Appliance Wattage & Running Cost
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What size generator or power station for a portable fan? (100+ W)

To run a portable fan, choose at least
100 W running.

A portable fan draws about 50 W while running. Pick a generator, inverter or power station rated comfortably above these numbers.

Battery runtime calculator

Estimated runtime

Assumes about 85% usable capacity. Motors need extra headroom for startup surge.

How long a power station lasts

Power stationEstimated runtime
300 Wh5 h 6 min
500 Wh8 h 30 min
1,000 Wh17 h 0 min
2,000 Wh34 h 0 min
3,000 Wh51 h 0 min

Sizing guide

Minimum running watts100 W
Minimum starting watts100 W
Suggested inverter100 W or higher

See also portable fan wattage and running cost.

FAQ

How many watts does a portable fan use?

Around 25-100 watts depending on size and speed.

Can I run a fan off a power station?

Easily - a small power station can run a fan for many hours or overnight.