Thank you for the video but especially the added info on the wiring, fuse and connectors sizes. Most videos don’t cover that last part which is probably the most important to newbies like myself
This was very helpful. I knew about the Charger 1, but this really explained it. I was on the fence about getting one of these, but now will consider it, for home, and also to use at a later build in my van.
If you have Ecoflow Delta power stations, the Ecoflow version is far better, with a full 800W even with engine idle, and can reverse charge and trickle charge. Plus the connecting cables are far higher quality and the unit itself sturdier and better built.
The only thing missing is a nice big knob on it to adjust the output voltage without having to use the app:D If only this was available. It's sold out on Amazon and the Bluetti web site. I want one for a different application in that i can hook it up to the 25A 12V output of my AC200MAX and use that to charge all of my smaller power stations as it is higher efficiency than the built in chargers of most small power stations and just using that output on the AC200MAX means it will last days instead of hours using the big AC inverter. I have the Pecron (got it super cheap after watching your review. I also got the EcoFlow alternator charger with a Delta 2 promotion which works great as well. Great review of a great new product!
An adjustable knob would be really cool! I could see someone not knowing about voltage frying a smaller unit though. The smart app has the built in safety for that at least. When using the basic mode, it only will output 27 volts or lower. When using the custom pro mode gives you the warning about high voltage.
Thank you excellent video. I think the charger 1 has blown solar out the window I live 🇬🇧 so our solar is well rubbish. This thing has just made my year. 💯💯
Thanks - I just received it and will install in my camper. I have a 200L and it works great - I only wish that Bluetti would have included this and the dc-to-dc D40 functionality in the 200L - a relatively inexpensive power stations gets expensive with these add ons. Great look as always.
I definitely would like to see a comparison video on these and also your simple homemade version comparison to these new units. Thank you for this video, you always put your best into them 👍
Another great capability is that you can TURN IT OFF from inside your car! This lets you remove the alternator load on the fly, without having to get outbof car. As well as reduce the alternator load as you showed. My Pecron, I have to stop, get out of truck, and go turn it off. I might like to do this at night, rain, cold, when alternator loads are high. Great video, YES to a 4 way comparison!
Great video….i have the Ecoflow alternator charger which I love….i will say if you have an Ecoflow product i would recommend using Ecoflow, the reason is it doesn’t use your solar input thus allowing solar and alternator charging simultaneously. I have 2 delta pro with 1 extra battery each along with 400ah which the 2 alternator chargers are connected in my 5th wheel with 2800 watts of solar. I have a 1/0 guage cable with Anderson connector from tow vehicle to 5th wheel. With this setup I am able to run with full power to the rig wit a/c running with residential refrigerator and be fully charged when arriving to camp site even on cloudy days.
I charge the fridge/freezer and Delta 2 and River all at the same time from the vehicle. The fridge is connected directly to one of the SUV's three 12V sockets, the Delta 2 is connected directly to the 800W alternator charger, and the River is plugged into the AC socket of the Delta 2.
I am team Ecoflow also and bought the Delta2-DCAlternator bundle 5/2024. No permanent install of the alternator generator. I installed heavy duty battery clamps to the charger and can attach to my vehicle battery or a 100 ah standalone. I have the new Delta2 plus RiverPro2, Delta Max 2000 so a lot of transportable power and charging options ... somewhat similar to @Globetrotter-1 when in my YukonXL car camping setup except I don't currently take the DeltaMax but DO take a Wave2 and Glacier. I live in NW Montana and travel in Pac NW preferable mountain/forest so solar is not a great option. I think the DC-DC option (Ecoflow or Bluetti - whichever team you committed to :) ) is a great alternative to solar and less expensive!
@@theroadhome_Liz_Summers I still use solar panels when parked up for long periods. The large Ecoflow bifacial folding panels are great (although the bag stand is awful and too fiddly). If I'm parked up in the wilds (and not driving to locations) for weeks during rain, snow or overcast weather, or inside the shade of a forest, then I'll simply start the engine and run it for an hour or more on idle. This quickly charges the Delta & River at a full 800W, so it is a great option to have.
Thanks for this deep dive into the Charger 1. I always appreciate you clear and thorough descriptions. A feature you didn't mention is that the Charger 1 will turn off when it senses that the engine has stopped. Perhaps for this reason Bluetti says that the charger won't work with EV's. Presumably it will work with PHEV's at times when they operate in modes in which the ICE is always running. But during an long outage, who wouldn't appreciate being able to make use of the 100 kWh in an EV (or 25 kWh in a PHEV) just sitting there in the garage? I hope you and other reviewers will encourage Bluetti to provide a means of shutting off the ICE sensor to make it usable with electric vehicles whose 12V batteries are being charged by the high-voltage batteries. In the meantime, I wonder if there's any work-around that would make this possible.
Recommend another video on this being used on an EV (turned and kept "on", there's gotta be a workaround to be able to use this device on non-ICE) as a way to tap that full XXX kWh capacity through the 12V battery. This would be a huge upgrade over needing to use another inverter (with its losses) tapping the vehicle's 12V. Please find an EV and make that video, show us it can be done!!!
This cuts off charging at 12v. It would definitely work on an EV as the built in DC to DC converter of the drive battery is charging the smaller 12v accessory battery.
@@Jasonoid as someone who has been recently browsing EV+clamp on inverter videos for a makeshift V2L solution, and trying to figure how to also get my AC180 into the mix, I can say a video to do that with the Charger-1 (to avoid the extra inverter & losses, and control the draw to any power station), well that video would be first of its type and highly relevant as we approach winter!
Here's a full video about that concept (using one of these converters to pull power from an EV battery). The large drive battery charges the small 12v battery with a DC to DC converter. It should work just fine since the voltage holds above 12v. Super awesome concept in my opinion: ua-cam.com/video/SRp_JMw95qE/v-deo.htmlsi=NMFRQKFBiPH42kXX
Good luck finding your car alternator rating in the manual. Question: how long will that 12V battery last charging at 500 amps? Or a 12V 100Ah liFePo battery?
500 Amps?! This converter can not pull more then 560W, which on a 12V Battery equals to about 50A So your 12V 100Ah battery will last for about 2h at full charging speed
Quite fortuitous that this video came out just now. As it happens I'm conducting tests using a server rack 48V battery as an extension battery for my EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 using my 26cu.ft fridge which is not efficient compared to the newer models. I've been thinking of buying some of the 4pk 12V lithium batteries to use on my smaller units and this charger would be great for me to use, WOW!, great timing. Do the comparison videos I'll be cracking a beer open while I enjoy the video. Great job Jason.
Thanks for the review Jason, this looks ideal for what I’m trying to do with my camper van. Connecting this to my battery bank with Anderson connectors will be super easy. I can use the same Anderson connector to charge up the battery bank when the sun comes back out too!
Thanks for the new info. BLUETTI is my main home backup but I do have other power stations that are not BLUETTI. This is an awesome device because it gives me a few optional. A comparison of the units would be great.
Renogy has had a DC to DC charger from 20-60W for several years now. The voltage is adjusted for amount desired with dip switches. Granted this one is much more adjustable but over double the price.
Pretty cool device, a little bit pricey. I personally don’t have any use for it, but I think it would come in handy for some situation. Thanks for the review.
I like the affordable pectin with the cables included. I used your code and bought 2 and they have worked great. Half the price of getting t he full blurry setup.
EcoFlow also makes one that is 800W and supports 20-60V. I don't know if it's compatible with other power stations. But it can reverse charge if you starter battery dies.
Hi Jason, could you check the app and see if there is a way to disable the "auto power off" feature in the charger that is designed to prevent accidental battery drain? So, it's always on, regardless of what it thinks the car is doing. Thanks!
Would appreciate seeing a video on the Ecoflow DC charger and in particular reverse charging of a 24V battery from an Ecoflow Delta 2 or Delta Pro. Thanks!
For the price of the batteries these days, makes the most sense to use this method to extend the power stations instead of buying the manufacturer’s extra battery.
@@Jasonoid The charge controller is probably the cheapest part of the whole setup. lol. Definitely gets one’s thoughts going. And to put all the connections on anderson connectors makes the whole thing so much more convenient.
@@JasonoidWith the Ecoflow 800W alternator charger, you don't need an extra charger or cable, because it will charge the extra Delta battery on its own without needing to connect up to the main Delta 2, Delta 3 or Delta Max.
@@Globetrotter-1he means a bare battery. i’m also curious. 12v 100ah are around $200 now but i don’t know the best way to link it with my existing ac200
Thanks Jason Didn’t know this product was out there. Great to know and I will include it in my van. I’ve used your ask me service before but if I was to ask for a specific wiring diagram for my intended set up is this something you do? I’m happy to pay whatever your rate is for this service. Matt
The wiring is fairly easy, I show it at the end of the video. I recommend using 4 AWG wire connected to your starter battery positive and negative terminal. Install an 80 amp inline fuse near the battery, parts included in the video description. Connect those two wires up to the input side of the Bluetti, then you're good to go. If you want to still reach out via Asqme, I'd be happy to draw you up something similar and a parts list.
Comparing all would be very helpful Jason thanks for all your videos also a question could you use Y series connectors to connect solar and charger 1 at the same time to the AC200L so you could charge with solar and alternator at the same time ?
Great video interesting product. I would love to see a video on how you would use that for to expand the storage of a Bluetti solar generator with aftermarket batteries (e.g. if you’re maxed out on expansion for an AC 300) and have extra solar sometimes! 😊
so they basically made a production version of my DIY 12-94V buck converter power supply to supply power at a a pinch this one is definitely a life saver for those who doesn't want to build one :)
A DIY option can save some money but usually they don't have adequate cooling solutions. Also, just FYI, when a converter raises voltage vs it's source voltage it's called a 'boost converter', when it's dropping voltage vs it's source voltage it's called a 'buck converter'.
@@Jasonoid yee my bad its a buck-boast converter with plenty of cooling and the efficiency is 86% according to my measurements not bad in my books serving me great since 2020 :)
I would greatly appreciate a comparison. In addition to the comparison, I would like to know your opinion on if it would be worth it to replace one with another. I bought the Pecron when it hit the market. It was cheap and works great. However, as I buy other power stations, I find it is too strong for my smaller stations. I have considered replacing it with an adjustable charger like this Bluetti charger. Thank you.
I'd only replace another option if it breaks. These all basically do the same thing, they take a 12v battery and boost the voltage up so a power station can charge faster. Some have extra features or work with a wider variety of power stations so thats the biggest difference.
Love to see a compare. You share pertinent info, and I a very easy to understand manner. Thank you. Would really love to know the tolerable temper the bluetti charger can handle. I’d like to put then in my truck bed, which has a lockable rolling bed cover. So it would be out of the elements.
I was just looking at options for charging my Anker F3800, and was mumbling that there should be a Dc-Dc converter that could approach 60volts. And here it is!
It fills a overlooked niche. Only complaint I have is that it’s an always on device. The EF model senses higher charging voltage from the alternator to charge. This prevents starter battery draining. I don’t think you mentioned that feature, so it might be missing. Also the EF can trickle charge the starter battery, which is a great feature. The Renogy model has one additional feature, which is you can connect up to 500 watt of solar to the dcdc50 alternator charger. So you could charge with both simultaneously up to 50amp. So far I’m leaning towards the EF and Renogy
The Renogy DC to DC charger is only for charging standalone batteries, it won't charge a power station. The Ecoflow unit is a beast with more features! I like the bidirectional power option 👍
I'd love to see a comparison between the Bluetti Charger 1 and the Wakespeed WS500 Advanced Alternator Regulator which also has adjustable output voltage, and claims to auto-detect the optimal output voltage and self adjusts. Bluetti's charger is listed at $400, but on sale for $280, while the Wakespeed is around $530 but is also IP67 rated waterproof and dustproof (for use on boats and to resist spills or leaks). The other HUGE difference between the two seems to be the maximum wattage, which is 560 watts for the Bluetti and a massive 20,000 watt max cap for the Wakespeed, which won't be an issue if you're just hooking this up for an older standard car, but will be an issue if you want to use this with a larger engine such as a Semi or newer pickup which often can output over 1500 watts (again Wakespeed is often used on boats) and want to charge a high capacity in battery bank like the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra which takes 5.6kW-16.8kW dc input.
Wow this makes their giant external batteries obsolete doesn’t it. Nice. What’s the lowest voltage that it will use from an external battery? What cuts off first as the voltage drops from the battery? The battery bms or the bluetti charger?
Great video as always, thanks. I have a question….. how efficient would the charger1 be if it had a short run from the alternator but a longer run to the battery?
Comparisons are always good. Curious on battery backups that accept generator charging, how many can output and charge from generators. Figuring the solar panels are missing after a hurricane 🤣🤣
Great! Glad you covered this product!!! Question: My vehicle, when I plug a 300w pure sinewave inverter into the 12v DC/Cigarette plugs, shuts off after a few seconds. It gets up to about 120v then stops, then restarts. It will not continuously output voltage. Any ideas why?
Is anything plugged into it? How many watts are being pulled? Most 12v outlets in your car are good for 120w to 150w (10 to 12 amps)... any more power and it will blow a fuse. It's probably shutting off so you don't burn the wires up?
Ok. Today's concern is variable voltage amperage into the device perhaps from solar panels operating at lower temperatures. Is there a fuse to protect the batteries, or should one expect the MPPT to protect the battery from exposure to over volt or over voltage protection.
Jason, sorry for the all the questions. How does the Charger 1 compare with the Pecron 500w that you reviewed earlier? The Pecron is half the price but produces similar charging times. Appreciate your honest thoughts.
I think the Ecoflow seems the most robust and it is the only one that can be mounted in an area with possible dire/moisture. I feel Ecoflow could add adjustable output possibly with an app update. Maybe they will release a V2 that has adjustable output and dual input (solar)
Very helpful. I would very much like to see a comparison video, particularly between the Bluetti and Ecoflow, focusing on pros and cons of each. On sight alone, the smaller size of the Bluetti charger is a plus, but I know that's not a basis for making a decision. Because my camper vehicle is a small hatchback (lower amperage alternator), I've been reluctant to buy any of these out of concern for damaging my car's electrical system, alternator, etc. So, if you could highlight the pros and cons for small vehicles that would be especially helpful. Also information about the relative ease of installation for non-techies would be great. Or, is this something that a non-techie should get a mechanic to do? Thank you!
The only thing to worry about on a smaller vehicle is pulling too much power from your battery / alternator. I'd suggest staying under 45-50% of your alternators rating. For example, to charge at the full 500w, you'd want an alternator good for 95 to 100 amps output or higher. You can check your vehicles alternator and see what it's rated for. Both the Bluetti and EcoFlow allow for adjustable charging speeds so you don't have to pull the full 500 watts.
@@Jasonoid Thanks for the response. Conceptually, I think I understand what you mean. For example, my car has a 90 amp alternator. I interpret that to mean the alternator is capable of generating 1,080 watts of power (W = V x A). I interpret your response to mean that, at most, I should use 50% of the total watts the alternator is capable kf generating (540 watts) to perform DC to DC charging. But, how do I CONFIDENTLY convert those 50% of *amps* (45) to the *volts* to enter in the app? When I do the math, what I come up with doesn’t make sense. 🙄 Thanks.
@@Gwen3344 look at voltage of the battery under load and the amperage going out. You can measure with a DC voltmeter and clamp meter to exact readings if that's what you are looking for 👍 there are tools for any job!
Good morning, Thank you for the video, I want to buy the charger 1 and use it while leaving my solar panel plugged in. I have an AC 200 Max, how do I connect the two (Charger 1 + solar panel) at the same time? Thanks 🙏
Great video. I have a Bluetti AC200MAX and want to buy the Bluetti charger. My pickup has a 160 Amp alternator. Would a 160 Amp alternator charge at the full rate?
Like many others, and I think you've done a video on it, I use a $20 voltage converter to do pretty much the same thing except without the ability to easily change voltage. You do have to be cautious of the heat they produce. My question is how much heat does this produce, even though it has cooling fans and adjustable voltage output, thanks
There's not much heat when running this at 1150 watts. It was only warm to the touch after my testing. At 5000 watts, the max output I'm guessing the heat would be much more!
Do the comparative video. 👍🏽 Can the power station back charge with this device to keep the battery topped off? I’m thinking about using it in a “home situation” charging the reserve 12/24 v battery pass through with my delta 2.
Thank you for another really helpful review. I especially appreciate that you mentioned lower capacity alternators because not everyone drives a truck. I wonder if there is any benefit of this for me, since I keep hearing people say that my car does not even have an alternator. I have a hybrid Toyota. I have no idea how the electrical system works in my car.
Hybrids use a DC to DC converter that charges the 12v battery from the larger drive battery. It would still work. Google 'Ecoflow Alternator Charger on Bolt EUV' A guy has a hybrid he also tests with it. Similar concept.
Jason, I recently read that it’s not a good idea to use the generator while charging! If that is the case, what good is it? Should I unplug my AC300 from both solar and ac charging while using it? I’m totally confused at this point. I have leaving mine plugged in during use, should I unplug it or not? If so when should you charge it? You insight would certainly be appreciated! Thank you in advance.
That's old news that it causes damage during charging. I mean sure.... If youre maxing it out with both input and output to their limits but under medium use and charging I don't feel there is damage.
I suggest an automotive 60amp fuse right on the battery incase that 4gauge grounds out along the 10ft length and a 60v 60amp Breaker on the bluetti incase the bluetti fails.
What’s the battery protect cutoff voltage? Is it variable? I’m trying to also charge with my mounted 45w and 60w LenSunSolar and Cascadia 4x4 panels thru Victron MPPTs, even while the car is off. The loss you mentioned sounds significantly better than the Pecron DC-DC I’m currently using.
Would this charge in all scenarios: Engine off, key not in ignition? Engine off key in Ignition on accessory position? Engine idling? What about vehicles with a Start button instead of a key ignition?
@@Jasonoid I do find my 100ah limiting when I use the camper + starlink. Without Starlink the 100ah is enough for 2-3 days of camping w/ solar charging. But with Starlink the 200w suitcase panels can't keep up.
Hi Jason, Love your videos! I bought the Percon charger earlier this year based on your recommendation. I'm considering getting a Bluetti charger as well, but I'm curious about the key differences between the two. Is there anything in particular that sets them apart?
The Pecron charger puts out about 42v and 13 amps. The output voltage is not adjustable so it's always 42v. This is only a problem if you have a power station that won't allow 42v input. The Bluetti charger puts out 15v - 56v and 10 amps. Since the voltage is adjustable you can charge both smaller power stations and larger power stations.
Is there any reason why all the chargers mentioned at the end of the video are all 500W? ... and not say 800W? And are we likely to see them charge even faster in the near future as new ones get released/updated? For example, a 1000W fast charger?
Most vehicles can't handle more than 500 watts being pulled from their alternator / starter battery. That's a lot of DC amperage. If you had a huge diesel truck, 1000w would probably be okay.
Hiya - I purchased the pecron after your review and also have the bluetti otw. Is there any disadvantages to having either hooked up after the power station is at 100%? Thanks
Jason, a video comparing all of them would be great! Thank You!
Thank you for the video but especially the added info on the wiring, fuse and connectors sizes. Most videos don’t cover that last part which is probably the most important to newbies like myself
For sure! I try to keep these videos simple for people that are new to power stations.
Yes, please do a video comparing all of the car chargers! Thank you!
I've got a lot of ideas for future videos. 👍
I LOVE how this has an adjustable voltage! I have both small and large power stations. This will work with all of them! Thanks for the video :) :)
Glad to hear it will work great for your setup! Thanks for watching!
YES do a comparison between all the chargers .. Thank You !!
This was very helpful. I knew about the Charger 1, but this really explained it. I was on the fence about getting one of these, but now will consider it, for home, and also to use at a later build in my van.
It's a great unit for both!
Fantastic! This will be great for my van!
I would love to see the comparison video and would also like to see your take on the EcoFlow version.
Sounds good, Katy! Thanks for always checking out the videos!
If you have Ecoflow Delta power stations, the Ecoflow version is far better, with a full 800W even with engine idle, and can reverse charge and trickle charge. Plus the connecting cables are far higher quality and the unit itself sturdier and better built.
Yesn please compare all of them. That would be pretty amazing from such a thorough and concise reviewer as yourself.
The only thing missing is a nice big knob on it to adjust the output voltage without having to use the app:D If only this was available. It's sold out on Amazon and the Bluetti web site. I want one for a different application in that i can hook it up to the 25A 12V output of my AC200MAX and use that to charge all of my smaller power stations as it is higher efficiency than the built in chargers of most small power stations and just using that output on the AC200MAX means it will last days instead of hours using the big AC inverter. I have the Pecron (got it super cheap after watching your review. I also got the EcoFlow alternator charger with a Delta 2 promotion which works great as well. Great review of a great new product!
An adjustable knob would be really cool! I could see someone not knowing about voltage frying a smaller unit though. The smart app has the built in safety for that at least. When using the basic mode, it only will output 27 volts or lower. When using the custom pro mode gives you the warning about high voltage.
Yes, please compare all of them. Thanks for the video!
I'll be sure to make a comparison video!
Thank you excellent video. I think the charger 1 has blown solar out the window I live 🇬🇧 so our solar is well rubbish. This thing has just made my year. 💯💯
Excellent presentation 👏 yes please compare all of them. Fantastic work Jason.
Thanks - I just received it and will install in my camper. I have a 200L and it works great - I only wish that Bluetti would have included this and the dc-to-dc D40 functionality in the 200L - a relatively inexpensive power stations gets expensive with these add ons. Great look as always.
Yeah, the D40 sure had some potential, they just missed that opportunity!
I definitely would like to see a comparison video on these and also your simple homemade version comparison to these new units. Thank you for this video, you always put your best into them 👍
Good idea, including the older DIY versions as well! That would be quite the video!
Another great capability is that you can TURN IT OFF from inside your car! This lets you remove the alternator load on the fly, without having to get outbof car. As well as reduce the alternator load as you showed. My Pecron, I have to stop, get out of truck, and go turn it off. I might like to do this at night, rain, cold, when alternator loads are high.
Great video, YES to a 4 way comparison!
I think you should make a video about the best options for a camper van, including power stations and solar panels
I have been waiting on Jason review on this! thank you !
That's great to hear!
@@Jasonoid Me too! :)
Oneday when I build my dream cross country van this will come in useful!
Great video….i have the Ecoflow alternator charger which I love….i will say if you have an Ecoflow product i would recommend using Ecoflow, the reason is it doesn’t use your solar input thus allowing solar and alternator charging simultaneously. I have 2 delta pro with 1 extra battery each along with 400ah which the 2 alternator chargers are connected in my 5th wheel with 2800 watts of solar. I have a 1/0 guage cable with Anderson connector from tow vehicle to 5th wheel. With this setup I am able to run with full power to the rig wit a/c running with residential refrigerator and be fully charged when arriving to camp site even on cloudy days.
That's one sweet setup! Thanks for sharing how you are using your unit.
I charge the fridge/freezer and Delta 2 and River all at the same time from the vehicle. The fridge is connected directly to one of the SUV's three 12V sockets, the Delta 2 is connected directly to the 800W alternator charger, and the River is plugged into the AC socket of the Delta 2.
I am team Ecoflow also and bought the Delta2-DCAlternator bundle 5/2024. No permanent install of the alternator generator. I installed heavy duty battery clamps to the charger and can attach to my vehicle battery or a 100 ah standalone. I have the new Delta2 plus RiverPro2, Delta Max 2000 so a lot of transportable power and charging options ... somewhat similar to @Globetrotter-1 when in my YukonXL car camping setup except I don't currently take the DeltaMax but DO take a Wave2 and Glacier. I live in NW Montana and travel in Pac NW preferable mountain/forest so solar is not a great option. I think the DC-DC option (Ecoflow or Bluetti - whichever team you committed to :) ) is a great alternative to solar and less expensive!
@@theroadhome_Liz_Summers I still use solar panels when parked up for long periods. The large Ecoflow bifacial folding panels are great (although the bag stand is awful and too fiddly). If I'm parked up in the wilds (and not driving to locations) for weeks during rain, snow or overcast weather, or inside the shade of a forest, then I'll simply start the engine and run it for an hour or more on idle. This quickly charges the Delta & River at a full 800W, so it is a great option to have.
@@Globetrotter-1 Thanks for the info!
Yes do a comparison on all those chargers.
Thx u! 👍🏽
Thanks for this deep dive into the Charger 1. I always appreciate you clear and thorough descriptions.
A feature you didn't mention is that the Charger 1 will turn off when it senses that the engine has stopped. Perhaps for this reason Bluetti says that the charger won't work with EV's. Presumably it will work with PHEV's at times when they operate in modes in which the ICE is always running.
But during an long outage, who wouldn't appreciate being able to make use of the 100 kWh in an EV (or 25 kWh in a PHEV) just sitting there in the garage? I hope you and other reviewers will encourage Bluetti to provide a means of shutting off the ICE sensor to make it usable with electric vehicles whose 12V batteries are being charged by the high-voltage batteries. In the meantime, I wonder if there's any work-around that would make this possible.
Recommend another video on this being used on an EV (turned and kept "on", there's gotta be a workaround to be able to use this device on non-ICE) as a way to tap that full XXX kWh capacity through the 12V battery. This would be a huge upgrade over needing to use another inverter (with its losses) tapping the vehicle's 12V. Please find an EV and make that video, show us it can be done!!!
This cuts off charging at 12v. It would definitely work on an EV as the built in DC to DC converter of the drive battery is charging the smaller 12v accessory battery.
@@Jasonoid Boy, I'd love to be certain about that. Do you know that
@@Jasonoid as someone who has been recently browsing EV+clamp on inverter videos for a makeshift V2L solution, and trying to figure how to also get my AC180 into the mix, I can say a video to do that with the Charger-1 (to avoid the extra inverter & losses, and control the draw to any power station), well that video would be first of its type and highly relevant as we approach winter!
Here's a full video about that concept (using one of these converters to pull power from an EV battery). The large drive battery charges the small 12v battery with a DC to DC converter. It should work just fine since the voltage holds above 12v. Super awesome concept in my opinion:
ua-cam.com/video/SRp_JMw95qE/v-deo.htmlsi=NMFRQKFBiPH42kXX
A video on all would be awesome. Thanks Jason
I am planning a comparison video of all the power station chargers!
Thank Jason for all your video. This one is an other great one.
Yes I would like to see a video comparing all the chargers
Great video. 😉👍
Yes, could you do a comparison video on the units you have reviewed in the past.
Good luck finding your car alternator rating in the manual. Question: how long will that 12V battery last charging at 500 amps? Or a 12V 100Ah liFePo battery?
500 Amps?!
This converter can not pull more then 560W, which on a 12V Battery equals to about 50A
So your 12V 100Ah battery will last for about 2h at full charging speed
Quite fortuitous that this video came out just now. As it happens I'm conducting tests using a server rack 48V battery as an extension battery for my EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 using my 26cu.ft fridge which is not efficient compared to the newer models. I've been thinking of buying some of the 4pk 12V lithium batteries to use on my smaller units and this charger would be great for me to use, WOW!, great timing. Do the comparison videos I'll be cracking a beer open while I enjoy the video. Great job Jason.
Thanks for the review Jason, this looks ideal for what I’m trying to do with my camper van. Connecting this to my battery bank with Anderson connectors will be super easy. I can use the same Anderson connector to charge up the battery bank when the sun comes back out too!
That sounds like it will work great!
Would love to see the comparison!
Thanks for the new info. BLUETTI is my main home backup but I do have other power stations that are not BLUETTI. This is an awesome device because it gives me a few optional. A comparison of the units would be great.
Hi. Definitely would like to see a video about the Ecoflow alternator charger.
Yes please do a comparison. I am in the market for one of them. Especially efficiency since I am planning to hook it up on a EV.
Renogy has had a DC to DC charger from 20-60W for several years now. The voltage is adjusted for amount desired with dip switches. Granted this one is much more adjustable but over double the price.
Please a comparison video would be grand. Thank you.
Pretty cool device, a little bit pricey. I personally don’t have any use for it, but I think it would come in handy for some situation. Thanks for the review.
I like the affordable pectin with the cables included. I used your code and bought 2 and they have worked great. Half the price of getting t he full blurry setup.
That's great to hear! I'm glad it has worked out for you!
Hey, back again! Awesome video. Definitely interested in a comparison video with all the alternators here!
I'm planning on comparing them in the future 👍
Can you use it while it’s charging though with the charger 1 ? Will it hurt the Bluetti’s battery?
You can charge and the same time as using the power station, no harm done.
Comparison video with a suggestion for the ultimate solution advice for manufacturers to consider would be great.
Good review as always. Thanks
EcoFlow also makes one that is 800W and supports 20-60V. I don't know if it's compatible with other power stations. But it can reverse charge if you starter battery dies.
Definitely not compatible with other brands unfortunately
Hi Jason, could you check the app and see if there is a way to disable the "auto power off" feature in the charger that is designed to prevent accidental battery drain? So, it's always on, regardless of what it thinks the car is doing. Thanks!
Is it best to connect to the negative to the chassis or the negative battery?
You can do either since the negative terminal of the battery is grounded to the frame.
Would appreciate seeing a video on the Ecoflow DC charger and in particular reverse charging of a 24V battery from an Ecoflow Delta 2 or Delta Pro. Thanks!
I would be interested in a comparison video!!
For the price of the batteries these days, makes the most sense to use this method to extend the power stations instead of buying the manufacturer’s extra battery.
I agree! The only downside is charging the standalone battery back up. You'll need a separate solar charge controller or battery charger.
@@Jasonoid The charge controller is probably the cheapest part of the whole setup. lol.
Definitely gets one’s thoughts going.
And to put all the connections on anderson connectors makes the whole thing so much more convenient.
@@JasonoidWith the Ecoflow 800W alternator charger, you don't need an extra charger or cable, because it will charge the extra Delta battery on its own without needing to connect up to the main Delta 2, Delta 3 or Delta Max.
@@Globetrotter-1he means a bare battery. i’m also curious. 12v 100ah are around $200 now but i don’t know the best way to link it with my existing ac200
@@pennmikael No, he means the manufacturer's extra battery.
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.
Comparison video on all of them would be great.
Sounds like a lot of people are wanting that!
Thanks Jason
Didn’t know this product was out there. Great to know and I will include it in my van.
I’ve used your ask me service before but if I was to ask for a specific wiring diagram for my intended set up is this something you do? I’m happy to pay whatever your rate is for this service.
Matt
The wiring is fairly easy, I show it at the end of the video. I recommend using 4 AWG wire connected to your starter battery positive and negative terminal. Install an 80 amp inline fuse near the battery, parts included in the video description. Connect those two wires up to the input side of the Bluetti, then you're good to go. If you want to still reach out via Asqme, I'd be happy to draw you up something similar and a parts list.
Comparing all would be very helpful Jason thanks for all your videos also a question could you use Y series connectors to connect solar and charger 1 at the same time to the AC200L so you could charge with solar and alternator at the same time ?
Great video interesting product. I would love to see a video on how you would use that for to expand the storage of a Bluetti solar generator with aftermarket batteries (e.g. if you’re maxed out on expansion for an AC 300) and have extra solar sometimes! 😊
so they basically made a production version of my DIY 12-94V buck converter power supply to supply power at a a pinch this one is definitely a life saver for those who doesn't want to build one :)
A DIY option can save some money but usually they don't have adequate cooling solutions. Also, just FYI, when a converter raises voltage vs it's source voltage it's called a 'boost converter', when it's dropping voltage vs it's source voltage it's called a 'buck converter'.
@@Jasonoid yee my bad its a buck-boast converter with plenty of cooling and the efficiency is 86% according to my measurements not bad in my books
serving me great since 2020 :)
Yes
Thanks for the great review Jason!
Compare these chargers with your DIY charger kit, that would be a great video.
I would greatly appreciate a comparison. In addition to the comparison, I would like to know your opinion on if it would be worth it to replace one with another. I bought the Pecron when it hit the market. It was cheap and works great. However, as I buy other power stations, I find it is too strong for my smaller stations. I have considered replacing it with an adjustable charger like this Bluetti charger. Thank you.
I'd only replace another option if it breaks. These all basically do the same thing, they take a 12v battery and boost the voltage up so a power station can charge faster. Some have extra features or work with a wider variety of power stations so thats the biggest difference.
Love to see a compare. You share pertinent info, and I a very easy to understand manner. Thank you.
Would really love to know the tolerable temper the bluetti charger can handle. I’d like to put then in my truck bed, which has a lockable rolling bed cover. So it would be out of the elements.
I will buy one to charge my Bluetti power station, but will it also charge an extra 12-volt 100-amp lithium battery? Thanks for all you do.
It only charges power stations. It's not designed to charge 100ah batteries.
Thanks for the review. Must be a hot item because it's unavailable on Amazon and sold out on the Bluetti site.
I just checked that as well! Bummer!
I was just looking at options for charging my Anker F3800, and was mumbling that there should be a Dc-Dc converter that could approach 60volts. And here it is!
That's what I love about this thing! The adjustable voltage :)
Yes compare please
It fills a overlooked niche. Only complaint I have is that it’s an always on device. The EF model senses higher charging voltage from the alternator to charge. This prevents starter battery draining.
I don’t think you mentioned that feature, so it might be missing.
Also the EF can trickle charge the starter battery, which is a great feature.
The Renogy model has one additional feature, which is you can connect up to 500 watt of solar to the dcdc50 alternator charger. So you could charge with both simultaneously up to 50amp.
So far I’m leaning towards the EF and Renogy
The Renogy DC to DC charger is only for charging standalone batteries, it won't charge a power station.
The Ecoflow unit is a beast with more features! I like the bidirectional power option 👍
@@Jasonoid you are right about the Renogy. It has a mppt build in. I remembered that after I posted.
Definitely to a side by side comparison.
I'd love to see a comparison between the Bluetti Charger 1 and the Wakespeed WS500 Advanced Alternator Regulator which also has adjustable output voltage, and claims to auto-detect the optimal output voltage and self adjusts. Bluetti's charger is listed at $400, but on sale for $280, while the Wakespeed is around $530 but is also IP67 rated waterproof and dustproof (for use on boats and to resist spills or leaks). The other HUGE difference between the two seems to be the maximum wattage, which is 560 watts for the Bluetti and a massive 20,000 watt max cap for the Wakespeed, which won't be an issue if you're just hooking this up for an older standard car, but will be an issue if you want to use this with a larger engine such as a Semi or newer pickup which often can output over 1500 watts (again Wakespeed is often used on boats) and want to charge a high capacity in battery bank like the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra which takes 5.6kW-16.8kW dc input.
Brilliant, brake down of it thank you very much.
Wow this makes their giant external batteries obsolete doesn’t it. Nice. What’s the lowest voltage that it will use from an external battery? What cuts off first as the voltage drops from the battery? The battery bms or the bluetti charger?
It will stop working below 12v. Usually an LFP battery will discharge down till about 11v, so the Bluetti will shut off first.
@@Jasonoid Well that’s perfect. It won’t discharge past about 10% lifepo capacity then.
Quite small cables gauge for 10A continious, isn't it?
Probably just okay, but they could have added a bit thicker cables on that MC4 Adapter
A quick comparison video on ecoflow and the rest of them
Great video as always, thanks. I have a question….. how efficient would the charger1 be if it had a short run from the alternator but a longer run to the battery?
I don't think it would change much.
Comparisons are always good. Curious on battery backups that accept generator charging, how many can output and charge from generators. Figuring the solar panels are missing after a hurricane 🤣🤣
Full comparison please!!!
Thanks for confirmation!
Head to head comparison please. While I use EcoFlow Delta 2 daily I’m most interested in competitors.
That's a great idea, I'll add it to the list!
ok thats great... can you use it to charge a battery.. say 12v 280a LiTime 🤔
Great! Glad you covered this product!!!
Question: My vehicle, when I plug a 300w pure sinewave inverter into the 12v DC/Cigarette plugs, shuts off after a few seconds. It gets up to about 120v then stops, then restarts. It will not continuously output voltage. Any ideas why?
Is anything plugged into it? How many watts are being pulled?
Most 12v outlets in your car are good for 120w to 150w (10 to 12 amps)... any more power and it will blow a fuse. It's probably shutting off so you don't burn the wires up?
Greetings from New Orleans,Louisiana
Ok. Today's concern is variable voltage amperage into the device perhaps from solar panels operating at lower temperatures. Is there a fuse to protect the batteries, or should one expect the MPPT to protect the battery from exposure to over volt or over voltage protection.
Jason, sorry for the all the questions. How does the Charger 1 compare with the Pecron 500w that you reviewed earlier? The Pecron is half the price but produces similar charging times. Appreciate your honest thoughts.
Would like to c a comparison with the peckron as it a more affordable option if ur on a budget
Sounds good!
I think the Ecoflow seems the most robust and it is the only one that can be mounted in an area with possible dire/moisture. I feel Ecoflow could add adjustable output possibly with an app update. Maybe they will release a V2 that has adjustable output and dual input (solar)
That would be really cool!
Good luck trying to get one😂 they told me they’ll hav stock by mid November.
I was bummed when I saw they sold out right before my video went live.... I was like are you kidding me.
In your comparison video, maybe you could include the contrast to simply using a step-up power supply...
I have a couple of those around as well.
Very helpful. I would very much like to see a comparison video, particularly between the Bluetti and Ecoflow, focusing on pros and cons of each. On sight alone, the smaller size of the Bluetti charger is a plus, but I know that's not a basis for making a decision.
Because my camper vehicle is a small hatchback (lower amperage alternator), I've been reluctant to buy any of these out of concern for damaging my car's electrical system, alternator, etc. So, if you could highlight the pros and cons for small vehicles that would be especially helpful. Also information about the relative ease of installation for non-techies would be great. Or, is this something that a non-techie should get a mechanic to do?
Thank you!
The only thing to worry about on a smaller vehicle is pulling too much power from your battery / alternator. I'd suggest staying under 45-50% of your alternators rating. For example, to charge at the full 500w, you'd want an alternator good for 95 to 100 amps output or higher. You can check your vehicles alternator and see what it's rated for. Both the Bluetti and EcoFlow allow for adjustable charging speeds so you don't have to pull the full 500 watts.
@@Jasonoid Thanks for the response. Conceptually, I think I understand what you mean. For example, my car has a 90 amp alternator. I interpret that to mean the alternator is capable of generating 1,080 watts of power (W = V x A). I interpret your response to mean that, at most, I should use 50% of the total watts the alternator is capable kf generating (540 watts) to perform DC to DC charging.
But, how do I CONFIDENTLY convert those 50% of *amps* (45) to the *volts* to enter in the app? When I do the math, what I come up with doesn’t make sense. 🙄
Thanks.
@@Gwen3344 look at voltage of the battery under load and the amperage going out. You can measure with a DC voltmeter and clamp meter to exact readings if that's what you are looking for 👍 there are tools for any job!
Good morning,
Thank you for the video, I want to buy the charger 1 and use it while leaving my solar panel plugged in. I have an AC 200 Max, how do I connect the two (Charger 1 + solar panel) at the same time? Thanks 🙏
Great video. I have a Bluetti AC200MAX and want to buy the Bluetti charger. My pickup has a 160 Amp alternator. Would a 160 Amp alternator charge at the full rate?
Yes, absolutely
😎 thanks Jason
Like many others, and I think you've done a video on it, I use a $20 voltage converter to do pretty much the same thing except without the ability to easily change voltage. You do have to be cautious of the heat they produce. My question is how much heat does this produce, even though it has cooling fans and adjustable voltage output, thanks
There's not much heat when running this at 1150 watts. It was only warm to the touch after my testing. At 5000 watts, the max output I'm guessing the heat would be much more!
@@Jasonoid thanks, and for review as well
Can charger 1 be used to charge rv house batteries, is it safe and realistic to do,i enjoy your expertise thank you
No, this only charges power stations.
Do the comparative video. 👍🏽
Can the power station back charge with this device to keep the battery topped off?
I’m thinking about using it in a “home situation” charging the reserve 12/24 v battery pass through with my delta 2.
Only the EcoFlow Alternator Charger can do that "bidirectional" charging.
@@Jasonoid You are THE MAN!
Thank you for another really helpful review. I especially appreciate that you mentioned lower capacity alternators because not everyone drives a truck. I wonder if there is any benefit of this for me, since I keep hearing people say that my car does not even have an alternator. I have a hybrid Toyota. I have no idea how the electrical system works in my car.
Hybrids use a DC to DC converter that charges the 12v battery from the larger drive battery. It would still work.
Google 'Ecoflow Alternator Charger on Bolt EUV' A guy has a hybrid he also tests with it. Similar concept.
@@Jasonoid oh, how cool. This would be cool. Thanks Jason.
Jason, I recently read that it’s not a good idea to use the generator while charging! If that is the case, what good is it? Should I unplug my AC300 from both solar and ac charging while using it? I’m totally confused at this point. I have leaving mine plugged in during use, should I unplug it or not? If so when should you charge it? You insight would certainly be appreciated! Thank you in advance.
That's old news that it causes damage during charging. I mean sure.... If youre maxing it out with both input and output to their limits but under medium use and charging I don't feel there is damage.
I suggest an automotive 60amp fuse right on the battery incase that 4gauge grounds out along the 10ft length and a 60v 60amp Breaker on the bluetti incase the bluetti fails.
Great feedback!
What’s the battery protect cutoff voltage? Is it variable? I’m trying to also charge with my mounted 45w and 60w LenSunSolar and Cascadia 4x4 panels thru Victron MPPTs, even while the car is off. The loss you mentioned sounds significantly better than the Pecron DC-DC I’m currently using.
Would this charge in all scenarios:
Engine off, key not in ignition?
Engine off key in Ignition on accessory position?
Engine idling?
What about vehicles with a Start button instead of a key ignition?
Only run this when the engine is running and the alternator is charging the starter battery 👍
Please make the video comparing all of them
Could you connect solar panels as an input to the Charge 1 to boost the wattage?
This does not support solar panel input.
What type of battery has to be used ? Any kind or a particular one .? Thanks
I have solar panels on top of my box truck, I don't want to unplug the wires just to plug this in. They should have a dedicated port.
Love your channel - question on the AC180. Is this worth getting if I already have a 12.8v 100ah lifepo4 battery with a 1000w pure sine inverter?
Do you need more power? The benefit of a power station is they are compact and convenient.
@@Jasonoid I do find my 100ah limiting when I use the camper + starlink. Without Starlink the 100ah is enough for 2-3 days of camping w/ solar charging. But with Starlink the 200w suitcase panels can't keep up.
Hi Jason,
Love your videos! I bought the Percon charger earlier this year based on your recommendation. I'm considering getting a Bluetti charger as well, but I'm curious about the key differences between the two. Is there anything in particular that sets them apart?
The Pecron charger puts out about 42v and 13 amps. The output voltage is not adjustable so it's always 42v. This is only a problem if you have a power station that won't allow 42v input.
The Bluetti charger puts out 15v - 56v and 10 amps. Since the voltage is adjustable you can charge both smaller power stations and larger power stations.
@@Jasonoid Okay! thank you for the explanation.
Regards,
Is there any reason why all the chargers mentioned at the end of the video are all 500W? ... and not say 800W?
And are we likely to see them charge even faster in the near future as new ones get released/updated?
For example, a 1000W fast charger?
Most vehicles can't handle more than 500 watts being pulled from their alternator / starter battery. That's a lot of DC amperage. If you had a huge diesel truck, 1000w would probably be okay.
So if we have a big alternator how long will it charge at 500 watts and 10 amps before it gets hot and shuts down? Asking for a friend!
The Bluetti has fans so it won't turn off from being hot.
Hiya - I purchased the pecron after your review and also have the bluetti otw. Is there any disadvantages to having either hooked up after the power station is at 100%? Thanks
Nope, you can leave it connected. The power station will stop charging when it's full.
Thanks!