myfeetarehappy
Super Freak
The MK IV, VI, VII etc. have their own reactors (also the retrofitted MK II so Rhodey could wear it). The I, II, III and V were powered only by Tony's reactor.
I've always thought that the suits with built in reactors would use Tony's as backup or a booster battery. But yes, it's never explained in the movies.
Actually I think the MK II and III had their own reactors:
- IM1 Mech Test Tony is wearing an additional strap on reactor pre-flight of MK II
- IM1 MK III suit up shows a reactor in the chest armour
- IM2 Rhodey pulls a complete V2 Arc Reactor out of the stolen MKII at the army base before they weaponise it
The suit reactors are also Unibeams supposedly.
Perhaps they charge from Tony's Arc Reactor via induction...like a cordless toothbrush only bigger and more deadly.
Oh well.