How Long Will the DJI Power 500 Run String Lights?
Updated 2026-10-17 · Yes
The numbers
| Battery capacity | 512Wh (LFP) |
|---|---|
| Usable energy | 435Wh (85% via AC outlets) |
| Continuous AC output | 1000W |
| Surge rating | Not published |
| String lights running watts | 20W |
| Startup watts | 20W |
| Average draw | 20W |
| Estimated runtime | 22 hours |
| Energy per day of typical use | 100Wh |
512Wh × 0.85 = 435Wh usable ÷ 20W average = 21.8 hours
Station specs: source, checked 2026-10-17. See how we calculate runtime.
Adjust the numbers
Check the label on your string lights and enter its real wattage.
Recharging with solar
The DJI Power 500 accepts up to 300W of solar input. In real conditions that harvests about 1.1 kWh on a sunny day (5 peak-sun hours), or about 750Wh with one 200W panel.
Solar can keep up. String lights use about 100Wh a day at 5 hours of use, so with enough panels and good sun the DJI Power 500 can run it indefinitely.
Tips
- LED string lights for a campsite or patio use 5–25W per strand.
- You’ll still have about 980W of AC capacity left for other devices at the same time, though they’ll share the same battery.
- The DJI Power 500 uses LiFePO4 (LFP) cells, rated for thousands of cycles, so running it down daily won’t wear it out quickly.
Other power stations running string lights
| Power station | Capacity | Output | Runtime | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 300 Plus | 288Wh | 300W | 12 hours | Yes |
| Goal Zero Yeti 500X | 505Wh | 300W | 21 hours | Yes |
| EcoFlow River 2 Max | 512Wh | 500W | 22 hours | Yes |
| Anker 535 PowerHouse | 512Wh | 500W | 22 hours | Yes |
| Jackery Explorer 500 | 518Wh | 500W | 22 hours | Yes |
| EcoFlow River 2 Pro | 768Wh | 800W | 33 hours | Yes |
| Anker SOLIX C800 Plus | 768Wh | 1200W | 33 hours | Yes |
| Bluetti AC70 | 768Wh | 1000W | 33 hours | Yes |
FAQ
Will the DJI Power 500 run string lights overnight?
Yes. Eight hours uses about 160Wh, roughly 37% of the DJI Power 500’s usable capacity.
How long does the DJI Power 500 take to recharge with solar?
With its maximum 300W of solar input it refills in about 2.3 hours of strong sun. With a single 200W panel, expect about 3.4 hours of full sun.