Compare the kits
Same regulated 12V out. Pick by where it lives and what you're running.
Your batteries
All three kits come in Milwaukee M18, Makita LXT and DeWALT XR/FlexVolt. Batteries not included.
What's the job?
Tap a job and we'll point you at a kit. Or compare all three below.
For that job
Middle Man
$349 · Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt
- Two batteries: about 24 hrs on two 6Ah packs in our fridge test (32L fridge at 4°C in 26°C shade, pre-cooled, doors shut). Yours will vary.
- Smart Contacts take two M18 packs that don’t match: different sizes, different charge.Works best with a matched pair of MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT batteries (same size, both charged).
- Strap and S-hook in the box. Engel fridge hooks sold separately.
Also worth a look: Battle Station ($198), if the fridge lives in the canopy and one battery is enough.
For that job
Middle Man
$349 · Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt
- Car power while you drive, battery power when you park. Add the $45 car cable. Doesn’t charge your batteries.
- Two batteries keep the fridge going once you’re parked up.
- Smart Contacts take two M18 packs that don’t match: different sizes, different charge.Works best with a matched pair of MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT batteries (same size, both charged).
Also worth a look: Battle Station ($198), if you don’t need car power.
For that job
Battle Station
$198 · Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt
- Bolts in: 4 × 3.5 mm holes on 90 mm and 60 mm centres. Use your own fixings.
- Runs most portable 12V fridges, lights, pumps or a Starlink Mini.
- Smart LVD cuts power at 14.0V under load, before your MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT pack over-discharges.Makita packs have protection built into the battery. It shuts off before the pack runs too low.
Also worth a look: Power Plate ($279) with the $45 fixed bracket, if you want a flood light too.
For that job
Power Plate
$279 · Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt
- Built-in flood light you can aim. Lights up trees about 30 m away.
- Clamps or straps on almost anywhere. No tools.
- Runs most portable 12V fridges, pumps, fans or a Starlink Mini too.
Also worth a look: Middle Man ($349), for longer fridge runs off two batteries.
For that job
Middle Man
$349 · Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt
- Smart Contacts take two M18 packs that don’t match: different sizes, different charge.
- Drains the fuller pack first until they’re level, then both together.
- The two packs are isolated, so neither feeds the other.
Also worth a look: Battle Station ($198) or Power Plate ($279), if one battery will do.
For that job
Middle Man
$349 · Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt
- Two batteries and more output than our single-battery kits, so there’s room to run both.
- Add the Starlink Mini to Anderson cable (from $49).
- Smart Contacts take two M18 packs that don’t match: different sizes, different charge.Works best with a matched pair of MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT batteries (same size, both charged).
Also worth a look: Running the Starlink Mini on its own? Any of the three will do it.
Heads up
Use a matched pair
- Mismatched packs are a Milwaukee Middle Man feature (Smart Contacts).
- The MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT Middle Man works best with a matched pair: same size, both charged.
- Battle Station and Power Plate take one battery, so matching doesn’t matter.
Also worth a look: Got M18 packs too? The Milwaukee Middle Man takes mismatched packs.
Side by side
| Showing Milwaukee M18Makita LXTDeWALT XR/FlexVolt kits. |
Your pick
Middle ManBest seller$349 inc. GSTChoose Milwaukee Middle ManChoose Makita Middle ManChoose DeWALT Middle Man |
Your pick
Battle Station$198 inc. GSTChoose Milwaukee Battle StationChoose Makita Battle StationChoose DeWALT Battle Station |
Your pick
Power Plate$279 inc. GSTChoose Milwaukee Power PlateChoose Makita Power PlateChoose DeWALT Power Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | |||
| How it sits | Middle Man: Hangs or straps on | Battle Station: Bolts in, stays put | Power Plate: Clamps or straps on |
| Fixing | Middle Man: Strap + S-hook in the box. Fridge and wall hooks extra | Battle Station: 4 × 3.5 mm holes on 90 mm and 60 mm centres. Your fixings | Power Plate: 2 clamps, strap + S-hook in the box. Bracket extra |
| Power | |||
| Batteries | Middle Man: 2 | Battle Station: 1 | Power Plate: 1 |
| Runs a 12V fridge | Middle Man: Yes, bigger fridges too | Battle Station: Most portable fridges | Power Plate: Most portable fridges |
| Not sure? Check the sticker on your fridge. Under 5A suits all three. | |||
| Fridge runtime (our test) | Middle Man: About 24 hrs on two 6Ah packs | Battle Station: One battery. Use the calculator | Power Plate: One battery. Use the calculator |
| Our test: 32L fridge set to 4°C in 26°C shade, pre-cooled, doors shut. Yours will vary. | |||
| Fridge + Starlink Mini at once | Middle Man: Room for both | Battle Station: Depends on your fridge. Use the calculator | Power Plate: Depends on your fridge. Use the calculator |
| Max output (spec) | Middle Man: 10A | Battle Station: 5A | Power Plate: 5A |
| Extras | |||
| Car power while you drive (does not charge) | Middle Man: Yes, $45 cable | Battle Station: No | Power Plate: No |
| Built-in flood light | Middle Man: No | Battle Station: No | Power Plate: Yes, aim it |
| Your MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT batteries | |||
| Mismatched packs, one low, one full | Middle Man: Yes, Smart ContactsMatched pair best | Battle Station: One battery | Power Plate: One battery |
| In the box | |||
| What you get | Middle Man: Adapter, cig socket lead, strap, S-hook, carry bag | Battle Station: Adapter, cig socket lead | Power Plate: Adapter with light, cig socket lead, 2 clamps, strap, S-hook, carry bag |
Same on all three
How long will it run my fridge?Put in your fridge and your batteries. Get an estimate.
›
- Regulated 12V out (13.5V actual), not raw battery voltage
- Genuine Anderson plug out, and an Anderson to cig socket lead in the box
- Solar sharing with a Y-splitter (sold separately). Does not charge your batteries.
- Fused inside, with 6 safety protections
- 12-month warranty
Why pay more than a cheap adapter?
Because what's inside decides whether your pack survives.
Battery protection.Fused protection. Smart LVD cuts power at 14.0V under load, before your MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT pack over-discharges.Makita packs have protection built into the battery. It shuts off before the pack runs too low.Fused inside, with 6 safety protections. Makita packs add their own cut-out.
Proper parts. Genuine Anderson plugs and stainless hardware. Omron relays in the Middle Man.
Housing. Milwaukee Middle Man and Battle Station: injection-moulded Covestro Bayblend, flame retardant to UL 94 V-0. Power Plate: polycarbonate. Not cheap brittle plastic.MilwaukeeMakitaDeWALT kits: polycarbonate housing and stainless hardware. Not cheap brittle plastic.
Designed and assembled in Queensland. 12-month warranty.
Quick answers
Will any of them charge my batteries?
No. They run your 12V gear off your tool batteries. With the Middle Man, the car takes over while you drive. Solar sharing (all three, with a Y-splitter) adds panel power. Neither charges your batteries.
Will it run my fridge and a Starlink Mini?
Running both together? Go the Middle Man: two batteries and more output than the single-battery kits. You'll need the Starlink Mini to Anderson cable (from $49).
What else might I need?
Every kit has an Anderson to cig socket lead. Optional: the $45 car cable (Middle Man), a Y-splitter for solar, Engel fridge hooks, the $45 Power Plate bracket. The car cable and solar don't charge your batteries.
How do I mount the Battle Station?
Four 3.5 mm holes on 90 mm and 60 mm centres. Screw, bolt or rivet it with your own fixings. See the mounting drawing.
Free Express Post on every kit in Australia. Order by 3pm Brisbane time on a business day and it ships that day.