power options for our camping setup.

[Dave in AZ]

Minimize inverter use if you can, going DC-AC-DC is wasteful and they basically cut 10-15% off the top even with a good one. Blue Sea makes a 4.8A dual USB port which is the equivalent of a 60W wall charger with minimal conversion loss if you can charge by USB. If you can power it by USB or a 12 cigarette outlet you should.

Most laptops will draw about 1-2Ah in use with reasonable brightness. The screen is generally the highest draw these days but figure 1Ah to recharge 10Wh of battery capacity.

This is generally good advice, dc use vs. Ac. However, there is a recent trend in PowerStations for the internal battery to be 48V, not 12V, allowing higher amps, higher mppt solar charge voltages, smaller and cooler internal wiring. Examples include most recent Oupes, Ecoflow, and Pecron as of Jul24. Because of this, the 12v dc output has to be created with a 48v to 12v conversion, reducing dc efficiency. recent tests have shown that the ac battery use is actually more efficient on several of these. The new Pecron 3600 tested 87% efficiency for AC use, but 85% for dc use, draining battery from full to empty. Just a heads-up to be sure to know YOUR power station specifics, in this changing landscape

 

[LostWoods]

This is generally good advice, dc use vs. Ac. However, there is a recent trend in PowerStations for the internal battery to be 48V, not 12V, allowing higher amps, higher mppt solar charge voltages, smaller and cooler internal wiring. Examples include most recent Oupes, Ecoflow, and Pecron as of Jul24. Because of this, the 12v dc output has to be created with a 48v to 12v conversion, reducing dc efficiency. recent tests have shown that the ac battery use is actually more efficient on several of these. The new Pecron 3600 tested 87% efficiency for AC use, but 85% for dc use, draining battery from full to empty. Just a heads-up to be sure to know YOUR power station specifics, in this changing landscape

Yeah generally speaking, higher voltage is more efficient and you run lower amps at the same wattage for longer, cooler runs on thinner wire. For a simple single battery setup I find sticking with 12v easier and more convenient.