#Apex300ForAll
Bluetti has listened to its users of their products. The APEX 300 with the hub and accessories have many features that the solar influencers/experts have been calling for that are available in the APEX 300 with scalability and 120V/240V in one unit. Also, I am quite interested in the SolarX 4K voltage regulator and if that unit has the capability to accept multiple arrays, in case you have different solar panel types; still awaiting the details of this unit and capabilities and compatibilities. My hope with this post/contest submittal is to exhibit the need to “consolidate” some of my current Bluetti Products which I am using, and the potential of the APEX 300 to be incorporated into my own setup, and how it will be used in my daily life, adventures, or projects.
A little background (adventures into solar- the beginning).
For over a decade, I have been very interested in solar, however, until quite recently, panels were expensive and lead acid batteries were impractical and unsafe.
However, with the quick development of Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and decent high efficiency panels, the capability to run what I imagined became more of a reality.
Of course, I could have delt with one of those fly-by-night solar companies which BOTH neighbors & Friends are now regretting using (but that’s a story for another day). Many aren’t even using batteries and can’t even use them when the power goes out, such as with Hurricanes. But I wanted to “do it myself” and be able to use the system 24/7 and prefer to keep it off grid.
Therefore, I researched and started small in April 2022 and decided to purchase in a little solar generator, the Bluetti EB55. I chose that item because it was Lithium Iron Phosphate, opposed to competitors which were mostly the less safe and inefficient Lithium Batteries.
I bought 2 little 100-watt panels and a small stand and bolted it on my canopy.
Panels that Connected to my EB55- the beginning of my Solar Journey
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I started charging all my electronics, phones, tablets, laptops, and even my power tools including the lawnmower batteries.
Not soon after seeing what the EB55 can do, I researched investing into building my main off-grid backup system to run my backyard items. I had several options and liked several solar generators but was already partial to Bluetti and decided to get the AC300 and 4x B300 batteries
In the meantime, I stated to design a setup that let me put up panels in my backyard since I was very limited on space and did NOT want to bolt Panels on the roof of my house, which I now know NEVER to do since Insurance companies are starting to drop people who had panels installed on their roof in our neighborhood and violates roof warranties.
In 2022, I found 6 x 450-watt panels that fit perfectly in my backyard, and they met all the specifications for the AC300, which in ideal conditions brings in 2.4 Kw of power to the AC300.
I won’t go into details with those Projects, since it can be observed in another post located here in these forums and just don’t want to regurgitate that same information for this post, but you can read about it here under two different posts and see MANY photos located there.
Projects From 2023: #MyAC300afterAyear - My Off-grid Backyard Pond, Hydroponics, and much more
Projects From 2024: #LifeWithBLUETTI - Powering my Backyard Zen Area & Hydroponics
Jump to 2025 – “The need for conglomeration and why scalability is important”:
I am currently the owner of many Bluetti Products: an EB3a, EB55, AC50, 3xAC300’s and an AC500, 6 x B300S and 7 x B300, and a recently purchased Backpack2 along with a 100w portable Bluetti Panel. The other solar items are Hard panels including 2x100w, 6 x 450-watt panels, 2x 550-watt panels (Renogy’s).
Since the "Projects from 2024" from the above link(s), I have removed my AC300 and AC500 and now use just one AC500 and 6 new B300S batteries (purchased this year) and plugged the two 500W panels directly into two of the B300S batteries (one to each battery). As mentioned in the above links in detail, my backyard runs strictly on solar, both day and at night, lights, music, multiple pumps, fans, hydroponics, etc.
System was Both the AC500 & AC300 in 2024.
Now Conglomerated to just the AC500 (below). The new B300S batteries takes full advantage of a 550W panels.
ALL Run by the above AC500
I was able to remove 2 AC300’s for 1 AC500 and 1 AC300 and finally remove the AC300 all together and use less room in the bedroom and then EXPAND the daily power usage to include 1 full bedroom including the window AC and one office with monitors/computers/and another window AC. Having an APEX300 could have made this scalability an easier feat, the curse of being an early adopter of available technology. Freeing up the 3x AC300’s has allowed me to hook up one to use as a backup with 4xB300 batteries as my backup for my complete media system, including all my networking and security devices. When I install the new panels, this AC300+Batteries will be run by solar (photo below). Also, I have another AC300 and 3 batteries that a friend is borrowing for medical devices backup. The irony is that they have “rented” Solar Panels but can’t utilize them in the daytime, since they shut off during power outages and are unable to use them at night because they don’t have batteries. The third AC300 is my backup in case my current AC500 goes down.
Currently, I am in the middle of Stage 4 of 5 of my Solar expansion Project, I have the AC300’s and I’m just waiting to place a 10+ Panel order and for the Florida Heat to settle down in October to “start” the Stage 4 expansion, which will allow me to run all my media electronics and garage items (washer/dryer/freezer).
I would like to tie into the house circuits using a subpanel, but there are problems with ARC-fault and GFCI legs of the circuit panel, even with the 310A ProTran2 AC300 Home Integration Kit (120V & 240V. My only option is to rewire off-grid for the ceiling fans and add a few off-grid outlets in key locations using new romex runs. Maybe the new ATI Smart Distribution Box will help with some of the integration instead of adding third-party products.
Other Bluetti Adventures:
In 2023, my wife started a side hustle with her homemade fashion jewelry which has us participating in outdoor vendor events during cooler months. On top of several crates and tables n chairs, we lugged the EB55 and EB3A and two large backpacks. However, we recently purchased the Backpack 2 with Battery and it replaced BOTH backpacks and the EB55 and the EB3A. Below, I have a few photos from an event; we have had quite a few people inquire about the Backpack2 the few times that we were able to use it at the fairs. Maybe Bluetti should participate at a few of these events, the panels brought attention to our setup.
Photos below: Using the Backpack 2 with the 100W Solar Panel - kept battery system at 90%+ while running Laptop, checkout/printer, phone using hotspot, and a Diffuser.
This Years Crop:
As requested by a couple posts in the links from 2023/2024, here are a few photos from this past month’s hydroponics crop which was planted on April 12th (photos are from April 30th – yes, they grew that fast). I was able to make my first pepper sauces both a Cayenne and Jalapeño sauce. These hydroponic systems are all run from the AC500, multiple water pumps (60W & 100W), 24/7 Air pumps and lights.
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Summary,
I have adopted solar slightly early in the Lithium Iron Phosphate era of DIY Solar and while so much has been invented and fine-tuned in the industry, especially in battery technology, inverters and panels. In three years since I jumped into the Solar hobby pool, there have been even better advances, as in the APEX 300 and its accessories. Going from the first solar purchase, an EB55 to what I have now seems like ancient history. Already, I have gone through one strong tropical storm and two hurricanes (one with 90mph sustained winds), I am amazed I have everything still standing. My goal is to go from about my current 40% to 80% decrease in using grid energy during cooler months and be comfortable if the Grid System goes down, storm or whatever. I can complete this feat with my current 4th expansion, maybe the APEX 300 will be a part of it or even its accessories. Even though I won’t ever achieve 100% off grid energy, due to the hot summer heavy Air conditioner usage, my winter & early Spring will be close to zero grid (yes, we still need need to use AC in the winter here!). Thanks to Bluetti and their continued innovations, I am getting closer to my goals.
Thanks Bluetti,
William
