Portable photo/video studio: 12 V power
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Power stations for mobile photo/video studios : 12V LED , 100W USB-C laptop , camera & drone batteries , 120–160W panels (MPPT) & 12V charging - 2025 guide
Outdoor shooting, on-location photoshoot, portable mini-studio, event recording, interviews, weddings, reports, music videos: you need reliable , quiet , mobile and easy-to-charge energy. This guide shows you how to build a robust set with a LiFePO4 512–700 Wh power station ( power station / solar generator ), regulated 12 V outputs , USB-C Power Delivery 100 W , AC 230 V pure sine wave , an MPPT for 120–160 W foldable panels , and 12 V car charging . We cover sizing, autonomy, optimized DC/USB cabling, charging camera and drone batteries, 12 V LEDs , USB-C screens/monitors , audio recorders , set security, ready scenarios and practical tables.
See 512–700 Wh (LiFePO4) stations | 120–160 W foldable panels (MPPT) | 100/240 W USB-C cables (5A e-marker) | 65–100 W GaN chargers |20k/30k power banks
1) Nomadic filming profiles & needs
- Interview / corporate : 1–2 LED panels, HF lavalier microphone, recorder, laptop for downloads, customer screen.
- Wedding/event : auxiliary lighting, phone/camera charging, gimbal/HF power banks, fast laptop.
- Report / documentary : compact LED, 4G/5G router, camera & drone battery recharges, card discharges on the move.
- Clip / creation : several LEDs, non-electric smoke if authorized, laptop/portable screen, massive refills at the end of the set.
- Editorial photo : autonomous flashes + LED modeling , tethering computer, calibration screens, 12 V ambient lamps.
Objectives: silence , stability (pure sine), autonomy 6–12 h, easy recharging (car/MPPT), safety (clean wiring), low weight .
2) Choose the station: capacity, power & chemistry
-
Capacity (Wh)
- ~512 Wh : interview 1–2 LED, battery recharge, laptop 1–2 h.
- ~700 Wh : more ambitious platform (2–3 LEDs), on-site assembly, drone + photo.
- AC 230V (pure sine) : 500–700W is sufficient for chargers & some accessories. Keep AC for exceptions → prefer 12V/USB-C .
- Chemistry : LiFePO4 = longevity & thermal stability (perfect in the middle of summer).
- Inputs : Fast mains, built-in MPPT (120–160 W), 12 V car .
- Display : % battery + W in/out to control the set live.
3) Essential ports: 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , pure sine AC
- 12V regulated : for LED , router, 12V monitors, accessories. Efficiency > AC, heat <.
- USB-C Power Delivery 100W : laptop, portable display, hubs, lightweight DIT. Uses a 5A e-marker cable .
- USB-A : 12–18 W for HF, recorders, phones, accessories.
- AC 230V sinusoidal : proprietary battery chargers (camera/drone) or non-DC LEDs. Use sparingly.
4) 12V LED lighting & COB panels in DC
- 12V LED panels : 10–60W depending on size/flux. Powered by direct DC to maximize runtime.
- COB/point-source : prefer models accepting a DC input (via 12–24 V) or an external battery pack; otherwise, pure sine AC point.
- Mods & softboxes : power increases with diffusion. Allow for margin (→ 700 Wh if 2–3 heads).
- Temperature & CRI : bi-color 2700–6500 K, high CRI/SSI → faithful skin rendering without over-consumption.
- Placement : short & thick DC cables; gaff tapes, cable ties, floor markers → platform safety.
5) Charge camera & drone batteries efficiently
- USB-C PD chargers : if your cam/drone charger is available in USB-C PD (or DC), choose it → performance ↑, noise ↓, battery life ↑.
- Proprietary chargers (AC) : connect to the station's sinusoidal AC . Combines loads when the station receives solar or runs on 12 V.
- 20k/30k Powerbanks : Buffers off-station charges (HF, monitors), then recharges the powerbank on the station when solar comes in.
- Thermal management : the load heats up → in the shade, ventilated, separate blocks to avoid accumulation.
- Organization : “full/empty battery” boxes, labeling, clear cycle to never confuse.
6) USB-C Laptop/Monitor: Mounting & Lightweight DIT
- 100W USB-C Laptop : Proxy mounting, card downloads, backup. Direct USB-C consumes less than AC via charger.
- USB-C portable display (10–15 W) : client monitor, quick calibration access, frame return.
- Hub & SSD : Powers the hub via USB-C and connects NVMe SSDs for high speeds. Keeps cables short.
- Network : 12V 4G/5G router for live-sync/light preview; lower screen brightness to save.
7) Audio/sound: recorders, HF, own power supply
- Recorder : 3–6 W via USB; massive battery life on station (or dedicated power bank) → no power cuts in the middle of a socket.
- HF & Receivers : USB charging between outlets; spread chargers out to avoid concentrated RF noise.
- Parasites : separates power and signal , crosses at 90°, wraps excess cable, avoids AC blocks near receivers.
- Monitoring : wired headphones (zero latency), stable DC power supply → reduced clicks/hum.
8) Autonomy: methods & examples 512/700 Wh
Autonomie (h) ≈ Capacité(Wh) × Rendement / Charge(W)
USB-C/12 V ≈ 0,90 | AC ≈ 0,85
“Interview 2 LED” profile
- LED panel 2×25 W = 50 W (DC), laptop 45 W × 1 h = 45 Wh, HF/sound 15 Wh, various 10 Wh.
- Average load tray ~ 60–70 W . 512 Wh → 512×0.90/65 ≈ ~7.1 h .
“Event/Wedding” Profile
- LED 40 W, cam/drone recharge 120 Wh during the day, phones 40 Wh, laptop 60 Wh → ~260 Wh + continuous LED 4 h (160 Wh) = ~420 Wh/day .
- 700 Wh → large 1 day; add 120–160 W to “loop” over multi-days.
“Clip crea (2–3 heads)” profile
- LED 3×40 W (DC) = 120 W + USB-C monitor 12 W + various 15 W → ~147 W.
- 700 Wh → 700×0.90/147 ≈ ~4.3 h at full continuous power. In practice, dimmer 50–70% → 6–8 h .
“Mobile Document” profile
- 20 W LED, 10 W router, 150 Wh cam/drone loads, 100 Wh laptop → ~280 Wh/day .
- 512 Wh → OK 1 day; solar 160 W 2–3 h = +220–405 Wh → multi-day autonomy.
Tip : Switch everything that can be switched to DC/USB-C (efficiency & silence), keep the AC for proprietary chargers.
9) Solar 120–160 W (MPPT): top-up on set
- Realistic output : 120 W → 70–95 W usable; 160 W → 110–135 W (orientation, short & thick cables).
- Gain : 2–3 hours of good sun → +220 to +405 Wh (160 W). Perfect for charging batteries during breaks.
- Placement : adjustable kickstands, floor markings (safety), avoid shadows from feet/structures.
- Workflow : Schedules AC loads when solar comes in → station remains high in % for demanding scenes.
10) 12V car charging on the go
- Power : 60–120 W typical via cigarette lighter socket (10–15 A fuse depending on vehicle).
- Good reflex : plug in after starting , unplug before stopping (avoids voltage dips).
- Thermal : when charging, the station heats up → ventilated trunk, in the shade, never covered.
- Route : Take advantage of transfers to recharge 20–40% of battery for free.
11) Platform organization: cables, energy bags, safety
- Energy bag : station + USB-C 5A e-marker + DC/MC4 adapters + USB power strip + gaffer + Velcro + labels.
- 12V distribution : fused DC distributor per line (LED/router/monitors). Polarities respected.
- Cables : suitable sections (see tables), minimum lengths, secure ground crossings (ramp/gaffer).
- Safety plan : no unnecessary AC in the foot area, drip loops if outside, station off traffic axis, fire extinguisher within reach.
- Quiet : Use DC/USB to reduce ventilation; keep the station away from microphones.
12) Ready scenarios
Corporate interview (2 people)
- Station : 512 Wh.
- Set : 2 LED panels 25–40 W (DC), HF ×2, USB recorder, laptop 1 h (USB-C), 12 V router.
- Charging : 120 W panel 2–3 hours during lunch break.
Wedding/Event (Day)
- Station : 700 Wh.
- Set : 40–60 W LED, box/drone recharges, 20k powerbanks for gimbal/HF, laptop 1–2 h.
- Tips : Group charges when solar/car charges the station.
Creative clip (evening)
- Station : 700 Wh.
- Set : 2–3 LEDs (120W cumulative DC), 12W USB-C portable display, music trays.
- Plus : 160W top-up in the afternoon to make it safer at night.
Light documentary (3 days)
- Station : 512 Wh.
- Set : LED 20–30 W, cam/drone loads 150–200 Wh/d, router 10 W, laptop 1 h.
- Charging : 160 W 2–3 h/day + 12 V while traveling → continuous autonomy.
13) Practical tables
13.1 Typical consumption (mobile studio)
| Equipment | Power (≈) | Energy/d (≈) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V LED panel | 20–60 W | 80–300 Wh | According to dimmer & diffusion |
| COB point-source | 60–120 W | 150–600 Wh | DC if possible, otherwise AC |
| USB-C Laptop | 45–100 W | 60–250 Wh | 5A e-marker cable |
| USB-C portable display | 10–15 W | 30–80 Wh | Client monitor |
| Audio recorder | 3–6 W | 15–40 Wh | USB direct |
| Charge battery cam/drone | — | 100–250 Wh | Gather in broad daylight |
| 4G/5G Router | 8–12 W | 60–100 Wh | 12V/USB-C |
13.2 Station × recommended sign
| Config | Ability | Sign | Charging time (sun) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview | ~512 Wh | 120 W | ~4–6 h |
| Event/clip | ~700 Wh | 160 W | ~4–7 h |
13.3 Sections & Fuses (12–20 V DC)
| Line | Fluent | Cable (≈) | Fuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60W LED | ~5 A | 2.5–4 mm² | 10 A |
| DC distributor | 10–15 A | 4–6 mm² | 15 A |
| 12V router | ~1 A | 1–1.5 mm² | 2 A |
13.4 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 |
14) Express nomad studio checklist
- Capacity : 512 Wh (interview/documentary); 700 Wh (clip/event).
- Ports : 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , AC sine , MPPT .
- LED : favor direct DC ; short & thick cables; dimmer when possible.
- Batteries : USB-C/DC charging when available; AC occasional grouped in daylight.
- Laptop/display : USB-C direct (5A e-marker), moderate brightness.
- Solar : 120–160 W 2–3 h/d; orients, avoids shade.
- Car : 12V transfer charging, plug in after starting.
- Safety : shaded, ventilated, off-road station; gaffed cables/ramp.
15) LymobileShop Selection
Stations ~512 Wh — interview/docu
- Advantages : LiFePO4 , 12 V regulated , USB-C 100 W , AC 500–700 W, MPPT .
- Uses : 1–2 LEDs, cam/drone recharges, short laptop, 12V router.
Stations ~700 Wh — clip/event
- Advantages : Multiple LED range, AC 700–1000 W, W in/out display.
- Uses : 2–3 LEDs, laptop/screen 2–4 hours, intensive charging.
120–160 W Foldable Panels
- Pros : MPPT , 70–135 W usable, kickstands, MC4/DC.
Powerbanks 20k/30k — charging buffer
- Advantages : PD 20–30 W, lightweight, perfect for HF/mobile monitors.
Cables & Chargers
- USB-C 100/240 W (5A e-marker) — laptop/screen/hubs.
- 65–100 W GaN chargers — full fast mains.
16) FAQ for mobile photo/video studios
USB-C 100W or AC for laptop?
Direct USB-C = better battery life & silence. AC is reserved for specific chargers.
Can I power a 100W COB with DC?
If the model accepts DC input (12–24 V) or via dedicated adapter, yes. Otherwise, use the station's sine wave AC .
Is solar enough for a weekend?
A 160W provides +220–405Wh in 2–3 hours of good sunlight — perfect for recharging cam/drone batteries at midday.
Can the station be under a light stand?
Yes, if secured , dry and ventilated . Avoid high traffic areas and manage cables on the floor.
Pass-through & UPS useful?
Pass-through allows you to power while recharging; the UPS option protects against power outages on the internal set.
17) Trust & Services LymobileShop
- Delivery : free in France, fast shipping.
- Payment : secure, several methods to choose from.
- After-sales service : team in France, 12 V/USB-C/MPPT advice adapted to your platform.
- Returns & Warranty : 14 days to change your mind, 2 year warranty .