Deciding on an overall power setup for your camping can really be confusing and daunting, with so many choices and options, especially in the absence of mains electricity. Your buying decision will depend on a number of things, including your budget, environmental considerations, the type of camping you want to do (touring / long stays) and the power requirements of your particular devices and equipment.
Our power and fuel options guide provides our members with our suggestions for unpowered and powered sites with lower, medium (unpowered only) and higher cost options across all power requirements.
Unpowered campsites
Cost option | Cooking stoves | Refrigeration | Lighting | Electronic devices | Power and fuel requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lower cost | Two burner stove – choose a stove that can either be fuelled by disposable propane cannister or refillable LP gas cylinder | Icebox | USB-charged or in-built solar powered main lights; | Smart phones; other smaller USB charged devices | LP GAS CYLINDER OR PROPANE CANISTER to run cooking stove; |
Medium cost | Same as above | 35 litre absorption fridge | Same as above | Same as above plus tablets and/or other smaller devices | LP GAS CYLINDER sufficient to run absorption fridge and cooking stove; |
Higher cost | Same as above | Compressor OR larger absorption fridge | Same as above but may include USB-charged hand and head torches | Same as above plus laptop and/or other larger devices | LP GAS CYLINDER AND/OR PROPANE CANISTER sufficient to run absorption fridge (if applicable – LP gas only) and cooking stove; |
Powered campsites
At least initially, you may opt for a powered site to run high powered devices such as your fridge and electronic devices before investing in an alternative power setup to independently run those devices.
If you do choose a powered site, we definitely recommend using it only for powering your refrigeration, USB rechargeable lights, electronic devices and smaller power banks. Electric lights, kettles and toasters etc. should be left at home in favour of your existing camp lighting and cooking gear.
Outlined below are our power and fuel suggestions for a powered campsite.
Cost option | Cooking stoves | Refrigeration | Lighting | Electronic devices | Power and fuel requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lower cost | Two burner stove – choose a stove that can either be fuelled by disposable propane cannister or refillable LP gas cylinder | 35 litre absorption fridge or alternatively an icebox | Rechargeable main lights; | Electronic devices | LP GAS CYLINDER AND/OR PROPANE CANISTER sufficient to run cooking stove; |
Higher cost | Same as above | Compressor OR larger absorption fridge | Same as above but may include USB-charged hand and head torches | Same as above | LP GAS CYLINDER AND/OR PROPANE CANISTER sufficient to run cooking stove; |