Table of Contents
Whether on spontaneous road trips or as an everyday device in the car and the garden: the power station provides electricity where there are no nearby sockets. Especially good for minimalist campers and anyone who doesn’t have a high-power setup in their RV. The power station offers you the possibility to charge all batteries. No matter when and where, on the go or in nature, operating various electronic devices is no longer a problem. We have been using Camping Power Station for some time. It quickly integrated into our camping life and is now integral. Do you want to know what are the advantages of a power station? How do you best use them daily, and what are the considerations? You can find all of them here!
What is a power station?
A power station is ultimately nothing more than a giant power bank, the kind you know for charging your phone. It is a 12 volt lithium battery with multiple connections to charge different devices. Power stations usually have larger battery capacity and a wider service range than mobile power. There is usually an integrated inverter so that 230V household power can be obtained from the power station and the USB sockets. You can also charge your laptop or operate your kitchen appliances with the power station.
Who is the power station suitable for?
The use of the power station is very flexible. Whether you’re going on a spontaneous camping or road trip or just thinking of taking a long road trip in the country, it doesn’t matter. With a power station, you can be self-sufficient and always have access to electricity, whether traveling or going about your daily life. Since we have Power Station, it has been an integral part of our life.
As much as we appreciate being able to work on the go, this, in turn, makes us dependent on electricity. We couldn’t use the laptop for long without an external power source. The damage caused by the constant search for power was enormous in the past. Many times our adventures turned into real torture. Things have changed since we had power stations. We no longer choose where to work based solely on proximity to the nearest outlet. Instead, we are free to make independent decisions as we please.
The possible uses of power stations are as varied as their users—a classic way whether in a garden shed, tiny house, boat, festival, or camping holiday. The possible uses are almost limitless. Power stations are also especially fun for the occasional camper and anyone who wants to do it without complicated electrical installations. In this case, power stations can represent a proven alternative to stationary electrical systems in mobile homes.
A power station can be a great alternative to a complicated power set up in a camper or mobile home. A popular choice, especially for do-it-yourselfers who are afraid to install appliances! Camping power stations like ours* offer a cost-effective and labor-saving alternative.
When is it not suitable to build a power station?
Power stations are not lightweight. Depending on the configuration, you should estimate around 3-10kg. Therefore, the power station is also not suitable for many outdoor activities. It’s not possible if you have to carry your luggage yourself. It would help to use a small, lightweight power bank for hiking or cycling trips.
Power stations don’t come cheap. There is no denying that they are still very cost-effective. But if your mobile home already has plenty of electricity or generally uses very little electricity, then a power station may seem redundant to you. In this case, it is better not to buy at high prices. Of course, you can quickly think of smarter support investments for your upcoming adventures,
Charging options for camping power stations
The camping power station gives you three different charging options. These make charging a breeze almost anywhere.
The 3 options are:
- Via a 230V outlet (just plug it into an outlet at home or campsite). The cables required for this are included.
- Via a 12V socket. This cable is also included.
- Via optional solar module (Jackery Solarsaga). You must purchase this solar module separately.
We also purchased bifacial solar panels. This way, we can always charge our Power Station away from an external power source. This allows us to travel more independently with our camper. Being completely self-sufficient is a luxury we no longer want to live without.
Solar panels for camping power stations
The power station has an integrated solar charge controller for even more independence from the distance to the nearest outlet when camping. This allows various solar modules to be attached to the jacket to charge it. When choosing a solar module, you should ensure that the solar module has a connection that matches the sheath.
To our delight, the station has installed a very high-quality MPPT solar charge controller. MPPT controllers can convert the energy generated by solar panels more efficiently than inexpensive PWM controllers. That way, the battery ends up charging faster. According to our experience, solar modules can provide about 80-85W in direct sunlight. This means the battery can be fully charged in 7.5 to 9 hours.
How long does it take to fully charge the Power Station?
The Power Station takes about 7.5 hours to charge from an outlet (AC/DC). This is achieved with a maximum input power of 100W from both adapters. If you charge the power station with solar modules, the duration of the charging process naturally depends on the sun. The more direct sunlight on the module, the better. When the sun is low, you can increase the module’s performance by tilting the setting. The optimal angle of incidence of the sun on the module is always 90 degrees.
Using the full power of the solar module (i.e., 100W), the charging time should be about the same as charging from an outlet. However, since 100% solar module utilization is difficult to achieve even under the best conditions, you should always leave a little extra time, even when the sky is blue.
Camping Power Station Output
One AC block (230V AC) and one DC block (12V DC). Perfect for charging and using various electronic devices. These blocks can be turned on and off individually. This has decisive advantages. You can leave your devices plugged in without power from the Power Station. It will power your device only when you turn on the corresponding block.
The following output is available:
DC block (direct current):
Three 5V USB-A sockets, each with a maximum output power of 18W
A 12V outlet (like a cigarette lighter in a car)
AC gear (230V AC):
One 230V outlet with a maximum output of 500W
As soon as the AC block (alternating current) is activated, the inverter starts automatically. The task of the inverter is to convert the 12V current (direct current) from the battery into a 230V alternating current. Depending on the load, this can be noticed by very clear fan noise. However, the volume level is within limits and roughly equivalent to a stationary inverter’s.
The operation of the inverter itself also requires electricity. This increases significantly with increasing inverter utilization. If you turn on the AC module without the unit plugging in, you can see how much current the inverter draws at rest. In our case, this value fluctuates between 3-9W. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s not a small amount, either!
We used the camping power station daily for over a week during our outdoor travels. Take a canoe tour of the Mecklenburg Lake District, for example. We didn’t charge it even once during our trip. Not only our mobile phones but even the batteries of our cameras have to be charged daily. So we were quite surprised by how long the power station lasted.
This looks completely different at our stage of work. Then we charge our phone, camera batteries, and MacBooks. These are the real power hogs. With its 96W and 61W power supplies, any power reserves are sucked away, especially when dealing with photo and movie editing.