A power station capacity calculator estimates how many watt-hours (Wh) of battery storage you need to run camping and off-grid devices safely and reliably.
This calculator exists to eliminate guesswork and prevent underpowered systems, which are the primary cause of failed off-grid setups.
This page is a decision tool, not a product list. It translates real-world power consumption into clear capacity recommendations based on how camping power systems actually behave.
What This Power Station Capacity Calculator Does
This calculator determines the minimum usable battery capacity required for your camping setup by evaluating:
- Appliance power draw (watts)
- Daily runtime (hours)
- Inverter and conversion losses
- Battery chemistry efficiency
- Safety overhead for degradation and temperature
The result is a recommended power station size range, not a single optimistic number.
Step 1: List the Devices You Plan to Power
A portable power station supplies energy to appliances, not categories. Capacity calculations must begin with specific devices.
Common camping and off-grid devices include:
- Camping fridge or electric cooler
- Starlink or satellite internet terminal
- Laptop, camera, or drone batteries
- CPAP or medical devices
- Induction cooktops or electric kettles
- LED lighting and phone charging
Each device consumes electricity differently and must be calculated individually.
Step 2: Determine Power Draw (Watts)
Power draw (W) measures how much electricity a device consumes while operating.
- Continuous devices (fridges, routers) draw power for long periods
- Intermittent devices (cooktops, kettles) draw high power for short bursts
Example:
- Camping fridge: 60W average while cycling
- Starlink terminal: 50–75W continuous
- Induction cooktop: 1,200–1,800W peak
If manufacturer wattage is unavailable, use measured averages rather than peak marketing numbers.
Appliance power draw varies significantly by design and usage patterns. For real-world wattage ranges of fridges, Starlink, and cooking appliances, see our camping appliance power usage guide.
Step 3: Estimate Daily Runtime (Hours)
Runtime determines total energy consumption.
Example daily usage:
- Camping fridge: 24 hours (cycled)
- Laptop: 3 hours
- Induction cooking: 0.5 hours
Daily energy use is calculated as:
Watts × Hours = Watt-hours (Wh)
Step 4: Calculate Total Daily Energy Consumption
Add the watt-hours of all devices to determine your baseline daily energy requirement.
Example:
- Fridge: 60W × 24h = 1,440Wh
- Starlink: 60W × 10h = 600Wh
- Laptop: 100W × 3h = 300Wh
Total daily load: 2,340Wh
Step 5: Account for Inverter and System Losses
Portable power stations store energy as DC but many devices use AC power. Converting DC to AC causes energy loss.
Typical inverter losses:
- AC outlets: 15–20%
- DC-native devices: 5–8%
Best practice is to add at least 20% overhead to all AC-heavy setups.
Example:
- 2,340Wh × 1.2 = 2,808Wh required
Step 6: Add Battery Safety Overhead
Battery capacity degrades over time and is affected by temperature.
Recommended safety margins:
- LiFePO4 systems: +15–20%
- Cold weather or winter camping: +30%
Final recommended capacity:
2,800–3,200Wh power station
If you want help understanding why this range makes sense for your use case, this guide on choosing the right power station capacity explains how to choose capacity without under- or oversizing.
Power Station Capacity Calculator
Input Fields:
- Device wattage (W)
- Daily runtime (hours)
- Power type (AC or DC)
- Battery chemistry
- Temperature range
Outputs:
- Daily energy use (Wh)
- Required usable capacity
- Recommended power station size category
Capacity Size Reference
| Use Case | Recommended Capacity |
|---|---|
| Phones, lights only | 500–700Wh |
| Fridge + electronics | 1,000–1,500Wh |
| Starlink + fridge | 1,500–2,000Wh |
| Cooking + connectivity | 2,000–3,000Wh |
| Full off-grid system | 3,000Wh+ |
This table reflects real-world efficiency losses, not marketing claims.
How This Calculator Connects to Portable Power Systems
This calculator evaluates capacity only; full system considerations like battery chemistry and lifecycle performance.
- Battery chemistry lifespan
- Solar recharge speed
- Thermal performance
- Long-term cost per cycle
Battery capacity is only one part of a reliable setup. Battery chemistry, inverter efficiency, thermal performance, and long-term durability also affect real-world performance, which we explain in our portable power stations guide.
Power station capacity is one component of a complete portable power system.
Common Capacity Calculation Mistakes
- Using the advertised battery capacity instead of the usable output
- Ignoring the inverter loss
- Underestimating continuous loads like fridges
- Failing to account for cold-weather performance
This calculator exists to prevent these errors.
When to Choose a Larger Power Station
Choose a higher capacity if:
- You camp in cold environments
- You rely on internet connectivity
- You use AC cooking appliances
- You want multi-day autonomy without solar
Oversizing increases reliability and battery lifespan.
This calculator is maintained according to GadgetCamping’s testing standards and reflects real-world camping power usage.