Whether you’re heading to Birdsville or Byron Bay, there’s no doubt that Aussies love a music festival. For many people there’s nothing better than camping for a weekend, listening to great bands and spending time with friends.
But a few days in, phones inevitably start to go flat, and the drinks get warm as the ice melts. Avoid the difficulties of festival camping and be the envy of the campground, with a camping power system that lets you bring some little luxuries with you.
How to Create An Awesome Festival Camping Setup
Start With Power
For many festival goers’ power isn’t the top priority when putting together their packing list, when camping for a few days, you’ll want it!.
Whether you just want to make sure your phones, speakers and cameras stay charged, keep your drinks cold or power a coffee machine in the morning, there are power solutions from 12V weekend setups to more dedicated solar and dual battery systems that can make even the best festival trip, even better.
Get Started With A 12V Weekend Setup
At many camping festivals around Australia, you set up camp right next to your car. This means you have easy access to everything in your car. A simple dual-battery system, like the options described in our weekend 12V Guide can solve your power needs. With a second battery, you can run appliances and charge devices without worrying about your car battery going flat - as long as the second battery is properly isolated.
A 12V system allows you to run and charge devices including a phone, tablet, camera, drone, lights or a fridge (learn more about the 12V essentials for your weekend trip).
Using a 12V dual battery system you can power a portable 12V fridge to keep food and drinks cool for the entire festival. . The second battery in the system charges using power from the alternator of your car whilst driving - so you should arrive with a full battery if the location is far enough away.
You can work out how long the battery will last based on the number of appliances or devices you want to run or charge and the amount of power they require.
For festival camping where you aren’t jumping in the car so the battery can recharge, you might consider adding solar power. Solar power for camping can keep your secondary battery topped up when you’re staying in one spot for a while. You can choose to install solar panels on your vehicle or opt for the more portable and flexible option of a solar blanket.
Learn more: How Much Solar Power Do I Need For Camping?
How To Make Festival Camping Super-Comfy
If you regularly go camping for festivals and other adventures, it might be time to take your power setup to the next level. To add the true luxuries from home, you’ll need a 240V setup that supplies the same power as your electrical outlets at home. With 240V you can bring a coffee machine, hair dryer and any of your appliances from home. Converting power from your battery or solar to 240V requires a pure sine wave inverter.
An nverter converts the DC power from your battery into AC power you have at home so you can plug in any of your household accessories.
Choose an inverter and dual battery that match the power requirements of the appliances you want to bring.
Power When Your Car Is Parked Far Away
What if you can’t set up camp near your car? Portable power from the REDARC Go-Block is a convenient solution that allows you to run a CPAP machine for a good night’s sleep, even if the campsite is a distance from the car. ,
REDARC’s GoBlock portable power system features an in-built lithium battery, AC charger, DC charger, and solar regulator. This means you can charge it at home before you go, via vehicle alternator power while driving or using portable solar when you’re at camp.
The GoBlock’s lithium battery makes it light enough to be carried to the campsite. Available in 100 and 50Ah options, there’s plenty of power to keep your phones, cameras, lights and fridge running for a weekend without recharging.
You can learn more about setting up a simple dual battery system in your vehicle with our Build Your Dual Battery System Tool, or find an installer for expertise on how you can make your festival camping setup truly awesome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up camp at a festival?
Start by finding a flat section of ground, ideally free from rocks if you will sleep in a tent. Choosing a camping spot that’s not too close but not too far from the toilets is also key! Comfy bedding is essential, plus an eye mask, in case partying continues after your bedtime. Portable solar or a battery allows you to have a fridge and eat well throughout the festival, so you have plenty of energy to enjoy the event.
What do you need for festival camping?
For an awesome festival camping setup, you’ll need a tent or shelter, sleeping gear like mats, quilts or a sleeping bag, an esky or a camping fridge, foldable chairs, a picnic blanket and a portable power or vehicle dual battery system to keep devices charged.
Should you padlock your gear at a festival?
To ensure your awesome festival camping setup doesn’t fall prey to wandering opportunists, you can add the accessory of the PowerDock, which enables you to secure the GoBlock from theft, travel without tie-downs and even fast-charge on a short drive to stock up on supplies.
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