Free Blackout Checklist

✅ Equipment — what do you need to keep running?

Fridge-freezer comboAverage 90W, runs 24h with compressor cycling. Most critical home load. 2,160Wh

Router / modem15W continuous. Keeps internet for calls, news and remote working. 360Wh

LED lighting (3 rooms)~30W for 6h. Replace with rechargeable lamps as backup for very long outages. 180Wh

Phone charging ×2~10W each, 3h. Critical for communication and emergency calls. 60Wh

Laptop65W for 9h. Work, communication and entertainment during an outage. 585Wh

TV (55")100W for 6h. Non-essential but important for news and family during extended outages. 600Wh

CPAP machine40W for 8h. Medical priority — pure sine wave required. C1000 covers 2 nights alone. 320Wh

Coffee machine (drip)900W for ~1h total. High peak but short duration — confirm inverter surge rating. 900Wh

🛡️ Preparedness — what do you already have?

Torch / headlamp with charged batteriesFirst 10 minutes of any blackout. Have it accessible, not in a drawer. —

Portable power bank for phones (10,000mAh+)Covers 2–3 full phone charges without any station. Cheap and essential. —

3-day water supply storedElectric water pumps fail in outages. 3L/person/day minimum. —

Non-perishable food for 3 daysIf fridge fails: canned food, dried goods, peanut butter. No cooking required options. —

Emergency contact list printed (not just in phone)Utility company, neighbours, GP, emergency services. Accessible without battery. —

Fridge pre-cooled before anticipated outageSet to max cold 12–24h ahead. Thermal mass extends safe food time by 2–4h. —

Portable power station tested and chargedTest with fridge before an actual emergency. Know the switch-over procedure. —

⚡ Recharge options — how will you refill the station?

Solar panel on balcony or roof200W panel adds ~900Wh/day in southern Europe. Turns a 1-day station into multi-day. —

Car charging via 12V / cigarette lighterSlow (~100–200W) but available if you can drive. 1h driving ≈ 100–200Wh added. —

Neighbour or friend with working grid connectionCarry the station to their home for a fast 2h wall recharge if outage is localised. —

✅ Critical loads — what must stay on during service?

POS / card terminal ×2~40W total for 4h service. Revenue stops the moment this fails. 160Wh

Router / firewall25W continuous. Internet loss takes down POS, ordering and communication simultaneously. 200Wh

LED service / counter lighting80W for 6h. Reduce to minimum emergency level to extend battery runtime. 480Wh

Display fridge / drinks cooler~180W average (compressor cycles). Stock and food safety depend on this. 1,440Wh

Ordering screens / menu displays~100W for 4h. Customers need to see and order. 400Wh

Espresso / coffee machine1,000–3,500W — confirm appliance label. Requires F3800 class. Treat as separate load. ~2,000Wh

🛡️ Operational preparedness

Staff briefed on backup power procedureWho plugs what in, in what order, when the grid fails. Written and posted. —

Cash float available as payment fallbackEven with backup POS, a cash option protects revenue if the card network is down. —

Backup mobile hotspot for POS internetIf the router's fibre line is down, a 4G SIM keeps card payments running. —

Station tested with display fridge under loadConfirm the compressor starts on the station before an actual emergency. —

Food safety temperature log for outagesDocument fridge temperature during any outage for compliance and insurance purposes. —

⚡ Recharge options

Solar panels on roof or outdoor space400W+ array keeps essential loads running continuously during service hours. —

Second station kept charged and readyHot-swap capability: switch stations mid-service without interruption. —

✅ Medical equipment — what must never lose power?

CPAP machine (no humidifier)30–55W for 8h. Pure sine wave required. C1000 covers 2–3 nights alone. 440Wh

CPAP with heated humidifier70–100W for 8h. F2000 covers 3–4 nights with router and lighting included. 720Wh

Nebuliser50–80W for 30min sessions. Low Wh impact; critical in asthma or COPD emergencies. 40Wh

Home oxygen concentrator200–400W continuous. High-priority load — F3800 class required for extended use. 2,400Wh

Router / phone (emergency communication)15W for 24h. Ability to call for help is itself a medical necessity. 360Wh

Bedroom LED light8W for 4h. Navigation at night and visibility for caregivers. 32Wh

Stairlift / mobility equipment100–150W per cycle, 1–2h total. Confirm device input requirements before connecting. 240Wh

🛡️ Medical preparedness

Device label confirmed: 230V 50Hz inputAll European-spec medical devices require 230V 50Hz pure sine wave. Confirm before connecting. —

GP / hospital notified of power dependencyRegister with your electricity network operator as a medical priority customer — many offer priority restoration. —

7-day medication supply at homePharmacies may close during extended outages. Request early refill before storm season. —

Caregiver or neighbour aware of medical situationSomeone who can check in and help manage equipment during an extended outage. —

Station tested with medical device before emergencyRun your CPAP or concentrator on the station for one full night before you need it. —

✅ Core travel loads

12V compressor fridge (50L)~20W average over 24h. Use Dometic CFX3 or Engel class for best efficiency. 480Wh

LED cabin lighting~20W for 5h. Negligible impact on daily budget. 100Wh

Laptop / work65W for 9h. Add monitor (+35W) if working remotely. 585Wh

Starlink terminal75W continuous for 12h. 1,800Wh/day alone — plan solar accordingly. 900Wh

Phone and tablet charging30W for 2h. Low daily impact. 60Wh

Water pump50W intermittent. ~100Wh/day estimate for normal use. 100Wh

Diesel / propane parking heater (fan only)8–25W for 8h. Combustion burner uses fuel; battery only runs the fan. Very efficient. 200Wh

Induction hob (single, occasional)1,500W for ~30min/day. Requires F2000 class minimum. Efficient for quick cooking. 600Wh

☀️ Solar and recharge setup

Roof panels or portable folding panel200W adds ~900Wh/day in southern Europe. Self-sustaining for fridge + laptop + lights. —

DC-DC charger from vehicle alternator20–60A while driving. Adds 500–1,500Wh on a 3–5h drive day. —

Shore power hookup available at campsitesF2000 charges 0–100% in under 2h at 2,400W. Plan hookup nights around heavy use days. —

🛡️ Travel preparedness

Fridge tested on station before first tripConfirm compressor starts and runs for 2h on battery. Check surge on startup. —

Station charge level monitored dailyBuild a habit: check level each morning. Plan solar or shore power if below 40%. —

🔴 Tier 1 — Critical (never switch off)

Router + phone charging15W for 24h. Information and emergency communication. Priority 1 at all times. 360Wh

AM/FM radio (battery or powered)5W for 12h. Emergency broadcasts and civil alerts when internet is down. 60Wh

Medical devices (CPAP, concentrator, etc.)Priority for household members with health needs. Size station around this first. 320Wh

🟡 Tier 2 — Important (switch off if battery below 30%)

Fridge (essentials only — door minimised)~60W effective average with minimal door opening. Pre-cool before outage for best results. 1,200Wh

LED lighting (essential areas only)30W for 6h. Reduce to minimum: kitchen, bathroom, one living area. 180Wh

🟢 Tier 3 — Comfort (only when battery above 60%)

Laptop / tablet for work or children65W for 9h. Keep children occupied during extended outages. Enable when budget allows. 585Wh

TV for news and morale100W for 6h. Secondary to food safety and communication. Enable in rotation. 600Wh

🛡️ 72-hour preparedness (minimum standard)

9L water per person stored (3-day supply)3L/person/day minimum. Include pets. Store in sealed containers away from sunlight. —

3-day non-perishable food supplyNo cooking required options prioritised. Rotate stock every 12 months. —

First aid kit stocked and accessibleIncluding any prescription medications (7-day supply). In a known, accessible location. —

Important documents backed upID, insurance, medical records, property documents. Digital copy offline (USB) and physical copy. —

Cash available (ATMs and card machines may be offline)€100–€300 in small bills. Extended outages take down banking infrastructure. —

Evacuation plan and meeting point agreed with householdIf the situation escalates: where to go, who to call, what to take. —

Station maintained at 80%+ charge before storm seasonCheck charge monthly. Set a calendar reminder before autumn and spring storm seasons. —

Are you ready for the next blackout?