Pecron makes five LiFePO4 power stations that make sense in an RV or van, from the 288Wh E300LFP to the 3,072Wh E3600LFP and F3000LFP. Picking one is a numbers job: how many watt-hours you use in a day, the biggest thing you want to run at once, and how many days you want between charges. This guide works through all three, shows the math and its assumptions, and tells you which Pecron fits which kind of trip.
The five Pecron stations at a glance
| Model | Capacity | Usable (about 85%) | AC output | Expands to | Max solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E300LFP | 288Wh | about 245Wh | 600W | No expansion port | 100W (DC5521) |
| E1500LFP | 1,536Wh | about 1,306Wh | 2,200W (4,400W surge) | 9,216Wh with 2 EP3800-48V | 1,000W |
| E2400LFP | 2,048Wh | about 1,741Wh | 2,400W | 9,728Wh with 2 EP3800-48V | 700W main input |
| E3600LFP | 3,072Wh | about 2,611Wh | 3,600W, TT-30R 30A outlet | 18,432Wh with 4 EP3800-48V | 2,400W (2 x 1,200W) |
| F3000LFP | 3,072Wh | about 2,611Wh | 30A AC outlet (see note) | 10,752Wh with 2 EP3800-48V | 1,600W |
All five use LiFePO4 cells that Pecron rates for 3,500+ cycles to 80% capacity, and all five have a UPS mode that Pecron says switches over in 8 to 20 milliseconds. Note on the F3000LFP: Pecron's own documents don't agree on its continuous AC rating, so we don't quote one. If you plan to run it near its limit, ask us first.
Step 1: add up a day of power
Write down what you run, its watts (on the label or the charger brick) and how many hours a day. Multiply and add. Here is an example for a travel trailer boondocking with a propane fridge and furnace and no air conditioning. The wattages are examples; use your own.
| Load (example) | Watts | Hours a day | Watt-hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED lights | 30 | 5 | 150 |
| Water pump | 60 | 0.5 | 30 |
| TV and streaming box | 80 | 3 | 240 |
| Laptop and phones | 60 | 3 | 180 |
| CPAP | 40 | 8 | 320 |
| Total | 920Wh |
A van weekend with lights, a vent fan and devices is often closer to 500Wh. A rig that runs an electric fridge and a coffee maker every morning can pass 2,000Wh. If you'd rather not do it by hand, our RV solar and battery calculator does the same sum.
Step 2: compare it with usable capacity
A station never gives you its full rated watt-hours at the outlet: the inverter has losses and the battery management holds some back. Pecron's E-series manuals estimate running time as capacity x 0.85 ÷ load, so we use 85% as the usable share for all five (the F3000LFP manual uses its own, slightly more generous formula). Treat it as an estimate; cold weather and heavy loads cut it.
| Setup | Usable Wh (x 0.85) | Days at 500Wh/day | Days at 920Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| E300LFP | 245 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| E1500LFP | 1,306 | 2.6 | 1.4 |
| E2400LFP | 1,741 | 3.5 | 1.9 |
| E3600LFP or F3000LFP | 2,611 | 5.2 | 2.8 |
| E1500LFP + 2 EP3800-48V (9,216Wh) | 7,834 | 15.7 | 8.5 |
| E3600LFP + 4 EP3800-48V (18,432Wh) | 15,667 | 31.3 | 17.0 |
Those are days with no charging at all. Add solar or charge while you drive and the battery only has to cover the gap.
Step 3: check the biggest single load
Capacity is how long; the inverter rating is how much at once. The E300LFP's 600W covers a CPAP, a fan, a laptop or a TV, but not a coffee maker, kettle, hair dryer or microwave, which usually carry ratings above that on their labels. The E1500LFP (2,200W) and E2400LFP (2,400W) handle most single kitchen appliances. The E3600LFP's 3,600W is the same as a 30A pedestal at 120V (30A x 120V = 3,600W), which is why it is the one to look at if you want to plug the whole coach in.
A rooftop air conditioner is the load that decides it. Read its running watts off the label. If it draws, say, 1,500W, the E3600LFP's 2,611 usable watt-hours last about 1.7 hours (2,611 ÷ 1,500). Air conditioning from a power station is possible; air conditioning all day from one is not without a lot of expansion batteries and solar.
Which Pecron for which trip
Van weekends and tent camping: E300LFP
At 10.6 lb, the E300LFP is the one you carry with one hand. It suits lights, phones, a fan, a laptop or a CPAP for a night. It recharges from a wall outlet at up to 300W (about 80% in 60 minutes, full in about 80), or from up to 100W of solar through its DC5521 port, which is what the Pecron PV100 plugs into. It has no expansion port, so it won't grow with you.
Weekend trailers and vans with a fridge: E1500LFP or E2400LFP
Both run 120V kitchen appliances, both have a 12V 30A XT60 output for 12V fridges and other DC loads, and both take up to two expansion batteries. The E1500LFP has the higher solar ceiling (1,000W through a wide 11-60V XT60 input). The E2400LFP has a third more battery (2,048Wh) and charges from the wall at up to 1,800W, but its main solar input tops out at 700W. If you're adding a lot of panels, lean E1500LFP; if you mostly charge from the wall or the vehicle, lean E2400LFP.
Boondocking a full-size RV: E3600LFP or F3000LFP
Both hold 3,072Wh and have a 30A AC outlet for your shore cord. The E3600LFP has the published 3,600W rating, up to 2,400W of solar, a 12V 30A XT60 output and room for four expansion batteries. The F3000LFP is about 15 lb lighter, has 1,600W of solar and takes two expansion batteries. Our E3600LFP vs F3000LFP comparison goes line by line.
Long stays and home backup: add EP3800-48V batteries
Each EP3800-48V adds 3,840Wh. See which Pecron stations the EP3800-48V expands for how many each station takes and the cable the F3000LFP needs.
Keeping it charged
Solar is the usual answer for boondocking. To replace a day's use, size panels at daily watt-hours ÷ (4 to 5 sun hours x 0.75). For the 920Wh example that is 920 ÷ 3.75 = about 245W to 920 ÷ 3 = about 307W, so two PV200 panels (400W) leave some margin for cloud. Our Pecron solar guide covers which panels fit which station and how many in series.
If you drive most days, the DC1242-500 car charger puts up to 500W into the E1500LFP, E2400LFP, E3600LFP or F3000LFP from the vehicle battery while the engine runs. See charging a Pecron while you drive.
FAQ
Can a Pecron run my RV's air conditioner?
Only the bigger units, and only for a few hours from the battery alone. Check the AC's running watts against the inverter rating, then divide usable watt-hours by those watts for the running time.
Can I plug my RV shore cord into a Pecron?
Yes on the E3600LFP (TT-30R) and F3000LFP (30A outlet). Turn off the RV's converter or battery charger while you do, or the station will spend its energy charging your house battery. More on that in which power stations have a native TT-30 plug.
What warranty do Pecron power stations have?
2 years (Pecron).
Where do Pecron orders ship from?
Pecron orders ship from our warehouse in Upland, California to the lower 48 states. Not sure which size fits your rig? Ask us before you order.