see also:

• 12V batteries and battery boxes
• AC inverters
• solar power for camping
• camping off-grid - power, batteries, solar, fridges
• lithium jump start batteries and other jump starters
• battery capacities compared, how much do you need?
• looking after your batteries
• USB cables, connectors and protocols
• keeping your food and drinks cool
• photography and camping main index page
• overnight hiking camping checklist (for hiking during daylight to a camp site, not hiking in the dark!)
• going off-road / 4WD
• taking the Subaru Outback off road
• Victron's pdf on electricity, wiring, batteries, etc

• a power station is a convenient “all-in-one” box providing 12V rechargeable battery with charging options built in and various outputs such as 12V cigarette lighter outputs, USB, and often a low powered 240V AC outlet
• they are great to have as an extra for camping if all you want to do is charge your phone, power your electric blanket and laptop and a car fridge for a day or so
• BUT they do have some MAJOR LIMITATIONS compared to a 12V battery in a battery box set up - in particular, nearly all of them lack 50A DC Anderson plug outlets which are extremely useful for campers.

• easy and generally safe to use for those who do not understand electricity that well
• most modern ones have the much safer LiFePO4 batteries - don't be buying older Lithium ion (more dangerous) or lead acid battery (much heavier for capacity) models
• can be more affordable as you don't need to buy an AC charger, solar controller or AC inverter to generate 240V AC outputs - they are generally all included
• usually have a built-in shunt so you can see how much capacity you have used and how long before you run out at current usage
• you generally won't be forgetting a critical component at home

• most (especially the big brand names such as Bluetti, EcoFlow) do NOT have Anderson plug outputs and these are useful as:
  • more reliable than cig lighter whilst traveling on corrugated roads - your cable wont disconnect and your food in the fridge won't need to be thrown out
  • allow up to 50A DC current per plug which allows more versatility to use multiple DC devices instead of relying on 240V AC devices which will use up your battery very quickly and are much less safe than 12V devices for camping - 240V will kill you, 12V won't!
    • the 12V cig lighter only allows 10A or 125W, whereas the Anderson plug will allow 5 x that much
    • iTechWorld PS2000 has an XT60 DC output which allows up to 25A and you can buy a cable to convert this to Anderson so this is a reasonable compromise
• they are heavier than a similar capacity 12V battery and battery box as you have to carry the other inbuilt components
• many have a proprietary solar input and maybe restricted to max. 200W solar panels
• many have very slow charge rates of only 10A and do not give you the option of upgrading to a faster charger - the better ones allow full recharge on AC within 2-3 hours
• they may not allow charging from your car's alternator, and if they do it may be at a slow rate via the cigarette lighter plug which is limited to 10A
• the included AC inverter is ften a low wattage which limits its use (a 2000W one would drain your battery much faster but is much more versatile)
• now that laptops and the latest cameras can be charged or run by USB-C, most people don't really need AC power unless they want to use induction stoves, hair dryers, etc.
• if one component breaks, you may need to get a whole new power station if it can't be repaired
• they are a very attractive target for thieves

• what type of battery is it?
  • aim for LiFePO4 NOT just Li ion and definitely not lead acid!
  • LiFePO4 is lighter for the same capacity, safer, usually can charge faster, are much more long lasting and hence should be more economic for you in the long run
• what is the capacity and will this capacity suit your needs
  • 60Ah = 768Wh will be fine for 1-2 nights of a car fridge OR an electric blanket but then it will need to be recharged
  • 100Ah = 1280Wh will be fine for 2-4 nights of a car fridge OR an electric blanket but then it will need to be recharged
• does it have the important outputs you need?
  • at least one 12V cig lighter (two is better) is very handy as many camping products are powered by a cig lighter plug (eg. car fridges, electric blankets, LED strip lights, etc)
  • various USB outlets and preferably 100W USB-C PD as well as USB-A 2.1A and QC 3.0
  • preferably an Anderson plug - this should allow at least 25A output (some have 25A XT60 connector outputs which is a reasonable compromise)
  • some will have extra barrell type DC outputs which can be handy but not essential
  • if you have an Engel fridge you might want an Engel output but not many have this
  • it will probably have a 240V AC output - but you may not need this as it will be limited in power and connecting high power devices will flatten your battery very fast
• if you must have AC output - what power does it support and will this be adequate for your device?
  • most single induction stoves need at least 1200W to work on low settings and should ideally have a 2000W output or limit charge rate to 5-10A
• what charging options are there and how fast can they charge?
  • all will have an AC input to charge - you can get away with 10A charging for a 40Ah power station but a 100Ah or larger one should have faster charging (eg. over 1000W AC = ~80A DC)
  • most will have solar inputs - are these proprietary and is there a limit to the size of your solar panels - many limit this to 200W
  • most will have a car charging option - if this is only from the cig plug then it is a bit disappointing as you will be limited to 10A charging - you would need to drive for 6 hours to recharge a 60Ah battery and 10 hours to recharge a 100Ah battery
• can you lift it safely?
  • as a general rule, no one bit of camping equipment should be heavier than 20kg for OH&S reasons
  • lifting and twisting a heavy object into and out of your car is setting you up for a disc prolapse in your spine and you don't want that!
  • you don't want to drop it either - lithium batteries do not like being dropped!
• how waterproof is it?
  • they should have an IP rating as electrical gear and especially lithium batteries do not like to get wet!
• does it have Pass-through charging and UPS switch-over system?
  • this means you can run your connected AC devices from the AC power supply going into the power station and any extra power will charge the battery, while any extra power usage above the 10A 240V input can come from the battery.

• Companion Rover lithium 40AH Power Station
  • $AU599
  • LiFePO4; 6.5kg; 512Wh; 270 x 154 x 242 mm;
  • max. concurrent output 10A
  • max. solar charge rate 5A
  • outputs: USB 3.: 2 x 5V/2A, 12V/1.5A; USB-C: 1 x 5-20V 3A max. 60W; 2x DC5525 12-16.8V 10A DC Plugs; 1 x 12-16.8V/10A cig; 1 x 12-16.8V/10A 2-pin Engel-type; 12-16.8V 10A Anderson;
  • inputs: 14V 5A DC; 16.8V 5A AC, Anderson, 18-20V 5A direct solar (MPPT controller included in station)
• Dometic PLB40:
  • 40Ah LiFePO4 battery; max output 15A; 9.08kg; 197 x 257 197 mm; IP44 rated; 10Amp ACDC charger;
  • integrated DC-DC charger offers three convenient ways to charge via: the vehicle 12 V socket, solar panel or AC power.
  • DC cable extension with Cig plug & Anderson connector
  • $AU849
• Companion Rover lithium 70AH Power Station
  • similar to above 40AH version; NMC (LiNiMnCoO2) battery; $AU1099; 6.8kg; 800 Charging Cycles down to 80% SOC;
  • max. charge rates: 240V AC 77-84W 5A; cig lighter 126W 9A; Anderson plug solar 13-30V 12A (MPPT controller included in station);

• Companion Rover Li 100Ah Power Station
  • 2022 model
  • 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, MPPT solar charger, 2 Anderson outlets, 2 cig, 2 USB-A 3A, 2 USB-C 3A, 2x DC outlets;
  • 330x240x290mm; 11kg;
  • $AU1299 on special;
• Nomad 100AH Lithium Power Distribution Unit V5
  • regulated 25A input via Anderson; terminals;
  • includes 240V Charger & built In Solar Regulator; Engel output as well as Anderson; 10.5kg;
  • https://www.access12voltwarehouse.com.au/batteries/lithium-nomad-power-distribution-unit.html $AU939
• Power Box PB-100
  • Powertech 100Ah 1500 cycle 50A Li battery; Redarc 1225D DC-Dc and solar charger;
  • 3 Anderson plugs: solar input, DC input from car system, 1 output; 4 x USB charging ports; 2 x 12v socket outlets;
  • 17kg and dimensions of 199mm wide x 474mm deep x 324mm high;
  • https://www.powerbox.net.au/product/pb-100/ $2550

• Firefly 1500W LiFePO4
  • 160Ah, 2048Wh LiFePO4; 1500W AC inverter;
  • USB out; Anderson plug; DC 12V 6A out; DC 12V 10A cig lighter out; WiFi smartphone app; Solar MPPT Control System;
  • 34.5kg; $AU2195
• iTechWorld PS2000
  • 160Ah LiFePO4; 1100W AC fast charge (no extension cord to be used!); 2000W AC inverter 3 AC out plugs / 10msec UPS (must have 30cm space from fan exhaust and intake ports); 100W USB-C; MPPT solar regulator up to 50V/500W; 1x 12V/25A Output (XT60) can get adapter to connect to Anderson plugs; separate Anderson port next to AC input port can be used for solar inputs or their 120W cig lighter charger;
  • 22kg; $AU2999

• Sunovo SPS300 18Ah
  • 18Ah 266Wh lithium ion; 3.5kg; $AU399
  • 5-6hr charge on AC;
• iTechWorld 21Ah 200W ITECH200P
  • 21Ah 225Wh lithium ion; 3kg; $AU499
  • 7-8hr charge on AC;
• Sunovo SPS500 35Ah
  • 35Ah 504Wh lithium ion; 3.5kg; L23.5 x W14 x H21cm; $AU599
  • outputs: USB2 5V2A; USB3 5V/3A; 45W PD; 2xDC 12V/10A; 1xcig; 300W pure sine wave AC inverter
  • inputs: solar (5hr charge with 100W panel); 5-6h charge with AC; 6-8hr charge with car DC;
• iTechWorld 45Ah 500W ITECH500P
  • 45Ah 505Wh lithium ion; 5.8kg; $AU1099
  • 7-8hr charge on AC;
• iTechWorld 50Ah 500W AC ITECH500 power station
  • 50Ah 518Wh Li battery; 500W AC inverter - 2 outputs;
  • 1x 18W USB QC; 2x USB; 1x 45W PD USB-C; 1x 12V 10A cig lighter; 2x 5mm DC 12-16.8V outputs; inbuilt MPPT solar regulator;
  • 7-8hr charge time on AC; 6.6kg; $AU1000
• Bluetti EB70
  • 60Ah LiFePO4 716Wh with 16.7A charging either via AC, solar or DC; 1000W AC inverter;
  • 9.7kg; 32 x 21.6 x 22.1cm; $AU899 on special;
• EcoFlow River 600 Max Power Station
  • 48Ah 576Wh Li; 7.7kg; 289 x 184 x 235 mm; 1.6hr AC charge; 500cycles 80%DoD;
  • $AU1099; https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/power-cooling/generators/ecoflow-river-600-max-power-station-576wh/90173897

• Hyundai 1000W / 2000W max LiFePO4 Lithium Power Station AC/DC
  • 84Ah; $AU2199; 14.8kg;
  • outputs: USB 3.: 4 x 5V/3A, 9V/2A; USB-C: 1 x 18W, 5/9/12V; 2 x 5.5mm DC Plugs; 1 x 12V/10A cig; 2x 240V AC; 1 x EC5 150A Max jump starter;
  • inputs max. 120W / 9A charging: 5-24V 120W solar; 240V 120W AC
• EcoFlow Delta 1800W Power Station
  • 100Ah 1260Wh Li; 14kg; 400 x 210 x 270 mm; 1.6hr AC charge; 800cycles 80% DoD;
  • $AU2199 https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/power-cooling/generators/ecoflow-delta-1800w-power-station-1260wh/90173896
• Bluetti EB150
  • 117Ah 1500Wh LiFePO4?, 1000W AC pure sine wave inverter - two outputs;
  • PD USB-C out; 4x USB; 1x 12V 9A DC out;
  • 5.5-6hr AC recharge (3-3.5hrs with 2 inputs); solar MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller built-in;
  • 17kg; $AU1869
• iTechWorld PS1800 Pro
  • 120Ah 1536Wh LiFePO4 battery (38.4V internally); 1800W AC bidirectional inverter with two AC outlets;
  • 10ms UPS switch over system; pass-through charging;
  • 1hr AC recharge (do not use extension cords!); 12V-90V 1200W maximum XT60 input;
  • 10A 12V cig lighter; 1 x 100W USB-C PD; 1 x 20W USB-C PD; 2x 18W USB QC 3.0; 2x USB-A ; 2x 12V 3A DC barrel;
  • NB. there is NO XT60 output port!
  • can connect the PS1800 PRO to a maximum of two EB1536 expansion batteries (sold separately), with a maximum capacity of 4608Wh, using parallel cables
  • 218 x 403 x 295mm; 17.5kg; 400cycles;
  • $AU1499 on special

• Bluetti AC200P
  • 156Ah 2000Wh LiFePO4, 2000W AC pure sine wave inverter - two outputs;
  • 2x wireless charging pads; 60W USB-C out; 4x USB; 1x 12V 10A DC out; 2x 12V 3A DC out; 1x 12V 25A out;
  • 5.5-6hr AC recharge (3-3.5hrs with 2 inputs);
  • $AU2599
• iTechWorld PS-2000
  • 160Ah 2048Wh LiFePO4 (internally it is 51V), 2000W AC pure sine wave bidirectional inverter - 3 x 15A 230V outputs
  • 25A 12V 320W XT60 output; 10A 12V 130W cig lighter; 2 x in/out 100W USC-C PD; 2x 18W USB QC 3.0; 2x USB-A ; 2x 12V 3A DC barrel;
  • 11.5-50V 500W max DC charging - solar (MPPT controller) or DC input via XT90 connector (with XT90 to 50A Anderson cable and XT90 to cig lighter provided);
  • 1100W max AC charging this gives a total charging capability of 1600W if solar is at max as well - much faster charging than the Bluetti AC200P
  • Pass-through charging, UPS switch-over system: in UPS mode with AC power source on, you can run combined AC outputs up to around 3000W as it combines AC input with the AC inverter's outputs and if AC input power is switched off, the AC output will immediately divert to the AC inverter output only.
  • 392 x 279 x 323mm; 22kg; 4000cycles;
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovTnMjk1Tvs
  • $AU1999 on special
• there are many larger options but these are generally too big, too heavy and too expensive for campers and are probably best used in off-grid buildings where portability is needed rather than a permanent off-grid set up.