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In this fast-paced and ever-mobile era, the desire for convenience, sustainability, and portability has driven the development of innovative power solutions that cater to our on-the-go lifestyle. Among these innovations, portable power stations have emerged as game-changers as they provide reliable and versatile sources of energy on the go.
Whether you're embarking on a thrilling camping trip, facing unexpected power outages, or simply seeking a convenient power source for your devices and appliances, these compact portable power stations offer a promising solution.
When going outside, although we can enjoy nature and be free, there are still many challenges. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether a portable power station can power a (mini)refrigerator to keep my food and drink iced and refreshed. Instead of simply saying Yes or No, there are many factors to consider. In this article, we will briefly explain this question and the factors that should be considered.
A Short Intro To Portable Power Stations
You can think of portable power stations as giant power banks that can be used to charge different devices and appliances. It is a self-contained, compact, and rechargeable device that stores electrical energy and provides a portable source of power for various electronic devices and appliances. It offers convenience and versatility, making it an ideal solution for situations where access to a traditional power outlet is limited or unavailable, such as during outdoor activities, camping trips, power outages, or remote locations.
The main components of portable power stations are:
Battery: The heart of the portable power station. It consists of lithium-ion batteries or LiFePO4 batteries that store electrical energy when the power station is charged. The capacity of the battery pack determines the total amount of energy it can hold and subsequently deliver to connected devices, and for how long it can power specific devices and appliances.
If you want to learn more about batteries, click HERE.
Input Ports: They allow the portable power station to be charged from an external power source, such as a wall outlet, solar panel, or a car's 12V socket. Some portable power stations may support multiple charging options at the same time for faster charging.
Inverter: It is responsible for converting the DC (direct current) stored in the lithium-ion batteries into AC (alternating current) that can be used by most devices and appliances.
Power Outlets: These are the sockets or USB ports on portable power stations where you can connect your devices and appliances. Different outlets may include standard AC outlets, USB ports, USB-C ports, and DC outlets. The variety of outlets allows you to power different devices and appliances simultaneously.
Display and Controls: Many portable power stations come equipped with a display screen(LCD or LED screen) and a control panel. The display screen provides essential information such as battery level, input/output power, and charging status for you to regulate. The control panel allows you to turn the power station on/off, select charging modes, and monitor various settings.
Cooling System: To avoid overheating to protect other components, many portable power stations may have a cooling system, typically comprised of fans or passive cooling methods, to regulate and dissipate excess heat generated when in use.
If you want to learn more about portable power stations, click HERE.
How Do They Work?
It is quite as simple as it sounds.
The lithium-ion batteries or LiFePO4 batteries store the energy(DC-Direct Current) produced either by AC outlets, solar panels, or car sockets. Then, when you turn the output ports on to power your devices and appliances and plug your devices into the portable power station’s AC outlets, the stored energy will pass through the inverter, and it will automatically convert the DC(direct current) to AC(alternative current) for you to use. By undergoing this process, portable power stations can successfully provide continuous power for your devices and appliances.
Portable Power Stations To Run Refrigerators, Yes Or No?
It is important to define the term “Refrigerator” before jumping to a conclusion.
If we are looking at a household refrigerator, it requires a running power of at least 200 to 300 watts and a starting power of 500-800 watts. If we are looking at a mini-fridge for camping and outdoor activities, it requires a running power of 100W to 200W approximately and a starting power of 300W to 400W at least. Thus, it is very important to look at a portable power station’s rated power and surge power at the same time to see if it can handle it.
The rated power(W) or the output power of portable power stations determines whether they can consistently provide power for the devices and appliances. The starting power or the surge power determines whether portable power stations can successfully start up the devices.
Also, to know for how long a portable power station can power a fridge, we have to look at the capacity(Wh). The higher the capacity, the longer for a portable power station to run a device.
If you want to know more about how to calculate the working time, click HERE.
How To Select The Best Portable Power Stations To Power A Refrigerator?
Before jumping into this topic, here's a table showing the power and capacity requirements for different refrigerators:
|
Type |
Capacity |
Power Requirement |
|
Mini-Fridge |
150-300Wh |
100-200W running 300-400W starting |
|
Compact Fridge |
300-500Wh |
200-300W running 500-800W starting |
|
Household Fridge |
500-1000Wh |
500W running 1000W starting |
Knowing these specs will help you choose the right-sized portable power station for your needs.
It is not as easy as it sounds to choose the most suitable portable power stations for a fridge. But we can narrow it down into the following steps:
1. Determine the type of refrigerator you want to power. Ask yourself whether it is a household fridge or a mini-fridge.
2. After knowing the type of fridge you want to power, find the following specs:
-
The running power of the fridge: it is usually labeled on the back of the fridge. If you cannot find it, find out the amp(A) and volt(V) and then multiply them together to get the running power(W).
-
The starting power of the fridge: It is usually labeled on the back. If you cannot find it, find out the max. amp(A) and max. volt(V) and then multiply them together to get the starting power(W).
-
How many hours do you want to power it: Determine how long you want to power it.
-
The Watt-hour: Multiply the running power(W) and hours(Hr) together to get the Watt-hour.
-
The rated power of the portable power station: You can find it on the official website of the brand. For example, POWEREPUBLIC T1200 Portable Power Station(1200W/1110Wh), 1200W is the rated power.
-
The surge power of the portable power station: You can find it on the official website of the brand. For example, POWEREPUBLIC T1200 Portable Power Station, (1200W/surge 2400W), 2400W is the surge power.
-
The capacity of the portable power station: You can find it on the official website of the brand. For example, POWEREPUBLIC T1200 Portable Power Station(1200W/1110Wh), 1110Wh is the capacity.
3. After finding out the above specs, we can use the following formula to determine:
-
Working Time(Hours)=Capacity of the Portable Power Station x 0.85(Conversion rate)/the running power of the fridge.
Let’s take a compact fridge with 300W running, and 800W starting as an example. POWEREPUBLIC T1200 has a surge power of 2400W which can handle the starting power of a compact fridge. Then we can use the formula above the calculate the working time:
Working Time(Hours)=1110Wh*0.85/300W=3 hours. POWEREPUBLIC T1200 can power a 300W compact fridge for about 3 hours.
It is important to figure out these specs before purchasing a portable power station to avoid wasting money.
What Other Factors To Consider When Choosing A Portable Power Station?
From the above, we know that it is very important to look at portable power stations’ rated power, surge power, capacity, and your actual power needs before purchasing. However, there are a few other factors that need to be considered as they will help you make the right decision as well.
Battery Type: Almost all portable power stations use either lithium-ion batteries or LiFePo4 batteries these days. If you want to have a portable power station with a longer lifespan, besides taking proper care, select the ones using LiFePO4 batteries as they have a cycle life of 3000+ cycles, and are comparatively more durable and safer than the ones using lithium-ion batteries.
Looking At Charging Options: Select portable power stations that support multiple charging options. This allows you to have more flexibility on the go.
Consider Brand And Customer Review: Don’t risk your money! Always check the credibility of the brand on Trustpilot, Amazon, or any other platforms before purchasing. Also, look at customer reviews to see how other people are reacting to the product to avoid overspending.
The Best POWEREPUBLIC Portable Power Stations For Different Types of Fridges
As mentioned above, different types of fridges have different power requirements and capacities. And we don’t just want to power them for 1 or 2 hours, instead, we want continuous and constant power for them. Following are some of the best POWEREPUBLIC portable power stations for the fridge.
POWEREPUBLIC T1200 Portable Power Station
Our T1200 has a running power of 1200W, a surge power of 2400W, and a capacity of 1110Wh. It is an ideal option for mini-fridges on the go. It can power a 100W mini-fridge for about 9.5 hours continuously. It is perfect for your outdoor needs. If you value portability and space, T1200 is the right one for you.
Also, with 6 AC outlets, 2 Type C ports, 1 USB-A, 1 QC3.0, 2 DC5521 ports, and a car socket, you can charge other essentials at the same time.
We have 2 videos about powering a mini-fridge using our T1200 portable power station:
POWEREPUBLIC T2200 Portable Power Station
Our T2200 has a running power of 2200W, a surge power of 4500W, and a capacity of 2240Wh. It is an ideal option for mini-fridges and compact fridges. It can power a 100W mini-fridge for about 19 hours continuously, and a 300W compact fridge for about 6 hours. It is perfect for both outdoors and indoors. If you value functionality and durability, T2200 is the right one for you.
Also, with 6 AC outlets, 2 Type C ports, 3 USB-A, 1 QC3.0, 2 DC5521 ports, and a car socket, you can charge other devices at the same time. If you are looking for longer working time and more flexibility, choose T2200.
POWEREPUBLIC T3000 Portable Power Station
Our T3000 has a running power of 3000W, a surge power of 6000W, and a capacity of 3200Wh. It is an ideal option for all types of refrigerators. It can power a 100W mini-fridge for about 27 hours continuously, a 300W compact fridge for about 9 hours, and a 500W household fridge for about 5.5 hours. It is perfect for power outages, home backup, and all kinds of outdoor activities and events.
Also, with 6 AC outlets, 2 Type C ports, 3 USB-A, 1 QC3.0, 2 DC5521 ports, and a car socket, you can power a lot of heavy-duty tools and appliances at the same time. If you are looking for a power beast that can put your mind at ease and never have to worry about power outages, choose T3000.
A Few Final Thoughts
We have learned that portable power stations serve as reliable and sustainable power solutions for outdoor events and during power outages, enabling us to break free from the limitations of traditional power outlets. Whether embarking on outdoor adventures, facing unexpected power outages or simply looking for reliable power sources in unconventional locations, portable power stations have showcased their abilities to keep us powered and charged.
When it comes to questions like whether portable power stations can power a fridge, we have to consider some important factors before answering, such as the type of the fridge, how long you want to power it, the running and starting power of the fridge, the specs of the portable power station and some other factors. Knowing them will help us make better decisions when selecting the best or the right-sized portable power stations.
Explore POWERPUBLIC Portable Power Stations For Your Fridge!
