So here is my question and why I ask?
It is bad for any Bluetti unit to charge another unit from the AC out on the unit? Example using my AC200L to charge my AC180 or Elite 200.
Why I ask is I ended up with one extra ridged solar panel, The plan was to design a mobile cart at 800 watts to make it work for all of bluetti’s I own, Using the series - parallel method, which would yield less then 500 watts. But because of an error my amazon I end up with 5 X 200 watt panels , and they don’t want the 1 panel back (just keep it they said) .
So testing all 5 200 watt panels in series in peak sun I was able to reach solar at 980 watts and avg about 810 in prime sun light.
So I am think, why not leave the setup this way to pull more power in at a time and the transfer to other units as needed? That way I am charging at a high rate,
So will this hurt either unit?
Also why did the Elite 200 and Apex 300 have 60 volt limit on the mppt controller?
I noted this to Bluetti, their response was they don’t recommend it. However, I think this has more to do with efficiency than risk as I have done this a number of times when testing the Elite 100 v2 for them. (It’s a good way of depleting a test unit to check capacity)
Converting battery power to AC via the inverter, to then use that AC power to charge another battery has efficiency losses.
I have a generator transfer switch installed on my house (inside as it is not for a gas generator, but Bluetti input). It feeds all of my house power points (GPOs) for smaller load use in a Grid Out, including plug in lighting. (I did not include the lighting circuit on the transfer as that is my indicator for grid resumption).
It is powered initially by 2 - AC180 power stations as 1,800W is enough power during a grid outage. They are connected as follows; (One sits on top of the other)
AC180 lower has 2 VAC cables attached, one is from its AC output to the transfer plug, the other is its charging cable, which is plugged into AC180 upper’s AC output to almost double AC180 lower’s capacity. (In consideration of efficiency loss)
If the outage lasts longer than their combined capacity, I can remove AC180 upper when it is almost empty and replace it with another power station. (I have an AC200P, a 3rd AC180, Elite100 and 2 x AC70s).
Should a change over occur, the depleted AC180 can then be recharged from either, a petrol generator, my vehicle or solar, or a mix of 2 sources.
The main reason for the transfer connection from the lower AC180 is that it remains connected to the house and the top one is easier to remove for replacement.
From a design perspective, there is nothing wrong with ganging multiple power stations together via AC. The only disadvantage is capacity efficiency loss.
NB. The logical caveat is, to ensure the output power station can cope with that load and that each power station in the link is capable of being charged by the one it charges from.
(Also note - one of my AC70s is permanently connected to the house fibre optic/WiFi Router and Security cameras hub in UPS mode. If grid goes down, it takes over and is then charged via a house GPO from the AC transfer switched power stations.)
Thanks for your response, So it seems efficiency is the main issue, but it shouldn’t harm units. I am not sure if I use this method or just put up a couple more panels set to under 60 voc. Thank again for the input.
I do it all the time to top off one Bluetti AC180 to another when I have sufficient Sun.
I have one Bluetti AC180 that runs my 12V fridge and microwave and another AC180 that runs my dehumidifier
If I run my 700 watt (0.7 cu ft) microwave for 5 minutes, it depletes around 15% of the battery. Likewise if I run my dehumidifier for 30 minutes it will use around the same.
Since I top off my AC180 (connected to my fridge+microwave) with the most solar potential (two 350 watt panels in parallel) what I find is during a Sunny day, I have more than enough ample energy remaining to allocate to other devices. Otherwise, its wasted potential. Think about if your fridge consumed 45Wh per hour, but your solar panel was giving you the potential of 250Wh per hour. You are wasting 200Wh. Give it to something else.
What I do is simply put my 2nd AC180 into “silent” charging mode to top off the battery at around 280 watts so if I’m getting full Sun which is around 350-380 watts, I can somewhat maintain a net positive charge. Think about it like this. If you are at 99%, the solar panel just gives you back 1%, until you use another 1%. Your maximum storage potential is still 1 Kilowatt from the AC180. Allocating that solar energy to fill another bank just means you now have MORE energy potential that would otherwise be wasted. What I found was my efficiency from AC charging one AC180 to the other was around 75%. So this nets me essentially 1.75kW worth of storage.
When I’m driving I have a Bluetti T200S DC charging bricks plugged into my 400W truck inverter that tops off the “spare” AC180 for more energy potential while driving.
So it sounds do-able, your right its wasted energy. Right now with the 1000 watt mobile panel array I built , I can charge the unit from 20% to 100% before peak sun. Also your setup seems interesting.
It’s very rudimentary because I’m essentially cramming everything into a 5 and a half foot long truck bed + back passenger seats to travel and live out of full time. Underneath my bedding area is where I store two Bluetti AC180s and one Bluetti EB70S, along with everything else. To power them I use 4 panels + a solar blanket which is IP68 rated. Two PV200s and Two PV350s. I run the PV200s in series and the two PV350s in parallel (since I am limited to VOC of 60). The AC70 piggyback charges the EB70S
1= ALP Propane Generator on passenger floor. Storage bins for clothes on passenger seat
2= Iceco APL55 Dual Zone 12V Fridge. Sitting on top of fridge is Boxio Wash and Boxio Toilet crates.
3= My laundry solution, which includes a spin dryer, washboard, plunger washer, 5 gallon bucket, drain pan. Additionally my 4 Bluetti folding solar panels slide into this section as well, and locked down.
4=Bluetti AC180
5= Twenty gallons of onboard water storage (I have four 5 gallon Sceptre containers. Water is siphoned from my Ryobi water transfer pump which is the green device you see pictured above
6= Bluetti AC180, Bluetti EB70S which powers my 12V fridge, lights, and fan
7=IcyBreeze Ultimate which keeps me cool in hot, but drier climates
8= Coleman Cascade 222 and tote for kitchen appliances/dried goods
9= Bluetti AC70 and small tote for additional storage
10= Midea 22 Pint Dehumidifier + Bluetti Elite 30 V2
11= Microwave and Dreo CF714S air circulator
12= Olympian Wave 3 Propane heater and 3.8 gallon WaterPORT Daytank (pressurized water system)
Thanks for the details. Your Alps Propane Generator is a good generator. I’ve been looking for one local one on FB since the company is no longer making them.
Also I shared your setup information with a co-worker who is planning on living in a van or something because the high cost rent.
