Most portable power stations (from companies like Anker, Jackery, or Bluetti) look like a large square block. They’re heavy, take up space, and there’s no convenient place to store the cables and accessories the device comes with and that are required for the device to recharge and function. On the plus side, they provide emergency power when and where it’s needed.
Well, the folks at 4Patriots have taken the concept of a block-shaped portable power station and improved on its design. The 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is about the size and shape of a traditional briefcase. While it weighs about 35 pounds, it offers an easy-to-carry and durable design and carry handle. But best of all, it’s a power station with nine outlets and the ability to generate 800-watts of continuous power output.
4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite
4Patriots is a family-owned business specializing in emergency preparedness gear. Since 2008, the company has served over eight million customers and has sold over a billion dollars in emergency preparedness products. The Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is one of the company’s newest and most innovative products in terms of its design.
While the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is not meant to serve as a whole home generator, it does provide enough power to keep essential gear running during harsh weather conditions that cause a power failure. It’s also a handy device to have for off-grid camping or tailgating. 4Patriots recently provided me with a review unit of the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite, which came in very handy for me during this year’s New England winter storms.
Keep reading to learn more about this product and how, in a pinch, it can provide power when and where it’s needed.
Specifications
- Price: $1,100.
- Battery Capacity: 736Wh.
- Continuous Power: 800-Watts.
- Peak Power: 1,600-Watts.
- AC Input: 800-Watts.
- Built-In Outlets: 2x USB Type-C, 2x USB Type-A, 2x AC Plugs (12V/10A), 2x 12V DC Outlets, 1x 12V Cigarette Lighter Outlet.
- Solar Panel: 1x 60-Watt Panel Included.
- Weight: 27 Pounds Empty, 35 Pounds Full.
- Dimensions: 19.84 inches wide by 17.73 inches tall x 4.49 inches thick.
- What’s Included: Patriot Power Generator AlphaCase Elite, 60-watt solar panel, 1 AlphaCase Flashlight, All Cords, User Manual.
Pros
- Reliable portable power for use indoors or outdoors.
- Water-resistant and durable casing.
- 1-hour recharge with AC cord, or 15 hours with one solar panel.
- Relies on a lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack.
- The briefcase design contains a sturdy and integrated carry handle.
Cons
- Weighs 35 pounds.
- Slow recharge using just one solar panel.
- It’s not a full-house emergency generator alternative.
- Costly.
Discover What the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite Can Do
The thing to appreciate the most about the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is that it relies on a rechargeable and extremely reliable lithium-ion-phosphate battery that can be recharged over 4,000 times, yet still retain at least 80 percent of its capacity. In other words, it could be used daily for up to 11 years. Having tested and reviewed many power banks over the years, I found this one stands out for several key reasons. First, not only does the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite use a more powerful battery than most of its competitors, but the device itself offers a more convenient design that’s easy to transport or store between uses.
Measuring 19.84 x 16.73 x 4.49 inches, the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is also self contained. The main battery pack is within the center (non-accessible) compartment of the briefcase, while on top is a small LCD display and heavy-duty carry handle.
On either side of the device is a compartment that contains various types of power-out and power-in ports. For charging, there’s a 12-59V MPPT DC charging port and a 120V AC charging port. Included are the necessary cables to recharge the battery pack in several ways.
Upon opening the main storage compartment of the briefcase, there’s a single (foldable) solar panel that can be used to recharge the battery pack. Also inside this compartment, there’s a rechargeable flashlight and space to the various cables needed to operate and charge the device. This makes the unit self-contained, with no external accessory or cable bag required.
The outer shell of the briefcase is constructed using durable plastic, which is water-resistant. Thus, it can handle rain, dust, wind, and rather extreme temperatures (up to 104-degrees Fahrenheit). Using AC power, it takes about one hour to fully recharge the battery pack (which is quick compared to many competitors).
However, the recharge process takes up to 15 hours using the single (included) solar panel, but this option is useful when you’re fully off-grid or during an extended power outage. To maximize safety, the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite uses technology that prevents the battery pack from over-charging or over-heating. This tech also prevents the battery from discharging even after up to six months of storage and non-use.
Another particularly useful aspect of the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is the selection of built-in outlets. It can power multiple devices simultaneously, using easily accessible three-prong AC plugs, USB-Type-A ports, or USB Type-C ports.
While it’s being used, the color LCD display showcases the percentage of power remaining, and how long the battery will last based on current usage. This information allows you to plan your power usage accordingly.
You can plug in just about any type of equipment, appliance, or device into the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite. While it lacks wireless charging capabilities for mobile devices, the ports allow you to plug in one or more smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, headphones, earbuds, or other mobile devices for operational power or recharging.
Examples of What the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite Can Power and For How Long
For larger and more power hungry gear, the following chart provides a sampling of what the device could be used to power, and for approximately how long. The continuous runtimes listed below will vary, based on how the specific equipment and its features are being used.
| Appliance | Approximate Continuous Runtime | Cycling |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge (120W) | 6 Hours | 24 Hours |
| Freezer (200W) | 3 Hours | 92 Hours |
| Mini Fridge (80W) | 9 Hours | 37 Hours |
| CPAP Machine | 14 Hours | N/A |
| Insulin Pump | 49 Hours | N/A |
| Hearing Aid Charger | 147 Hours | N/A |
| Jigsaw | 2 Hours | N/A |
| Electric Screwdriver | 60 Minutes | N/A |
| Band Saw | 54 Minutes | N/A |
| Phone Charger | 147 Hours | N/A |
| LED Lantern | 73 Hours | N/A |
| Television | 12 Hours | N/A |
| Portable Fan | 18 Hours | N/A |
| Two-Way Radios | 73 Hours | N/A |
| Portable Cooler/Fridge | 12 Hours | N/A |
| Laptop Computer | 15 to 20+ Hours (or Up to 12 Full Charges) | N/A |
| Lamp with 60-Watt Lightbulb | 10.4 Hours | N/A |
| Lamp with a 60-Watt Equivalent LED Bulb | Up to 70 Hours | N/A |
| Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) | Up to 50 Hours | N/A |
Who Will the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite Appeal To?
Of course, the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is ideal for emergency prep enthusiasts. But, it’s a perfect device to keep in a house, apartment, or RV in case of a power failure. And thanks to the easy-to-transport, briefcase-style design, it’s convenient (and safe) to pack in a car and take along on a camping trip or tailgating event.
Working with the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite
One of my favorite things about the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is that it runs extremely quietly and generates zero fumes or emissions (compared to competitors or portable gas/propane powered generators).
Perhaps the best thing about this device is its ease of use. It takes moments to set up. Then, once charged, simply turn it on by pressing the power button, and then plug in the equipment you want to power. There’s zero assembly required. Ongoing maintenance is just as simple.
Right out of the box, initially setting up and then using the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite was a completely intuitive process. I was able to get it up and running in minutes, even without reading the included user manual. (However, the manual does provide a lot of useful information, so I recommend reading it from cover to cover. It’s only 26 pages with photos, so don’t be lazy.)
Having all of the necessary cables stored within the briefcase helps to ensure you’ll have everything needed without having to search for any adapters or extra gear. And while one folding, 60-watt solar panel is included, extras can be purchased separately and daisy-chained together (and used with a barrel-DC port splitter that’s sold separately) to speed up the battery recharging process using sunlight.
My Final Thoughts: Is the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite Worth It?
Based on its design, performance, ease-of-use, and durability, I found that the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is well-made. It’s a reliable option for keeping smaller gear (such as a laptop, smartphone, tablet, portable Wi-Fi hotspot, etc.) powered during a power failure.
For this, it’s an excellent tool and a great option for remote workers who need to keep multiple tech devices going at once to get their work done.
Plus, the hand-held, 1,000 lumen Alphacase Elite rechargeable flashlight that comes with the Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite is a handy tool to have with you during a power failure.
Also, if you only have one mid-to-large size appliance to keep powered, this is also a viable option (at least for several hours). I’d also recommend keeping this device on-hand to power medical equipment (such as a CPAP machine or Insulin Pump) in an emergency situation.
4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite
Feature-for-feature, the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite offers a good value, considering its $1,100 price tag (which includes free shipping). The size of the device is great, but it is a tad on the heavy side when all of the accessories (including the folding solar panel) are inserted into the main storage compartment of the briefcase.
