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Not Compatible
Mixed Data One side verified • See methodology → ✓ Generator ○ Device

No — the SOLIX C300 is underpowered for a Pancake Air Compressor

No - this pairing is underpowered. Safe target ~2025W running / 10429W surge; the generator provides 300W / 300W.

  • • Continuous power shortfall: needs 1620W (safe target ~2025W), generator provides 300W.
  • • Startup surge shortfall: needs 8343W (safe target ~10429W), generator provides 300W.

Power Margin Analysis

300W / 300W Capacity
Running 1725W short
2025W required
Surge 10129W short
10429W required

Decision Gate Waterfall

Same decision gates as the engine: voltage, running, surge. Runtime is shown as operational context.

1

Voltage Gate

PASS

Device output type must match generator output.

120V required -> 120V available

2

Running Gate

FAIL

Continuous draw with safety buffer applied.

2,025W required -> 300W available (1,725W short)

Required 2,025W required
Available 300W
3

Surge Gate

FAIL

Startup peak with safety buffer applied.

10,429W required -> 300W available (10,129W short)

Required 10,429W required
Available 300W
3b

With Soft-Start

FAIL

Alternative startup path with reduced inrush.

4,693W required -> 300W available (4,393W short)

Required 4,693W
Available 300W
4

Runtime Insight

INFO

Runtime context only. It does not change the electrical compatibility verdict.

Runtime estimate appears after running and surge gates pass.

Power bars show required versus available output for each gate.

See generators that pass natively

Decision Snapshot

Quick compatibility, required headroom, and model-specific context at a glance.

⚡
300W
Running Power
🔋
288Wh
Capacity
⏱️
—
Est. Runtime
☀️
100W
Solar Input

Quick Compatibility Check

  1. 1 Running headroom: target 2025W; generator provides 300W.
  2. 2 Surge headroom: target 10429W; generator provides 300W.
  3. 3 Result: pick a higher-output unit for safe operation.

What To Do Instead

  1. 1 Underpowered: The Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon) needs 2025W running / 10429W surge (with 25% buffer). The SOLIX C300 provides 300W / 300W.
  2. 2 Safe target: Look for a power station with at least 2025W continuous and 10429W surge at 120V.
  3. 3 Compatible alternative: The Delta Pro Ultra X (12000W / 24000W surge) clears this device's requirements.

Model-Specific Results

0 of 3 models are SAFE or TIGHT. Most demanding model: Metabo HPT EC914S 'The Tank' (6-Gal, 1.3 HP, 200 PSI) (8,343W surge).

Model Running Surge Verdict Runtime Source
DeWalt DWFP55126 (6-Gal, 0.9 HP, 165 PSI) 1,200W 6,180W Fail — Engineering Est.
Show expert analysis

Technical: **Running load:** 1200W from OEM rated amps (10A × 120V). **Estimated startup surge:** 6180W at 5.15x running (proxy from CRAFTSMAN OEM data for comparable 6-gallon pancake compressor — no DeWalt starting watts published). **Voltage:** 120V AC. Oil-free pump, 0.9 HP universal motor, 165 PSI max.

Field note: The DWFP55126 is the best-selling pancake compressor in the US. Despite the modest 1200W running draw, the ~6180W startup surge means most power stations under 3000W surge capacity will trip on compressor restart. Size for surge first, not running watts.

Can a portable power station run the DeWalt DWFP55126?

Only if your power source can supply at least 1200W continuous and approximately 6180W surge at 120V. The compressor startup surge is the main limiting factor, not the running watts.
CRAFTSMAN CMEC6150 (6-Gal, 0.8 HP, 150 PSI) 1,320W 6,800W Fail — OEM Verified
Show expert analysis

Technical: **Running load:** 1320W (OEM published). **Startup surge:** 6800W (OEM published, 5.15x running). **Voltage:** 120V AC. Oil-free pump, 0.8 HP motor, 150 PSI max. This is the only variant in this set with OEM-published starting watts.

Field note: The CRAFTSMAN OEM data reveals a critical insight: pancake compressors surge at over 5x running watts — far more than the 3x NEC assumption used for many motor loads. This is because the compressor must overcome residual tank pressure on restart. Always size for the 6800W surge, not the 1320W running draw.

Why does this compressor need so much more starting power than running power?

The motor must overcome compressed air resistance in the tank at startup. CRAFTSMAN rates this model at 6800W starting versus 1320W running — a 5.15x ratio. Most power stations under 3500W surge will fail to start this compressor.
Metabo HPT EC914S 'The Tank' (6-Gal, 1.3 HP, 200 PSI) 1,620W 8,343W Fail — Engineering Est.
Show expert analysis

Technical: **Running load:** 1620W from OEM rated amps (13.5A × 120V). **Estimated startup surge:** 8343W at 5.15x running (proxy from CRAFTSMAN OEM data for comparable 6-gallon pancake compressor — no Metabo HPT starting watts published). **Voltage:** 120V AC. Industrial motor, 1.3 HP, 200 PSI max — the most powerful unit in this set.

Field note: The EC914S draws 35% more running watts and has an estimated 8343W surge — this is the hardest-to-run pancake compressor in the set. Most consumer power stations cannot start it. Its 200 PSI max and 4.0 SCFM output make it a jobsite-grade tool that demands jobsite-grade power.

Why does the Metabo HPT need so much more power than the DeWalt?

At 1.3 HP versus 0.9 HP, the EC914S delivers 54% more air flow and 21% higher max pressure. That extra performance requires 1620W running and an estimated 8343W startup surge — significantly more than entry-level 0.8-0.9 HP compressors.

How This Pairing Performs Across Our Database

This unit is outside the compatible set; 3 of 33 generators pass SAFE/TIGHT for this device.

How Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon) Performs Across 33 Tested Generators

3 of 33 generators are SAFE+TIGHT for Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon).

3 Safe+Tight
Safe 2 (6%)
Tight 1 (3%)
Soft Start 8 (24%)
Fail 22 (67%)

Power Comparison: Anker SOLIX C300 vs Top Alternatives for Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)

Fit class uses buffered needs (running and surge) for this device.

Specs & Surge Analysis

Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Power Tools

Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)

Tire Inflation and Tools

Select Your Model:

DeWalt DWFP55126 (6-Gal, 0.9 HP, 165 PSI)
1200W / 6180W
Est.
CRAFTSMAN CMEC6150 (6-Gal, 0.8 HP, 150 PSI)
1320W / 6800W
OEM
Metabo HPT EC914S 'The Tank' (6-Gal, 1.3 HP, 200 PSI)
1620W / 8343W
Est.
1620W
Running
8343W
Surge
120V
Required

True Surge™ Analysis

Safety Buffer: +25%
Running Power Usage 675% Utilization
2025W required 300W Capacity
1725W short
Surge/Startup Peak 3476% Utilization
10429W required 300W Capacity
10129W short
Voltage Match 120V ↔ 120V ✓

Startup Surge Visual

Compatible Alternatives to SOLIX C300

These generators meet Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)'s voltage, running, and surge requirements.

Best Value Delta Pro Ultra X

Delta Pro Ultra X

12000W • 6144Wh

Runtime at your load
~2.7h
Capacity Fit Fixed 6144Wh

Lowest capacity that still clears surge + running load.

View analysis →
Max Runtime Delta Pro Ultra

Delta Pro Ultra

6000W • 6144Wh

Runtime at your load
~2.7h
Longest Runtime Fixed 6144Wh

Highest available capacity for longer runtime.

View analysis →

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Surge Calculator
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Technical Analysis

Spec-Based • No Guarantees

Technical Breakdown

Running range: 1200W to 1620W depending on motor size (0.8-1.3 HP). Surge range: 6180W to 8343W — pancake compressors surge at approximately 5x running watts due to compressed air resistance on restart. Voltage: 120V AC for all models.

Expected Behavior

Compressors cycle between cut-in and cut-out pressure, creating repeated surge events during use. Daily energy consumption at 1 hour use ranges from 600 to 1215 Wh depending on model and duty cycle. Recommended duty cycle is 50-75% (30-45 minutes per hour max).

Field Note

Compressor startup surge is the primary compatibility bottleneck — not running watts. A power station rated at 2000W continuous but only 3000W surge will fail to start any compressor in this set. OEM data shows pancake compressors surge at over 5x running, far exceeding the 3x often assumed for motor loads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Anker SOLIX C300 power a Pancake Air Compressor?

No. The Anker SOLIX C300 falls short on both running (300W offered vs 2025W needed) and surge (300W offered vs 10429W needed). Safe targets include a 25% buffer for the Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)'s compressor load profile.

How long will the SOLIX C300 run a Pancake Air Compressor?

No reliable runtime estimate — this pairing is not compatible. The Anker SOLIX C300 cannot safely power the Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon). See compatible alternatives above for power stations that meet this device's requirements.

Power Tip: To get the most out of your SOLIX C300, keep it in a well-ventilated area. Extreme temperatures can slightly reduce the efficiency of the LFP/NMC cells.

Compare all 33 generators for the Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)

Ranked by budget, runtime, and overall compatibility.

See full ranking
Related Guides: How to Size a Power Station What Are Surge Watts? Soft-Starters Guide
Technical Sourcing & Verification
ID: anker-solix-c300-air-compressor-pancake
🏛️ Device Data Source
Engineering Est. Safety Factor Applied

Derived from variant list (max of variants). Running worst case = Metabo HPT EC914S (1620W). Surge worst case = Metabo HPT EC914S (8343W). Surge ratio 5.15x derived from CRAFTSMAN CMEC6150 OEM-published start/run watts (6800W/1320W).

⚡ Generator Specs Source
OEM Verified

Anker SOLIX C300 User Manual (EN-US)

Methodology informed by US Department of Energy (DOE) & EIA references where applicable. Our methodology →