Ultimate portable power solution? New Bluetti AC200MAX - full test! | Auto Expert John Cadogan
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- čas přidán 10. 04. 2022
- BLUETTI
Home page: www.bluettipower.com.au/?ref=...
AC200MAX: www.bluettipower.com.au/produ...
350W solar panel kit: www.bluettipower.com.au/produ...
B230 Expansion battery: www.bluettipower.com.au/colle...
AIMS Industrial
10.2mm tapping drill: bit.ly/3Gw4w1q
(This is the drill for tapping M12 x 1.75)
Sutton M12 x 1.75 tap set: bit.ly/3wzouoN
**Use code AIMS25 for a discount on check-out!
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Bluetti AC200P review: • Best in-car/4WD portab...
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BLUETTI will be discounting the AC200MAX ($400 off) at 11am Tuesday 12 April 2022. First 200 units only. Links below:
Home page: www.bluettipower.com.au/?ref=8xzu1i8qk8
AC200MAX: www.bluettipower.com.au/products/bluetti-ac200max-home-battery-backup?ref=8xzu1i8qk8
350W solar panel kit: www.bluettipower.com.au/products/bluetti-sp350-350w-solar-panel?ref=8xzu1i8qk8
B230 Expansion battery: www.bluettipower.com.au/collections/expansion-battery?ref=8xzu1i8qk8
AIMS Industrial
10.2mm tapping drill: bit.ly/3Gw4w1q
(This is the drill for tapping M12 x 1.75)
Sutton M12 x 1.75 tap set: bit.ly/3wzouoN
Update. It finally turned up.
Hi, I was wondering if this could be a good investment to harvest more solar power and use the Bluetti power station as a extra (free) energy source for charging mobiles, and maybe cooking water with it?
So basically buy the extra solar panels and use it as a power generator?
What a pleasure to listen to a Aussie talking about the Bluitti, thinking about one, more research needed
I purchased an AC200P last year and so far has saved our 2 fridges and my wife's sanity (really mine) so she could watch TV. It is so good I purchased another AC200P earlier this year. 2 weeks ago, our 4th power outage since the first AC200P, this outage 27 hours and the Bluetti's should their ground well. I also use them for weight lifting exercise, a great workout.
Does it slowly (or quickly?) lose power while turned off and nothing plugged into it? Thanks for any suggestions
@@impermanenthuman8427 Hi, they loose very little power over time, mine may sit for a few months before being used and they still last for hours without recharging. They are a very good quality unit.
Great review, John. Looks like a top-notch product. I also like your idea of building a mounting plate for several tools on the work bench. Keep up the good work.
A metal fabrication mater class than a review of AC200P. Love your craft, attention to detail, and explantation. Learned many things new. Great work John. Keep it up.
As a old boilermaker, I have filled many a wrongly drilled hole. I found that copper was a better backing plate. Wish I had half your tools back in the day. That magnet tapping rig would have helped a lot. Great stuff.
Definitely the perfect option for my van - so much more flexible than installing an entire power system!
A good replacement for low to mid teir 12v setups. With the expansion packs you'd be able to run induction cooktops which are becoming more popular camping and offroad.
John, there is additional info about battery everyone needs to know: for lithium battery, it is best to leave at least 10% power. complete suck up all the juice is bad for the battery. that's why your solar battery pack can be only max at 90% its power reservation (so if you have a 10kwh battery, the most you can get out from it in discharge mode is 9kwh, safely. using the last 10% will short the battery life.
Make em puff n burn the joint down.
Thank you for taking the time to review the Bluetti, much appreciated. I am however tempted to start a go-fund page on your behalf so you can purchase a set of reach over clamps to hold your next plate to the press table in place of using your hand. The world is a better place when you can count to 10.
Bought a 200P based on last suggestion. Put on a Bunnings steel cart in garage with the Engel Fridge. On a whim, drilled hole in wall and put in second power point behind fridge. by fluke a week later had first blackout in a decade.and switched over power and olso powered some light. Worked a treat. Fits in the 4wd too. Works well, only down side is the weight but can’t get that power storage for much less.
This looks absolutely great i could see myself travelling the world with this great product 👍 great mate just what the doctor ordered
Best review of the ac200max in layman’s terms .. & great workshop tips .. cheers 🍺🍻🍺
Boom Box on one shoulder Bluetti on the other bring back the 80's I say.
On a skateboard.
I just found your channel. Love your knowledge and Whit. I subscribed! Looking forward to more Great content.
I’ll need to get a GVM upgrade, 2” lift and 35” mud terrain tyres before I pick up Bluetti in the car. Seriously though, I use a Honda 2kva generator. Its got a pure Sine wave, its portable, its quiet, it only cost $2k and it run for hours and hours on a tank of unleaded. I think Bluetti might be a city white collar gadget for dreamers with big plans that never eventuate.
Not to mention it'll sit in the garage for 12months and within 1 minute it makes power... Try that with a battery.
Problem with a generator is, there's becoming fewer and fewer places that allow you to use them...
I agree Paul my Honda gen is just fine
You need a generator because ? Why ? You sound like a bushie wanna be, or really a city slicker who is too lazy to work out that you dont need generator power.
What do I know ? I did >90kkms pa all over the NT in 2x 80series and 2 GU Patrols for several years surveying. We went to the most remote communities and 100s of places you would have never heard of. We towed a light alloy box trailer (blame Nissans crap GVM) with not much in it, swags etc, and had plenty of room for a generator if we wanted it. But... why ? 2 solar panels on the trailer, 2x batteries, 2 fridges, and never needed a generator. I spent more than 200 nights in the swag camped in the desert.
So... now I have a small 130W fold out solar panel, that is enough to keep the fridge running and the battery charged. Maybe a 300W panel would be better, but.. I would never consider a generator. Wtf do you need a generator for ? Lazy mate. If you carry all that heavy crappola, you will likely bust your GVM, or, at the very least have a heavy vehicle with crap driving dynamics. Lighter is always better when getting though that mud bog hole.
Who talks watts? This bloke.
I purchased an AC200P to replace a 2kVA genset to operate a 1500W demolition jack hammer, mostly used for driving earth rods into some terrible ground in remote locations in northern Australia. The AC200P can even allow me to do this places with aircraft only access, a genset is not an option there, so a sledge hammer was the weapon of choice. AC200P does a great job and should give an hour and 20 minutes of operation, if I need to drive home 50 earth rods in one sitting.
Alex, power banks the size of the AC200P are forbidden to be carried on passenger aircraft and must be consigned as freight as they are considered Dangerous Goods. The size limit is 160wh with the airline operators approval, AC200 is 2000wh. Dangerous goods regulations apply to Airline and Charter operators alike. Your AC200P can only travel by air when consigned as freight on a cargo only aircraft.
I mounted my benders and shears (called a knife here in the UK) on a post made of 100x100 x6mm hollow section which goes into a socket in the concrete floor the top of the post also has a socket so that each piece of equipment can be stored on the shelf until needed and only one post is required, by having more than one socket in the floor the post can be moved to the best position for the job in hand the post and equipment is held rigid by suitable clamping screws that way the bench is kept clear and does not need to be as heavy or bolted to the floor.
The Bluetti AC200Max was way more than I was contemplating, but the deal was too good to pass up, thanks John. Now if I can only get a little car under a years wait,hmmm😎
Thanks for this. I'm looking at getting one of these for those days when a tree falls across the powerlines.
The last blackout lasted 7 days (rare). I doubt this will last that long, but the local sportsground has a HUGE generator so locals can charge batteries.
Though I feel they might not like it if I rock up with one of these 😁
I put it in my 35 ft Diesel Pusher motor home and got rid of the acid lead batteries and it works great Powers a resi fridge and one AC unit
G'day John,
Great review of the Bluetti, inclusive of major bloopers 😀
Love all the toys you have in your "fat cave" mate.
Cheers
Peter
Thanks Peter - I'm all about fucking it up on camera, mate.
Best of trying those solar panels soon. My SP200 panel never worked on my EB55 and I'm still waiting for a replacement EB55. I purchased both in November 2021
Thank you for a great video!
Great video on "Home Backup"! As an outdoor enthusiast, I highly recommend the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series for reliable power during camping trips or emergencies. With its massive capacity, fast recharging, and waterproof design, it's a versatile powerhouse that can keep your devices running for extended periods. Plus, the smart app control adds convenience. Definitely worth considering for outdoor gear and home backup power needs.
Thanks for this review John. I am Sydney based and just found out Bluetti are viable in Australia. This one is on the shopping list.
Thanks John Shared to scout groups
Hi John, this is a nice bit of kit….. but… I have now done my research and there seems to be a few limitations that are not documented and do limit the use cases (This does stand for the ac200p anyway there are more reviews of this system). While the system has a 2000 watt battery there is a constant draw while the system is turned on of about 350 watts over night with ac and dc turned off. This is estimated because the current draw isn’t documented in materials that I can find. As I’m sure you’re aware when you size a battery/solar system this info is essential.
One user who had received a free system (like you did) did another review after owning the system for 6 months and was very disappointed. He initially had it in his camper and had to replace it with something else with no current draw. He then started to use it in his off grid house and needed to have a petrol generator to top it up because of this “phantom power draw” which sort of isn’t the point obviously. As far as I can tell this system is probably more designed for home use when the power goes out or if you need to do some work where power isn’t close. After my research it’s not well suited to those headed to Dingo Piss creek in their camper for a week, unless you’re happy to carry a generator.
What solar inverter kit would you recommend instead then for portable and frugal off grid power that is better than this one? While also being sufficiently light for one person to move around? Thanks for any suggestions
At 14:24 that's gonna be my new alarm clock
John uses that Bluetti AC200MAX to power his secret fleet of portable shitoires.
No excuse for not getting a caravan now John. You can mount the bathroom outside on the rear wall to maximize the kitchen /shitoire distance. 👍 😃
For people who live in an urban area and are prone to frequent power outages, the Bluetti makes a lot of sense. It can be left in the garage and used to run a refrigerator and a freezer compared to a generator which must be used outdoors.
I am surprised that John has not done a house solar video yet
Because even Johno knows it's all bullshit
On my list of must buy, a great option for my HiAce, i dont want to go to the hassle of a dual battery setup, this is the answer.
G'day John, awesome power pack and add the additional battery pack and it's competitive with a Powerwall, try fitting that in the 4WD. And what's with the hand shears, couldn't you get one any bigger, you'll have to get out the platform shoes next time.
Cheers Peter
Very articulate
Good test and you sounded 50% less crazy than usual. makes a great alternative to a Gas powered generator for a similar price and your way less likely to get punched in the head late at night in a camping scenario!
I just picked up an AC200Max discounted thanks to Black Friday sales. In the future I may get the big daddy of this, the AC500.
10:24 thanks, that's what i couldn't find on their (or competing brands's website here in Europe. thanks for pointing that out, i figured it would not be light, but nor is my chinese genny.
I feel like I got an Auto Expert video and a This Old Tony video all in one here. Nice John, how about you make some more stuff in the future, you seem to have a fairly well equipped fat cave.
Hi JC. I've been tracking and eagerly awaiting the release of the Bluetti AC200 Max here in Oz (as a product improvement to the AC200P) when I first became aware of it via Will Prowse's CZcams channel and hence, 1 x AC200 Max promptly purchased at 1101hrs today - possibly the first purchaser of the product : ). I plan to use the portable power unit as the alternative to a dual battery system in my (4WD) vehicle for weekend family camping trips but also on much longer trips to DP Creek in the future (also have a portable Honda generator as a last resort back-up). Sure there's a weight and (cabin) space cost to be reckoned with but so too with a dual battery system right? Apart from that, I think for my application, the benefits of the system far outweighs the 'cost' in comparison to a permanently installed dual battery system in the vehicle.
Also, given that the unit allows power usage whilst simultaneously being charged, I plan to continuously utilise the Bluetti at home to constantly power my fridges, washing machine (as required) and other power hungry devices when not camping. I previously purchased a set of three SP200 Bluetti solar blanket panels during a recent sale which will match my AC200 Max nicely. Upfront item cost aside, it sounds like 'free power' to me.
The Bluetti is advertised to last for 3500 cycles translating to about 10 odd years if used 24/7 and according to Will Prowse, theoretically could outlast a person's lifetime with careful battery management e.g. maintaining the usage environment temp around 25deg; maintaining between 25-75% state of charge; and not constantly slamming in or rapidly sucking out the available charge. Obviously this is not exactly practicable in a camping situation but perhaps something for users to keep in mind - time will tell as it will re: the Chinese product manufacture. I believe that the only downside may be the lack of a 'ruggedised' build in comparison to the Redarc Block but when comparing the features not to mention the cost between the two, I think the figures speak for themselves.
Great Vedio 👍. A quick question with charging in the car. Does it have an inbuilt dctodc? Can i plug the anderson from the car battery directly to it? Because charging with the cigi socket will take ages to charge. How are you charging it? Thanks in advance!
Good video and revue AEJC, I have no doubt this Bluetti power system will be all I neede for of grid camping, BUT, how does it handle cold weather in northern Canada?
Anyone who hasn’t made a mistake making stuff ain’t made nothing.
I can’t help thinking it was a deliberate mistake
How would you connect your furnace in the winter in Canada?
Are the batteries replaceable just in case they fail.??
Hey John, why do your tools always look like they've never been used before :P Also does your MR triton have any vibration above 110kph?
Hope further discounts this Christmas. Miss out on the April offer.
Bluetti should send one of these over to Dave Jones at EEVblog for a teardown. I'd be interested to see what makes these beasts tick.
Yesss
If the unit is turned off completely with nothing plugged into it, does draw down/leak power over time? And if so how much power is being lost by the time you need to use it as a backup power source? In other words if you just want to it to power a camp fridge/freezer during the day but turn it off at night (with the fridge/freezer lid shut so frozen foods are still frozen or at least still safely cold by morning) plus charge phones during day too plus a couple of head torches, will it still have as much power when you turn it off over night by morning with fridge detached?
Thanks for any suggestions
The vice caught my attention. What is that and where do you get it? Ta
Hahahaa watching this workshop journey was so entertaining. Reminds me of my days as an apprenti Electrical Fitter Mech being verbally destroyed by the peanut gallery for minor f-ups 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍
Yes - been there, fucked that up...
Looks like a handy unit for tradies who can take it home and charge it overnight. Maybe not so practical if you are on your way to DPC. I converted my 2.2kw Honda generator to run on gas and it will run for 20+ hours on a 9kg bottle and no smelly petrol to carry.
what is the self discharge rate on this unit ? I believe the 200P discharge at 3% per hour when turned on .
with the expanded 8.2kw/h giving you about 100km in a Kona electric, will these be the jerry cans of the future ? if so Bluetti might want to consider a fast charger for less down time on the way to the creek....
Can You plug a power strip into the Bluetti 120 outlet ... ? for multiple outlets ..
Looking at using this to power a PACEMAN 245 CRICKET BOWLING MACHINE any help on if I should pass or purchase machine was running off batteries 12v 18ah not tech savvy on my end
I’m looking to get one for some camping and for work using the microwave amd charging my battery. I’ve got a 12v in the back of my Renault traffic will this charge it up as I drive along? When we go camping it’s a pain to get ice every two days etc so looking to accommodate this with a fridge.
Get a solar panel - maybe a fixed one on the roof.
How many cycles this battery can do? And can you use it to the empty
Can it run a standard kettle and toaster?
Hi mate, I’m a complete new by to these so can you answer this, I’m buying an off-road caravan with 2 lithium batteries and all the fruit that goes with that, I’ve been told it won’t get the aircon going, it’s a 2400w, will the BLUETTI 200 run it ???? Cheers
Can the Provide a PV adaptor to a 30amp anderson plug that is used on Solar Blankets???
I've perused the website and cannot see the detail for the plug arrangement for the DC input directly from the car.
I have heard bluetti has bad customer service. Have you found this to be true? What do you think about the Oupes 2400 in comparison to the bluetti? Thanks
Interesting review. Too expensive for me, like twice the value of my 2 cars, but I liked the 'project'. Luckily in the UK, power is reliable, albeit expensive.
Well I've got solar on the roof so can recharge a unit for free if the grid stays alive. I have a unit half this size rated at 1100kwh, looking at this very unit at the moment which costs about £1900 in the UK or I may just buy another similar unit too what I already own thus giving me the same combined power in two separate units ?
With the energy prices in the UK is this still expensive?
The big deal breaker for me, was requiring 30V+ input to charge it. (The AC200P).
Am I right that this one only requires 15V?
Makes it a much better proposition.
I wouldn't have to purchase another solar panel/s.
Pricey.
Please do a review on pure sine wave petrol generators, like the Gentrax equivalent.
With predicted power black outs on the east coast this year, I would like a cheaper back up power source for my fridges, LED work light and portable induction cook top for 24 to 48 hours.
And after watching this, I realise my fat cave is severely lacking in kit 🤣
I’m only half way through the video, is it good for recharging ya ev car?
My AC200Max just came in. Charged it up all the way and did a full discharge using a kilowatt meter and a 500 watt heat radiator plugged into it. Only got 1720Wh which is only 84% of 2048Wh total. Should I be getting 2048Wh or pretty close to it considering this is brand new?
84 % is a good value and within the aimed parameters. Take a look in the manual of the AC200MAX. It us mentioned there. Your LiFePO4 has 2.048 Wh. A part of the 15 % up to 100 % is consumed by the inverter which needs energy for itself while operating. And the final rest is hold back in the battery for security reasons to avoid a deep discharge of it.
I hope that helped and you enjoy your purchase 🤗
Fantastic option for grey nomads.
AC 200 Max is a big boy. But the AC2000 Maxo Max is the daddy.
Please tell me you’re giving this away too???
People going camping with power tools and small kitchens and towing small 2 bedroom homes is rediculous to me...swag, chair and an esky, done!
A swag , esky and a chair ? People like you are what’s ruining camping . Lay in the dirt and drink warm water. That’s camping
@@TyriontheYorkie I'm not salty. Ime just $150k better off and end up having a better time but each to their own.
Some people might want to cook their food. Or watch tv for a bit
@Elhesh wrong, not everyone in a camper is camping. I live in my RV 365 days a year.
Yeah, I’m happy to camp in such a way, the fiancé, not so much.
Dear John. 1: In the specifications of the Bluetti unit the clain of a Pure sine wave output and using this term is just a marketing 'Grab you' to fool the public.
>> Interverters do not put out a voltage sine wave and the current draw of the device dictates the shape of the current wave form. This knowleadge is from when I taught this to others in engineering land.
The 350 solar panels will supply 10amps but to reguated voltage of (guess) 14 volts, like a car charger. From my calculations that is only 140 watts. Sure the the rated watts is 350 but the BMS only cares about the current input.
from spec sheet >> Solar Input: 900W Max.OCV 10-145VDC, 15A.
Not defaming this engineering of this unit, just does not make me warm and fuzzy
It’s still available on their site
Can you power an a/c with it?
All very good, but my 2.8kva Chinese gensat for 18,000 pisos ( here in the Philippines). Does me great for the regular " brownouts" we get here .
18k P = $500.
The only thing that is missing is some 50AMP ANDERSON PLUG
Hey guys and/or gals.... I'm new to solar in whole and I'm looking to buy my 1st PORTABLE solar system/generator and was looking at the ac200 max but now I'm concerned about the xtra batteries not charging after they drain or shutdown. Can anyone tell me if thats been fixed or if not is there another system similar in specs with expansion batteries THAT DO WAKE UP BY SOLAR IF THEY DEPLETE OR SHUTDOWN. thank you soooo much for anyone who can help...
Rather impressive fat cave Mr Cado. More than one big tool in there. I watched some dude discussing the merits of thermal runaway recently. Can those bricks double as a cave heater as well? ;)
Thankfully, thermal runaways are comparatively rare events, relative to the number of batteries in service.
I try to be the biggest tool in the Fat Cave - it's more or less a rule.
How would I hook up a Dometic RTX 2000 Air Conditioner - 2000W, 12V - 9600028490 × 1 ...... to the Bluetti
I know you have a sponsorship deal with Bluetti, so I have to be somewhat cynical. Buetti sells in the USA as well, although obviously 120V output models. I considered one of their units on your recommendation, but some of Will Prowse's (US) reviews are less enthusiastic, and some Amazon buyer reviews also gave me pause. But it does seem they listen to feedback and that each iteration improves - probably just as we will find with EVs
Sales must be up John……
They’ve sent you another one to advertise…..
Good Job
DUUUUUUUUDE
You mean 'review'. Duuuuuuude.
I've seen on forums that BLUETTI has an insanely large phantom draw (i.e. efficiency problems). Do your research :).
Any power supply that can run a good small welding machine?
And, can it charge my EV?
No to the EV. Most EVs have 20-30 times more energy on board.
I wonder how they would go on a yacht instead of a large bank of batteries , Inverters , separate systems 240 /12 dc ??? Better then carrying around a generator ? You just answered the question .
I think Arfur is flogging these off down at the local boozer .
I enjoyed your video and you obviously know what you are doing with tools but I was really surprised that you operated power tools wearing a watch and bracelet. Along with a necklace outside your tee shirt. Not what I would have done. Best wishes.
You own a triton? Good to know.
Hey John. I've heard some horror stories regarding bluetti products. Many reviews state that their stations shorted, or didn't even charge out of the box.
And when they tried to contact customer support there was little to none. Only emailing a prewritten message to turn it off and on. And disregarding the warranty. I was looking to get a bluetti power station but now im having serious second thoughts. What was your honest experience? I do not want to throw away $1000
So just got a new 200 max yesterday and was wanting to know if anyone else knows if it's a new update for the unit to shut itself completely off after 4 hours with the ac and dc off because mine does
Idle mode?
Fuck you've got some flash toys. Respect!
It's a sickness.
Vigorpool for the win
You sold!
Ok if it can boil my kettle, keep the little fridge going, a fan for summer and electric chainsaw...i want it!
I hear a lot of reviewers say “if the sun is shining” so can you charge this with a wind turbine. This is something all reviewers don’t touch on. Can you show if it can be changed with a wind turbine and recommend a wind turbine.
A bit valuable to leave outdoors all the time- lithium batteries have burnt plenty of houses down especially around christmas time. But i suppose that's the trade off of high energy batteries- you spend more on insurance! I'll stick with a genset thanks.
How does it compare to a Honda 2000 generator produces 1800 watts per hour at least it be able to charge this overprice unit just by a lithium battery and inverter for about half the price of this unit. However these units are not bad value just remember is just over 2 kw or about 40 cents of power