Power station
A power station – often also referred to as a mobile power station, solar generator or portable energy station – is the compact alternative to a generator and permanently installed battery. It combines a powerful battery, an inverter for 230 V and several connections for 12 V, USB and often also solar in a portable housing. Whether camping, in a motorhome, in the workshop or as an emergency power reserve at home: the selection ranges from lightweight models with around 200 Wh to heavy off-grid systems with more than 3,600 Wh.
This guide explains the most important technical values such as Wh, Ah, V, CCA and cycles, shows typical areas of application and helps you find the right power station.
What is a power station?
A power station is a portable energy storage device with integrated battery management and, as a rule, an inverter. Unlike a simple power bank, it delivers true 230 V alternating voltage, so household appliances, tools or medical devices can also be operated. In modern devices, the battery cells are usually lithium iron phosphate cells (LiFePO4/LFP), less commonly lithium-ion cells based on NMC. In addition, there is charging electronics for mains adapter, 12 V on-board power supply and solar panels as well as a display for showing charge level, input and output power.
The typical power class starts with compact models with 200 to 500 Wh and a weight of a few kilograms. Mid-range devices with 500 to 1,500 Wh usually weigh between 7 and 15 kg. Large power stations with 1,500 to 3,600 Wh or more reach 35 kg and more and are suitable as an emergency power supply or for longer self-sufficient use.
Power station, power bank and generator compared
The terms are often mixed up. Technically there are clear differences:
- Power bank: Usually stores 20 to 100 Wh, outputs only USB voltage (5 V, USB-PD up to 20 V) and is intended for smartphones, tablets or laptops.
- Power station: Often stores 200 to over 5,000 Wh, provides 230 V alternating current, 12 V direct current and USB and can operate cool boxes, tools or small heaters.
- Generator: Generates electricity from petrol, diesel or gas. It is loud, emits exhaust fumes and must not be operated in enclosed spaces. In return, it delivers very high continuous power and is immediately ready for use again after refuelling.
For short, quiet applications and indoor use, the power station has the advantage. It works emission-free and can be recharged via solar, mains or on-board socket. A generator remains useful when several thousand watts are needed continuously over many hours.
Technical specifications: Wh, Ah, V, CCA and cycles
Capacity in Wh and Ah
The usable amount of energy is given in watt-hours (Wh). Ah alone is not meaningful without voltage. The conversion is: Wh = Ah × V. A LiFePO4 battery with 100 Ah and 12.8 V therefore has 1,280 Wh. A 24 V power station with 50 Ah also gives 1,200 Wh. Typical power stations are between 200 Wh and 5,000 Wh, and individual systems can be expanded modularly.
Voltage, inverter and continuous power
The core component is the inverter. It converts the battery's DC voltage into 230 V AC at 50 Hz. The continuous power indicates which load can be connected permanently – for example 500 W, 1,000 W or 2,000 W. Peak power may only be drawn briefly, such as when a fridge or power tool starts up. If you connect a device with 800 W, you should choose a power station with at least 1,000 W continuous power in order to have reserves.
Cycle life and charging currents
LiFePO4 cells typically achieve 3,000 to 5,000 charge cycles before the remaining capacity falls to around 80%. NMC cells are often at 500 to 1,000 cycles. The actual service life depends on depth of discharge, temperature and charging method. The charging time results from the charging power: a 1,000 Wh battery charges in a calculated 5 hours on a 200 W power supply, and in 2 hours at 500 W. In practice, 10 to 15% charging losses are added. Typical power supply charging currents are 5 to 15 A, solar inputs 100 to 400 W, and some systems support 800 W or more.
Buying advice: which power station suits you?
Areas of use and power requirements
Before deciding on a power station, add up the consumers. A smartphone needs around 10 to 15 Wh per charge, a notebook 50 to 100 Wh, a portable cool box 40 to 80 W continuous power and a small kettle 800 to 1,500 W. For a night of camping with lighting, smartphone and cool box, 500 Wh is usually enough. For tools, emergency power or longer self-sufficient days, 1,500 to 3,600 Wh is sensible.
Charging time and inputs
Look for at least two charging options: 230 V power supply and 12 V on-board socket. If you are travelling self-sufficiently, you should choose an MPPT solar controller with a suitable solar panel. The charging time via solar depends on panel power and orientation: a 200 W panel delivers around 150 to 180 W effectively under good conditions; for 1,000 Wh, 6 to 7 hours is then realistic. USB-C PD with 100 W is only suitable for recharging small models, not as a main charging source.
| Class | Capacity | Continuous power | Peak power | Weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | 200–500 Wh | 300–600 W | 600–1.200 W | 4–7 kg | Smartphone, tablet, LED, hobby |
| Mid-range | 500–1,500 Wh | 600–1.500 W | 1.200–3.000 W | 7–15 kg | Camping, laptop, cool box, TV |
| Upper range | 1,500–3,600 Wh | 1.500–3.000 W | 3.000–6.000 W | 15–35 kg | Workshop, motorhome, emergency power |
| Professional/off-grid | >3,600 Wh | 3.000–7.000 W | >6,000 W | >35 kg | Construction site, off-grid, longer self-sufficiency |
Power station for car, workshop and emergency power
Jump starting and CCA
For jump starting flat vehicle batteries, it is not the Wh capacity that matters but the cold cranking amps (CCA). Mobile jump starters typically deliver 200 to 1,000 A briefly; large power stations with a 12 V output, on the other hand, are usually limited to 10 A continuous current and are not suitable as starters. If you are looking for a power station with a jump starting function, you should pay attention to the CCA figure and compare it with the vehicle's requirements – diesel engines or large displacements often need 600 A or more.
12 V and 24 V systems
Cars generally work with 12 V, lorries and many motorhomes with 24 V. Many power stations have a 12 V output (often 10 A, 120 W), and some additionally a 24 V output or an adjustable DC output. Before buying, check whether the power station has the right adapters for a cool box, air pump or on-board electronics. If you would also like to modernise tyre pressure monitoring, you can find suitable TPMS sensors under TPMS sensors. For questions about the vehicle battery in Berlin, the page Car battery Berlin can help.
LiFePO4 batteries in modern power stations
LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) has largely become established in power stations. The nominal voltage of a cell is 3.2 V; four cells in series give 12.8 V, eight cells 25.6 V. Advantages are high cycle life, stable voltage level, low thermal risk and good low-temperature tolerance compared with NMC. LFP batteries are somewhat heavier than NMC at the same capacity, but compensate for this with a longer service life. Look for active or passive cell balancing so that the cells age evenly.
As a guide for dimensioning: a 100 Ah LFP battery at 12.8 V stores 1,280 Wh of usable energy. With a 230 V consumer at 100 W, this gives a runtime of just under 12 hours if inverter losses of 10 to 15% are taken into account. At 500 W, the runtime falls to around 2.3 hours.
FAQ – common questions about power stations
What is the difference between Wh and Ah in a power station?
Wh (watt-hours) indicate the amount of energy stored, Ah (amp-hours) only the amount of charge. Only together with the voltage does Wh = Ah × V result. A 100 Ah battery with 12.8 V has 1,280 Wh, a 50 Ah battery with 25.6 V likewise 1,280 Wh.
How long does a power station last at 100 W consumption?
Rule of thumb: capacity in Wh ÷ consumption in W × 0.85 (losses). A 1,000 Wh power station therefore runs a 100 W consumer for around 8.5 hours. At 500 W it is about 1.7 hours.
Can I charge a power station with solar panels?
Yes, most power stations have a solar input with an MPPT controller. Typical input power ratings are 100 to 400 W, larger models support more. For 1,000 Wh you need about 6 to 7 hours with a 200 W panel under good conditions.
Which devices may I connect?
All devices whose continuous power is below the continuous power of the power station. Note the inrush currents of refrigerators, pumps or tools. An 800 W device should be connected to a power station with at least 1,000 W continuous power.
Power station or generator – which is better for emergency power?
The power station is quiet, emission-free and can be used indoors, but is limited with very high continuous demand. A generator delivers high power, but is loud and not suitable for enclosed spaces. For short bridging periods and mobile use, the power station is usually more practical.
How heavy is a power station?
Compact models with 200–500 Wh weigh 4–7 kg, mid-range 7–15 kg, large systems with 1,500–3,600 Wh 15–35 kg. Professional devices over 3,600 Wh can weigh over 35 kg and are often fitted with wheels.
Can a power station start a car?
Only if it has a jump-start function with sufficient CCA. Normal 12 V outputs often deliver only 10 A continuous current and are not enough to start. For diesel or large engines, 600 A or more are often required.
Which battery technology is better: LiFePO4 or NMC?
LiFePO4 offers 3,000–5,000 cycles, more stable voltage and lower thermal risk. NMC is lighter, but usually achieves only 500–1,000 cycles. For power stations, LiFePO4 is the better choice in most cases.