Portable Power Station Planning for an Outage

Prioritize before you size

You may not be able to run every appliance at once. Start with communications and battery lighting, then evaluate refrigeration and other household loads separately. Keep paper contact information, non-electric lighting, and a plan for leaving if indoor temperature or local conditions become unsafe.

• Tier 1: phone and radio charging, battery-backed alerts, efficient LED lighting
• Tier 2: refrigeration only when needed, with doors kept closed between checks
• Tier 3: comfort and convenience loads after essential energy is reserved
• Separate plan: any medical, accessibility, or life-sustaining need

Turn the priority list into Wh

For each item, calculate W × hours × quantity. For cycling appliances such as a refrigerator, a measured cumulative Wh under similar conditions is more useful than assuming the compressor runs continuously. Add conversion losses and a reserve for uncertainty.

Recalculate for short, medium, and extended outage scenarios. Solar input is weather-dependent, and a panel’s nameplate W is not guaranteed output, so do not treat forecast charging as certain energy.

Keep household wiring out of the shortcut

Use the power station’s approved outlets and cables within their ratings. Do not try to energize home wiring through a wall receptacle. Any transfer equipment or permanently connected backup system must follow the manufacturer’s instructions, local requirements, and qualified installation guidance.

Before connecting an appliance, confirm the station’s 120 V / 60 Hz output, plug and grounding compatibility, continuous W, surge behavior, and the appliance manual. Extension cords must be intact and rated for the full connected load and environment.

Fuel generators need their own safety plan

A rechargeable power station and a fuel-burning generator have different hazards and capabilities. If a fuel generator is part of the plan, follow CPSC and FEMA guidance: operate it outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, with exhaust directed away from the building, and maintain working carbon-monoxide alarms.

Never run a fuel generator, vehicle, camp stove, or charcoal grill in a home, garage, shed, or other enclosed or partly enclosed space. CampWatt does not size generators or evaluate fuel, exhaust, transfer switches, or code compliance.

Medical power is not a calculator result

Do not rely on a general consumer runtime estimate for medical or life-sustaining equipment. Work from the device manufacturer’s requirements and a care-provider emergency plan, including what to do if the backup fails or the outage lasts longer than expected.

U.S. planning limits

• CampWatt provides planning estimates, not guaranteed runtime. Actual results vary with the device, duty cycle, conversion losses, temperature, battery age, and power-station settings.
• For U.S. AC use, verify that the appliance and power station support 120 V / 60 Hz, the physical plug and grounding arrangement, and any manufacturer-specific waveform requirements. A plug adapter alone does not convert voltage or frequency.
• Do not use this calculator or these guides to size, certify, or guarantee power for medical or life-sustaining equipment. Follow the equipment manufacturer, your care provider, and your emergency backup plan.