100W USB-C Photo/Video Stations
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Photo/video field power stations: 100W USB-C , battery chargers, drones, 230V pure sine wave AC & 160W panels - the 2025 guide
On a shoot, a wedding, a documentary or a recording, reliable and silent energy is vital. This guide shows you how to put together an energy station kit (aka power station / solar generator ) optimized for photo/video : 100W USB-C outputs for laptops/hubs, 12V regulated for monitors/equipment, 230V pure sine wave AC for battery chargers (NP-F/LP-E6/EN-EL/Drone Hub), 160W MPPT solar charging, autonomy calculations, set organization and security. We finish with tables , ready scenarios and the LymobileShop selection .
View Power Stations | 120–160W Foldable Panels | 100W (5A) USB-C Cables
1) Shooting profiles & typical needs
- Wedding/event : 2 mirrorless cameras, 4–8 NP-F/LP-E6 batteries, gimbal, wireless microphone, smartphone/tablet, laptop for discharging.
- Documentary/report : camera + 7″ monitor (12 V), recorder, 6–12 batteries, 60–100 W laptop , 5G router, sometimes drone .
- Marketing Creation/Video : LED Lights, V-Mount/Gold-Mount, USB-C Portable Display, SSD, Hubs.
- Drone (DJI & co): 3–6 batteries, multi-bay charger (AC), smartphone/RC, power bank as backup.
Objective: to last the whole day without mains power, secure the accommodation at night , and recharge at lunchtime using a 120–160 W panel .
2) Essential ports
- USB-C PD 100W : powers laptop/hub/portable display. Prefers a C1 100W “continuous” port + W display in/out.
- 12V regulated (10–15A): monitors, router, dummy battery for case, LED strips, accessories.
- AC 230V pure sine wave (500–1000W): multi-bay chargers (NP-F, V-Mount), drone hubs, camera charger if no DC/USB-C alternative.
- USB-A (12–18 W): microphones, action cameras, talkies, compact power banks.
- Inputs : Fast mains, MPPT solar (120–160 W), 12 V car running.
3) Autonomy: formulas & examples
Reminders:
Autonomie (h) ≈ Capacité(Wh) × Rendement / Charge(W)
USB-C/12 V direct ≈ 0,90 | AC 230 V ≈ 0,80–0,85
“Light reporting” profile : 60 W laptop + 25 W USB chargers + 12 V 10 W monitor → ~95 W.
- 300 Wh → 300 × 0.90 / 95 ≈ ~2.8 h .
- 512 Wh → 512 × 0.90 / 95 ≈ ~4.8 h .
- 700 Wh → 700 × 0.90 / 95 ≈ ~6.6 h .
“basecamp + battery charging” profile : AC ~150 W (multi-bay) + USB-C 60 W (laptop) → ~210 W.
- 512 Wh in AC (0.85) → 512 × 0.85 / 210 ≈ ~2.1 h .
- 700 Wh in AC (0.85) → ≈ ~2.8 h .
Tip : charge your batteries during your lunch break by adding the 160 W panel → you will gain 200–350 Wh (2–3 hours of good sun).
4) Charge batteries (NP-F, LP-E6, V-Mount), drones & boxes
- NP-F / LP-E6 / EN-EL & co : use USB-C PD chargers (yield +). If AC is required, use the station's pure sine wave AC.
- V-Mount / Gold-Mount : Often AC chargers 100–150 W. Check the inverter's sustained power .
- Drones : Charging hubs are typically AC (60–150W). Starts sequential charging to avoid peak charging.
- Cases via dummy battery : if compatible, supplies power via USB-C PD → DC (9–12 V) rather than AC → lower losses and noise.
- USB-A : Perfect for microphones, intercoms, action cameras (5–12 W).
5) Laptop & DIT: direct USB-C vs AC, hub, SSD
- USB-C 100W direct → better battery life and fewer fans than via AC 230V.
- Hubs : Avoid hubs that consume too much power; prefer a simple dock + powered external USB-C SSD.
- Cable : USB-C 100/240 W (5A e-marker) for stable 20 V 5 A.
- USB-C portable display : 8–15 W → perfect on a 2nd USB-C/USB-A output of the station.
6) 160 W & MPPT panels: top-up at noon
- Realistic output : 160 W → 110–135 W useful in full sunlight (correct angle, short cables).
- Midday gain : 2–3 h → +220 to +405 Wh to restart your session immediately after.
- Torques : 512 Wh → 120–160 W panel; 700 Wh → 160 W.
- Cables : Thick MC4/DC (16–14 AWG), minimum length; avoids partial shadows.
7) Silence & thermal: remain inaudible on set
- Less AC = fewer fans : favor USB-C/12V direct.
- Placement : Place the station on a hard surface , away from the microphone, and in the shade; the more it heats up, the more it ventilates and limits the power.
- Peak load : spreads out “heavy” loads (V-Mount, drone hub) to avoid a continuous AC peak.
8) Field organization: flight case, cabling, security
- Energy flight case : station + quality short power strip, short reel, cable pocket (USB-C 5A, DC, MC4), .
9) Ready scenarios
Wedding (2 cameras + drone)
- Station : 700 Wh, AC 700–1000 W, USB-C 100 W.
- Charges : battery hubs (NP-F/LP-E6) + drone hub in sequential mode, laptop via USB-C.
- Panel : 160 W midi → +220–400 Wh.
Nomadic documentary
- Station : 512 Wh, 12 V regulated for monitor/router, USB-C 100 W.
- Charges : USB-C camera batteries if possible, AC for exceptions.
- Result : discreet & silent set.
Nomadic studio / interview
- Station : 700 Wh (24″ lights/screen margin if AC required).
- Plus : 5G 12V router, recorder, 2–3 LED lights.
Drone Day
- Station : 700 Wh minimum if 4–6 batteries to be rotated.
- Process : 2 batteries in flight, 2 charging, 2 waiting. Sequential charging to avoid AC peak.
10) Sizing tables
10.1 Typical consumption
| Equipment | Power (≈) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop assembly | 60–100 W | USB-C 100W priority |
| 7″ Monitor | 8–15 W (12 V) | 12 V regulated |
| NP-F/LP-E6 Charger (2–4 bays) | 30–80 W | USB-C PD or AC sine |
| Drone hub | 60–150 W | AC, sequential recommended |
| 5G router | 8–12 W | 12V or USB-C |
| LED light | 10–60 W | according to panel/power |
10.2 Capacity × uses
| Station | Profile | For what |
|---|---|---|
| ~300 Wh | Light report | DIT short, USB booster |
| ~512 Wh | Documentary/Event | Range/weight balance |
| ~700 Wh | Wedding/Drone/Nomad Studio | 100W AC + USB-C Range |
10.3 Solar midday (120–160 W)
| 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 |
11) Express shopping checklist
- Ports : USB-C 100W (C1 continuous ), 12V regulated 10–15A, AC sine 500–1000W.
- Capacity : 512 Wh (documentary) or 700 Wh (wedding/drone/studio).
- MPPT & solar : 120–160 W for charging on standby.
- Organization : dedicated flight case, labeled 5A cables, short power strip.
- Quiet : USB-C/12V direct, ventilated placement.
- Safety : LiFePO4, full BMS, stable lashing/transportation.
12) LymobileShop selection (stations, panels, cables)
Stations ~512 Wh — docu/event
- Advantages : USB-C 100 W , 12 V regulated, AC 500–700 W, MPPT .
- Use : monitor, router, USB-C chargers, lightweight DIT.
Stations ~700 Wh — wedding/drone/studio
- Advantages : AC 700–1000 W sine, high peak, multi-port.
- Use : drone hubs, multi-bay NP-F/V-Mount + laptop.
120–160 W Foldable Panels
- Advantages : kickstands, MC4/DC, cover, optimized MPPT performance.
Cables & Accessories
- USB-C 100/240 W (5A e-marker) — laptop/hubs/portable screen.
- 65–100W GaN chargers — fast charging in the home.
- Powerbanks 20k/30k — relays for smartphones/RC.
13) Photo/video & energy FAQ
USB-C 100W or AC for laptop?
Direct 100W USB-C = better efficiency and less noise. Keeps AC for battery chargers.
Can I power a 7″ monitor with 12V?
Yes via the regulated 12V output (suitable cable). Check polarity and power rating.
Do drone hubs pull a lot?
Often 60–150 W AC. Starts sequential loads to avoid a continuous spike.
Is solar useful on a busy day?
Yes: a 160 W brings +220–405 Wh in 2–3 h of good sun (MPPT, correct angle).
And by plane?
Stations >100 Wh are generally prohibited in the cabin. For air travel, take a power bank ≤100–160 Wh according to airline policy.
14) 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, AC advice for photo/video set-ups.
- Returns & Warranty : 14 days to change your mind, 2 year warranty .