What size portable power station do I need?
Introduction
Having fun on an outdoor adventure doubles up the pleasure. Camping at outdoor points can add glamor to your enjoyment. But one thing can destroy your whole mood— a power outage.
But don't fret; a portable power station is a solution. Most people get confused about the demands and sizes of portable power stations. If you have the same sort of questions in mind, this guide is for you. Explore the detailed guide on portable power stations, including different levels of solar power supply.
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Understanding Power Station Capacity
Whatever device you charge or operate needs a constant power supply. A portable power station can generate power and supply it to the devices. Before you purchase a portable solar power station, there are a few points to know.
Capacity of power stations.
The capacity of a power station depends on its wattage. The higher the wattage, the more devices or tools it can charge or supply power to. Think of it as the maximum power supply from the portable power station.
For example, you use a portable power station 2000w. It can supply 2000 watts. All devices with different power ranges can add up to make a 2000 watt to drain sufficient power from the portable power station.
Differentiating between watt-hours (Wh) and ampere-hours (Ah)
Watt-hours and ampere-hours are significant constituents of the portable power station, allowing the measurements of capacity and lifespan.
Let's define both!
- Watt-hours are a unit for measuring total battery capacity with its backup supply. Multiplying the voltage with ampere-hours can give you watt-hours. For example, if the voltage is 10V while the ampere-hours are 100 Ah, the total capacity will be 1200 watt-hours.
- Ampere-hours. This is a unit for the charge that a battery can provide. A higher ampere-hour can define a high battery capacity.
Understanding the watt-hours and ampere-hours can decide the overall capacity of the portable power station.
Peak Power Vs Continuous Power
When choosing the right portable power station, users must compare the peak Power with continuous power. The basic concept of both terms is here.
- Peak Power is the maximum power that a portable power station can provide. The power surge is necessary to kickstart a tool or device for which you want the power. Peak power comes only seconds to minutes and is crucial in driving the required tools or empowering their systems.
- Continuous poweris long-lasting power that lasts for extended periods. The first few seconds or minutes are for the peak power supply. The moment after that starts is for the continuous supply in the system. It helps determine the power of the devices they get and sums up to calculate the overall power supply from a portable power station.
Whether peak power or continuous, both influence the devices. When measuring the power demands, always check the constant power needed by the device. A portable power station must also provide more power than the continuous demand to avoid any cutoff in the supply.
Assessing Your Power Requirements
Before choosing a portable power station, you must know how much capacity you have. It depends on the devices and tools you need for the power supply. Most people decide on their power capacity and then look for the optimal portable power station.
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Let's calculate the power supply requirements for your RVs(recreational vehicles).
Calculation of power needs
Which devices do you want to charge? On an outdoor camping trip, you might bring a laptop, smartphone, and LED lights.
Calculate the total power these tools need and sum them to match the total power demands.
Here is an example:
- The laptop needs 60-watt power.
- Smartphones need 10-watt power.
- LED lights need 20-watt power.
- If you are using small fridges, they consume up to 50 watts of power.
The total power of all these tools will be 140 watts. That means a portable power station with more than 90 watts is necessary to charge your devices. For more devices, you can learn about their power requirements and calculate their total power.
Examples of devices
Some people go with the whole plan for the vacation. However, we can discuss a scenario of a camping adventure for a short period. Here are a few tools you might carry.
- Smartphones: 5-10 watts
- Laptops: 30-60 watts
- LED Camping Lights: 10-30 watts
- Portable Mini-fridges: 30-60 watts
- CPAP Machines: 30-60 watts
Measure the total power needed by adding all the powers.
Types of Portable Power Stations
Portable power stations come in different sizes and power details. Some can be large and good for empowering high-power multiple devices. Otherwise, they can be suitable for charging one or two devices at a time.
We have listed the different types of portable power stations you must know.
Small Portable Power Station
As the name suggests, these are small power stations. They are often compact in size and empower small power devices such as smartphones, LED lights, and tablets.
- The maximum power is almost the same as the battery capacity. It is 100-300 watts.
- Battery capacity is also 100-300 watt-hours.
Medium Portable Power Station
Medium stations offer features that are in-between with small and large power stations. They are also suitable for portability and support a decent range of devices. With a medium range of portable power station, you can charge devices like:
- Laptop
- CPAP machines
- Appliances
Medium portable power stations have a medium capacity with an intermediate power range.
For example:
- The maximum power is 300-500 watts.
- The energy capacity is slightly higher than the maximum power. It is 300-1000 watt-hours.
Large Portable Power Station
Do you plan to transport large appliances to your picnic party? Some recreational vehicles carry large portable power stations that can power tools and refrigerators. They offer excellent support and ensure a constant power supply.
The maximum power output of such a portable power station exceeds 500 watts, while the capacity ranges from 1000 watts to more. Oukitel has many models offering such high-capacity solutions for users. You get both the quality and durability at the affordable prices.
Additional Considerations and Our Recommendations
Are you still deciding between the different brands? Take it easy. We added some tips for choosing the right portable power station and a bonus—our experts' pick!
Battery capacity
Keep watt-hours of battery capacity under your radar. Go for the higher battery capacity watt-hours to charge the devices for extended periods. For example, Oukitel BP2000 nurtures 16kWh battery backup.
Battery lifespan
The second point is to consider the battery lifespan. A short lifespan means your battery won't last longer, which leads to incurring costs for extended periods. Get a one-time solution for many years and enjoy flawless support. Oukitel P5000 has made this possible by providing nonstop performance for more than ten years. Use the battery for 5000 cycles.
Fast Charging
Who waits for hours to charge the battery of a portable power station? Fish around the top portable power stations offering quality and super fast charging. Usually, 1-2 hours is a reasonable battery charging time. Oukitel offers 0-80% charge within 1.5 hours in its Oukitel P2001.
Portability
You need a portable power station when you own an RV or go on an adventure. The design must be feasible to carry to your location. Moreover, dimensions considerations are also crucial. Oukitel has many portable power stations with a high power supply and better portability. The compact design consumes less space and goes with you wherever you go.
Weight Requirements
Weight is also decisive because you must transport the power station to your location. A heavy-weight power generator can be a big hassle to carry. On the other hand, you can frequently pick lightweight power stations for your location.
Output ports
How many devices do you want to charge? Different devices have different input and output plugs. Smartphones, for example, have USB or Type-C charging support, and some have a lighting cable.
The more output plugs are available, the easier it will be for you. Therefore, consider different output plug support. Oukitel portable power station offers support for 15 different devices. With the power supply, you can charge your MacBook or turn on the TV. You can also empower other tools.
Cost-effectiveness
None has an unlimited budget to invest in the power supply. A limited budget compels us to find cost-effective power solutions with ultimate performance.
You can find many models from Oukitel or other brands and compare costs. Fulfill your power needs and choose a portable power station that offers affordability and quality.
Conclusion
Don't you want to make mistakes? Sit down and review the power requirements of all the tools you are taking camping. Add up the total power of all the tools and measure them. What is the total power? It is a requirement you must try to get in your portable power solution.
Whenever hunting down the right portable power station, always consider quality. Look for battery capacity and watt-hours. Oukitel is a peerless choice for consumers with its long-lasting battery performance and impeccable support. You'll even find affordable costs.
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