WeekendCalc

How Long Will a 1,500Wh Power Station Last?

A 1,500 Wh power station has about 1,275 Wh of usable energy. That runs a refrigerator for roughly 21.3 h, a laptop for 21.3 h and a CPAP for 31.9 h. Enter your own device below.

Your project

Wh
%

About 85% for power stations (inverter losses), about 50% for lead-acid batteries, and 80 to 90% for lithium (LiFePO4) batteries.

W

The watts of the device. Check its label, or use a plug-in watt meter.

Results

Runtime
12.8 hours
12 h 45 min
In days
0.53 days
Usable energy
1,275 Wh
Total capacity
1,500 Wh
  • Runtime = usable watt-hours ÷ watts. Devices that cycle (refrigerators, pumps, heaters with thermostats) use less than their label rating on average, so real runtime is longer. Cold weather reduces battery capacity.

Runtime of a 1,500 Wh power station, by device

At 85% usable capacity (1,275 Wh), without recharging. Real runtime depends on the actual draw of your device, which you can measure with a plug-in watt meter.

DeviceTypical wattsRuntime
LED light bulb9 W142 h
Phone charger15 W85.0 h
Wi-Fi router and modem15 W85.0 h
CPAP machine40 W31.9 h
Mini fridge (average)30 W42.5 h
Full-size refrigerator (average)60 W21.3 h
Laptop60 W21.3 h
Box fan50 W25.5 h
LED TV100 W12.8 h
Desktop computer200 W6.4 h
Microwave1,000 W1.3 h
Coffee maker1,000 W1.3 h
Space heater1,500 W51 min

Is 1,500 Wh enough?

This is a mid-size unit. It can keep a refrigerator, a router and a few devices going for a day, but not heating or cooking loads for long. For a full plan, see the power station sizing guide, and the size calculator to work out your own daily energy.

Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Battery & Power Station Runtime Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.

Tools & materials for this project

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Plug-in watt meterPortable power station (1,000 Wh)Deep cycle battery (100 Ah)InverterFoldable solar panel

Frequently asked questions

How long will a 1,500Wh power station run a refrigerator?

A full-size fridge averages about 60 W over a day, so 1,500 Wh (1,275 Wh usable) runs it for roughly 21.3 h. Older or larger fridges use more, so the time can be shorter.

How many times will a 1,500Wh power station charge a phone?

About 85 full charges, at about 15 Wh of battery per phone, before losses in charging.

How long will a 1,500Wh power station run a CPAP?

About 31.9 h at 40 W, which is 4.0 nights of 8 hours. Using the humidifier raises the draw.

Related sizes and guides

700 Wh power stationRuns a 100 W load for 6.0 h1,000 Wh power stationRuns a 100 W load for 8.5 h2,000 Wh power stationRuns a 100 W load for 17.0 h2,500 Wh power stationRuns a 100 W load for 21.3 hPower station sizing guideGuideGenerator Size CalculatorThe gas alternative

Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.