For vendors at the Richmond Night Market, access to reliable power is a practical concern. Lights, payment machines, and small appliances all need electricity to keep a booth running smoothly. Without it, it’s harder to serve customers and keep the stall organized. Portable power stations are becoming a common solution. The question many small business owners face is which size and model will actually fit their needs. In this article, we’ll compare two options to help night market vendors choose the power station that makes the most sense for their setup.
Key Factors to Consider for Your Stall Power Needs
Appliance Wattage (Power Rating)
List the items that you use during a market evening—string lights, POS terminals, fans, small fridges, or cooking units. Look up the wattage on each unit and sum them. This will be an approximate amount of continuous output required from a power station.
Operating Hours
Night markets usually last around 5-6 hours, up to longer hours during weekends. Choose a power station with sufficient battery capaity to last the full shift without needing a recharge midway.
Portability
Vendors usually shuttle equipment back and forth between storage, cars, and stalls. A compact and handle equipped design will facilitate easy setup and teardown, provided that you will be working alone.
Noise
Portable solar stations, on the other hand, are quiet, no-fume units. These are more appropriate where markets are large and environmental comfort is a key concern. Besides, city bylaws restrict noisy fuel generators at events like the Vancouver night market or Montreal street festivals.
Room to Grow
To support future growth, vendors should select a larger or expandable unit. This gives you room to grow if you add more appliances later, ensuring seamless operation without wasted money on excess capacity.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 vs Explorer 2000 v2
Key Features:
| Explorer 1000 v2 | Explorer 2000 v2 | |
| Capacity | 1,070 Wh | 2,042 Wh |
| Output | 1,500 W | 2,200 W |
| Weight & Portability | 24.2 pounds, featuring a compact foldable handle | 40% smaller, 34% lighter at just 17.9kg, with folding handle |
| Ways to Charge | Solar Charging (100W×4): 4 hours Wall Charging: 1.6 hours Car Charging: 12 hours | Solar Charging (100W×4): 7.5 hours Wall Charging: 1.7 hours Car Charging: 24 hours |
| Battery | LiFePO4, 4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity | LiFePO4, 4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
| Safety / UPS | UPS ≤20 ms, multiple protection systems | UPS ≤20 ms, multiple protection systems |
| Warranty | 3 years standard + 2 years extended | 3 years standard + 2 years extended |
Check the full specs of Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 and 2000 v2 here.
Which One Fits Your Stall?
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station – Best portable power station for small night market stalls in Canada
If you’re running a market booth that doesn’t involve cooking, the Explorer 1000 v2 is often all you need. Think of clothing, craft, or accessory stalls, or even a simple drink stand. These setups usually rely on a few lights, a payment machine, and maybe a compact fridge. The 1000 v2, weighing just about 24.2 pounds, is light enough that you can carry it easily from the car to your booth without much effort.
With close to 1 kilowatt-hour of battery capacity, it can comfortably support a variety of small appliances for the duration of an evening: for example, a coffee maker (550W) for about 1.5 hours, an ice maker (500W) for roughly 1.8 hours, a portable refrigerator (60W) for up to 15 hours, or a projector (100W) for around 8 hours. This means your essential devices can stay powered from setup to closing time.
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station – Suitable for food vendors and high-power appliances at Canadian night markets
Food stalls are a different story. They often require high-wattage equipment like induction cooktops, deep fryers, or large coolers that run steadily through the night. This is where the Explorer 2000 v2 comes in.
Offering more than twice the capacity of the 1000 v2 and delivering up to 2,200 watts of continuous power, it gives food vendors the confidence to run multiple appliances at once without interruption. For instance, it can support a coffee maker (1120W) for about 1.8 hours, a portable air conditioner (900W) for 2 hours, or a microwave (1160W) for 1.5 hours. While it’s heavier, Jackery has designed it with sturdy handles, making it practical to move around even for setups that demand serious power.
Tips for Using Portable Power Stations at Night Markets
If you’ve ever run a booth at a Canadian night market—Richmond, Toronto, or even a Montreal street festival—you know how busy it can get. Lights, music, long lines… it’s fun, but losing power mid-rush? Nightmare. The right power station can save the day. Here are a few tips to keep things running smoothly from dusk to closing time:
Do a Test Run at Home
Don’t make the first night your trial run. A day or two beforehand, hook up your lights, payment terminal, maybe even that mini fridge for cold drinks. See how long the battery holds up.
Keep It Safe
Night markets can get crowded, with people brushing past your booth or kids running around. Place your generator in a dry, tucked-away spot. Keep it clear of rain, spilled bubble tea, or oil from the fryer. It’ll last longer, and your cords will stay organized.
Prioritize Essentials
When things get hectic, power your must-haves first—card reader, lighting, refrigeration. If the battery dips low, unplug the extras until the crowd thins out.
A little planning goes a long way. With the right setup and a few smart habits, your best portable power station can power your night market booth from the first spark of neon to the last satisfied customer heading home with a snack in hand.
FAQs
Is it possible to use a portable power station in rainy or wet weather?
Most portable power stations for outdoor vendors in Canada are not waterproof. If you’re using a solar generator at a night market or food stall, make sure to keep in a sheltered, dry spot away from direct splashes or rains.
Is there the capability to charge devices while the station itself is being charged?
Yes. Most current portable power stations allow pass-through charging, so your devices continue to work as the battery is being charged through AC wall, car, or solar panel. It comes in handy on long market days when you can’t afford any downtime.
Are portable power stations quiet enough for Canadian night markets with noise bylaws?
Yes. Unlike gas-powered generators, solar power stations are silent and fume-free. This makes them ideal for vendors at events like the Vancouver night market or Montreal street festivals, where city bylaws often restrict noisy, polluting generators.
Conclusion
In short, choosing the appropriate power station for your night market stall is about some very basic issues. Consider the battery size, the amount of power it can support continuously as well as during peak, how easy it is to carry, as well as the charging option.
So, if your stall mainly runs on low-power devices—like lights, payment machines, or small fans, Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 will meet your needs. If you use multiple mid- to high-power appliances—like small cookers, blenders, or larger coolers, Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is the safer choice.
