Power siphon
- Power siphons are pieces of technology from the Generation 1 continuity family.
The power siphon or energy siphon collects ambient energy and converts it into Energon cubes for transport. The Decepticons made frequent use of power siphons to collect energy from Earth.
Power siphons are apparently capable of converting any form of energy into energon, including thermal, solar, and even acoustic energy. They may require a certain level of available energy to properly function, which might be why Megatron didn't simply leave a few outside collecting sunlight.
Fiction
Generation 1
Soundwave and Laserbeak used an energy siphon on an electrical substation near the town of Midville. Bumblebee discovered their plan and a group of Autobots confronted the Decepticons. Outnumbered, the Decepticons fled, apparently leaving the energy siphon behind. The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas
Marvel Comics continuity
Shockwave took over a Blackrock Industries offshore oil rig for use both as a base of operations and to collect fuel. The Worse of Two Evils! He left Starscream in charge of Thundercracker and Skywarp while he moved the main Decepticon base of operations to a captured aerospace plant, Warrior School! He returned weeks later with a power siphon he constructed and converted the oil the Seekers collected into Energon cubes. They abandoned the oil rig and hid the siphon underneath Municipal Stadium where Brick Springhorn was performing a concert. There they used the siphon to convert the acoustical energy from the music into Energon cubes. The Autobots figured out their plan and Hoist cut the power feed leading to the siphon. This caused electrical feedback that shorted out the siphon. Rock and Roll-Out!
