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In today's world of camping, our electrical devices are going to be the largest part of your camping setup. Portable fridges, CPAPs, satellite communicators, drone charges, LED lights, you name it-whatever device you might bring, it's going to use electricity. However, where the electricity you are drawing is coming from is not always going to be a steady current. Your campsite power source may not always produce a reliable source of electrical power-perhaps coming from a generator-vehicle power source, or an old-fashioned camp outlet. Voltage drops and spikes can damage your expensive devices irreversibly. Here is a socket style voltage regulator, capable of correct voltage drops and spikes within milliseconds, which simply plugs into your available power source or power station to give you clean, constant current wherever your adventures may take you. Here is a review of the unit:
Device Compatibility: What Camping Gear Needs Protection
It's important to know what items need protection.
High-priority devices (always regulate):
Portable refrigerators/freezers: It's been known that 12V/24V portable fridges that run by compressor can cut out at low voltages, or overheat at low voltages and damage it. SCR regulators provide silent correction of voltage dips and spikes in milliseconds.
CPAP machines and medical devices: Constant clean current is required for these devices. Servo motor regulators provide a precise, controlled voltage range, giving you optimal reliability.
Drone and power tool battery chargers: sensitive charging circuits will sometimes be confused by an unregulated voltage and it will short-circuit your battery's life.
Medium-priority devices (recommended):
Satellite communicators and GPS: These items need stable voltage. This also applies to ham radios.
Portable power stations: need regulation for its input when it is charging to make it more efficient and prolong its lifespan.
Amateur radios and satellite phones: Clean power means clearer transmission and fewer dropped connections.
Low-priority (regulation optional):
Basic incandescent lights. Simple electric blankets, simple coffee makers.
Compatibility tip: When using devices like the above you can put several small appliances into a power strip and run it off a single socket-style regulator. Be sure to do a load calculation so as not to exceed the wattage.
Portability and Form Factor: Built for the Outdoors
These are unlike the huge voltage regulators that you'd use in a home or office. These are socket style regulators that fit the bill for portable, rough outdoor use.
Key portability features:
Ultra-compact size: light enough to put in your pack or bag.
Plug-and-play operation: Simply plug in your portable voltage regulator to your power source (110/220 V or your power station) and plug in your camping gear.
Versatile power sources: You can power them through generators, DC/AC vehicle converters, solar power units, as well as traditional power pedestals at the campsite.
Real-world camping benefits:
You can use the same unit to power everything from your portable fridge at night, to your phone during the day.
These compact devices can be placed strategically throughout a tent or at different areas in camp. This eliminates the need for long extension cords.
This device is extremely durable and perfect for RV'ers and overlanders alike.
Choosing the Right Technology: SCR, Relay, or Servo?
Here is a quick break down of the regulators on the market and what their uses are.
SCR (Thyristor) voltage regulators
How it works: This type of regulator continuously monitors the current. It shunts spikes if it's too high and does not make a connection to correct dips in voltage, correcting a sag instantly.
Best for: A good choice for devices with continuous current, such as the CPAPs or the fridges/freezers, or anything that will run 24/7.
Advantages: No moving parts, quiet operation, low output noise, built tough for travel.
Relay voltage regulators
How it works: This is a switching regulator that controls the output through electro-mechanical relays to make different output increments.
Best for: Intermittent use devices like charging phones, batteries and power stations.
Advantages: Economical, more efficient in use which is great for devices like solar generators. They do make a little clicking sound when a change in voltage is being made.
Servo motor voltage regulators
How it works: This regulator uses a motor that physically adjusts the output to the proper level.
Best for: highly sensitive devices that need extremely accurate, and tight voltage controls like medical equipment and communication devices where you need better than a 1% tolerance range.
Advantages: Most accurate on the market. Larger than SCR units but compensate for size with great accuracy and precise output power to delicate electronics.
Camping strategy: You may want to use one SCR unit for the fridge that's running at night, and a relay unit during the day when charging devices. A servo regulator would be ideal for critical or extremely sensitive devices that need perfect output.
Durability: Built to Survive the Outdoors
Most home-use electronics are not designed to handle the vibration, humidity, temperature changes, and possible impact that camping equipment endure. The socket-style regulators are manufactured to handle much more abuse.
Built with 20 years of manufacturing experience, with 50,000m(2). Of manufacturing floor space, with all basic parts manufactured in our own facility, our camping regulators are built to last:
Ruggedized enclosures: protected against moisture and dust through sealed construction.
Conformal-coated circuit boards: protects against corrosion caused by moisture or splashes.
Vibration-resistant internal construction: Internal construction designed to handle vibration and bumps on a bumpy ride.
Wide temperature operation: Tested to perform from temperatures as low as -4°F to as high as 104°F.
Every detail is monitored for quality and precision from sheet metal stamping, and production lines spraying. Automated computer controlled units make sure that it is capable of dealing with all conditions like those in a primitive campground or a bad connection at a run-down RV hook-up.
As an official drafter of standards in the industry, along with being known as a "Government Recognized Industry Champion", every unit is protected by our patent and supported by our promise for custom electrical solutions.
Conclusion
Don't get caught being off the grid just because you don't have perfect power sources, your expensive camping electronics like your CPAPs, fridges, satellite communicators and drone chargers should all be protected no matter where you're camping. Choose between SCR, Relay, and Servo regulated power sources based on your specific needs. You can rest assured that the product quality and performance are of the high caliber you expect from us. Call today to let us know what you need.