We ran a SL race yesterday during a multi hour resort-wide power outage caused by falling trees. The old T bar that services our tech course is diesel powered, so we were able to complete the race without delays other than cutting up and removal of tree debris. The only items in our timing system that we couldn't use were the speakers in the timing room and the outdoor TV we use as a results display. As the blackout wore on, volunteers sourced and set up a generator to ensure our laptop batteries were replenished.
Wondering what others on here are using for emergency power in the timing shack? I see a wide array now of integrated lithium battery/inverter units. One of those in an appropriate size would be a lot smaller and lighter to move to timing shack than generator and gas. Does anyone have experience to share, pros and cons?
In the past, a UPS was the obvious option, but with laptop batteries offering a fairly wide window of time without 120V power, the instant-switch circuitry in a UPS would be redundant, and the old gel cell batteries are more bulky and weighty.