In my younger days, I used to be an early adopter. New tech was my thing. But as I get a “little longer in the tooth,” I can probably say I am not a “gadget guy.” I buy new phones when mine fails, I finally disconnected my DVD player from my television and my college collection of CD’s are still in the attic collecting dust in lieu of now streaming them.
But last March I saw one of our sponsors of Franklin Energy’s “Summit of the South”, Ecoflow, display their battery units as part of a complimentary charging station. It was cool, with multiple plugs quietly charging attendees’ phones. As a participant of the Summit, I also had the chance to buy some of our amazing products through AM Conservation’s FlashMarket and grabbed myself a Simply Conserve Air Purifier and this cool EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro, with portable solar panels for remote charging.
My wife asked, “Aron, did we really need a portable power station?” To her, I said, “Did I need to eat an entire row of Oreos? No. But did it bring me joy? Did it serve a higher purpose in that moment of weakness? Absolutely.”
So here I sit with my new portable battery unit. Now what?
When the Lights Go Out
Let’s not forget about my initial adult justification for this purchase—emergency preparedness.
We live in a rural area and during the Spring, some significant storms can roll through knocking out power. Historically, we fumble around for some aging scented candles to give us some light and utilize whatever power we have left in our mobile devices to ride out the power outage until civility is turned back on.
After the purchase, I found myself almost wanting a power outage in order to flex my newfound energy source. I visualized myself proudly standing with my hands on my hips like a super-hero as my kids scrambled to plug in phones, maybe the Wi-Fi-router to stay connected and could we cook a pizza? (more on that later)
Where else could I flex my new source of POWER!?!
This sleek, surprisingly handsome battery block looks like something you would pack for a slick picnic. It charges via wall outlet or super cool solar panels. Actual foldable, totable solar panels that I can set up and flex in the parking lot like I’m auditioning for some type of tailgating MVP.
Listen, I’m born and raised in Wisconsin. I love beer, I live near a large cheese manufacturer and love outdoor cooking. I am waiting for the day to show up to tailgate while friends are jockeying for the single power inverter that someone had rigged to their truck battery. I’ll flex my EcoFlow there!
Charge a phone, tablet, laptop, and backup speaker simultaneously while running a blender? Buddy, it’s called Tuesday now.
Remote Camping Like a King
Every first week of August, my family visits “Deer Camp”,1200 acres of woods in Northern Wisconsin. No running water, no electricity, just propane lights and refrigerator. It’s a great opportunity to disconnect and unplug. Until now! Fire up the EcoFLow!
Most gifts that are given or received in my family usually have a link to our “Deer Camp” week. Lots of gadgets, knot tying books, illumination, campfire cooking devices, you get the idea. This year I’ll be flexing my new power system. Maybe plug in some string lights, stream music, keep the lanterns charged, or even power some small fans to keep the mosquitoes guessing.
Now listen, I’m all for “roughing it” in theory, but I’m at a stage in life where “glamping” just means I’m finally being honest about how I want to enjoy time away from work. With the EcoFlow in my arsenal, I can go off-grid without sacrificing the three essential comforts of modern man: comfort, charged devices, and a touch of smug sustainability.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just a gadget. It’s not a fad. It’s a flex. The EcoFlow gives me power independence. It gives me backup when I need it most. It gives me a reason to look forward to every weekend event like I’m showing up with a superpower no one else thought to bring. Plus, it gives me a chance to say things like, “Hold on, let me plug that in,” while standing outdoors in cargo shorts like some kind of energy-efficient warlock. I find myself testing different things to plug in. It does have its limits. Pizza oven – too much for the unit (I should have upgraded to a larger one). Air Fryer – it ran for a few minutes but then popped a circuit. I think with a smaller unit it would work (needs to be under 1600 Watts)
Whether you’re tailgating, camping, or just navigating the surprise storm or blackout, this battery-backed beauty turns a potential headache into a cool-headed moment of calm.
And let’s be honest—at this age, peace of mind and a perfectly grilled bratwurst are really all anyone needs.
EcoFlow for Your Programs
Ideal for marketplace, rebate and as an add-on for direct installation programs, the collection of EcoFlow portable power stations and solar panels are exciting new products to offer customers. As Aron shared, customers will find uses for this “flex” during storm season and throughout the year. Check out the whole collection and reach out if you have any questions.