Batteries & Thunderstorms
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Use a good surge protector, they do work. Otherwise I would unplug the charger just to be on the safe side. A power spike/surge could kill your charger and any other electronic device that was plugged in at the time, electronics are very sensitive. I live in area where severe thunder storms are a common occurrence and have two layers of surge/spike protection, the first located in my main power distribution panel (breaker box), and individual strips for all electronics in the house. I have had to replace several of the protectors after a storm but so far none of the electronics that were plugged into them.
I would not charge mine in a thunderstorm if I though about it in a thunderstorm. LOL
Well, I have the charger plugged into a power strip with the rest of my charging devices. Those have built in surge protectors, correct?
Some surge protectors are better than others. They are rated differently. I'm no expert, but I know that much.
There are power strips with and without surge protection, they often "look" much the same but only those built to absorb electric spikes/surges will protect against such. Most often the surge protected power strips will have some indication that they are a "protection" device. Mine are made by Belkin and have a green LED (protected) light on the top. On the data tag it states how many joules it is rated at.
I have taken a couple of pokes of lightning to the house over the years and would add that if you do take a strike, regardless of whether or not the surge strip still works, replace it/them.
It is pretty much a one time deal for the surge suppressor. It may still function again, it may not.
I have several thousand dollars worth of Hi-Fi, I unplug my precious high end tube stereo in thunderstorms. I may not worry so much about my sub $40 battery charger butI don't think I would have it actively charging in a thunderstorm.
I unplug everything in the house that I can't afford to replace and that includes the cable to the modem. Your average surge suppressor won't help much with a lighting strike. The simple answer is don't charge batteries during a thunderstorm.
I've seen the damage caused by lighting strikes to power lines, phone lines and cable TV when I worked as an electronics tech.
I've seen the damage caused by lighting strikes to power lines, phone lines and cable TV when I worked as an electronics tech.
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I think this is some Very Good Advise for Anyone living where Thunderstorms are Common.
UPS backups with voltage regulators are the best type of protection. Most surge protectors only defend against an over current, but not enough current can be as bad, or worse, than too much...
This is a Very Good Point.
Sags or "Brown Outs" can cause Havoc on Many electrical devices.
I live in a tornado prone area. I have good surge protectors and UPS for my more expensive electrical stuff, like computers and TVs. However, the power tends to surge, so charging batteries is something I would not do during a storm. My solution is to own many batteries, and to keep them charged. Then I don't even have to worry about it.
priceless addition to the family... http://www.amazon.com/MHS-DC12-Vehicle-Cigarette-Lighter-Nitecore/dp/B00BP2ZU0C
Absolutely. 6 Bucks is Cheap Insurance.
Here is Another for when the power is out.
9,800mAh Power Bank with 5v USB Out.
Absolutely. 6 Bucks is Cheap Insurance.
Here is Another for when the power is out.
9,800mAh Power Bank with 5v USB Out.
yep. if you've got alternative means of charging, there's no need to charge during the storm.
I agree.
I got that Power Bank to do a Camping Trip. But have used it to Charge Smart Phones during Power Outages.
Todays Smartphones seems to need to be charged about every 18 Hours or so. Throw in an e-Cigarette or Two and a Power Bank is a Handy thing to have.
absolutely! and a power bank or car adapter isn't attached to a network of wires where other folk's ground faults are likely to be a liability like your home wiring is.
and an expensive UPS system isn't without faults and/or immune to power spikes, either.
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