Craftsmen & light construction sites: 12 V energy
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Power stations for tradespeople & light construction sites : LiFePO4 512–700 Wh , 12 V regulated , USB-C 100 W , tool battery charging , LED & 160 W foldable panels (MPPT) - 2025 guide
Small repairs, express installation, on-site after-sales service, preventive maintenance, apartment/business improvements: you need mobile, safe and silent energy to power your IT (laptop, label maker, router), recharge your tool batteries (via their chargers), provide LED lighting and last the day without looking for a socket. This guide helps you build a pro kit around a LiFePO4 512–700 Wh power station with 100 W USB-C , 12 V regulated , pure sine AC , MPPT for 160 W panels and relay power banks .
See 512–700 Wh (LiFePO4) stations | 120–160 W foldable panels (MPPT) |20k/30k power banks | 100/240 W USB-C cables (5A e-marker) | 65–100 W GaN chargers
1) Artisan profiles & typical needs
- Plumber/heating engineer : 10–30 W LED lighting, laptop/tablet, USB test pump, tool battery charger (drill/screwdriver).
- Electrician : tests & measurements, laptop, work lamp, battery charging, label maker.
- Carpenter/installer (layout): Soft LED + battery recharges (jigsaw/drill) between two cuts, laptop quote.
- Proximity IT : USB-C laptop, 4G/5G 12V router for diagnostics, LED light, power banks for customers.
- Retail maintenance : laptop + label/QR printer (USB-C/light AC), tool battery recharges, auxiliary LEDs.
Objectives: 6–12 hours of autonomy without noise, fast recharges , safety (pure sine wave AC), low weight , solar top-up as soon as possible.
2) Choose the station: capacity, power, chemistry
-
Capacity (Wh)
- ~512 Wh : light construction sites, 1 day of IT/installation, several recharges of tool batteries + LED + laptop.
- ~700 Wh : margin for more frequent battery recharges, longer LEDs, end-of-day teleworking.
- AC 230V (pure sine) : 500–700W is sufficient for most tool battery chargers and small peripherals. Please note : this guide is intended for charging and light use , not for directly powering high-power tools.
- Chemistry : LiFePO4 = longevity, thermal stability, safety in the utility.
- Inputs : Fast mains, integrated MPPT (120–160 W panels), 12 V vehicle input.
- Display : % battery + W in/out → you drive the day.
3) Essential ports: USB-C 100W , 12V regulated , AC sine wave
- USB-C Power Delivery 100W : laptops, compact printers, hubs, SSDs; uses a certified 5A e-marker cable .
- Regulated 12V : 4G/5G router, 12V LED lighting, small pumps/fans — higher efficiency than AC.
- USB-A : 12–18 W for smartphones, headlamps, USB label makers.
- AC 230 V pure sine wave : for tool battery chargers and non-USB equipment (occasional, group use).
4) Recharge tool batteries efficiently
The easiest and safest way for 12–18–36 V batteries is to use their manufacturer's charger on the station's pure sine wave AC output. Best practices:
- Group recharges when the station receives energy ( 160 W panel on standby) or while driving → better autonomy.
- Avoid continuous AC: favor USB-C/12V for the rest (laptop/LED/network) to reserve AC for battery chargers.
- Thermal : batteries & chargers heat up → in the shade, ventilated, never under a pile of tools.
- Organization : “full/empty” bins, color codes on batteries, clear cycle so you don’t leave with empty packs.
- Limitations : This guide is intended for light construction sites . Continuous use corded/power tools >700 W are not suitable for a small station.
5) LED construction site lighting & safety
- 12V 10–30W LEDs are often sufficient for a work area (board, furniture, false ceiling). Use direct DC to maximize battery life.
- Position : avoids glare, illuminates laterally, short cables & secure passages (gaffer/ramp).
- Humidity/dust : Keep the station dry , ventilated , and uncovered . Make a drip loop on the cables if necessary.
- Silence : in customer service, USB/12 V = less ventilation than AC.
6) Mobile computing: laptop, printers, network
- 100W USB-C Laptop : Connects directly to USB-C (efficiency ↑, noise ↓) rather than via AC charger.
- Portable printers/labelers : USB-C/12V models preferred; otherwise, occasional AC.
- Network : 4G/5G router 12V 8–12W for online quotes/BIM plans/short videos.
- 20k/30k Power Banks : Personal autonomy for smartphones/USB tools; fast charging at the station.
7) Autonomy: methods & examples 512/700 Wh
Autonomie (h) ≈ Capacité(Wh) × Rendement / Charge(W)
USB-C/12 V ≈ 0,90 | AC ≈ 0,85
“Apartment Installation & After-Sales Service” Profile
- LED 20 W × 3 h = 60 Wh; laptop 45 W × 2 h = 90 Wh; 2 18 V batteries (~90 Wh each via AC charger) = 180 Wh; various 20 Wh → ~350 Wh/d .
- 512 Wh → large + margin for a 3rd battery or an extra hour of LED.
“Retail Maintenance (Day)” profile
- Laptop 55 W × 3 h = 165; LED 15W × 4h = 60; router 10 W × 3 h = 30; 3 batteries 12–18 V (3×80 Wh) = 240 → ~495 Wh .
- 512 Wh → OK; top-up 160 W during lunch break = total comfort.
“Light carpentry (half-day)” profile
- LED 25 W × 2 h = 50; laptop 45 W × 1 h = 45; 2 18 V batteries (2×100 Wh) = 200; various 30 → ~325 Wh .
- 512 Wh → comfortable; 700 Wh if you add diagnostics/long video.
“Double tour (morning + afternoon)” profile
Tip : Switch everything that can be switched to USB-C/12V and group AC charges during solar input or road → max autonomy & silence.
8) 160W foldable solar (MPPT): mid-day top-up
- Realistic output : 120 W → 70–95 W usable; 160 W → 110–135 W (corrected angle, short & thick cables).
- Gain : 2–3 hours of good sun → +220 to +405 Wh (160 W) — perfect for “paying” for midday battery recharges.
- Placement : kickstands, facing the sun, avoid shadows (vehicles, facades), secure access.
- Connections : MC4 → station DC adapter; integrated MPPT essential.
9) 12V charging in a utility vehicle
- 12V input : 60–120W typical depending on socket/fuse (10–15A).
- Good reflex : plug in after starting , unplug before stopping to avoid voltage drops.
- Thermal : station in the shade , ventilated , never covered during charging.
- Workflow : take advantage of the journeys between two construction sites to upload the station's SOC.
10) Vehicle & energy bag organization
- Energy bag : station + USB-C 5A e-marker + DC/MC4 adapters + USB power strip + Velcro winders + labels.
- 12 V distribution : fused DC distributor per line (LED/network); polarities respected.
- Placement : docked station, dry, near ventilation; short cables and protected passages.
- Cleanliness : cable marking, “full/empty” battery bins, weekly express inventory.
11) Ready scenarios
Plumber — 1/2 day intervention
Electrician - troubleshooting + quote
- Station : 512–700 Wh depending on the number of batteries.
- Set : LED 15–25 W, multimeters/measuring devices (USB), laptop 2 h, 3 rechargeable batteries.
- Tip : Group AC loads during solar input.
Light carpentry - kitchen installation
- Station : 700 Wh.
- Set : 25W LED, 1h laptop, 4 18V batteries during the day (occasional AC).
- Plus : 160 W panel 2–3 hours to finish peacefully.
IT — router deployment & labeling
- Station : 512 Wh.
- Set : USB-C laptop, 12V router, USB label printer, soft LED.
- Charging : 12V utility on return + GaN at the office.
12) Practical tables
12.1 Typical consumption (light construction site)
| Equipment | Power (≈) | Energy/d (≈) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V LED work light | 10–30 W | 40–180 Wh | Depending on duration & flow |
| USB-C Laptop | 45–80 W | 60–250 Wh | USB-C direct = efficiency ↑ |
| 4G/5G 12V Router | 8–12 W | 60–100 Wh | Signal & usage |
| Tool battery charger (unit) | — | 70–120 Wh | Via manufacturer's AC charger |
| Smartphone/Label Maker | — | 20–60 Wh | USB-A/C |
12.2 Station × recommended sign
| Config | Ability | Sign | Charging time (sun) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light construction site | ~512 Wh | 120–160 W | ~4–6 h |
| Intensive day | ~700 Wh | 160 W | ~4–7 h |
12.3 Sections & Fuses (12–20 V DC)
| Line | Fluent | Cable (≈) | Fuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30W LED | ~2.5 A | 1.5–2.5 mm² | 5 A |
| DC distributor | 5–10 A | 2.5–4 mm² | 10 A |
| 12V car input | 5–10 A | Manufacturer's cable | Depending on vehicle |
12.4 Solar midday (120–160 W, MPPT)
| Sign | Useful power ~ | 2 hours sun | 3 hours sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 W | 70–95 W | 140–190 Wh | 210–285 Wh |
| 160 W | 110–135 W | 220–270 Wh | 330–405 Wh |
13) Express light construction site checklist
- Capacity : 512 Wh (installation/IT); 700 Wh (intensive day).
- Ports : USB-C 100W , 12V regulated , AC sine , MPPT .
- LED : favors direct DC ; short cables & secure passages.
- Tool batteries : group charging when the sun or the road recharges the station.
- Laptop : direct USB-C (5A e-marker cable).
- Energy bag : station + labeled cables + MC4/DC adapters + USB power strip + 20k/30k power banks.
- Safety : dry , ventilated , uncovered station, secured in the utility vehicle.
14) LymobileShop Selection
Stations ~512 Wh — installation & IT
- Advantages : LiFePO4 , USB-C 100 W , 12 V regulated , AC 500–700 W, MPPT .
- Uses : LED + laptop + 2–3 battery recharges/day.
Stations ~700 Wh — intensive day
- Advantages : autonomy ↑, AC 700–1000 W, W in/out display.
- Uses : multiple batteries, extended LED, teleworking at the end of the day.
120–160 W Foldable Panels
- Pros : MPPT , 70–135 W usable, MC4/DC, kickstands.
Powerbanks 20k/30k — autonomy relay
- Pros : PD 20–30W, perfect for phones/USB light tools.
Cables & Chargers
- USB-C 100/240 W (5A e-marker) — laptop/screen/hubs.
- 65–100 W GaN chargers — full fast mains.
15) FAQ for craftsmen and light construction sites
Can I run heavy corded tools on the station?
Not for continuous use >700 W (circular saw, continuous drill, heating). This guide is for battery recharging & light use .
USB-C 100W or AC for laptop?
Direct USB-C = better battery life & silence. AC remains for proprietary chargers.
Is 160W solar enough for the day?
2–3 hours of good sunshine add +220–405 Wh , enough to “pay” for several battery recharges + LEDs.
Can the station stay in the utility?
Yes, if stowed , dry , shaded and ventilated . Never cover it while charging.
Pass-through & UPS, useful for a craftsman?
The pass-through is practical in the workshop/office to charge the station while powering the laptop & LED. The UPS option protects against micro-power outages (quotes, printing).
16) Trust & Services LymobileShop
- Delivery : free in France, fast shipping.
- Payment : secure, several methods to choose from.
- After-sales service : team in France, USB-C/12 V/MPPT advice tailored to your profession.
- Returns & Warranty : 14 days to change your mind, 2 year warranty .