Portable power stations are becoming the next big thing for recreational vehicle owners. They're starting to replace generators because they have many advantages.
- Power stations can power anything that a typical 2200-watt gas or propane generator can power.
- They are completely silent, so they can be used anywhere, anytime.
- They don't emit fumes, or require you to carry a gas can.
- They don't require any maintenance during the off-season.
- They can be recharged with solar panels, or from a truck, even while you're using them.
- When you aren't using the power station for RV'ing, it serves as a useful power backup for home appliances, like your refrigerator.
The biggest argument against using portable power stations is that they aren't ideal for situations where you need air conditioning for long periods of time. The power draw of most RV air conditioners will exhaust a power station in a matter of hours, so this is the one circumstance where a generator is the best choice.
But for nearly all other circumstances, a power station is inarguably a better solution.
Here's what to look for in a power station when you plan to use it primarily for RVing:
Modularity
RVs need fairly large power stations, and they get heavy. The only way for them to be practical is if the power station can be broken down into separate modules, which are easier to lift and store. Look for a brand which has a well engineered solution so that it breaks down into separate pieces and re-assembles very quickly, without needing special cables or reprogramming.
Large battery capacity
If you want to be able to power everything in your RV for several days while you are away from a campground plug, you want something in the range of 3 kWh to 7 kWh. Smaller "tabletop" power stations don't have the ability to power the entire RV for a reasonable length of time.
High capacity, pure-sine wave inverter
Look for a power station that has an inverter capable of a minimum of 2000 W continuous output. Anything less, and you may not be able to power the appliances in your RV. Continuous output of more than 3600 W is generally not necessary.
A TT30 power outlet
Most travel trailers have either a 30-amp (TT30) plug or a 50-amp plug. But most portable power stations only have lower-capacity "household" outlets. (These are commonly called "110 volt" outlets, but they actually are 120 volts at either 15 or 20 amps.)
While you can use an adapter to step these down your RV's power cord to fit a household outlet, you won't be able to utilize the full capacity of your power station—and it won't be safe to run the air conditioner.
Look for a power station that has a TT30 outlet built in. The TT30 outlet can be used with 30-amp or 50-amp cords (with an adapter for the 50-amp plugs). It will deliver up to 3600 W of power continuously, which is enough to run just about anything in your RV.
Big wheels
It may seem silly, but with the weight of a typical large power station, it's really important to have large wheels underneath. Most power stations are made with small wheels because they are designed for residential use, and it's assumed that they will be rolling on smooth surfaces.
Those little wheels won't work very well in a camping situation, because they get caught on gravel, grass, or other uneven surfaces. Look for a station that has large wheels and is designed to be rolled on rough surfaces.
US – based warranty and technical support
Most power stations are made overseas, and sold by foreign companies with large call centers. Even if those call centers have a US number, commonly speaking to someone in Asia when you have a problem. Look for a company with a US-based technical support line and warranty, as it's usually a lot easier to get useful help.