Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh/2000W Portable Power Station $1698

SpinControl

Pro

Mar 15, 2021 03:45 AM

4,050 Posts

Joined Sep 2009

SpinControl

Pro

Mar 15, 2021 03:45 AM

4,050 Posts

Quote from kherbinoskie

:

I am not here to defend this product, I am not buying it. I just want to share more info.

A Group 24 Marine Battery usually weights 50lbs, rated at 80Ah which is around 900 WH... however, batteries like this should not be discharged for more than 50% so you can only use 450WH. You need 3 of this battery to match this posted product useable stored power. Now your system is 100lbs heavier and $200 more.
Now you need a bigger case for 3 batteries. I doubt that will still be $8.
Also, Deep Cycle Marine batteries has around 500 charge cycles (at 50% discharge cycles.. worse life cycle if discharged more). So you will need 6 sets of 3. What does that mean, you will need 18x Group 24 Deep Cycle Marine Batteries to match this. Looks like that's the cost of the whole Bluetti system. And still, after that, this Bluetti will still work at 80% capacity and the 18 batteries you had were long gone.
This Marine batteries are for outdoors. You may want to consider that.
For 12v system, you will need thick and heavy 1 gauge wires (for safety) to connect the 3 batteries and inverter together. This 1gauge wire and heavy duty connectors and breakers are expensive. Add another $100+ for your budget.
You forgot to add a 700w MPPT charge controller (to match this). For 12v system, you need a 60A MPPT. Add another $150 for your budget.
This Buetti also includes USB chargers, Power delivery, and 2 wireless chargers. If you want to match that, that's probably will cost you another $100 for quality ones.
This Bluetti includes monitoring too. It monitors cells individually, gives you input and output numbers. etc. I don't think there's a 1 single device solution for this if you want it. Noticed your homemade system is getting bulkier, heavier and more expensive?
You don't really want to siphon gas for safety and health. Most modern cars have screen filter too so your hose won't really reach the gas.
Would you keep running a conventional gas generator just to charge 4 cellphones? A full tank will usually ran out in 8-12 hrs even on idle. This Bluetti will give your 4 cellphones juice 24/7 for weeks and you can use it indoors, anytime.. no fumes, no gas, no loud noise, no spark plugs etc.

All in all, I am not still buying this Bluetti because like you said, people like me don't have that disposable income. I'll wait for more competition to drive the price down.... however your alternative solutions for this weren't any better. In fact, it is more expensive and dangerous.

"Deep cycle battery, on the other hand, have much thicker plates and, they are solid, not sponge. These thicker plates have less surface area and thus less of the instant power that a starting battery needs. They are designed to be discharged down to 20% of their maximum charge repetitively."
http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/...attery-faq
Walmart's EverStart Group 24 has 101 Ah.
So ~1200 Wh.

My BatteryMinder does not need a 60A MPPT when charging.

Individual case is fine. Why put all three together? Again 80% discharge, so just swap batteries if you need to use more. I have 2 batteries for my camper, so unlike the Bluetti, I can use my 12v in multiple tasks. Run camper; run with inverter during outage.

While it may not have as much charge time (need higher Group?), have 2 12v deep cycle marines at $80 is still cheaper than this LiFePO4.

I cannot comment on the safety just during discharge.
Charging any LiPO or 12v is done in my garage. Don't want any of these exploding if overcharged. The BatteryMinder charger for the 12v should not overcharge though.
If worried about H gas, then use the battery and inverter outside on the porch/garage.

kherbinoskie

Mar 15, 2021 04:12 AM

1,719 Posts

Joined Feb 2015

kherbinoskieMar 15, 2021 04:12 AM

1,719 Posts

Quote from SpinControl

:

"Deep cycle battery, on the other hand, have much thicker plates and, they are solid, not sponge. These thicker plates have less surface area and thus less of the instant power that a starting battery needs. They are designed to be discharged down to 20% of their maximum charge repetitively."
http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/...attery-faq
Walmart's EverStart Group 24 has 101 Ah.
So ~1200 Wh.

My BatteryMinder does not need a 60A MPPT when charging.

Individual case is fine. Why put all three together? Again 80% discharge, so just swap batteries if you need to use more. I have 2 batteries for my camper, so unlike the Bluetti, I can use my 12v in multiple tasks. Run camper; run with inverter during outage.

While it may not have as much charge time (need higher Group?), have 2 12v deep cycle marines at $80 is still cheaper than this LiFePO4.

I cannot comment on the safety just during discharge.
Charging any LiPO or 12v is done in my garage. Don't want any of these exploding if overcharged. The BatteryMinder charger for the 12v should not overcharge though.
If worried about H gas, then use the battery and inverter outside on the porch/garage.

You basically gave us a link that says not to discharge Deep Cycle (thick plate) batteries below 50%. Thin plates like your regular car battery should not be discharged below 80%. Nice article find BTW. Of course you can discharge Deep Cycle batteries to 20% if you wish but you are killing it. It means that the charge cycle will drop drastically, it will boil and corrode. The link you provided even have a graph of that. Did you even read it?

BTW, This Bluetti does not have LiPo batteries.. it is has LiFePO4 which you can discharge safely to 1% with no long term effect . It is also much stable than your Deepcycle battery. LiFePO4 has 3000 life charge cycle then after that, capacity drops to 80% but you can still use it.

The LiFePO4 is way way way cheaper than Deep Cycle batteries in the long run. Not to mention it is more stable, more portable, no fumes, no spills, no water level maintenance and way way more light weight.

3

jawshoeaw

Mar 15, 2021 05:59 AM

711 Posts

Joined Nov 2011

jawshoeawMar 15, 2021 05:59 AM

711 Posts

Quote from jjmIII

:

Just get a generator for 1/3 the cost.

Lol right ? But these things are coming down in price and no gasoline to store ... if you lived in an apartment maybe

CoreK

Mar 15, 2021 07:52 AM

8 Posts

Joined Jan 2020

CoreKMar 15, 2021 07:52 AM

8 Posts

If you can spring for something like this and a small generator (single/dual/triple fuel), it's a great combo imo. Think of it like a hybrid car setup; with pass-thru charging (or simply switch the power cords around), you run a fuel generator that can charge this up and run your fridge/furnace/lights/fan/internet/etc. Overnight, you can power down the fuel generator and the ~1.8kWh is enough to run the appliances - you don't have to worry about noise or running out of fuel in the middle of the night.

imo running electric heat in an emergency (I'd go with targeted electric heat, like a heated blanket/jacket/etc), even with portable generators (<3kW) is really not ideal and rather wasteful; fine if you have a fuel heater and all you need is power for the furnace fan, if not I prefer something like a BuddyHeater.

Last edited by CoreK March 15, 2021 at 11:55 AM.

4

vash01000100

Mar 15, 2021 11:14 AM

147 Posts

Joined Jan 2011

vash01000100Mar 15, 2021 11:14 AM

147 Posts

If you are willing to wait, Omnicharge is coming out with their 2kw off-grid station soon. I've tried tons of different brands and Omnicharge beats them all in terms of power management.

firelikeiya

Mar 15, 2021 01:17 PM

4,686 Posts

Joined Mar 2010

firelikeiyaMar 15, 2021 01:17 PM

4,686 Posts

Quote from Toller

:

I had a 3kw generator 15 years ago that repeatedly had a clogged carb. I don't remember if it was a Honda or a Yamaha, but it wasn't a cheap Chinese clone.

OTOH I had a Craftsman snow blower that wouldn't start the second year, still under warranty. The repair man told me it was a POS and I should plan on replacing the carb yearly. It never clogged again. Go figure.

I doubt it was a Honda. My parents still use a Honda generator from the 70's. Definitely wasn't designed for ethanol fuel but starts up on 1 or 2 pulls every time.

There is a lot of designed obsolescence with the cheap Chinese stuff out there... at least it has got to be otherwise it is some of the worst engineering in the world. A lot of the cheap power tools out there are really bad. If your Craftsman snow blower has a Huayi carburetor, then that is your problem.

EDIT: I missed the part about it running now. Maybe he just made sure it was tuned right. I know with my Stihl power tools the shop I use makes sure the carburetors are properly adjusted before you leave the store. I've never had an issue with any Stihl power tools. Stihl carburetors are different then most though. They have multiple adjustments.

Last edited by firelikeiya March 15, 2021 at 07:29 AM.

Toller

Mar 15, 2021 01:20 PM

1,610 Posts

Joined Jan 2011

TollerMar 15, 2021 01:20 PM

1,610 Posts

Quote from SpinControl

:

https://preparednessadvice.com/si...-damaging/

So it might work, or might require replacing the fuel pump. I'll pass.

ClownBaby

Mar 15, 2021 01:40 PM

2,304 Posts

Joined Oct 2007

ClownBabyMar 15, 2021 01:40 PM

2,304 Posts

I can't believe people are talking about using this to power a heater...it will last like an hour.

Better off getting a wood-burning stove and a couple cords of wood.

jmagnant1

Mar 15, 2021 01:44 PM

102 Posts

Joined Jun 2013

jmagnant1Mar 15, 2021 01:44 PM

102 Posts

Quote from CoreK

:

If you can spring for something like this and a small generator (single/dual/triple fuel), it's a great combo imo. Think of it like a hybrid car setup; with pass-thru charging (or simply switch the power cords around), you run a fuel generator that can charge this up and run your fridge/furnace/lights/fan/internet/etc. Overnight, you can power down the fuel generator and the ~1.8kWh is enough to run the appliances - you don't have to worry about noise or running out of fuel in the middle of the night.

imo running electric heat in an emergency, even with portable generators (<3kW) is really not ideal and rather wasteful; fine if you have a fuel heater and all you need is power for the furnace fan, if not I prefer something like a BuddyHeater.

This is key. In single digit cold last month in TX, propane in small tank would not start dual fuel portable generators.

Nat gas has never stopped in TX gulf coast emergencies in 50+ yrs. Less power output but reliable and sufficient fuel for emergency duration, no lines, no siphon, no SUN. Tri fuel gen here is king if noise and outside source isn't factor.

Gas is fine if you run carb dry of gas and treat stored gas. Skip that, and you have to clean the carb. Replacement carbs are about $20, but Amazon doesn't deliver in weather emergencies.

WHAT WE DID IN TX IN FEB...

Bro has this battery gen. I have gas port 5500W generator and 27 gal of gas. We used them together to mostly keep life normal, watch TV with living room light and space heater. Heated blankets at night, trivial power... use the battery for all this.

Multiple space heaters for a couple warm rooms, we used the gas gen. Mom is older, needed normal temps req space heaters.

Both of these power sources have operational limitations you have to consider. Redundancy and not depending on a single fuel source is one sometimes missed. During hurricane Harvey, power was out for > a week, so no refueling of cans. Longer than usual, but not unpredictable or impossible. Needed a lot of gas (thus 27 gal). Can cycle through cars every year, but usually OK if treated and run carb dry.

Each power source has pro's and con's. Emergency preparedness requires defining requirements and scenarios (including time) and choosing solutions to meet or exceed those. No solution is perfect in all cases. Choose wisely. For YOUR situation.

5

hondaman82

Pro

Mar 15, 2021 06:58 PM

3,353 Posts

Joined Nov 2005

hondaman82

Pro

Mar 15, 2021 06:58 PM

3,353 Posts

nice!!!

Last edited by hondaman82 March 29, 2021 at 07:15 PM.

1

cschme3303

Mar 16, 2021 07:44 AM

511 Posts

Joined Aug 2015

cschme3303Mar 16, 2021 07:44 AM

511 Posts

sneak this puppy under your desk at work, charge 'er up. bring it home.

1

nolie

Mar 16, 2021 03:45 PM

33 Posts

Joined Aug 2015

nolieMar 16, 2021 03:45 PM

33 Posts

Quote from teaberry

:

Could I run a Danby 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner on one of these? Any idea on approximately how long? TIA

*Sounds like maybe about 3hrs as start-up may be 1600w but on-going is about 600w.

Where did you manage to find them open box? I'd be interested in waiting a bit to see one on the market. Thank you.

Pass through charging capability for AC200 I think is 700W so assuming you have enough Solar going in, you could even run this during the day without drawing down the battery.

teaberry

Mar 16, 2021 04:24 PM

12,476 Posts

Joined Jan 2009

teaberryMar 16, 2021 04:24 PM

12,476 Posts

Thanks, I need to look into the solar panels as well.

Quote from nolie

:

Pass through charging capability for AC200 I think is 700W so assuming you have enough Solar going in, you could even run this during the day without drawing down the battery.

Tedusmc2009

Mar 16, 2021 04:41 PM

850 Posts

Joined Apr 2018

Tedusmc2009Mar 16, 2021 04:41 PM

850 Posts

For this price I would just got honda eu1000i. It will outlast the battery station.

Tedusmc2009

Mar 16, 2021 04:44 PM

850 Posts

Joined Apr 2018

Tedusmc2009Mar 16, 2021 04:44 PM

850 Posts

Quote from extraj

:

It's a very different use case. This is like commenting on a sunglasses deal and telling people to get a hat instead.

If you need over 500w power, the power station is useless for your.
The hat will will block the sun for your eyes and head.

1

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Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh/2000W Portable Power Station $1698

$1,698

$1,898

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