Many photographers will DIY their own Camera Charging Station, but most of the time it is only limited to indoor charging, and for those who shoot outdoors for a long time, outdoor charging of the camera is especially important. When taking photographs and videos that require perfect timing and patience, a portable power source is not only helpful but necessary. Some moments seemingly can happen once in a lifetime, and it will be such a waste not to capture them due to having a drained battery. Fortunately, there are great portable power stations today that you can avail of.
The Need for a Outdoor Charging Station - Portable Power Station
Why is there a need for a portable power station? To start, you will come across a condition where you don't have access to a power outlet, which would be a real issue if you need a continuous power supply for your camera, like when you shoot a long time-lapse video.
Even if there are power outlets available, they might not be where you need them to be. Unless you want to bring multiple batteries and roll out a ten-meter cable every time you need to charge your camera, a portable power station is still a more reasonable solution for your shooting and photography needs.
Portable Power Station vs. A DIY Camera Charging Station
A Camera Charging Station usually refers to a battery charging board with multiple chargers and charging ports, which can charge the camera and multiple batteries at the same time. In case you don’t know, you can build your camera charging station. You can have a bunch of power banks connected to charge your cameras and gadgets. If you are good with tools and have a background in working electronics, you can do even more. You can make additional circuits such as charging timers and a functional display.
However, the convenience brought by purchasing a portable power station is just far too reassuring. First, you don’t need more technical skills when handling a portable power station. Second, you won’t have to worry much about safety issues if you choose to purchase the high-quality power stations that will be discussed below. And lastly, you can save time and effort.
Perfect Camera Charging Stations for Photographers and Videographers
To save you the trouble of researching the perfect camera charging stations, here is a list of the products that are considered among the best portable power stations in the market today.
Growatt INFINITY 1500 Portable Power Station
The Growatt INFINITY 1500 is a beastly portable power station. With an output power reaching up to 2,000 Watts, it can charge more devices besides your cameras, simultaneously. It has AC ports wherein you can charge your laptops or tablets, which can be convenient for doing immediate edits and file transfers.
Moreover, you can go further to off-the-grid places without worry. With the use of the portable solar panel, you can fully charge the power station in just 2.5 hours. Also, if you compare it to a traditional generator, this one is much lighter. This means that it can be manageable to carry this charging station anywhere you want to go.
Specifications:
|
Dimensions |
16.5 in x 9.1 in x 11.3 in |
|
Weight |
36.4 lbs |
|
Capacity |
1,512 Watt-hour |
|
Maximum Power Output |
2,000 Watts |
|
Lifecycle |
800 cycles |
|
Charging Time |
Solar Charge: 2.5 hours, (800-Watt Max.) Wall Charge: 2 hours(1500-Watt Max.) |
|
Output Ports |
4 x AC ports 1 x Car cigarette lighter 2 x USB-C ports 2 x USB-A quick charge 2 x USB-A ports 1 x Wireless charging pad |
Pros:
Can deliver large output power
12 versatile ports are available
Can power up multiple camera gears at the same time
Cons:
Relatively short battery lifecycle
Growatt INFINITY 1300 Portable Power Station
If you are looking for a Growatt INFINITY model that can be charged much faster and has a longer battery life, then the INFINITY 1300 is the best alternative. There are aspects that INFINITY 1300 is better than INFINITY 1500. As mentioned, the former has great battery life wherein it can reach up to 3,000 cycles. Also, the charging time will not go beyond 2 hours.
Not only that, the INFINITY 1300 offers a wireless charging port, just like the INFINITY 1500. If you have gadgets that are compatible with such ports, you can have them charged one at a time. You can also reduce the number of wires in your baggage. When it comes to weight, this portable power station is also significantly lighter than traditional generators.
Specifications:
|
Dimensions |
16.5 in x 9.1 in x 11.3 in |
|
Weight |
42.32 lbs |
|
Capacity |
1,382 Watt-hour |
|
Maximum Power Output |
1,800 Watts |
|
Lifecycle |
3,000 cycles |
|
Charging Time |
Solar Charge: 2.5 hours, (800-Watt Max.) Wall Charge: 1.8 hours (1200-Watt Max.) |
|
Output Ports |
4 x AC ports 1 x Car cigarette lighter 2 x DC5521 outlets 2 x USB-C ports 2 x USB-A quick charge ports 2 x USB-A ports 1 x wireless charging pad |
Pros:
Fast charging time
Durable and robust LFP battery
Has 14 ports that can charge multiple devices simultaneously
Applicable to all scenarios like off-grip camping adventures, home emergency backup, and etc.,
Cons:
Relatively expensive due to the huge capacity
A Smaller Outdoor Camera Charging Station Option for Photography
If you only carry a small amount of gear in your photography or videography gig, then maybe all you need is a small portable charging station also.
Growatt VITA 550 Portable Power Station
The Growatt VITA 550 is the most lightweight power station on the list. Weighing only 17.99 lbs, you can carry it around with ease, even if you have a bag pack full of your camera, gadgets, and accessories. Consequentially, it has the least output power and capacity among the power stations listed here because of its size. However, it can still accommodate various gadgets.
The Growatt VITA 550 has a ‘Watt+’ feature wherein you can receive an output power far beyond what the power station is capable of. You can able to attain an output power of 1,050 Watts.
Specifications:
|
Dimensions |
12.2 in x 8.4 in x 7.8in |
|
Weight |
17.99 lbs |
|
Capacity |
538 Watt-hour |
|
Maximum Power Output |
600 Watts |
|
Lifecycle |
3,000 cycles |
|
Charging Time |
Solar Charge: 2.5 hours, (240-Watt Max.) Wall Charge: 1.6 hours (500-Watt Max.) |
|
Output Ports |
3 x AC outlets 1 x Car cigarette lighter 2 x DC5521 outlets 1 x USB-C port 1 x USB-A quick charge port 2 x USB-A ports 1 x Wireless charging pad |
Pros:
Lightweight and compact
Applicable for light camping
Durable and robust LFP battery
Has 11 ports to charge most of your devices at the same time
If Watt+ is used, an output power of 1050 Watts can be achieved
Cons:
Limited capacity that cannot power those heavy-duty appliances
Some Tips for Efficient and Safe Charging When Using Camera Charging Station
Monitor the Charging Process
Overcharging and undercharging are common issues when charging electronic devices, and both can be problematic for your photography gear. Luckily, this should not be an issue if you use portable power stations from Growatt since they already come with a BMS feature that can easily prevent such issues.
Avoid Overcharging and Overheating
Concerning monitoring, once you determine that your device is fully charged, pull out the plug immediately. Overcharging can often occur if you can’t have the patience and initiative to monitor the charging status of your device. Furthermore, it will be at risk of overheating if left unattended.
Get the Correct Charger
This is a no-brainer here. The multiple ports are there for a reason and that is because every device has a compatible connection. If you find it bothersome to bring individual chargers for every device you carry, try to invest in a many-in-one adapter.
Avoid Overloading
Overloading is dangerous for both your electrical device and the internal components of the power station, which is why it is best to avoid plugging in too many devices. Gadgets like smartphones may be tolerable but anything with a higher power rating can be hazardous. Try to limit around 70 percent of the total amount of ports at once.
Final Thoughts
The portable power stations can be a great investment for your photography work. You can do a lot of tasks without interruption and can prepare some of the worst-case scenarios easily if you have a power source available nearby. Choose any of the 3 mentioned above following your current or future needs.
