Independent buying guide · Updated 6 November 2026

Portable power station or 100Ah leisure battery: which is better for a campervan?

For a budget van conversion, the right choice depends less on the brand name and more on what you need to run, how long you stay off-grid and how you intend to recharge. This guide compares the trade-offs without assuming either option is right for everyone.

Disclosure: Some linked product pages contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We have not independently tested the ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Classic.

Quick comparison

Question	Portable power station	Installed 100Ah leisure battery
What do you buy?	Battery, charging electronics and outputs in one portable unit	Battery plus correctly specified fuses, wiring, charging and output equipment
Installation	Often simpler for plug-in appliances	Requires a safely designed installation
Battery energy	ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Classic: 1,024Wh nominal	100Ah × 12.8V ≈ 1,280Wh nominal for a typical LiFePO4 battery; 100Ah × 12V ≈ 1,200Wh nominal for lead-acid
Usable energy	Less than nominal after inverter and other losses	Depends on chemistry, battery management, discharge limits and conversion losses; lead-acid generally offers substantially less routinely usable energy than lithium
Charging while driving	Check the exact model's supported vehicle charging method and limits	Usually needs an appropriate DC-DC charger, especially with smart alternators
Best fit	Occasional trips, portable use, plug-in convenience	Permanent 12V circuits, expandable installations and regular van use

Calculate your overnight demand

Use average consumption, not a fridge compressor's peak rating. A compressor fridge may cycle on and off, so a 40W average is only an example.

Example: 40W × 12 hours = 480Wh before losses.

For a 1,024Wh station, a purely illustrative 80% usable-energy assumption gives about 819Wh. At 40W average, that is roughly 20 hours. Your actual result may differ significantly. Do not treat this as a manufacturer's runtime guarantee.

Four costs buyers forget

Charging: solar panels, a mains charger, DC-DC charging and compatible cables may cost extra.
Conversion losses: AC-powered devices typically use more battery energy than their appliance rating alone suggests.
Installation: a DIY leisure-battery system needs suitable protection and wiring; get competent advice where necessary.
Winter solar: shorter days, shading and weather can sharply reduce charging. Size the system for realistic conditions.

Which should you choose?

Consider a portable station if you want removable power, limited installation work and occasional trips. Consider an installed leisure battery if you are building a permanent system with a fridge, lighting circuits and regular off-grid use. Compare the full installed cost, not battery prices alone.

My practical starting point: write down every appliance, calculate daily watt-hours, decide how you will recharge and leave a sensible margin. A high-output inverter does not make the battery's stored energy last longer.

See the ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Classic buying guide

That page contains an eBay affiliate link and explains the historical price observation, seller checks and product limitations.

Questions or corrections? Contact Wainwright Solution Providers.