Portable Power for camping

[CallMeBill]

Starting to look into using the BS to go weekend camping and am looking for recommendations for a portable power unit to run the 12v fridge/freezer (37qt). Been looking at the Bluetti EB3A and the Ecoflow River 2 (trying to keep it under $300).
Anyone have any suggestions?

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[Alfa 2407]

Not sure you are going to find much at that price point for something like that, a brand I recommend is jackery, though they are a good bit more expensive than that

 

[jkeaton]

Starting to look into using the BS to go weekend camping and am looking for recommendations for a portable power unit to run the 12v fridge/freezer (37qt). Been looking at the Bluetti EB3A and the Ecoflow River 2 (trying to keep it under $300).
Anyone have any suggestions?

You can't even get a large Yeti cooler for that much.....

 

[Deleted member 6350]

I found this one.
https://www.amazon.com/WEN-56235i-2350-Watt-Generator-Lightweight/dp/B085828BQ6/ref=asc_df_B085828BQ6?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058307777648&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657835860225&th=1

 

[wireman]

Sam's club has an Aipower 2300 watt inverter generator for $400 if you are a member.

This one I believe.

https://a-ipower.com/products/xos2300i-ultra-lightweight-inverter-generator

 

[sreesekelley]

I use a Jackery 240 to power a Bodega fridge freezer. It can be plugged into 12v for charging while driving and I have a 60w solar panel wired to plug directly into it. On a full charge, it will run the bodega for about 23 hours. The solar panel uses the internal controller on the Jackery so it plugs in directly and I wired it with extra long cords so I can place the panels where I want and move them around as the sun moves. Check out Bodega. they make compressor coolers/fridges in various sizes and price ranges. The Jackery or Bluetti are nice units because they have everything built in a nice case. You could buy individual components and make your own for much cheaper. YouTube is your friend if you want to learn more.

 

[mikldom]

I have a 22 liter electric fridge (12v) paid about 130. I have a knockoff jackery that is 278 wh with inverter (98 bux at Walmart dot com). I travel for work. When working I plug in the fridge to the power supply. I've left it plugged in overnight and still had over half charge. The fridge only uses 40 watts and works excellent.

 

[NMhunter]

I looked at a 37 qt. unit online and it consumes 1000 watt hours/day, which comes out to around 40 watts. The battery pack you're looking at only has 256 watt hours, so it might not last through a hot night.

For around $80, you can buy a 20 ah LiFePO4. Two of those would give you twice the power. Add a 100 watt solar panel $70 (to run fridge and charge battery during the day) and a charge controller $20, and you should be fine.

I use 2 prong trailer connectors from auto parts stores for all of my connections and extension cords.

The only problem with LiFePO4 batteries is that they can't be charged below freezing. But if it is that cold, you won't need power for the cooler.

 

[gatornek]

I'm a big fan of what Ecoflow is doing. You can get the River 1 Pro (not the River 2 Pro) for about $380 at Costco. I think you can get the River 1 on Amazon for like $280

I'm not going for any of these. Im definitley going for the River2 Pro, because I want something that has the possiblity of driving a coffee pot.

 

[Luvamutt]

I have been using the Ecoflow River Max for just over a year and really really like it. It can run my Dometic CFX40 cooler for 3 days or so without needing a charge. My favorite thing is how quickly it charges … I can get a full charge when plugged in for just a couple of hours. It is also easy to recharge while driving (although it takes more than 2 hrs). I paid $420 for it but have been more than happy!

 

[SDPark]

After a ton of research, I purchased the EcoFlow River for this summer’s camping trips. It’s the best price I could find at the time for what I wanted. I can run my Keurig or a coffee maker with this one because it has a sort of burst (x-boost) mode for higher wattage items. I’m not sure if it will run what you need it to, but I’m impressed. I have a solar panel to use for recharging, but I haven’t had to use it yet.

EF ECOFLOW RIVER 288Wh Portable Power Station,3 x 600W(Peak 1800W) AC Outlets & LED Flashlight, Fast Charging Silent Solar Generator (Solar Panel Optional) for Emergencies Home Outdoor Camping RV https://a.co/d/iMeJ0Kt

 

[Pigpen]

Not sure you are going to find much at that price point for something like that, a brand I recommend is jackery, though they are a good bit more expensive than that

I’ll have to agree on the Jackery. I have the 500 model.

 

[RDS40]

After a ton of research, I purchased the EcoFlow River for this summer’s camping trips. It’s the best price I could find at the time for what I wanted. I can run my Keurig or a coffee maker with this one because it has a sort of burst (x-boost) mode for higher wattage items. I’m not sure if it will run what you need it to, but I’m impressed. I have a solar panel to use for recharging, but I haven’t had to use it yet.

EF ECOFLOW RIVER 288Wh Portable Power Station,3 x 600W(Peak 1800W) AC Outlets & LED Flashlight, Fast Charging Silent Solar Generator (Solar Panel Optional) for Emergencies Home Outdoor Camping RV https://a.co/d/iMeJ0Kt

Loved the idea of running a Kurig but it looks like it won't last more than several cups before dying.

 

[Maxwellian]

Had a Jackery 300, it didn’t handle heat well. Been very happy with my EcoFlow river that replaced it. Better vented, allows you to monitor temps and change fan modes.

 

[SDPark]

Loved the idea of running a Kurig but it looks like it won't last more than several cups before dying.

You are correct. I did use it over the summer with both the Keurig and a regular coffee maker. They both worked with the EcoBoost, however one of our trips I somehow didn’t don’t have ecoboost activated… and since I didn’t have any cell or WiFi access, I couldn’t connect the phone via the app to the battery, so I couldn’t turn on EcoBoost. That is a definite flaw in this EcoFlow battery.
When I got home after that trip, I was able to reconnect my phone to the EcoFlow and turn EcoBoost back on. I’ve learned my lesson: make sure EcoBoost is on before going on each trip.
Going back to the Keurig… the EcoFlow River can handle at least 3 cups- maybe 4 - with EcoBoost on. I know I made a pot of coffee, but since the Keurig was what I typically used, I am not remembering how the traditional coffee maker went. I know that I didn’t leave the heating element on after the pot was brewed.

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