Field guide

notes from camp, not a brochure

Desert Festival Power Basics: Power Banks, Solar & Batteries

From the pros at Dustproof Supply: dead phones, dim headlamps and a fan that quits at 2 p.m. are some of the most common desert camp complaints. Power at a festival comes down to three things: knowing what you need to charge, bringing enough stored energy, and keeping it out of heat and dust. Here's the plain-language version.

Short on time? Build your list in the free Pack Planner, then use this page to size your power.

The short version

  • List every device you'll charge, then add a margin for cold nights and forgotten top-ups.
  • Compare power banks by watt-hours (Wh), not just mAh.
  • Flying? Power banks go in your carry-on, never checked luggage.
  • Keep batteries shaded. Heat is the enemy.
  • Keep ports clean. Dust is the other enemy.

1. Make a power list

Write down what actually needs charging over the weekend:

Check each device's battery size on its label or listing, and remember you'll charge most things more than once over a multi-day event.

2. mAh vs. watt-hours: the math that matters

Power banks advertise mAh, but mAh alone doesn't tell you how much energy is inside. Watt-hours do. The FAA's formula is simple: Wh = volts × amp-hours.

Most power banks list mAh at the internal cell voltage, typically around 3.6–3.7V. So, roughly:

  • 20,000mAh × 3.6–3.7V ≈ 72–74Wh
  • 25,000mAh × 3.6–3.7V ≈ 90–93Wh

Two practical notes. First, you won't get the full rated capacity into your phone, because some energy is lost converting to USB output. Second, the exact Wh figure is usually printed on the bank itself, so use that number when it's there.

Our picks: the Anker 20K 45W with two built-in USB-C cables for most campers, and the INIU 25K 100W when you're charging several devices or topping up a laptop.

3. Flying with power banks

Per the FAA:

  • Spare lithium batteries and power banks must go in carry-on bags, not checked luggage.
  • Up to 100Wh per battery is allowed. From 101 to 160Wh you need airline approval (limit two spares). Above 160Wh is forbidden on passenger aircraft.
  • Protect terminals from short circuits.
  • Airlines can be stricter than the FAA, so check yours before you fly.

Big portable power stations are usually a drive-in item. Many exceed 160Wh, so check the label before planning to fly with one.

Flying in from abroad for Burning Man and renting a rig when you land? This Burning Man trip planner for international visitors puts the flight, the RV, the bike, and the camp power in order before the gate.

4. Keep batteries out of the heat

Lithium batteries and desert sun don't mix. Anker's power bank safety guide, for example, lists an operating and storage range of 32–95°F (0–35°C) and says to avoid direct sunlight and hot places like a parked car. Other brands publish similar limits in their manuals.

  • Charge and store banks in the shade, never on a dashboard or in a closed car.
  • Keep them in a ventilated spot, not buried in a black bag in the sun.
  • If a battery gets unusually hot, swells or smells odd, stop using it.

5. Keep dust out of ports

More: Dust Storm Prep for Festival Camping.

6. Solar: great for lights, slower for everything else

Small solar lights are the easy win: they charge all day and glow all night with nothing to plug in. Try Brightech solar string lights for the shade, and GIGALUMI pathway lights or YaaFen starburst stake lights to mark your camp.

Dust on a solar panel blocks light and cuts output. Solar researchers call it "soiling". Wipe panels gently with a soft cloth, point them at the sun, and expect less charge on hazy or dusty days.

7. Cordless tool batteries

If your camp runs a cordless blower for dust cleanup, like the HEINPRO mini blower on DEWALT 20V, charge the batteries before you leave home and bring a spare. For DEWALT 20V we list the DCB203 battery and the DCB115 charger. The same heat and dust rules apply.

Match your battery. Batteries don't cross brands, so buy spares for the platform you already own. For other platforms we list third-party compatible packs. They cost less than brand-made ones, but they aren't made by the tool brand, and their capacity and safety marks are seller-declared:

Flying? Packs over 100 Wh (most 6.0Ah and bigger) need airline approval, and spares ride in carry-on only.

Generators and fuel

If your festival allows generators, follow its rules on placement, fuel storage and quiet hours. Never run a generator or fuel-burning heater inside or near a tent or vehicle, because of the carbon monoxide risk.

FAQ

How big a power bank do I need for a festival weekend? For a phone and a headlamp, a 20,000mAh bank is a common choice. If you're also charging a fan, bike lights or a camera, go bigger or bring two.

Can I take a 25,000mAh power bank on a plane? At a typical 3.6–3.7V cell voltage, that's about 90–93Wh, under the FAA's 100Wh carry-on limit. Check the Wh printed on your bank and your airline's rules.

Why is my power bank charging slowly? Heat, a dusty port or a weak cable are common culprits. Cool it down, clean the port and try another cable.

Dustproof Supply: independent festival camping notes. Check your event's rules on generators and power, and your airline's battery rules before flying.

Headed to Burning Man? Our sister shop Burner Supply has a Burning Man power stations guide built for the playa.

Related guides

Want friends to chip in? Turn this list into a shareable gift list with the Fest Registry.

Headed to Burning Man? Our sister shop Burner Supply has a Burning Man power kit.

Want it pre-packed? See our festival essentials kits, built by fest type and climate.