BougeRV rates its PC35 portable air conditioner at 400 watts and 3 amps on 110V AC, but the number that decides whether a battery can run it is the startup surge: up to 2,000W, or 18A, for an instant as the compressor kicks on. BougeRV’s user manual is explicit, recommending a power station or inverter with at least 2kW of continuous output. That makes the PC35 easy to power at a campsite hookup and a real planning job off-grid.
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I tested the PC35 cooling my tent. This guide uses BougeRV’s published ratings to work out how much battery it needs, how long it can run, and how to get more hours from the same capacity. Runtime numbers are my estimates.
The PC35’s electrical ratings
| Rating | BougeRV PC35 |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | AC 100–120V, 50/60Hz |
| Rated input power | 400W |
| Rated current | 3A |
| Startup surge | Up to 2kW (110V, 18A max) |
| Recommended source | Battery/power station or inverter with ≥2kW continuous output |
| Cooling capacity | 3,500 BTU (1,000W) |
| Recommended space | About 212 cu ft (product page); a 2-person tent (manual) |
| Modes | Strong, Cool, Sleep, Fan, Dry |
| Sleep-mode power use at 86°F (BougeRV test) | 563W |
| Noise | 55dB (product page); 55–65dB(A) (manual) |
| Water resistance | IPX5 |
| Working temperature | 60–109°F |
| Weight | 34.17 lb |
Source: BougeRV PC35 product page (spec table and PC35 vs PC35 Pro comparison) and the PC35 user manual, checked October 17, 2026.
Why the surge matters more than the 400W
A compressor motor needs a burst of current to get moving. For a fraction of a second the PC35 can pull five times its rated power. Many power stations list a “surge” or “peak” figure, but BougeRV asks for 2kW continuous rather than peak, presumably to leave margin for that start-up spike. The manual also warns that the surge can trip circuit breakers, so a weak campground pedestal or a small inverter may shut off as the compressor starts.
Practically, that means a power station in the roughly 2,000W-continuous class or above, such as the EcoFlow Delta 3 Max or Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra, rather than a compact 600W unit.
Energy use: what BougeRV’s 400W and 563W figures mean
BougeRV publishes two different power numbers for the PC35. The user manual lists a rated input power of 400W. Separately, the PC35 vs PC35 Pro comparison table on BougeRV’s product pages lists power consumption of 563W in Sleep mode at 86°F for the PC35, against 274W for the inverter-compressor PC35 Pro. That 563W is a measured figure from BougeRV’s own test, not a rating, and it is the only mode-specific consumption number BougeRV gives. A Japanese comparison citing BougeRV’s launch materials pairs it with an electricity cost of about 18 yen per hour at 32 yen per kWh, which works out to roughly 0.56kWh for each hour of running.
BougeRV doesn’t explain why its test result sits above the 400W rating, or publish the test length or room setup. So for battery planning, treat 563W as BougeRV’s own worst-case-style reference at 86°F, and the lower rows below as estimates for milder nights when the fixed-speed compressor cycles off more often. Real use depends on outside temperature, shade, how well the tent is sealed and the mode you choose.
| Scenario | Average draw | Energy per 8 hours |
|---|---|---|
| BougeRV’s Sleep-mode test at 86°F | 563W (BougeRV) | ~4,500Wh (estimate) |
| At the 400W rated input (assumed) | 400W | 3,200Wh (estimate) |
| Hot night, ~75% duty cycle | ~300W (estimate) | ~2,400Wh (estimate) |
| Mild night, ~50% duty cycle | ~200W (estimate) | ~1,600Wh (estimate) |
Add roughly 10–15% for inverter losses when running from a battery.
Runtime on common power stations (estimate)
Usable energy ≈ capacity × 0.85. Divide by average draw for hours.
| Power station | Capacity / continuous output | 563W (BougeRV test) | ~300W avg | ~200W avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra | 1,536Wh / 1,800W (2,000W for 15 min) | ~2.3 h | ~4.4 h | ~6.5 h |
| EcoFlow Delta 3 Max | 2,048Wh / 2,400W | ~3.1 h | ~5.8 h | ~8.7 h |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | 2,048Wh / 2,400W | ~3.1 h | ~5.8 h | ~8.7 h |
| C2000 Gen 2 + BP2000 | 4,096Wh / 2,400W | ~6.2 h | ~11.6 h | ~17.4 h |
Capacity and output figures are from each maker’s spec sheet. Check that any station you choose meets BougeRV’s 2kW continuous recommendation; the 1500 Ultra’s 1,800W rating is below it, so confirm with BougeRV before relying on that pairing.
Worked example: one night in the desert (estimate)
You pre-cool the tent in Strong mode for 30 minutes (400W × 0.5h = 200Wh), then run Sleep mode for eight hours at an assumed 250W average (2,000Wh). Total: about 2,200Wh, or roughly 2,600Wh drawn from the battery once inverter losses are included. A 2kWh power station would fall short; a 2kWh station topped up by solar in the evening, or a 4kWh setup, would get through the night.
Now run the same night at BougeRV’s own 563W Sleep-mode figure: 200Wh of pre-cooling plus 563W × 8h (4,504Wh) is about 4,700Wh, or roughly 5,500Wh from the battery after inverter losses. On an 86°F night, plan for the bigger number, or use the timer to run the PC35 for the hottest few hours only (estimate).
How to cut the PC35’s power use
- Shade first. A reflective tarp above the tent with an air gap reduces the heat the AC has to remove.
- Seal the exhaust hose outside the tent; hot air leaking back in forces longer compressor runs.
- Use Sleep mode overnight and set a sensible target temperature rather than the minimum 61°F.
- Pre-cool on shore power or solar while the sun is still up, so the battery handles maintenance cooling only.
- Use the shutdown timer to turn it off before dawn, when outdoor temperatures drop.
- Size the space. BougeRV recommends about 212 cubic feet of space, and the manual suggests a 2-person tent; a larger tent will keep the compressor running.
Measure your own numbers
The most reliable way to plan is to measure. Plug the PC35 into a power station that shows live watts in its app or screen, or use a plug-in watt meter on shore power, and note the reading in each mode over an hour. Most power stations also show cumulative energy used. One evening of logging tells you more about your tent, climate and settings than any spec sheet, and it turns the estimates above into real numbers you can build a battery plan around.
Shore power and generators
At a campsite with a 15A or 20A outlet, the PC35’s 3A running current leaves plenty of room. The startup surge can still trip a breaker that is already near its limit, so avoid running a kettle or microwave on the same circuit as the compressor starts. On an inverter generator, check that its rated (not peak) output meets the 2kW figure.
Adding solar to stretch the night (estimate)
Solar can’t run the PC35 after dark, but it can refill the battery during the day and run the AC through the hot afternoon. As a planning figure, panels often deliver about 75% of their rating in good sun:
| Solar array | Energy over 5 good sun hours | What that covers |
|---|---|---|
| 200W | ~750Wh | About 3 hours at a ~200W mild-night average |
| 400W | ~1,500Wh | Most of a mild night, or about 2.5 hours at BougeRV’s 563W figure |
| 800W | ~3,000Wh | A mild night plus pre-cooling, if the station accepts 800W of solar |
Check your power station’s maximum solar input and voltage window before buying panels. A 2kWh station with 400–800W of panels is a practical setup for weekend trips with the PC35 on mild nights. Hot nights at the 563W figure still call for a bigger battery.
Power station checklist for the PC35
- Continuous AC output of 2,000W or more, per BougeRV’s recommendation, not just a peak figure.
- At least 2kWh of capacity for a mild night, and more for hot nights or two-night trips.
- A display or app that shows live watts, so you can measure the PC35’s real draw in each mode.
- Solar input you can actually use at camp, to put energy back before the next evening.
Where to buy
BougeRV PC35 Portable Air Conditioner on Amazon
Related reading
- My BougeRV PC35 tent review
- Portable AC for tent camping: three units compared
- EcoFlow Delta 3 Max review
FAQ
How many watts does the BougeRV PC35 use?
The manual rates it at 400W and 3A on 110V AC, and BougeRV’s comparison table lists 563W in Sleep mode at 86°F from its own test. Startup can briefly reach 2kW.
Can a 1,000W power station run the PC35?
BougeRV recommends at least 2kW of continuous output because of the startup surge, so a 1,000W unit is below its guidance.
How long will the PC35 run on a 2kWh battery?
About 3 hours at BougeRV’s 563W Sleep-mode test figure, and roughly 6–9 hours on milder nights when the compressor cycles more (estimate).
Does the PC35 run on 12V?
No. It is a 110V AC unit, so it needs an inverter or a power station’s AC outlets.
Will it trip a campground breaker?
Its running current is only 3A, but BougeRV warns the startup surge can trip breakers, especially on a shared, loaded circuit.
Is the PC35 Pro more efficient?
On BougeRV’s own comparison table, yes. It lists 274W in Sleep mode at 86°F for the inverter-compressor PC35 Pro, compared with 563W for the PC35. That’s roughly half the energy for the same test.
Can solar panels run the PC35 directly?
No. The PC35 is a 110V AC unit, so solar has to go through a power station or inverter system with enough continuous output for the startup surge.
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