Festivals & camping : énergie 12 V & solaire

Festivals & Camping: 12V & Solar Energy

Power stations for festivals & camping : 12V coolers , LED , BT music , 100W USB-C , power banks & 120W panels (MPPT) - 2025 guide

Tent under the stars, multi-day festival , camping with family or friends: energy must be simple , silent , safe and easy to recharge . This guide helps you size a 300/512/700 Wh energy station (aka power station / solar generator ) for 12 V cooler (compressor), LED lighting , Bluetooth music , 100 W USB-C charging (laptop/screen), and 100–120 W foldable panel via MPPT , with 12 V car charging between two spots. We talk about autonomy , security in tent areas, anti-theft , 12 V wiring and ready-to-use checklists.

See 300–700 Wh stations | 100–120 W foldable panels (MPPT) |10k/20k/30k power banks | 100/240 W USB-C cables (5A e-marker) | 65–100 W GaN chargers

1) Typical profiles & needs

  • Festival 3–5 days : 12V eco cooler, LED garlands + tent lamp, BT music , charging (4–8 phones), sometimes USB-C laptop .
  • Family camping : cooler + LED + children's night light, tablets, 12 V inflator (brief use), 120 W panel on awning.
  • Photo/video : action cams/drones, laptop 1–2 h/d, power banks 20k/30k buffer.
  • Camping teletrav' : USB-C laptop (55–100 W), 12 W USB-C portable screen, 12 V 4G/5G router.

Objectives: minimum 24-hour autonomy , silence (no noisy group), safety in the tent area, simple recharges , opportunistic solar .

2) Choose the station: capacity (Wh), power (W), LiFePO4

  • Ability
    • ~300 Wh : minimal set (LED + refills + small cooler, very economical in mild weather).
    • ~512 Wh : festival/camping sweet spot (compressor cooler + LED + music + recharges + occasional laptop).
    • ~700 Wh : heat/heatwave margin, tribe/friends, longer teleworking.
  • 230V AC inverter (pure sine) : 500–700W is sufficient (specific chargers). 12V/USB-C is preferred for autonomy.
  • Chemistry : LiFePO4 = longevity, thermal stability, safety.
  • Inputs : mains, MPPT solar, 12V car .
  • Display : % battery + W in/out to manage your day.

Discover our 300/512/700 Wh stations

3) Key ports: 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , AC pure sine wave

  • 12V regulated : cooler, LED garlands, fans, inflator (in short).
  • USB-C Power Delivery 100W : laptop/portable display/hubs. Uses 5A e-marker cables .
  • USB-A : 12–18 W for smartphones, lamps, BT speakers.
  • AC 230 V pure sine wave : only if no DC/USB alternative.

4) 12 V cooler (compressor): consumption, settings & wiring

  • Compressor : 35–60 W in operation, variable duty cycle → ~200–450 Wh/d depending on volume, insulation, weather, setpoint.
  • Settings : pre-cooled at home, puts food already fresh, setpoint 4°C day / 6–7°C night, shade & ventilation .
  • Connection : regulated 12V output from the station; short & thick cable (2.5–4 mm²) → avoids voltage drops & cuts.
  • Thermoelectric : simple but power-hungry in high heat (300–600 Wh/day) → reduced autonomy; ok for cool weekends.

5) LED lighting & security in tent areas

  • 12V string lights : 3–10W to mark out the tent and create atmosphere.
  • Tent lamps : 3–8 W, dimmable for reading & dining.
  • IP & rain : prefer IP44 mini under awning; keeps the station dry (ventilated box/ventilated casing).
  • Path : directs a low LED towards the pegs/ropes to prevent night falls.

6) Music & charging: BT speakers, phones, tablets, laptops

  • BT speaker : USB charging (5–15 W). Respects the volume and schedule of the site.
  • Smartphones & tablets : multiple USB-A/C ports + personal power banks for each → night/day battery life.
  • Laptop : favors USB-C 100W (efficiency, silence) rather than AC.
  • Organization : Clean USB power strip + cable labeling for the strip.

7) Autonomy: 300/512/700 Wh profiles

 Autonomie (h) ≈ Capacité(Wh) × Rendement / Charge(W)
 USB-C/12 V ≈ 0,90 | AC ≈ 0,85

“Duo festival” profile : cooler ~280 Wh/d (mild weather) + LED 30 Wh + music/phones 60 Wh → ~370 Wh/d .

  • 512 Wh → 1 day + margin, or 2 days with 120 W 2–3 h/day.

“Tribe 4–6” profile : 350 Wh cooler + 60 Wh LED + 6 90 Wh phones + 20 Wh tablet + 20 Wh speaker → ~540 Wh/day .

“Photo/video” profile : cam/drone 120 Wh + laptop 150 Wh + LED 30 Wh + cooler 250 Wh → ~550 Wh/d .

  • 700 Wh recommended; 512 Wh ok if 120 W 2–3 h/d.

Tip : favors USB-C/12V (efficiency + silence), keeps AC for the exception → +5–10% autonomy.

8) Solar 100–120 W (MPPT) & optimization

  • Realistic output : 100 W → 60–85 W usable; 120 W → 70–95 W ( short & thick cables, corrected angle).
  • Gain : 2–3 hours of good sun → +120 to +285 Wh (120 W). Perfect for compensating for the cooler.
  • Placement : on awning/ground, facing the sun , corrects the angle 2–3×/day; avoids shade (trees, tents, vehicles).
  • Connection : MC4 → station DC adapter; integrated MPPT = better efficiency.

See 100–120 W folding panels

9) 12V car charging on the go

  • 12V input : 60–120W typical depending on vehicle/socket (10–15A fuse).
  • Good reflex : plug in after starting , unplug before stopping (avoids voltage dips).
  • Thermal : the load heats up → station in the shade, ventilated, never covered.

10) Wiring, DC power strips & safety

  • 12 V DC : short cables; 5–10 A → 2.5–4 mm²; 10–15 A → 4–6 mm² (cross-sections ≈, see tables).
  • Quality USB power strip , e-marker 5A for USB-C 100W .
  • Humidity : dry station (ventilated box), IP44+ for outdoor LEDs.
  • Fire/flames : Non-electric stove away from cables/station; never in a closed tent.

11) Anti-theft & weather (rain, heat, dust)

  • Anti-theft : steel cable/ring under table, out of sight; dedicated energy pocket (cables/chargers) kept on you.
  • Rain : ventilated textile box (never waterproof when closed); drip loops on the cables.
  • Heat : shade & ventilation; lowers the cooler setting at night to save during the day.
  • Dust : Port plugs when not in use; gentle cleaning at the end of the day.

12) Ready scenarios

Duo festival (3 days)

  • Station : 512 Wh.
  • Set : eco cooler, 12V 5-10W garland, 3-8W tent lamp, BT speakers, 2 phones + 10k power banks.
  • Charging : 120 W 2–3 h/day at camp + 12 V on the road.

Tribe/Family (4–6)

  • Station : 700 Wh.
  • Set : 12V cooler, garlands, children's night lights, grouped refills, tablet.
  • Tip : USB power strip + labeling; 120W oriented panel, kickstands.

Photo/video

  • Station : 700 Wh + USB-C 100 W.
  • Set : cam/drone chargers, laptop 1–2 h/d, LED camp, 20k/30k powerbanks.
  • Plus : groups loads under sun → better MPPT efficiency.

Camping teletrav'

  • Station : 700 Wh.
  • Set : USB-C laptop, 12W USB-C portable display, 12V router, soft LED.
  • Charging : 120 W 2–3 h + 12 V car on return from shopping.

13) Practical tables

13.1 Typical consumption (festival/camping)

Equipment Power (≈) Energy/d (≈) Remarks
12V compressor cooler 35–60 W running 200–450 Wh Shade & ventilation
12V LED garland 3–10 W 10–50 Wh Dimmable
Tent lamp 3–8 W 10–40 Wh Reading/meal
BT speaker (charging) 5–15 W 10–40 Wh USB
Smartphone (×4–8) — 60–160 Wh USB-A/C
USB-C Laptop 45–100 W 60–200 Wh 5A e-marker cable
12V inflator 60–120 W 10–30 Wh Brief use

13.2 Station × recommended sign

Station Ability Sign Charging time (sun)
Compact ~300 Wh 100 W ~3–5 h
Balance ~512 Wh 100–120 W ~4–6 h
Comfort ~700 Wh 120 W ~5–7 h

13.3 Sections & Fuses (12–20 V DC)

Line Fluent Cable (≈) Fuse
60W Cooler ~5 A 2.5–4 mm² 10 A
LED/USB splitter 5–10 A 2.5–4 mm² 10 A
12V car input 5–10 A Manufacturer's cable Depending on vehicle

14) Festival & camping checklist

  1. Capacity : 512 Wh (duo); 700 Wh (tribe/Photo/Teletrav').
  2. Ports : 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , AC sine , MPPT .
  3. Cooler : 12V compressor, short & thick cable, shade & ventilation.
  4. LED : 12V garlands + dimmable tent lamp (IP44+ under awning).
  5. Solar : 100–120 W, short & thick MC4/DC, angle corrected.
  6. Car : charging while traveling (plug in after starting, unplug before stopping).
  7. Power banks : 10k/20k per person for the day.
  8. Cables : USB-C 5A e-marker + identified USB power strip.
  9. Anti-theft : steel cable, station out of sight, dedicated energy pocket.
  10. Safety : non-electric stove outside, dry and ventilated station.

15) LymobileShop Selection

Stations ~512 Wh — festival/camping “balance”

  • Advantages : LiFePO4 , 12 V regulated , USB-C 100 W , AC 500–700 W, MPPT .
  • Uses : cooler + LED + music + recharges + occasional laptop.

See ~500 Wh

Stations ~700 Wh — tribe/photo/teletrav'

  • Advantages : heat margin, AC 700–1000 W (sine), W in/out display.
  • Uses : cooler + LED + numerous recharges + laptop 2–4 h.

See ~700 Wh

100–120 W Foldable Panels

  • Pros : Built-in MPPT , 60–95W usable, kickstands, MC4/DC.

See 100–120 W panels

Powerbanks 10k/20k/30k — personal autonomy

  • Advantages : PD 20–30 W, lightweight, fast charging at the station.

See power banks

16) Festivals & Camping FAQ

Is a 300 Wh station enough for 3 days?

Yes, if the weather is good, a small, very economical cooler and a 100–120 W panel (2–3 h/day). Otherwise, aim for 512 Wh .

USB-C 100W or AC for laptop?

USB-C direct = better battery life & silence. AC remains for special chargers.

Are solar panels accepted at festivals?

Often yes, in adjoining campsites. Use a foldable , secure sign, without obstructing traffic, and put it away when you are away.

Can I cook with electric?

It is better to use a non-electric stove outside: resistive appliances (hotplates/kettles) empty a small station very quickly.

Can the station stay in the tent?

Yes, if dry , ventilated , uncovered and away from any flames. Avoid direct sunlight.

17) Trust & Services LymobileShop

  • Delivery : free in France, fast shipping.
  • Payment : secure, several methods to choose from.
  • After-sales service : team in France, 12V/USB-C/MPPT advice calibrated for your festival or campsite.
  • Returns & Warranty : 14 days to change your mind, 2 year warranty .

See all our energy stations | See our folding panels

Remember : for festivals & camping , aim for a 512–700 Wh LiFePO4 station with regulated 12 V , USB-C 100 W , MPPT and AC sine as backup. Connect the cooler to 12 V , light up with LEDs , charge in the sun 100–120 W and in the car 12 V. The whole selection is ready at LymobileShop .

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