Everywhere we turn, even in movies and on TV, we routinely see people talking on cell phones while going about their daily activities, typing on laptops during airplane trips, in college classes, even in coffee shops, and listening to iPods while walking down the street. The proliferation of electronic devices has dramatically changed the way we communicate, even enabling us to work anywhere or anytime via the Internet. But one thing most of us never think about is the power requirement of these electronic devices, and what to do when the power runs out.

There are basically two choices for power sources for the cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, laptops, and all the other electronic equipment we all use as part of our daily lives. Some use an adaptor that allows the device to be plugged directly into an AC electrical outlet in your home or place of business. Mobile use requires a rechargeable battery and charger. The battery will feed the proper level of energy directly into the device, while the adaptor adjusts the 110-120 volts running through common electric lines down to the device's requirements. This prevents overloading and quickly frying the electronic components. For travel outside the United States, a universal adaptor is required to adapt the device to another country's power sources.

If you want to use an electronic device in an environment that doesn't provide ready availability of electrical outlets, a battery is required to run the device. Battery life will vary based on how long the device is disconnected from the charger but not being used, and how much actual use it receives. Power is depleted much more quickly with use, but even if your cell phone or laptop is never used while battery powered it will eventually run out of power. The manufacturer will provide a realistic estimate of battery usage time before requiring recharging, but if you're entering a situation where you know you'll have to go a long period of time before recharging, it's best to test this time yourself. You'll at least have more peace of mind when you take off into the wild.

No matter where you're heading, sooner or later you'll need to recharge the battery in your electronic device. While a universal adaptor will work under normal circumstances, such as in a hotel room, even if you're in another country, an adaptor won't do you much good if you're not near civilization. What do you do if you're on safari in African bush? What if you're in a hunting or fishing lodge in the middle of nowhere and no electricity is available? One alternative method of recharging batteries currently available is a recharging unit that plugs into you car's cigarette lighter and uses the car's 12-volt battery as a power source for recharging. The newest technology utilizes solar power to replenish your battery's power supply.電子煙