Generator/Power station
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for recommendations for a generator or power station for off grid camping trips.
It will be for charging devices such as phones and laptops and possibly an electric coolbox. Potentially I'm thinking of using it for lighting and maybe even a heater of some sort. I've never had a generator/power station before but I'm hoping I can get something to make trips a bit more comfortable and extend the season.
Any advice and pointers appreciated
Looking for recommendations for a generator or power station for off grid camping trips.
It will be for charging devices such as phones and laptops and possibly an electric coolbox. Potentially I'm thinking of using it for lighting and maybe even a heater of some sort. I've never had a generator/power station before but I'm hoping I can get something to make trips a bit more comfortable and extend the season.
Any advice and pointers appreciated
Steve Kimberley said:
A generator will win you lots of friends...
A solar one is fine though. Look for one with a decent capacity though, but don't expect it to run a heater for very long though.
Are you referring to the noise of a generator, are there no relatively quiet ones on the market.A solar one is fine though. Look for one with a decent capacity though, but don't expect it to run a heater for very long though.
As for a solar generator with 'decent capacity' I don't know where to start.
Yes. If you're only going to be off grid and well (well!) away from others, consider a genny, but otherwise I really wouldn't countenance it.
As for powerbanks, I have two. A Bluetti (lifepo4 chemistry but slow charging).
I also have an Ecoflow 1600w one which has pretty fast charging, four 240v outlets, and a fistful of usb, usb c, fag lighter etc outlets. I'd certainly recommend the latter one, although it has less well thought of chemistry than the Bluetti, It has a better more informative display though.
There are several others around, and Anker are currently (no pun) making a bit of a splash, so it could be worth looking there too.
Good luck!
As for powerbanks, I have two. A Bluetti (lifepo4 chemistry but slow charging).
I also have an Ecoflow 1600w one which has pretty fast charging, four 240v outlets, and a fistful of usb, usb c, fag lighter etc outlets. I'd certainly recommend the latter one, although it has less well thought of chemistry than the Bluetti, It has a better more informative display though.
There are several others around, and Anker are currently (no pun) making a bit of a splash, so it could be worth looking there too.
Good luck!
Steve Kimberley said:
Yes. If you're only going to be off grid and well (well!) away from others, consider a genny, but otherwise I really wouldn't countenance it.
As for powerbanks, I have two. A Bluetti (lifepo4 chemistry but slow charging).
I also have an Ecoflow 1600w one which has pretty fast charging, four 240v outlets, and a fistful of usb, usb c, fag lighter etc outlets. I'd certainly recommend the latter one, although it has less well thought of chemistry than the Bluetti, It has a better more informative display though.
There are several others around, and Anker are currently (no pun) making a bit of a splash, so it could be worth looking there too.
Good luck!
I'll have a look at those, gives me somewhere to startAs for powerbanks, I have two. A Bluetti (lifepo4 chemistry but slow charging).
I also have an Ecoflow 1600w one which has pretty fast charging, four 240v outlets, and a fistful of usb, usb c, fag lighter etc outlets. I'd certainly recommend the latter one, although it has less well thought of chemistry than the Bluetti, It has a better more informative display though.
There are several others around, and Anker are currently (no pun) making a bit of a splash, so it could be worth looking there too.
Good luck!
Silvanus said:
Looking at some of the suggestions, they are a lot more expensive than expecting, I was expecting to spend a few hundred quid, 300 max. Might have to rethink. Any good more budget friendly options would be much appreciated.
A couple of the EcoFlows have the ability to attach an extra battery. Maybe start with a smaller one of those closer to budget and if finances / use justify, add an extra battery to it later. Bear in mind it’s a battery, inverter, solar charger and mains charger all in one. I found little difference in price between different brands. I simply use a 100Ah leisure battery, charged by a 120W folding solar panel. The controller is just the standard cheapy that came with the panel. We have no need for an inverter. Outlay <£200. I have built my own distribution box with fuses and meters to keep an eye on input and draws, but it's not a necessity.
This set-up runs 2000+ leds, charges our phones etc, and powers the compressor fridge (NB an electric coolbox or an absorbtion fridge would probably draw too much). If the weather looks like being overcast, I take another leisure battery for back up, or we'll take a run out in the car to charge the leisure battery.
This set-up runs 2000+ leds, charges our phones etc, and powers the compressor fridge (NB an electric coolbox or an absorbtion fridge would probably draw too much). If the weather looks like being overcast, I take another leisure battery for back up, or we'll take a run out in the car to charge the leisure battery.
Edited by TwinKam on Saturday 1st July 23:55
TwinKam said:
I simply use a 100Ah leisure battery, charged by a 120W folding solar panel. The controller is just the standard cheapy that came with the panel. We have no need for an inverter. Outlay <£200. I have built my own distribution box with fuses and meters to keep an eye on input and draws, but it's not a necessity.
This set-up runs 2000+ leds, charges our phones etc, and powers the compressor fridge (NB an electric coolbox or an absorbtion fridge would probably draw too much). If the weather looks like being overcast, I take another leisure battery for back up, or we'll take a run out in the car to charge the leisure battery.
This might be more like what I want, although not looking at getting any solar at the stage. What exactly is an inverter needed for? This set-up runs 2000+ leds, charges our phones etc, and powers the compressor fridge (NB an electric coolbox or an absorbtion fridge would probably draw too much). If the weather looks like being overcast, I take another leisure battery for back up, or we'll take a run out in the car to charge the leisure battery.
Edited by TwinKam on Saturday 1st July 23:55
TwinKam said:
Work out your likely consumption and then calculate how long a 100Ah battery will last... if you want to run a cold box or a heater you may be looking at solar rather sooner than you thought!
Not to sure how I'd work it out to he honest, new to power stations. If I need to shed out a load of money to occasionally run a heater I'd not bother, just stick to something for charging devices and maybe run LED lightsEvanivitch said:
Several electric cars have V2L if you fancy having all the gadgets plugged in! They'll put out plenty of power.
If you're looking at heating then you're probably limiting yourself to a heated blanket/throw at best.
Happy to ditch the heating idea, was just a thought and it's definitely starting to sound to expensive/complicated.If you're looking at heating then you're probably limiting yourself to a heated blanket/throw at best.
Think a simple power source for phones, laptop and LED lighting will have to do for now.
TwinKam said:
Work out your likely consumption and then calculate how long a 100Ah battery will last... if you want to run a cold box or a heater you may be looking at solar rather sooner than you thought!
And remember for a 'normal'* leisure battery, you can really only use 50% of that 100Ah at most...below that and you'll reduce the battery life to a handful of cycles. (* lithium allows you to use >90% but then the cost goes up - and it is often lithium that are used in the portable power stations, hence the prices)
Silvanus said:
Are you referring to the noise of a generator, are there not relatively quiet ones on the market.
Silvanus said:
I was expecting to spend a few hundred quid, 300 max. Might have to rethink.
a) Reasonably quiet generator, and silent campsite, are a long way apart.b) Not for your price range, even second hand.
TwinKam said:
Cheapest option is a leisure battery, mount some usb and 'cigar' lighter sockets in a box to plug your chargers and led strips into.
Yeah, this is what I take if camping at vintage rallies and the like.Cheap (used) vrla leisure battery, 3 way fag lighter adapter, QC3 compatible fag lighter phone charger for phones/tablets.
You could also add a inexpensive 'coke can' type 500w inverter, which is likely the cheapest way to get charge into a laptop, unless its a little ultrabook type thing which will charge from a QC3 USB-C charger.
That will do you a weekend fine, maybe a week.
But if you also want to run a fridge/coolbox then you will need to have several batteries or a decent size solar panel.
Forget heating, hair driers, etc. Invest in a better sleeping bag if going out of season.
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