Most people shopping for a power station start with watts. Caravanners usually end up with a tape measure in hand.
A portable power station for caravans has two jobs. It has to run your fridge, lights, and devices, and it has to live somewhere in a van where every kilogram and every millimetre is already spoken for. If it won’t clear the locker hatch, or it’s too heavy to lift out at camp, the spec sheet stops mattering.
For this guide, we compared six LiFePO4 models sold by Outbax, from a 7kg compact unit to a 26.8kg flagship, using their published weights and dimensions. We also reviewed the manufacturer manuals for the three VoltX units, page by page, for what they say about heat, covering, and storage, because a shut locker in an Australian summer is a hard place for any battery.
Here’s how to match a portable power station in Australia to the space your van actually has.
Quick answer: Units under 15kg, such as the VoltX E600, VoltX V1800 and VoltX Topband V1200, suit drawbar boxes, side lockers and most front tunnel boots. Units over 20kg, such as the DJI Power 2000, ACE M2000 and VoltX M2400, are better kept low and inside the van near the axle, and are safer to lift with two people.
» MORE: What to look for when buying your first portable power station
Why Weight and Size Matter as Much as Watts When You Tow
Everything you load into a caravan comes out of two budgets: payload and ball weight. A power station is one of the densest things you’ll carry, so it’s worth doing the maths.
How a 7kg Unit and a 27kg Unit Change Your Caravan Payload
Your van’s compliance plate lists its tare (empty weight) and its ATM, or Aggregate Trailer Mass, the most it can legally weigh when loaded. The difference is your payload. Water, gas, food, and gear all draw on it.
In this group, the VoltX E600 weighs 7 kg, and the VoltX M2400 weighs 26.8kg. That 19.8kg gap is about the weight of the gas in two full 9kg cylinders.
Placement matters as much as mass. Stowing weight ahead of the axle, in a tunnel boot, or drawbar box, adds to the load on your tow ball. Weight behind the axle reduces it. Check your tow vehicle’s maximum ball weight before you commit 25kg to the front of the van.
Where Australian Caravans Store a Power Station
Most vans give you four realistic options:
- Drawbar box: shallow and exposed to dust and grit, but close to the tow vehicle.
- Front tunnel boot: full-width storage across the front wall, common on touring vans.
- Side lockers: easy to reach, though often narrow and shallow.
- Under bed or under seat storage: cooler and cleaner, at the cost of cabin space.
Capacity Per Kilogram: Why Bigger Is Not Always Bulkier
Watt-hours per kilogram shows how much stored energy you carry per kilo. Across these six units, it runs from 43.9Wh/kg for the VoltX E600 to 93.1Wh/kg for the Outbax DJI Power 2000.
The surprise sits in the middle. The VoltX V1800 is lighter and smaller than the VoltX Topband V1200 despite its higher 1,800W output. The V1200 still stores slightly more energy: 1,152Wh vs. 1,030Wh.
Here’s what one of our customers said about the VoltX Topband V1200 Power Station:
“Looks great, runs my car fridge freezer for hours no problem, great product so far.”
How to Measure Your Caravan Locker for a Power Station
Measuring takes five minutes and can save you a return. Here’s the method we use.
1. Measure the Door Opening First, Then the Cavity
The hatch is usually the real limit. A tunnel boot can be deep inside, but a short opening decides what gets through. Record the opening’s narrowest width and lowest height, then measure the cavity’s length, depth, and ceiling height, including any lip, wheel arch, or rib.
2. Allow Millimetre Clearance for Handles, Cables, and Airflow
Most power stations need to sit upright. Match the unit’s height to the locker’s internal height, and its footprint (length by width) to the floor. As a starting point, leave around 50mm beside any cooling vents, room to plug in leads, and enough space above the handles to get your fingers underneath.
3. Check Floor Strength and Tie Down Points Before You Buy
Lockers designed for hoses and wheel chocks don’t always have floors built for 20kg or more. Look for solid anchor points you can strap to. If there are none, plan where they’ll go before the unit arrives.
» MORE: Power station accessories and cables
Portable Power Station Dimensions and Weights Compared
The table lists each model’s published weight and dimensions alongside two figures we calculated: approximate volume in litres and watt-hours per kilogram. Specifications come from Outbax product listings, checked on 9 October 2026.
| Model | Weight | L × W × H (mm) | Volume | Capacity | Output (rated / peak) | Wh per kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VoltX E600 | 7kg | 263 × 221 × 215.8 | 12.5L | 307.2Wh | 600W / 1,200W | 43.9 |
| VoltX V1800 | 12.4kg | 340 × 220 × 261 | 19.5L | 1,030Wh | 1,800W / 3,600W | 83.1 |
| VoltX Topband V1200 | 13kg | 365.4 × 235 × 274.5 | 23.6L | 1,152Wh | 1,200W / 2,400W | 88.6 |
| DJI Power 2000 | 22kg | 448 × 225 × 324 | 32.7L | 2,048Wh | 2,400W continuous | 93.1 |
| ACE M2000 | 24.5kg | 405 × 250 × 250 | 25.3L | 1,920Wh | 2,000W / 4,000W | 78.4 |
| VoltX M2400 | 26.8kg | 409 × 298 × 310* | 37.8L | 2,240Wh | 2,400W / 4,800W | 83.6 |
*The M2400 product listing gives a length of 400mm, but its manual states 409mm. We have used the larger figure because it is the safer one for fit planning. The author calculated volume and Wh/kg from published specifications. Prices and specifications can change, so check the current listing before you buy.
Technical Details from the Manufacturer Manuals
Product pages rarely tell you how a unit behaves in storage or heat. The manuals do. Here’s what the VoltX E600, VoltX Topband V1200, and VoltX M2400 manuals specify.
| Manual detail | VoltX E600 | VoltX Topband V1200 | VoltX M2400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight and size | 7kg, 263 × 221 × 215.8mm | 13kg, 365.4 × 235 × 274.5mm | 26.8kg, 409 × 298 × 310mm |
| AC output | 600W continuous, 1,200W peak, 240V 50Hz pure sine wave | 1,200W total across three outlets, 2,400W peak | 2,400W stable, 4,800W peak |
| Solar input | 12V to 30V, 100W | XT60, 11.5V to 55V, 550W max | Two XT60 ports, 600W each, 12V to 59V |
| Recharge time | 5 to 6 hours on the standard 60W charger | 1.5–2 hours from the wall | About 1.5 hours on AC, 2 to 6 hours on solar, 18 to 22 hours by car |
| Temperature | Works from −20°C to 55°C, charges from 0°C to 55°C | Best used between 20°C and 30°C | Works from −10°C to 40°C, charges from 0°C to 40°C |
| Storage advice | Recharge at least every 12 months | Every three months, run down to 30% and recharge to 60% | Top up every three months and hold 60% to 80% |
| Extras worth knowing | 12V jump start (500A start, 1,000A peak), backup battery port | UPS switchover within 20ms, carry bag and 2m XT60 to Anderson cable included | Two extra battery ports, Power Zero app via Bluetooth or WiFi |
Source: VoltX E600 (model PB 20E), VoltX Topband V1200 (model 1200) and VoltX M2400 (S2200Pro) instruction manuals. The M2400 and E600 manuals list a 12- to 24-month warranty, but Outbax lists a 2-year warranty on all three.
Compact Units Under 15kg
These three are the realistic choice if you want to move a power station between the car, the van, and the campsite. It’s also where most portable power station 1000W shoppers land.
- VoltX E600 ($449): 7kg and just 215.8mm tall. Its 307.2Wh capacity suits lights, phones and a laptop rather than days of fridge running.
- VoltX V1800 ($1,399): 12.4kg, with 1,030Wh and 1,800W rated output. Its Bluetooth app lets you check the charge without opening the hatch.
- VoltX Topband V1200 ($999): 13kg, with 1,152Wh. Outbax rates it at roughly three to four days on a 60L DC camping fridge, depending on conditions. It ships with a carry bag.
Full-Size Units Over 20kg
Each portable power station 2000W option here carries about twice the energy of the compact group, but every one is a genuine lift.
- DJI Power 2000 ($2,409): 22kg and only 225mm deep, the slimmest of the big three, but also the tallest at 324mm. It has a dedicated 16A outlet and a warranty that extends to five years once registered.
- ACE M2000 ($2,399): 24.5kg, with the lowest profile of the large units at 250mm. It ships with a carry bag.
- VoltX M2400 ($2,399): 26.8kg and the widest at 298mm. It holds the most energy here, 2,240Wh, with 2,400W continuous output.
» MORE: The best portable power stations under $1,000
Which Power Station Suits Each Caravan Locker Type
The weight/portability and RV & van life filters in the Outbax power stations collection quickly narrow the range. From there, match the dimensions to your locker.
Drawbar Boxes and Small Side Lockers: VoltX E600 and VoltX V1800
The E600’s 215.8mm height slides into shallow drawbar boxes, and its working range of −20°C to 55°C is the widest in this group. It also doubles as a 12V jump starter rated at 500A starting current, and it has a 10W LED light with five modes, including SOS. That makes a spot near the tow vehicle sensible. The manual’s jump-start instructions use a cable indicator to guide you:
| Cable indicator | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Steady green light | Clamps connected correctly | Start the engine |
| Flashing green light | Vehicle battery is low | Press BOOST, wait for a steady green, then start within 30 seconds |
| Red light with buzzing | Clamps connected the wrong way | Swap the clamps and wait for green |
| No light, no buzzing | Vehicle battery may be damaged | Check the clamps, press BOOST, then start within 30 seconds once green |
Source: VoltX E600 operation manual. Remove the cable once the engine starts and leave it running.
For a narrow side locker, the V1800 is 220mm wide and 12.4kg, which most people can manage from waist height.
Front Tunnel Boots on Touring Vans: VoltX Topband V1200 and DJI Power 2000
A tunnel boot rewards a long unit rather than a tall one. The V1200 is the balanced pick at 13kg, with enough capacity for a weekend of fridge running and an AC recharge of about 1.5 to 2 hours on site power.
If you need more energy, the DJI Power 2000’s 225mm depth lets it stand against the boot’s back wall. Check the hatch height first, because at 324mm it’s the tallest unit here, and remember that 22kg ahead of the axle adds to your ball weight.
Under Bed and Internal Storage: Ace M2000 and VoltX M2400
Keep the heaviest units low, central, and inside. The ACE M2000’s 250mm height suits under-bed drawers and under-seat storage, and its 40°C working limit makes cooler interior storage sensible anyway. Treat the VoltX M2400 as a semi-permanent installation. At 26.8kg, you’ll want to lift it once and leave it there.
Lifting, Securing, and Ventilating a Heavy Power Station on Tour
When a Heavy Power Station Lift Needs Two People
Safe Work Australia’s model Code of Practice on hazardous manual tasks is written for workplaces, but its logic applies at a campsite. It doesn’t rely on one safe weight. It asks you to weigh up the load, how far you reach, and whether you bend or twist. Hauling 22kg out of a low locker while stooped ticks every box. DJI’s own listing says its 22kg unit is easier with two people, and we’d apply the same rule to anything over 20kg.
Strapping Down for Corrugated Roads
The manuals warn against drops and strong impacts. On corrugations, an unsecured 25kg unit can shift with real force. Strap it to solid anchor points with ratchet straps, sit it on a rubber mat, and don’t pile heavy gear on top.
Locker Ventilation and Summer Heat
Working limits differ: 40°C for the ACE M2000, VoltX V1800 and VoltX M2400, 45°C for the VoltX Topband V1200 and DJI Power 2000, and 55°C for the VoltX E600. A closed locker in direct sun can run hotter than the air outside. Here’s what the manuals advise, and what it means on the road.
| What the manuals say | Manual | What it means in a caravan locker |
|---|---|---|
| Don’t cover the unit with towels, clothing or other items, as it can get hot while charging | V1200 | Keep bedding and bags off the vents, and charge with the hatch open |
| Use it in a well-ventilated place and never above 60°C | E600 | Avoid dark lockers in full sun and open the hatch on hot days |
| Keep it away from heat, fire, water and direct sunlight | V1200 | Seal drawbar boxes against rain and road spray |
| Below 0°C, warm it before charging on AC or solar | M2400 | Bring it inside before charging on alpine winter trips |
| Store it in a dry, ventilated place at room temperature | V1200 | Don’t leave it flat in the van between trips |
| Set a no-load shutdown timer in the app | M2400 | Stops a forgotten AC outlet draining the battery in a shut locker |
Not sure it will fit? Outbax’s Sydney-based support team can check a unit’s dimensions against your locker measurements before you order. Call 02 888 10 333, Monday to Friday.
» MORE: How to maintain a portable power station in dusty Australian conditions
Choosing a Caravan Power Station That Fits and Travels Well
Measure the hatch, weigh up the payload, then choose the capacity. Do it in that order and most caravanners land on a unit they’ll actually use. The Outbax VoltX E600 is the lightest option at 7kg. The VoltX Topband V1200 and VoltX V1800 offer the best balance of weight and energy for most tunnel boots and side lockers. If you need 2kWh or more, plan for a two-person lift and a home that’s low and inside the van.
Once you have your measurements, compare the full range of portable power stations at Outbax, or call the team for a fitment check before you buy.
» MORE: Portable power station vs inverter generator for camping
