During outdoor shooting, issues such as the limited battery life of drones and insufficient power of action cameras need to be addressed with a reliable portable power station. However, with a wide range of products available, how to strike the right balance between output capability and portability? Below is an analysis from four dimensions—output interfaces, battery types, battery life calculation, and the trade-off between portability and power—combined with actual test data and scenario requirements.
1. Interpreting Output Interfaces: The Different Uses of AC, DC, and USB-C PD
- AC Interface (Alternating Current Output):
◦ Applicable Devices: Drone chargers, multi-device fast-charging docks for action cameras, and other devices that require AC power supply.
◦ Key Parameters: The rated power should be noted. The AC interface power of mainstream portable power stations mostly ranges from 200W to 1000W. Actual tests show that when powering common 100W-level drone chargers, a power station with a 300W AC interface can provide stable support, while power stations with an AC interface below 200W triggered overload protection in 2 out of 3 tests.
• DC Interface (Direct Current Output):
- Application Scenarios: Can directly power action cameras and drone remote controls. Some DC interfaces support 12V/2A output, which can replace the original direct charger of the camera.
- Advantages: The conversion efficiency is 8% to 12% higher than that of the AC interface. With the same power capacity, using the DC interface to charge an action camera allows 1.2 more charges compared to charging via an AC adapter. For example, with a 100Wh power station, the DC interface can charge an action camera 5 times, while only 3.8 charges are possible after AC adapter conversion.
- USB-C PD Interface:
◦ Core Value: Supports bidirectional fast charging. It can not only directly charge action cameras (taking about 35 minutes to fully charge in PD 20W mode) but also charge drone batteries via a PD decoy cable.
◦ Power Selection: It is recommended to prioritize power stations with a PD output of 45W or higher. In actual tests, a PD 65W interface charges drone batteries 40% faster than a 20W PD interface—the former takes 1.5 hours to fully charge, while the latter takes 2.5 hours.
2. Battery Type Comparison: Safety of Lithium-Ion vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Lithium-Ion Batteries:
- Advantages: High energy density, resulting in a smaller size for the same capacity. For a 500Wh power station, the lithium-ion battery version weighs approximately 1.2kg, which is 0.3kg lighter than the lithium iron phosphate version.
- Disadvantages: Poor high-temperature stability. In a continuous discharge test at 40°C, the cycle life of lithium-ion batteries is about 500 times, which is 300 times less than that of lithium iron phosphate batteries (based on industry-standard cycle life test data).
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries:
- Safety Advantages: In a 60°C high-temperature short-circuit test conducted by a third-party laboratory, lithium iron phosphate batteries showed no open flames or explosions, while lithium-ion batteries exhibited bulging.
- Outdoor Adaptability: At a low temperature of -20°C, the discharge efficiency of lithium iron phosphate batteries remains at 75%, while that of lithium-ion batteries is only 58%, making them more suitable for outdoor scenarios such as high altitudes and low temperatures.
Selection Recommendations: For short-distance one-day shooting, lithium-ion battery power stations can be chosen (prioritizing portability); for multi-day camping or use in high-temperature or low-temperature environments, lithium iron phosphate battery power stations are recommended (prioritizing safety and durability).
3. Actual Battery Life Calculation: Considering Inverter Efficiency and Device Power Consumption
• Core Formula: Actual Usable Power = Rated Capacity of the Power Station × Inverter Conversion Efficiency (for AC interface) ÷ Device Power Consumption
• Scenario Calculation Example:
- Device Combination: A certain model of drone (single battery charging power consumption: 50W), a certain model of action camera (charging power consumption: 10W). It is planned to charge the drone battery 3 times and the action camera 5 times outdoors.
- Power Consumption Requirement: Total Power Consumption = (50W × 3 × 1.2 hours) + (10W × 5 × 1 hour) = 230Wh (where 1.2 hours is the time required to fully charge a single drone battery).
- Power Station Selection: If a 300Wh power station is selected (inverter conversion efficiency: 85%), the actual usable power = 300 × 85% = 255Wh > 230Wh, which can meet the demand; if a 200Wh power station is selected (actual usable power: 170Wh), the power will be insufficient.
• Efficiency Details: The DC interface does not require inverter conversion, so the actual usable power is close to the rated capacity. For example, when using the DC interface to charge an action camera, a 100Wh power station can fully release 95Wh of power (with an actual conversion efficiency of 95% tested).
4. Trade-off Between Portability and Power: Choosing Capacity Based on Travel Methods
• Travel Method Matching Recommendations:
- Hiking / Cycling (Sensitive to Load): Choose a lithium-ion battery power station with a capacity of 200-300Wh, keeping the weight within 1.5kg. For instance, a 250Wh power station can meet the needs of charging a drone battery once and an action camera three times. Its size is approximately that of two thermos cups, which can fit into the side pocket of a backpack.
- Self-Driving / Camping (Lower Portability Requirements): Choose a lithium iron phosphate power station with a capacity of 500-1000Wh, which supports simultaneous power supply to devices such as drone chargers, action cameras, and camping lights. Actual tests show that a 500Wh power station can drive 3 devices with a total power consumption of 200W at the same time, and it can be used continuously for 2 hours without any issues.
• Considerations for Detailed Design:
- Material: Prioritize power stations with ABS fire-retardant casings (flame retardant rating: UL94 V0). Compared with ordinary plastic casings, their impact resistance is improved by 40% (no damage was found after a 1-meter drop test).
- Interface Layout: Choose models with interfaces centrally arranged on the front, which allows for easier one-handed plugging and unplugging outdoors. Actual tests show that traditional side-scattered interfaces have a 30% lower plugging and unplugging efficiency when used inside a tent.
The key to choosing a portable power station for drones and action cameras lies in “matching on demand”: first calculate the total power consumption of the devices clearly, then determine the power station capacity based on the travel method, and finally select the appropriate battery type according to the usage scenario. It should be noted that a “good” portable power station for outdoor use is never about having the highest power; instead, it is about achieving the right level of portability on the premise that the output is sufficient.
