Compact, portable power stations make every camping, hunting, fishing, or outdoor adventure better. They allow you to charge your cell phone or GPS, run many appliances, and provide peace of mind when you are off the grid. This RockPals RockPower 500 review shows you why this is a great buy for outdoor and emergency backup power. (>>> Check current price on Rockpals.com)
RockPals RockPower 500 Review of Specifications:
| RockPals RockPower 500 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Wattage | 500W |
| Voltage | 110V |
| Capacity | 505Wh |
| Item Weight | 12.3 pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12 x 9 x 6.1 |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
As the name indicates, this is a 500 watt power inverter/ generator. RockPals designs it to be as portable as possible so that you can take it with you wherever you go. The RockPower 500 uses a 505 watt-hour lithium-ion rechargeable battery giving you 500 watts of continuous usage and up to 750 watts of load spiking.
Output Ports
Like most of the power generators on the market, this one gives you several different types of output ports to power numerous devices.
AC 110 Volt
RockPals gives you two AC plugs to power 110v appliances. A built-in digital controller converts modified sine wave energy into pure sine wave form. This protects sensitive electronics like laptop computers.
DC 12 Volt
The 12 volt outputs include dual 5.5mm jacks and a 12v accessory plug. The 12v supply is a regulated power source, so you don’t have to worry about sudden spikes that can easily destroy expensive equipment. Devices like air pumps and 12v mini-fridges can burn up when too much voltage is supplied.
USB Outputs
Many of our favorite devices these days are powered by USB. RockPals gives you a total of four USB ports. This includes one USB-C 2.0, two USB-C 3.0, and a dedicated USB-C PD output. The USB-C port supports up to 45 watts passthrough.
Pros
- This is a great little power generator for hiking and fishing. It’s easy to carry, doesn’t weigh too much, and provides enough power for an adventurous weekend. We like the display because it gives the most important information in a clear and concise manner
Cons
- It’s fairly expensive for a light-duty unit. Upgrading to a more powerful unit only costs a little more and provides a more broad range of functionality
Input Options
There are three ways to charge the RockPals RockPower 500. The easiest and fastest way to charge it is using the included AC wall charger. An AC connection will recharge the unit from 0 to full in about 8 hours. You can speed the charge up by combining the AC plug with the USB-C PD port and recharge in about 5.5 hours.
You can also plug this device into the accessory plug in your car and recharge it with 12v power. This will take around nine hours to complete and will drain your battery if you aren’t driving, so it isn’t always the most desirable way to charge.
Anderson-type connectors let you hook up solar panels to recharge the RockPower 500. Solar panels are sold separately and are available in varying output wattages. This unit can handle up to 120 watts of solar input. A built-in MPPT controller ensures the power is properly regulated which increases the efficiency of the unit. It takes about 7 hours under ideal conditions to recharge using solar.
Display
Many devices feature dim, difficult-to-read displays. The display on the RockPower 500 is clear and legible, even in bright light. It shows the current input voltage and output voltage making it easy for you to plug in without overpowering the device.
One of the nicest things this display offers that many more expensive units do not is an actual battery percentage meter. While most units give you a bar graph -this one does, too- the percentage counter is much more accurate and makes it much easier for you to determine when you need to recharge the unit.
What You Can’t Power
At only 500 watts, this is not the right power generator for someone who wants to take a hair dryer camping, make margaritas in a blender on the beach, or warm up dinner in the microwave in your van. Those devices require larger and more powerful power stations. A small unit like this doesn’t have the capacity to handle high-use appliances.
What it Can Power
This is a great way to power smaller AC devices like portable fans and various small electric tools. It can easily run a tire pump to air up your tires after off roading and charge your GPS at the same time. RockPals recommends that buyers who need to run a CPAP machine should purchase a DC to DC adapter and power the device on 12v to increase battery life.
This is a great choice for remote charging of batteries for devices like drones, trail cameras, and numerous other devices. It can power up to nine devices simultaneously. Pass-through charging is available on the USB ports and the 12v ports, but not the AC ports. (>>> Find on Amazon)
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:
- Jackery 500 vs. Rockpals 500 Comparison
- Best 500W Portable Power Station – Buyers guide