How long will a power station run a refrigerator?

Size a power station for your refrigerator

A refrigerator needs a compatible voltage and enough continuous and startup output for its compressor. Check the refrigerator's nameplate and manual against the station before buying. Startup is a brief peak; runtime is governed by the average watts consumed while the compressor cycles, plus inverter losses and idle draw.

The EnergyGuide labelreports estimated yearly electricity use. Multiply its kWh/year by 1,000, then divide by 8,760 to get an average wattage for planning: 550 kWh/year becomes 62.8W. It does not describe every compressor cycle or startup peak.

Our formula is capacity ÷ (average fridge watts ÷ 0.85 + idle watts). The examples use 85% assumed AC conversion efficiency and a clearly labeled 10W idle assumption; table rows substitute reviewer-reported idle draw where available. Conversion efficiency is not a model-specific measurement.

What size battery would cover 24 hours?

For the same 550 kWh/year example, 85% efficiency and 10W idle draw, the calculation requires about 2,013Wh before extra reserve. A 2,048Wh station estimates 24.4 hours, leaving little margin for hotter conditions, defrost cycles or battery aging.

Idle consumption can change the choice. The F3000LFP runtime example uses its cited 37W idle result instead of 10W. Compare each station with its own available evidence, then check startup capability separately.

Published tests: what standby actually costs

Six test reports across five models, two test publishers, plus manufacturer claims where found. Reviewed 2026-10-04. These are attributed reports, not our tests or a standardized ranking. Exact test dates are not supplied in these articles. Missing usable AC watt-hours remain unknown.

Download the sourced dataset (JSON)

We preserve conflicting figures rather than averaging them. The runtime table uses the higher collected idle report when more than one exists for a model; the calculator lets you try either report. This is a planning choice, not proof that one test is more accurate. Some articles use “W per hour” for idle draw; we normalize the intended continuous power to watts. Review samples, firmware and operating modes can differ from your unit.

The calculator can load reported idle draw and rated capacity. It keeps conversion efficiency as an editable assumption: published full-discharge efficiency can already include idle loss, and adding idle again would double-count it. These reports do not establish measured refrigerator runtime.

Refrigerator power station questions