SizingPlate
Power stations › Scenarios › Tailgate setup

What size power station do I need for a tailgate?

A TV for the pregame, cold drinks in a mini fridge, and phones topped up: the classic silent tailgate. No generator drone, no fumes, no gas can in the truck — just a battery that lasts the afternoon.

The load

POWER PLATE3 LOADS · 6 H RUNTIME
Continuous draw
180 W
Startup surge
790 W
Energy for 6 h
1,271 Wh
Buy at least
1,450 Wh
Look for ≥1,450Wh capacity, ~180W continuous / 790W surge or better.

Field note: A small-to-midsize station covers a typical tailgate easily. If you're also running a griddle or any cooking element, that's a resistive load that changes everything — for hot food, plan on propane or a generator and keep the station for electronics.

Right size: Large (≈2,000Wh) · 2,400W

Typical price $1,200-1,900 · e.g. EcoFlow Delta 2 Max, Bluetti AC200L, Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

A fridge plus several small loads for most of a day, a window AC in short stretches, longer off-grid stays. Heavy to carry but still one-person portable; the point where solar recharge really matters for multi-day use.

Runs this load ~8.7 h on a full charge.

See current prices on Amazon

One size up: Extra-large (≈3,600Wh) · 3,600W

Typical price $2,000-3,200 · e.g. EcoFlow Delta Pro 3, Bluetti AC300 + B300 module

A fridge and essentials for a day or more, a 120V window AC, a home office through a long outage. Approaching generator money; the value comes from pairing it with solar so it refills each day.

Runs this load ~15 h on a full charge.

See current prices on Amazon

Adjust for your setup

Different loads or runtime? Uncheck and re-check below and drag the runtime slider — the plate recomputes live.

POWER PLATE3 LOADS · 6 H RUNTIME
Continuous draw
180 W
Startup surge
790 W
Energy for 6 h
1,271 Wh
Buy at least
1,450 Wh
Look for ≥1,450Wh capacity, ~180W continuous / 790W surge or better.

Capacity includes inverter loss (~15%) and a usable-charge margin, so the station isn't run flat. A solar panel or vehicle charge extends runtime past this number.

6 h
Kitchen
Heating & cooling
Pumps & well
Electronics
Medical & safety
Lighting
Laundry
Household
Tools & outdoor
RV & camping

Power stations that fit

Right size: Large (≈2,000Wh) · 2,400W

Typical price $1,200-1,900 · e.g. EcoFlow Delta 2 Max, Bluetti AC200L, Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

A fridge plus several small loads for most of a day, a window AC in short stretches, longer off-grid stays. Heavy to carry but still one-person portable; the point where solar recharge really matters for multi-day use.

Runs this load ~8.7 h on a full charge.

See current prices on Amazon

One size up: Extra-large (≈3,600Wh) · 3,600W

Typical price $2,000-3,200 · e.g. EcoFlow Delta Pro 3, Bluetti AC300 + B300 module

A fridge and essentials for a day or more, a 120V window AC, a home office through a long outage. Approaching generator money; the value comes from pairing it with solar so it refills each day.

Runs this load ~15 h on a full charge.

See current prices on Amazon
This site earns commissions from qualifying purchases made through links to Amazon and other retailers, at no extra cost to you. Wattage figures are typical estimates — actual draw varies by model. Always verify against your appliance's nameplate, and consult a licensed electrician for any panel or hardwired connections.