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Few things make a camping trip more functional and comfortable than lights at your campsite. Lights provide illumination so you can cook, set up camp, get around safely in the dark, and so much more – but how can you power them when you don’t have access to grid electricity?
Below, we share four viable options for keeping your lights on throughout your camping trip. Whether you opt for power banks, portable power stations, solar panels, or gas generators will depend on several factors, so we also discuss the most important considerations.
What To Consider When Thinking About Electricity for Camping
When planning your camping trip and wanting to incorporate electricity, you’ll need to consider the type and length of your camping trip, your campsite power requirements, and the budget you’re working within.
Power Requirements
How many appliances or devices do you need to charge? Is it just lights, or do you want to power your smartphones, laptop, camping stove, and more? Assess your electricity needs for lighting and other equipment so you can find an appropriate capacity and output source.
Camping Duration
Are you taking a quick one-night trip or planning to stay for a few weeks? The length of your journey will affect the amount of power you need – longer trips require more robust energy sources, while short trips can get by with something smaller, cheaper, and less powerful.
Type of Camping
The nature of your camping trip will also influence your choice. For example, if you’re backpacking, you won’t want to bring something heavy for your lights that you can’t sustainably carry in your pack.
While some people figure maximum pack load as a percentage of body weight, there’s a better model to figure out what you can safely carry. If your power source can’t fit that limit, you must find something more lightweight.
Budget
Your budget will be a significant limiting factor in the type of power source and the quality available. While some high-capacity, high-end options may satisfy your needs, your budget may not allow it. It’s also important to consider your budget for camping power as a whole, not just for one specific trip. If you camp often, you may consider increasing your budget since the purchase will have a much greater ROI the more you use it.
However, if you’re planning a one-off camping trip but don’t tend to go on this adventure, sticking with a smaller budget may suit you better.
What Are the Options to Power Camping Lights Off-Grid?
You have several options to consider and weigh the pros and cons to determine the best solution for you and your camping needs. There are small but mighty power banks, more robust portable power stations (PPS), solar panels that you can pair with a PPS to create solar generators, or traditional gas generators.
Power Banks
Power banks are small, portable battery packs that you can pre-charge at home before your trip begins. Once you’re set up at the campground, you can use the energy for your camping lights. Power banks are versatile—you can use them for camping, travel, and more.
They’re also compact, so they won’t take up much room when loading the car, leaving plenty of space for other camping equipment. They can be as tiny as a pocket-sized unit or large enough to charge multiple devices for several days.
Campers love to pack power banks because they’re convenient and reliable. They usually use lithium-ion batteries, which provide a healthy balance of size, weight, and capacity.
Power banks are a great entry-level option, versatile enough even for non-campers. They’re a good choice if you don’t want to invest a lot in your energy source or would prefer to purchase something that can be used in countless other ways.
Pros
- Reusable
- Lightweight and portable
- Versatile to use for different applications
Cons
- Not enough power for larger, more demanding devices
Solar Panels
If you tend to lean toward more sustainable and eco-friendly products, consider investing in solar panels for camping. They convert sunlight into usable electricity, and you can store the generated energy in a battery for later use.
While solar panels can’t typically function as a power source on their own, you can pair solar panels with PPS to create solar generators for camping. EcoFlow Solar Generators bundle the two components into a simple, easy-to-use camping power solution.
Solar panels are also available in various wattages and sizes, small enough to power just lights and your phone or large enough to charge multiple appliances simultaneously. Based on your electricity needs and budget, the choice is yours.
Consider what the right balance between output and portability is for you. Do you prefer something lighter and easier to carry and pack? A lower-wattage option could work well. Would you find more value in something with more power behind it? A high-watt but bulkier solar panel and battery bundle would better satisfy your needs.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Sizing and efficiency options
- Silent operation
- No fuel required
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Don’t work when there’s no sunlight
- Charging speeds depend on the weather
- Higher initial cost
- Can’t stand alone – requires a power bank, PPS, etc.
Portable Power Stations
Portable power stations are more robust than power banks while remaining compact enough for camping trips. They have an impressive battery capacity and several output options, perfect for an extended camping trip with devices like lights, a camping stove, a portable fridge, a coffee maker, and more.
EcoFlow Portable Power Stations can use AC outlets, DC ports, and USB connections, so they’re suitable for almost any electronic device or appliance.
You can also use EcoFlow Portable Power Stations to charge your laptop or phone while camping and stay connected even when you’re off the grid. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations includes options like the mighty and durable EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, featuring a 500W total output and 512Wh capacity.
One key benefit of a PPS is its versatility when recharging. You can charge it fully at home using a wall outlet, use your car charger, or connect it to solar panels for ultimate flexibility when replenishing your battery.
Pros
- Reusable
- Fast charging
- Charge different types of devices with varying plugs
- Charge multiple devices simultaneously
- Large power capacity
- No emissions
Cons
- Most can’t provide enough power for appliances like fridges or AC
- Too heavy for backpacking
- Require pre-charging or access to a power source for recharging
Gas Generators
Gas generators are a traditional option that uses gasoline, propane, or diesel to create electrical power using an internal combustion engine. They’re popular due to their high output and reliability but are not eco-friendly and can be pretty noisy. They also produce emissions when running; some campgrounds may prohibit these runoff fumes.
However, they can still be helpful if you’re going on a group trip and bringing energy-intensive equipment.
Pros
- Reliable
- Large capacity
- Affordable
Cons
- Noisy
- Heavy
- Produce emissions
- Requires refuelling
Choosing the Right Power Source for Camping Lights
As you can see, plenty of options exist to keep your camping lights turned on. So, how do you make the right choice for you? These are the most important factors to consider during your buying decision-making process.
Battery Capacity
Battery capacity, measured in watt-hours, tells you how long your power source can provide a certain power level and how often it will need to be recharged.
To find a suitable battery capacity, calculate your electricity needs by adding up the total wattage of your lighting and any other equipment and multiply that figure by the number of hours you expect to use them each day of your camping trip. Add some extra capacity just to be safe. Your final number can serve as a guide for the minimum battery capacity required.
Output
Output is also essential—this is the total amount of electricity your devices will require when charging simultaneously. Add up lights and any other devices that require electricity, include another buffer for surge power, and use that as your minimum output requirement. If 500 watts is the minimum, look for an energy source with around 600W output.
Portability
Portability and weight might not be a significant issue for car camping, where you can pack a heavier, bulkier, higher-capacity energy source. But you’ll need something more compact for backpacking trips or hiking excursions since every ounce counts.
When in doubt, choose a lighter option for more versatility in your camping adventures. Some options, like EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, provide flexibility in the form of extra batteries, allowing you to add battery power as needed without a heavy and large base model.
Durability
Camping can mean being out in nature during harsh weather, so you’ll want an electricity source that can withstand various conditions like wind, rain, cold, and heat. You also want peace of mind that it won’t break if it gets bumped or dropped somewhere along the way. You might pay more upfront for such durability, but it will save you money in the long run.
Fuel Source
Rechargeable options may need replenishing during the trip. Solar panel compatibility can be beneficial for these solutions. Other solutions, like gas generators, will require a certain amount of fuel to keep you charged up for the entire duration of your camp. Calculate how much fuel you’ll need to plan for it ahead of time.
Final Thoughts
Lights are a camping essential, but they won’t function unless you bring a power source. You can choose from power banks, portable power stations, solar generators, or gas generators, but be sure to consider all the factors before investing in an energy solution so you can make the right choice.
Remember your camping style, trip duration, and electricity needs, and purchase a power source best aligned with your needs so you can enjoy a well-lit and comfortable experience even when you’re off the grid.