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Camping Power Calculator
Camping loads are usually small, but comfort devices and satellite internet can change the size class quickly.
Calculator
Start with a quick estimate, then switch to Advanced if you need multiple devices, startup surge, battery health, or cold-weather loss.
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Power station model
Battery capacity (Wh): 1024 WhContinuous output rating (W): 1800 WSurge output rating (W): 2700 W
Estimated runtime23h 13m14h 32m – 1d 4hEstimated runtime: 23h 13m, 14h 32m – 1d 4h
Device scenario
Output path
Small fridges vary widely by insulation, room temperature, and door openings. The 45% duty-cycle default is a conservative planning assumption for cycling behavior, not a measured guarantee; measure with a watt meter when possible.
Estimated runtime
23h 13mEstimated runtime: 23h 13mThis setup has comfortable headroom for overnight use, assuming the wattage estimate is realistic.
Conservative14h 32m
Estimated23h 13m
Optimistic1d 4h
Conservative assumes harder conditions; optimistic assumes favorable conditions.
- This is an estimate. Real runtime changes with load, temperature, battery age, AC/DC output, and device behavior.
- Usable energy
- 783 Wh
- Average load
- 34 W
- Fixed station overhead
- Unknown (not included)
- Running watts
- 75 W
- Max surge
- n/a
Show your work
Rated Wh is reduced by efficiency, reserve, battery health, and temperature before it is divided by average load.
- Rated battery
- 1024 Wh
- Battery capacity (Wh): 1024 Wh
- Usable energy
- 783 Wh
- 1024 Wh x 85% x 90% x 100% x 100%
- Average load
- 34 W
- 75 W running, 34 W average after duty cycle and quantity
- Fixed station overhead
- Unknown (not included)
- 34 W / 85% = 39.7 W battery draw; fixed overhead is unknown and excluded
- Estimated runtime
- 23h 13m
- 783 Wh / 34 W = 23h 13m
- 1024 Wh nominal battery capacity
- AC inverter output path
- 85% conversion efficiency
- 10% reserve kept unused
- 34 W average load from 1 load
- 100% battery health
- 0% temperature loss
- Fixed station overhead unknown; not included
This link contains the numeric values you entered, but not custom load names.
Source-Backed Next Steps
Smallest matching record (8h)BLUETTI AC60
WattRunTime.com
WattRunTime estimate
Estimated runtime
23h 13mThis setup has comfortable headroom for overnight use, assuming the wattage estimate is realistic.Usable energy783 Wh
Average load34 W
Fixed station overheadUnknown (not included)
Running watts75 W
Max surgen/a
Runtime range
Conservative14h 32m
Estimated23h 13m
Optimistic1d 4h
Show your work
Rated Wh is reduced by efficiency, reserve, battery health, and temperature before it is divided by average load.
Rated battery1024 WhBattery capacity (Wh): 1024 Wh
Usable energy783 Wh1024 Wh x 85% x 90% x 100% x 100%
Average load34 W75 W running, 34 W average after duty cycle and quantity
Fixed station overheadUnknown (not included)34 W / 85% = 39.7 W battery draw; fixed overhead is unknown and excluded
Estimated runtime23h 13m783 Wh / 34 W = 23h 13m
Assumptions
- 1024 Wh nominal battery capacity
- AC inverter output path
- 85% conversion efficiency
- 10% reserve kept unused
- 34 W average load from 1 load
- 100% battery health
- 0% temperature loss
- Fixed station overhead unknown; not included
Warnings
- This is an estimate. Real runtime changes with load, temperature, battery age, AC/DC output, and device behavior.
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Choose power station size for camping.
Mini fridge worked example
A 1,024 Wh station with 10% reserve and 85% efficiency leaves about 783 Wh before load behavior. Using this page's 75 W default at 45% duty cycle, the planning load is about 34 W and the estimate is 23h 13m.
Change first
- Change duty cycle first if the device cycles more or less often than the default.
- Check startup surge for motors, compressors, and pumps.
- Use measured watts for outage or medical-adjacent planning.
Mini fridge assumptions
Review the Mini fridge scenario page when you need the wattage range, duty cycle, confidence label, and source notes before calculating runtime.
This calculator gives a planning estimate. Treat the result as a starting point, then refine it with measured watts, the device manual, and the station's current output limits.
Verify your watts
- Check the device label for running watts or input amps and volts.
- Use a plug-in watt meter for AC loads when the result matters.
- For cycling loads, measure long enough to capture on/off behavior.
Check output path
- AC inverter loads usually lose more energy than direct DC loads.
- Keep reserve for cold weather, battery age, and load changes.
- Do not treat label capacity as fully usable watt-hours.
Check surge and output
- Runtime does not prove a station can start a compressor or motor.
- Compare device startup watts with the station surge rating.
- Compare running watts with the station continuous output rating.
Related Guides
Use these explainers when an assumption changes the runtime result.
Efficiency guide
Inverter Efficiency Losses
Apply the guide to this use case's load and operating pattern.
Cold-weather planning
Cold Weather Battery Runtime Guide
Apply the guide to this use case's load and operating pattern.
Related Calculators
Use the related tools when charging, sizing, surge, or power path changes the answer.
FAQ
These answers keep the estimate grounded in assumptions instead of pretending runtime is exact.
Can solar input extend runtime?
Yes, but solar output depends on panel wattage, sun angle, clouds, temperature, wiring, and charge controller limits. Do not count nameplate panel watts as guaranteed input.
Does cold weather reduce runtime?
Yes. Cold batteries can deliver less usable energy, and heaters, routers, and satellite dishes can also draw more power in harsh conditions.
Should I reserve 20% battery?
A 10% to 20% reserve is a practical buffer for uncertainty, startup spikes, and avoiding a completely empty station during an outage.
Why should I measure with a watt meter?
Device labels are often maximum ratings. A watt meter shows real average draw and makes runtime estimates much more reliable.
How do you calculate portable power station runtime?
Use usable watt-hours divided by average load watts. For AC loads, a practical first-pass formula is battery Wh x efficiency x reserve factor divided by device watts.