Power Station for a Refrigerator
How long will a portable power station run a 12V compressor fridge? A Dometic CFX3-55-class unit draws 104 W rated (12V × 8.7 A) and averages about 13 W per the official energy spec — a 1,152 Wh station runs it ~9.4 h at rated draw and days on average.
Bottom line
Compressor fridges cycle: the official average draw (≈13 W, Dometic CFX3 55 energy spec) is far below the 104 W rated draw, so real runtimes are much longer than the rated figure.
Fridge power table
| Type | Power | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 12V compressor fridge (Dometic CFX3 55) — rated | 104 W (12V × 8.7 A) | Dometic official spec |
| 12V compressor fridge (Dometic CFX3 55) — average | ≈ 13 W | Dometic official energy spec (1.1 Ah/h @ 12V) |
| Home refrigerator (compressor) | ≈ 150 W | Official label |
Runtime calculator
Usable capacity factor 0.85 (composite: ~90% inverter efficiency folded in); device draw treated as constant. Runtime values are estimates — always confirm with your device’s official label. Not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a 300Wh power station run a refrigerator?
A 293 Wh station (≈249 Wh usable) runs a Dometic-class 12V compressor fridge at the official average draw (~13 W) for around 19 hours — enough for a full day off-grid. At the 104 W rated draw it is about 2.3 hours.
Is 104W the real draw of a 12V fridge?
104 W is the rated draw (12V × 8.7 A per the Dometic CFX3 55 official spec). Compressor fridges cycle, and Dometic’s official energy consumption figure is 1.1 Ah/h at 12V — about 13 W average in lab conditions (90 °F ambient / 39 °F internal).
Can I leave a fridge on a station overnight?
With a ~1,150 Wh station and the official average draw (~13 W), expect roughly 75 hours. On rated draw (104 W) it is about 9.4 hours. Confirm with your station's inverter and the fridge's official label.
Is refrigerator power demand seasonal?
Yes — per Google Trends, appliance power demand (refrigerator included) peaks in the summer months (Apr–Jun). The content refresh cycle targets the pre-summer window.