Can it run and start?
Compare running wattage with continuous output and compressor startup demand with the surge limit. Duty cycle changes energy use, not the power required while the compressor is on.
Outage plan / refrigerator + internet + lights
Will a 1kWh station cover the next 12 hours?
A refrigerator is not a constant 120-watt load. Its compressor cycles, its startup demand is much higher, and an AC inverter consumes power even while the compressor is off. Starting below a full charge also cuts the outage window. Plan all of these effects before buying.
Run the 12-hour outage planThe three checks
Capacity, output and time are different questions.
How much per hour?
Multiply running watts by duty cycle, then add always-on loads and inverter overhead.
Will it last?
Apply starting charge, reserve, battery condition, temperature and conversion loss before dividing delivered energy by average demand.
Transparent sample
Same outage load. Four manufacturer-rated stations.
Modeled with a 120W refrigerator at 35% duty cycle, 60W internet terminal, two 10W lights, 8W inverter overhead, 10% reserve, a healthy battery and 20°C ambient temperature. These are estimates, not independent tests.
BLUETTIAC180RATED CAPACITY1,152WhMODELED RUNTIME6h 32mShort 5h 28m
JackeryExplorer 1000 v2RATED CAPACITY1,070WhMODELED RUNTIME6h 31mShort 5h 29m
Anker SOLIXC1000RATED CAPACITY1,056WhMODELED RUNTIME6 hrShort 6h 0m
EcoFlowDELTA 2RATED CAPACITY1,024WhMODELED RUNTIME5h 49mShort 6h 11m
Runtime is not food-safety advice
Track temperature, not just battery percentage.
FoodSafety.gov says an unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours during an outage. Use an appliance thermometer and follow its discard guidance; a modeled battery runtime cannot establish that food remained safe.
Read the official FoodSafety.gov guidance →Before relying on the plan
Measure the appliance you actually own.
Why does refrigerator wattage not stay constant?+
The compressor cycles on and off. Runtime depends on both its running wattage and the share of time it runs, while startup surge is checked separately against the station's output limit.
Is a 1,000Wh battery the same as ten hours at 100W?+
No. Reserve, temperature, battery condition, inverter conversion and the station's own AC overhead reduce delivered energy.
Should I trust the refrigerator label alone?+
Use it as a starting point. A plug-in energy meter measured over a representative day gives a better view of cycling energy and catches defrost behavior.
Does this determine whether food is safe?+
No. Runtime and food safety are different questions. Follow official food-temperature guidance and use an appliance thermometer.