I am thinking about buying the AC200L for my van build. I want to use the Charger 1 to charge the unit from my Alternator but also have 400W of solar panels at the same time.
Is there a way I can connect both simultaneously? Can I use the Charger 1 and the D050S at the same time with the D050S being hooked up to my solar panels?
No - The AC200L as with most models only has one DC input. Inputting 2 sources at differing voltages will conflict with each other, particularly in that solar output voltage is infinitely variable according to weather conditions.
The only way to charge portable power stations from 2 sources is by one source to the DC input and another to the AC input.
Although I do have and use the Charger 1, I also have solar on the roof of my 4x4 and a Victron inverter from its auxiliary battery charged from alternator. Here I can input the solar and the AC from the Victron at the same time.
In an off grid situation the scenarios are:
DC input = Solar OR Charger 1 OR a second LFP battery etc
Simultaneously from
AC input = Grid OR Generator OR inverter from another source OR another power station etc
The operative being the word OR.
(These options do not include an expansion battery)
The AC200L has a DC input Range/Limit of 12 to 145V @ 15A via an Aviation plug.
The Etaker has an output limit 42V @ 25A.
The first point to note is that the AC200L will only accept 15A of that 25A output and at 42V = 630W. This is regardless of how much solar input you have or what your vehicle alternator will provide. Plus its output interface is
XT60. This is only 70W more than the Charger 1 which is specifically designed for Bluetti power stations along with many others. It has a higher output voltage at 56V, but at 10A. In the scheme of things, Etaker is not worth that little difference, regardless of price.
Consider this, to play safe with loads due to conversion efficiency losses, either DC to DC or DC to AC, I work on dividing output or load watts by 10, not 12. So, if you charge 500W the alternator load is around 50A, which without a heavy duty alternator is about the limit on most 4x4s over and above normal max driving loads.
Another point - I can not see anything in the Etaker manual that prioritises solar and it appears that it is a 500W DC-DC and a 500W solar combined to make the 1,000W.
It’s your choice, but I’m a great believer in using like for like, i.e. I wouldn’t use Ford parts in my Toyota 4x4.
Also, remember that most LFP batteries can charge at 1C i.e. the 200L - 1200W of solar plus 1200W of AC in turbo.
This will shorten its life if done regularly.
I have 5 Bluetti PS that have Silent, Standard and Turbo charging capability. I charge all of them from AC in Silent mode as I have found that adequate for my needs, or from up to 300W of solar, but not at the same time.
This will maximise their cycle life.
Thank you again so much! I didn’t realize the AC200L was limited so much on its input. I’ll have to loop at another option for my van. Really appreciate the patient explanations, hopefully it will help answer others who have similar question.
Last question, if you don’t mind. I am looking at the AC300+B300K. This seems like it has to 12V PV inputs. That should allow me connect both solar panels and the Charger 1 at the same time right?