 2022.
DeWalt 60V Battery: 20V/60V MAX FLEXVOLT Batteries
DeWalt offers various cordless tools powered by various battery chemistries and voltages. To make things simpler, they also offer 60V batteries - 20V/60V MAX FLEXVOLT batteries that are compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX tools, DeWalt 60V MAX tools, and DeWalt 120V MAX tools.
DeWalt 60V batteries are not cheap, and neither are their tools, but they are durable, powerful, and versatile units that are able to store plenty of energy and release it when required.
Published: August 9, 2022.
12 Gauge Wire (12/2 Wire, 12/3 Wire, 12/4 Wire) Ampacity: How Many Amps Can 12 Gauge Wire Safely Handle?
12 gauge wire is a very popular wire thickness used for speakers, extension cords, home, and car electric installations, and for all other applications where a wire must safely handle 10-20 Amps current.
However, current carrying ability differs depending on the maximum allowed wire temperature, wire length, and similar.
Updated: August 8, 2022.
8 Gauge Wire (8/2 Wire, 8/3 Wire, 8/4 Wire): How Many Amps Can 8 Gauge Wire Handle
8 gauge wire is a very popular wire commonly often used for applications requiring wire that can handle dozens of Amps with minimal energy losses.
However, the Ampacity of the wire depends on the wire thickness, but also it depends on the wire length, maximum wire surface temperature, wire material, wire construction, etc.
Updated: August 8, 2022.
Kobalt 40V Lithium Ion Battery
Kobalt 40V lithium-ion batteries are very popular Kobalt batteries used from smaller handheld tools to full-size cordless lawn mowers and similar tools and appliances.
Kobalt 40-volt rechargeable Li-Ion batteries range in capacity, weight, and charging/discharging features, but the Kobalt 40V MAX rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are compatible with all the Kobalt's 40V MAX Li-Ion battery tools - just smaller batteries (in terms of capacity) don't last long in energy-hungry tools.
Published: August 8, 2022.
14 Gauge Wire (14/2 Wire, 14/3 Wire, 14/4 Wire) Amps: How Thick is 14 Gauge Wire?
14 Gauge Wires are commonly used for powering devices that don't require too strong currents. Also, 14 gauge wires are sometimes used for wall power outlets, but their Ampacity or current load carrying ability tells us that they should generally not be used for such purpose.
But, for many other applications, 14 gauge wires are the ideal thickness due to their combination of thickness, price, and Ampacity.
Updated: August 6, 2022.
10 Gauge Wire (10/2 Wire, 10/3 Wire, 10/4 Wire): How Many Amps Can 10 Gauge Wire Handle?
10 gauge wire is a very popular wire thickness, often used for speakers, extension cords, home wiring, and other electric systems where wires can handle 20-30 Amps.
However, actual current carrying ability (Ampacity) also depends on the wire length, maximum wire surface temperature, and similar.
Update: August 6, 2022.
6 Gauge Wire Amps: 6/2 Wire vs. 6/3 Wire vs. 6/4 Wire
6 gauge wires are often used in marine, residential, and even industrial applications where a medium-sized wire is required to transfer plenty of energy without significant energy losses.
Since the requirements of such applications differ, so do the 6 gauge wires differ in the wire and insulation material, wire construction, and similar.
Published: August 6, 2022.
Quick Guide to Electrical Wire Color Codes
Electrical wires differ in many details, including wire type, material, thickness, number of wires in the cable, insulation type and thickness, etc.
When building an electrical system, it is very important to follow the electrical installation diagram/schematics - in order to differentiate wires in electrical systems, wires come in different colors, and knowing which color goes where is of utmost importance.
Published: August 6, 2022.
How Many LED Lights Can You Run On a 15 Amp Circuit?
LED light bulbs are much more energy efficient than older incandescent lights. Actually, LED light bulbs produce much more light for the same amount of spent energy that many manufacturers emphasize the wattage of equivalent incandescent light bulbs more than the actual wattage of the LED light bulb.
Although the user can run more LED light bulbs on the same circuit than incandescent bulbs, it is a good idea to calculate how many LED lights a user can actually run on the same electric circuit, for example, 15 Amp circuit.
Published: August 3, 2022.
Battery Cables and Terminals: Is Red or Black Positive?
When connecting batteries, jump starters, jumper cables, and similar to the car's or similar batteries, it is very important to know which cable and terminal post are positive and which ones are negative.
Also, it is very important to know which one to connect or disconnect first.
Not knowing such information can be dangerous since car batteries and jump starters are able to provide huge currents, even when not fully charged.
Published: August 2, 2022.
Guide to the Best Portable Action Camera Flashlight
Portable action camera flashlights are continuous light sources required for capturing videos during low-light conditions and at night.
Requirements for the action camera flashlights differ from everyday LED flashlights, making these units somewhat different in their design, appearance, and specifications.
Nonetheless, such LED flashlights can be used in everyday situations, if and when required, including hiking, camping, fishing, in emergencies, and similar.
Published: July 30, 2022.
Ampere Time APT-12V50AH 12V 50Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
Ampere Time APT-12V50AH is a very popular ultra-lightweight, deep cycle, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery suitable for various applications requiring at most 500-600W and the battery that can be quickly recharged and that supports a large number of charging/discharging cycles.
Ampere Time APT-12V50AH is commonly used as a kayak trolling motor battery, fishfinder battery, small inverter battery in various off-the-grid systems, as a backup battery, in medical and security systems, etc.
Published: July 28, 2022.
Acebeam W30 Long Range LEP Flashlight
Acebeam W30 is a very specific flashlight powered by a strong rechargeable lithium-ion battery and featuring extra long range - it is an example of an LEP (Laser Excitation Phosphor) BLOS (Beyond the Line Of Sight) flashlight.
Acebeam W30 Long Range LEP Flashlight features a so-called PCC (Phosphor Crystal Coating) layer on a metallic substrate that produces the light beam. Using the convex lenses, the light beam is focused into a very narrow cone of only 1.8°.
Obviously, Acebeam W30 Long Range LEP Flashlight is anything but a typical LED EDC flashlight.
Published: July 20, 2022.
CR1025, DL1025, BR1025 Battery Equivalents and Replacements
CR1025 batteries are non-rechargeable Lithium Manganese Dioxide (LiMnO2) 3.0V batteries featuring very stable output voltage, good tolerance to low and high temperatures, and a very low discharge rate.
CR1025 batteries are commonly used in some calculators, wrist watches, remote controls, car key fobs, and similar devices that require a compact but reliable and stable power source.
Published: July 16, 2022.
100 Amp Wire Size: What Size Wire Do I Need For 100 Amp Service/Sub-Panel
100 Amps is a very serious current requiring thick wires in order to keep the energy losses to an acceptable level and to keep the wire surface temperature below the maximum allowed temperature.
The thickness of the wire depends on the wire material, conduit size, and maximum allowed energy losses/wire surface temperature, but it can also depend on other details, as well. Personally, if You are going to service or add 100 Amp service, consult or hire a certified electrician, regardless of whether You need a permit for such works or not.
Published: July 12, 2022.
Populo Curve Folding Electric Bike
Populo Curve Folding Electric Bike features a very balanced design, making it a very versatile electric bike, suitable for everyday commuting, but also for off-road adventures.
As its name suggests, Populo Curve Folding Electric Bike comes with an aluminum folding frame and is powered by a 250W rear hub motor from a 36V 6.6Ah removable lithium battery which can be used as a USB charger as well.
Very nice for a unit that folded can fit easily into most sedans and SUVs.
Published: July 9, 2022.
If You Have Solar Panels, Do You Need a Power Generator?
From time to time, we get questions like this one - people wonder if they need a power generator if they have solar panels installed and hooked up.
And the best of all, such questions ask homeowners, RV enthusiasts, and even campers, each one describing their own setup.
So, here are our answers regarding solar panels and power generator combinations.
Published: July 5, 2022.
Group 49 (H8, L5, 88L5) Batteries - Dimensions, Features, and Recommendations
BCI Group 49 or Group H8 are very popular car/truck batteries, commonly used not only as starting/cranking batteries but also as dual-purpose batteries, used for powering various loads while the main engine is turned off, like various winches, pumps, multimedia devices, etc.
While BCI Group 49 and Group H8 (or Group L5 or Group 88L5) are considered interchangeable, there are a few important differences one has to know before buying any of these batteries.
Updated: June 30, 2022.
Kepworth 36V 8A Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery Charger
Kepworth 36V 8A Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery Charger is a dedicated Lithium Iron Phosphate battery charger, designed to be safe and simple to use.
Kepworth 36V 8A LiFePO4 Battery Charger charges batteries using Constant Current/Constant Voltage charging algorithm after which it stops the charging process protecting the battery.
Published: June 29, 2022.
Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Plus Lithium LiFePO4 Battery
Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Plus Lithium LiFePO4 Battery is a large, powerful, reliable, and surprisingly lightweight deep cycle battery commonly used in applications that require a battery (or battery pack) that cycles well and that accepts the charge well.
Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Plus Lithium LiFePO4 Battery is not the cheapest battery in its class, but it is a very popular one, thanks to its features that more than justify its price.
Published: June 28, 2022.
Sub-C Rechargeable Battery
Sub-C batteries are commonly used in cordless tools, high-end RC toys, and appliances requiring reliable batteries that are able to provide relatively strong currents and support hundred of charging/discharging cycles.
Sub-C batteries are offered in several chemistries, but also in several sub-models, often labeled as 1/2 Sub-C, 4/5 Sub-C, and 5/4 Sub-C batteries.
Published: June 23, 2022.
Speaker Wire Guide: How To Choose The Right Gauge
Speaker wires are intended to transfer the signal and energy from the audio amplifiers to the speakers, hence their name. Speaker wires differ in material, construction, thickness, and a few other features which can be rather different.
Speaker wire consists of two or sometimes more identical electrical conductors with different markings in order to identify themselves more easily. Correctly sized speaker wire has very little effect on the audio signal quality despite the claims by some wire manufacturers which often use technical terms like "skin effect", "impedance", "resonance", etc. in order to confuse and impress end users.
Published: June 22, 2022.
40 Amp Wire Size: What Wire Size Is Needed For A 40 Amp Breaker/Fuse
40 Amp wires are commonly used in homes, RVs, boats, off-the-grid, and similar electric installations.
When calculating the required wire thickness, there are a few important rules that must be taken into consideration. Also, with such currents, one should never go cheap, because, sooner or later, thin and weak wires will cause plenty of issues.
Published: June 15, 2022.
Best 1500 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters
Pure sine power inverters provide smooth and stable AC voltage with very low Total Harmonic Distortions (THD) allowing them to power even sensitive electronics, devices, gadgets, and similar loads, but also various tools and appliances that can handle both modified sine wave and pure sine wave power inverters.
1500 Watt pure sine wave power inverters are able to power most home tools and appliances, just be sure that the continuous power and surge power of connected loads fit within the limits of the power inverter being used.
Published: June 13, 2022.
Does A Surge Protector or a UPS Protect Against Lightning?
In order to protect electronics and other devices from power surges, many people use power surges and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) to connect devices to wall power sockets.
But, while such units may very well protect the electronic devices from internal and even external power surges, people want to know if surge protectors and UPSs can protect the devices from lightning strikes.
Published: June 9, 2022.
PacPow 12V 100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle Battery
PacPow 12V 100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle Battery is a compact and lightweight lithium battery intended for various deep discharge applications that cycle a lot, including medical and security systems, RVs, and other vehicles, boats, yachts, off-the-grid systems and similar.
PacPow 12V 100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle Battery features an advanced Battery Management System that protects the battery from unwanted events, prolongs the battery's operating life, and allows the user to connect several batteries in parallel and/or series.
Published: June 8, 2022.
PacPow UY360 12.8V/14.6V 20A Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Charger
PacPow UY360 is a battery charger designed for charging Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries with a nominal voltage of 12.8V, a maximum charging voltage of 14.6V, and a maximum charging current of 20 Amps.
PacPow UY360 enables the user to quickly and safely recharge 40-200Ah LiFePO4 batteries using a CC/CV charging algorithm with a cutoff when the battery is fully recharged. This charger should NOT be used for 12V lead-acid batteries and for other 12V lithium batteries featuring other lithium chemistries.
Published: June 8, 2022.
Weize TL1255/FP1255 12V 55Ah Group 22NF AGM Deep Cycle Battery
Weize TL1255/FP1255 is a very popular BCI Group 22NF Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)battery commonly used in various applications that require a reliable deep-cycle battery that is also able to provide relatively strong currents.
As such, Weize TL1255/FP1255 is used as trolling motor battery, wheelchair battery, lawn tractor battery, UPS battery, medical system battery, etc. It is a very popular BCI Group 22NF battery featuring a well-balanced design and it also comes at a very affordable price.
Published: June 7, 2022.
Top 1000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters
1000 Watt power inverters are a very popular inverter class commonly used to power various loads during emergencies, when camping, tailgating, etc. These loads include lights, smaller tools, and home appliances, various chargers, security and medical systems, etc.
1000 Watt power inverters are relatively affordable units - pure sine wave inverters do cost a little bit more than modified wave power inverters, but they can be used to power even sensitive devices and equipment, justifying the price difference.
Published: June 4, 2022.
Onboard Marine Chargers: Best 3 Bank Battery Charger
3 bank battery chargers are commonly used for charging several (up to 3) batteries at once, using just one battery charger.
Most onboard battery chargers are designed to be permanently connected to the batteries, which are then charged whenever the battery charger is plugged in the mains power.
3 bank battery chargers are commonly used on boats, yachts, electric vehicles, RVs, off-the-grid, and other applications that have the need to charge multiple batteries at once.
Published: Jun 2, 2022.
CR11108, CR1/3N, CR-1/3N, DL1/3N, 2L76, 2LR44 3V Lithium Non-Rechargeable Battery Equivalents and Replacements
CR11108, CR1/3N, CR-1/3N, DL1/3N, 2L76, 2LR44, 2KL1/3N, 5008L, VL1/3N, etc. are non-rechargeable 3V lithium batteries, most commonly based on the Lithium Manganese Dioxide chemistry.
Commonly, they are known as CR11108 or CR1/3N batteries and are often used in cameras, calculators, dog collars, gun sights, PDAs, computer motherboards, etc.
Updated: June 1, 2022.
Imazing IM39 Portable Car Jump Starter
Imazing IM39 Portable Car Jump Starter is a versatile device primarily intended as a portable car jump starter, but it can also be used as a portable power bank and an emergency flashlight.
As a portable car jump starter, Imazing IM39 is safe and easy to use - despite its compact size, it is able to crank large diesel engines up to 10 liters and even larger gasoline engines.
Published: May 27, 2022.
Renogy 3000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter
Renogy 3000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter is a high-efficiency, low THD% power inverter designed for 12V DC to 120V AC operation as a home, truck, RV, off-the-grid, solar power inverter.
Renogy 3000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter features a wired remote control unit and a set of safety features that protect the unit from unwanted events.
Published: May 25, 2022.
Gooloo P600 Portable Power Station/Solar Generator
Gooloo P600 Portable Power Station is a mid-range portable power station/solar generator, suitable for powering smaller AC devices and for charging various USB charged devices.
With a relatively large lithium-ion battery, Gooloo P600 Portable Power Station is suitable for various situations including camping, fishing, and hiking, but also for emergencies and blackouts.
Published: May 24, 2022.
What is the Difference Between a Surge, a Spike, a Sag, a Brownout, and a Blackout?
For electric and especially electronic devices it is very important that the power supply is "clean", without over-voltages and under-voltages, but also that the AC power features pure sine waveform with minimum Total Harmonic Distortions (THD).
Words like surge, spike, sad, brownout, and blackout are often used to describe events on the power line, but what do they actually mean?
Published: May 24, 2022.
Vatrer LAF12100 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle Lithium Battery
Vatrer LAF12100 is a 12V 100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) deep cycle battery intended for various roles, including marine, light industry, off-the-grid, electric vehicles, and similar applications that require a lightweight battery that cycles well and accept charge quickly.
Vatrer LAF12100 battery is protected by the built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that protects the battery from unwanted events, increasing the safety of the user and applications.
Published: May 23, 2022.
Razor EcoSmart Metro Chain Driven Electric Scooter
Razor EcoSmart Metro Chain Driven Electric Scooter is a rather versatile e-bike/e-scooter, intended for persons 16+, featuring relatively large air-filled wheels, a strong motor, sturdy and strong construction, and a few more interesting features like seat, luggage rack, basket, and similar.
Razor EcoSmart Metro Chain Driven Electric Scooter features a very balanced design which surprisingly also includes lead-acid batteries and not lithium ones. But, the unit has a powerful-enough motor, good range, and hill-climbing ability, which would be better, of course, if lithium batteries of the same weight were used - that would also increase the price of this electric scooter ...
Published: May 20, 2022.
NOCO GeniusPro50 50-Amp Fully Automatic Professional Smart Battery Charger
NOCO GeniusPro50 is a large, heavy, and expensive, fully automatic, smart, and rather versatile battery charger, intended for charging a long list of batteries at 6V, 12V, and 24V with the currents of 25 and 50 Amps, voltage-dependent. Also, it features 10 Amps charging mode.
Additionally, NOCO GeniusPro50 comes with many other features and can be used as a power supply, battery desulfator, for recovering deeply discharged batteries, etc.
With the introduction of larger and larger lead-acid and especially lithium batteries, NOCO GeniusPro50 has become a more common battery charger, often used for charging large trolling motors, off-the-grid battery banks, RV batteries, etc.
Published: May 17, 2022.
How Long Does It Take to Charge a Car Battery?
Regardless of the car battery type or brand, from time to time it may become necessary to recharge the car battery using the battery charger. Was the battery discharged due to the parasite load, multimedia devices, or for some other reason, this is not the topic of this article.
However, if that happens several times over a short period of time, check the alternator and the rest of the electric system of your car.
Updated: May 17, 2022.
Can a Bad Alternator Ruin a Battery
Alternators and batteries are vital parts of cars, boats, RVs, and other electric systems, and issues with one component may cause additional issues with other components of such systems.
Since the battery charge level in such systems depends on the proper operation of the alternator and its charge controller, people wonder if a bad alternator can ruin a battery.
Published: May 13, 2022.
Optima Batteries D27M BlueTop and D27F YellowTop Starting and Deep Cycle Batteries
Optima Batteries D27M BlueTop and D27F YellowTop Starting and Deep Cycle Batteries are versatile, dual-purpose marine and automotive batteries. Optima Batteries D27M BlueTop and D27F YellowTop are AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries, with the spiral wound lead plates, offering good vibration resistance, extended life, low maintenance, and faster recharging.
Optima Batteries D27M BlueTop and D27F YellowTop are completely spill-proof 12V AGM batteries, mountable in virtually any position.
Updated: May 13, 2022.
Weize TPLI-12200AH 12V 200Ah Deep Cycle Lithium Battery
Weize TPLI-12200AH battery is a lightweight lithium deep cycle battery intended for off-the-grid applications, as an inverter battery, as a trolling motor battery, as an RV house battery, and similar.
Weize TPLI-12200AH battery accepts charge rather fast, supports a relatively strong discharge current (but could be better), and comes with the built-in BMS that protects the battery from unwanted events like overcharge, over-discharge, low and high temperature, etc.
Published: May 11, 2022.
YTZ10S Battery Equivalents and Replacements
YTZ10S batteries are starting type of batteries typically used in motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, power generators, and similar applications that require compact 12V battery that is able to crank smaller gas and even diesel engines.
Most YTZ10S batteries are sealed lead-acid batteries, but with the advancements in technology, more and more manufacturers offer lithium YTZ10S batteries with higher CCA ratings, lower weight, and a few more features that are not available on lead-acid batteries.
Published: May 7, 2022.
30 Amp Wire Size: What Wire Size Is Needed For A 30 Amp Breaker
Properly dimensioning wires for 30 Amps currents is vital when powering high-power tools, appliances, and devices, but also 30 Amps RVs, and similar loads.
Properly calculated wires transfer power without excess energy losses and without heating too much. Having thicker wires can help, but it is not always feasible to just put very thick wires and to hope for the best.
Published: May 6, 2022.
12V 12Ah Lead-Acid and Lithium Rechargeable Batteries
12V 12Ah lead-acid and lithium batteries are highly popular deep-cycle rechargeable batteries often used for powering UPS devices, security systems, medical equipment, toys, scooters, and other smaller electric vehicles, fish finders, and similar.
12V 12Ah batteries are relatively compact devices and with the introduction of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, very lightweight batteries that support a large number of charging/discharging cycles. But, Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) 12V 12Ah batteries are still in demand due to their certain advantages over lithium counterparts.
Published: May 5, 2022.
Best Champion Dual-Fuel Generators
Dual fuel power generators give their users freedom of choosing two types of fuel for their units - gasoline (or for short "gas") and LPG (Liquid Propane Gas, or just "propane", which may be very important, especially in emergencies when gas is sometimes rather hard to find.
Champion Power Equipment company is known for a broad range of dual-fuel generators, ranging from small inverter generators being able to provide 1.5-2 kW to large 8-10 kW units, being able to power large RVs and even smaller homes.
Updated: May 4, 2022.
CR2020/BR2020/VL2020 Battery Replacements and Equivalents
CR2020/BR2020/VL2020 are lithium coin-cell batteries with nominal 3.0 voltage. They come in several versions: CR2020 is a manganese-dioxide lithium non-rechargeable battery, BR2020 is Carbon-monofluoride lithium non-rechargeable battery and VL2020 is a lithium rechargeable battery.
Depending on the exact chemistry, CR2020/BR2020/VL2020 are used in various applications requiring different battery features and characteristics.
Updated: May 3, 2022.
CR2412/BR2412 3V Lithium Non-Rechargeable Batteries Equivalents and Replacements
CR2412/BR2412 are not the most common button/cell type 3V lithium non-rechargeable batteries on the market, but due to their dimensions, they are often used in small card-like devices, watches, car keys, memory backup, various medical meters, and similar.
And as such, when the original battery needs replacement, it is very important to find the proper one.
Updated: May 3, 2022.
26650 Battery - Dimensions, Chargers, and Flashlights
Lithium-ion 26650 batteries are a common choice for high drain devices that also require large-capacity batteries, low self-discharge rate, and a large number of charging and discharging cycles. Lithium-ion 26650 rechargeable batteries are very similar to 18650 batteries, but they have ~2x larger volume and hence larger capacity/larger drain currents.
The most important features of 26650 rechargeable batteries are their native capacity, maximum pulse current, continuous drain current, maximum allowed charging current, protective electronics available, exact chemistry, and similar.
Updated: May 3, 2022.
60 Amp Wire Size - How to Calculate Proper Wire Gauge
60 Amps is a serious current, regardless if it is used to power 12V or 24V electric trolling motors or it is used in 120/230V electric systems to power homes, RVs, workshops, and similar.
When calculating proper wire thickness, there are a few important things to consider. But, whatever You do, safety first. And don't go cheap - going cheap with such currents can easily sooner or later backfire.
Published: May 2, 2022.
Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500 Watt Portable Inverter Generator
Generac 7127 iQ3500 is a very popular and ultra-quiet gasoline-powered inverter power generator suitable for camping, tailgating, in emergencies and blackouts, and similar situations.
Thanks to its advanced inverter technology and closed-frame construction, the Generac iQ3500 power generator features very low THD levels making it suitable for powering directly various sensitive devices even in residential areas. But, just like any other power generator, Generac iQ3500 must be used outside.
Published: April 29, 2022.
Which Are Better Silver-Oxide or Alkaline Batteries?
Silver-oxide and alkaline button/coin cells feature exactly the same dimensions and very similar nominal voltage, but they differ in capacity, self-discharge rate, operating temperature range, etc.
Many devices powered by button/coin cells come with alkaline batteries and many people wonder if they can be replaced with silver-oxide batteries...
Published: April 29, 2022.
What Will a 3000 Watt Generator Run?
3000 Watt power generators are a very popular category for homeowners, campers, outdoor enthusiasts, and similar people who want a relatively compact power generator that is able to power a relatively long list of home appliances and devices in emergencies, during blackouts, at construction sites, when camping and being generally off-the-grid.
3000 Watt power generators differ slightly in output power but can differ significantly in other features like fuel types, noise levels, start types, the list of available receptacles, and similar, so one has to choose according to the personal needs and requirements.
Published: April 27, 2022.