When you ask this question, do you want to know how long the portable power station can be used at a time, or how many years can it be used?
The time of one use of the portable power station
How long a portable power station can be used at a time depends on the capacity of our batteries and the products to be charged. Different types of portable power stations have different capacities. Take the SOUOP 1800W Portable Power Station as an example, how long it will last at a time depends a lot on the model of Bluetti Portable Power Station you have and how it is deployed. Compare its ability to power various products. As you will see, the results vary and may come as a surprise.
- CPAP (40W): 40 hours
- Ceiling fan (50W): 30 hours
- Laptop (60W): 25 hours
- TV (110W): 13.5 hours
- Household refrigerator (200W): 6.5 hours
- Coffee machine (600W): 2.0 hours
- Microwave (900W): 1.5 hours
- Hair dryer (1600W): 0.9 hours
How many years can a portable power station last
If you want to know how many years a portable power station can last, then you need to understand the content first.
The lifespan of a portable power station depends on two key factors – how well the product is maintained and how often it is used. A cycle is the time it takes you to use the product from a full charge to zero charge. So if you use your portable power station a few times a week, it might only last a year or two. But if you don’t use it often, it can last longer.
The maintenance and frequency of product use depends on the age of the battery, the type of battery, and the size and number of electronic components used in the power station. If a company claims its portable power station has 200 watt hours, it should run a 1 watt device for about 200 hours. First, consider the wattage of the equipment you’re powering, and then the watt-hours required by your portable power station.
However, in terms of service life, the capacity of the power station decreases after a certain number of charging cycles.
Let’s look at an example of a specific SOUOP brand – SOUOP 1200W Portable Power Station. This is an excellent 1200W rated portable power station with a capacity of up to 992Wh, perfect for powering mini fridges, gas pumps, laptops and more. Its weight is 11kg, making it a popular vanlife and RV holiday. But perhaps the main advantage of the SOUOP 1200W portable power station is in the form of its LiFePO4 battery, which benefits from an exceptionally long service life. In fact, even after 2500 charge cycles, this generator will remain at around 80% capacity! At the high end, the 2000W Bluetti AC200P is designed to last at least 3500 charge cycles. To prolong battery life, discharge the battery to 90% during use. This ingenious technology of the SOUOP power station helps to extend its lifespan.
What size spare battery do I need?
Listing the gadgets you want to keep running during a power outage is the easiest way to determine your emergency power needs. Do you just want to keep your phone charged and listen to weather updates on the radio? Low power backup is one approach. Do you have medical equipment, general appliances or pellet stoves that require power? It’s better to buy a backup system with significantly higher power.
Once you’ve compiled a list of gadgets, add their voltage and wattage together; this is the minimum output your battery life backup system should have. It’s better to have a backup that provides a little more juice than you need than one that can’t keep up.
What is the difference between a generator and a portable power station?
Generators not only store electricity, but also generate electricity by burning gasoline or other fuels. Generators, on the other hand, are larger instruments used to support more electronics. Many generators can power an entire house, while portable power stations are suitable for small appliances and electronics like smartphones, tablets, camp coolers, and camp stoves.
Consider these factors before buying
While all portable power stations provide power over long distances, their characteristics vary widely. The key criteria listed below will help you choose the best portable power station for your needs.
Power Output
A small portable power station can be used to charge your phone, tablet, and possibly run some camping lights. For a while, those built for residential use might be able to run TVs, refrigerators, and even power-hungry air conditioners at the same time.
Available watts (W) represent the power output of the device. Usually, there are two numbers. For example, 1,000W/500W. The first is the peak watts, which accounts for the peaks that the all-electric motor experiences when it initially starts up. The number during typical operation is the second number. The watt-hour (Wh) number also indicates how long the portable power station will last before it needs to be recharged. Of course, actual performance will vary depending on what is plugged in and for how long, but this graph is good for comparison.
Even though all electrical devices are rated for power, decide which gadgets will work together. The best portable power station manufacturers provide estimates such as how many times a device can charge a cell phone, how long it can power a laptop, or how long it can run a mini fridge.
Weight
For power stations, portability is a relative concept. For example, a model designed for camping only weighs 2 or 3 pounds. On the other end of the scale, on the other hand, they can weigh up to 80 pounds. The latter are called “portable” because they usually have wheels.
Charging Options
In effect, a portable power station is a large-capacity battery backup. Even the best portable power station will run out of power, unlike a generator, which will continue to provide the same level of power as long as it is running. How it is charged and how quickly it is restored has a major impact on its convenience. The quickest way is to plug them into a regular household outlet. Many can be charged via USB and the vehicle’s 12V DC outlet. Most of them can be connected to solar panels. While the latter can provide free energy anywhere, not all systems are reliable, and it’s often the slowest alternative. It’s also inconvenient as it requires the device to remain stationary during the day.
Battery Type
Lithium-ion batteries make up the bulk of portable power station batteries. This is tried and tested technology. Lithium iron phosphate batteries, commonly referred to as LiFePO4 or LFP batteries, are becoming more common. Their main advantages are their ten-year life expectancy (twice that of Li-ion) and faster charging times. In addition, they are non-toxic, non-polluting, and contain no rare metals.
Cost
The cost of portable power stations is not cheap. Portable inverter generators are the only real option, but are noisier and use fuel. Taking the time to sift through your power needs will increase your chances of getting the most bang for your buck.