BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station

Dessy · Newbie

BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have an Eaton Evolution S 3000 & two EXB additional battery units. Brilliant for critical work.

If you need it for seriously long run times. More than a few hours you will need to add a lot more battery capacity.

You will also need a proper surge protector, Eaton (or similar) upstream of the UPS.

If really critical, look at Eaton double conversion power supply.

My UPS is MGE before Eaton took over.

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Dessy,

These power packs are really a battery in a box with a lot of necessary charging and power outlet built in. Very handy things and you can link more battery capacity too. They include various outlets for charging things and powering things. They also can be charged through various ways. Not sure if you need all these features ?

The down side is they are expensive for what you get in the battery capacity ! Note they are called a power station but do not make any power but just store it in a battery.

The built in battery is 2,048Wh Capacity. Hmm that is roughly equal to 160 Ahr capacity. Not enough to do much for any long time using those fancy inverters the advertising touts. The battery expander modules are equally expensive and limited capacity.

If you want an instant unit with all the bells and whistles in a handy unit that works OK and have the money, then work out what you want to run with it and see what it will do for you. But it might be more cost effective to just buy a bigger basic battery and the other items to make it work and wire it together. which is what most people do.

Jaahn

Dessy · Newbie

Thanks Jaahn,

With very basic handyman skills and no wiring knowhow, I definitely lean towards the ease of a Plug & Play type system.

I have explored the Value aspects, even without factoring the cost of paying for the installation of a fixed in van system. The installation costs would make a fixed system way more expensive.

I came across this great analysis & review:What is best? : Power Station vs a Fixed Battery System? Explore the pro's & con's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfdIDqJm58A

It actually found the Portable power systems cost much the same, without the pain of installation. And some many more other benefits that the all in one convenience and portability allows.

I am finding it hard to go past these latest power stations.

Cheers, Des

Whenarewethere · Guru

The problem when everything is in one box & you are remote & something fails. What workarounds does one have.

If a component system fails that part can be replaced. Even with another brand.

A lot of remote travellers probably have redundancy. I have 2 MPPT controllers, 2 230v chargers, 2 DC-DC chargers (all Victron) & 4 batteries.

Can also, & have done a few times, jump started cars & run air compressors which require 90 amps.

It's all tucked into corners around the car, so not really taking up my space as such.

Can unplug batteries & use as portable power pack if needed. So all very flexible.