I would like to have the option of charging the AC200 directly from the solar bank in the van (instead of relying on the portable solar panels). The bank consists of two 12V, 100AH lithium batteries in parallel.
Can I do a DC-DC charge or do I need to get an inverter, and if an inverter what size?
The most efficient and flexible method is to use the Charger 1 to charge your 200. Using an inverter will have a larger efficiency loss and your charge rate will be higher, which will deplete your Van batteries quicker.
You don’t necessarily need to charge the full 560W from the charger 1 by reducing the output voltage to what suits your needs.
The other point is that you already have an inverter in the 200, do you really need another.
I use my AC180 in my van to drive the M/Wave oven. For a 6-10min cook time I use between 15 & 20% or around 150-200Wh from the 180, which I trickle during the day via the van 2 x 100Ah LFPs @ around 90W, so roughly 2-3hrs to recharge. I also carry a small 800W inverter genny for crappy weather days as my house battery charger is only a 500W load and the 180 in Silent mode pulls around 280W. (So, one at a time, lol.)
Also, a DC-DC charger will not work as it is a regulated low voltage charge and won’t work any quicker than a Cig socket, as I occasionally do. I also have the Charger 1, but have so far not needed to recharge quicker than I do.
Thanks Mandp. I will check out the charger I.
Regarding the inverter. I tried charging the AC180 by plugging it into a 500W inverted attached to the batteries and it blew it out
I asked Bluetti about this. This what they said
To charge the AC180 using two 100Ah lithium batteries, you do not necessarily need an inverter.
For AC180, you need to purchase an Alligator Clamps to DC7909 Cable, please check the link below.
(they said this would work with lithium batteries)
Note: If using 12V/24V lithium batteries, the charging power is limited to around 100W/200W, because the AC180 limits current.
To increase charging power up to 500W, you may purchase an optional accessory called Charger 1 (D60L).
What you need to know - The AC180, from what I am told and stand corrected if wrong, as well as the AC70, have 3 charging modes. They are;
Silent at around 300W, Standard at 480W and Turbo at 850W. If your 180 is set to Turbo, it will want to draw 850W and that will trip a 500W inverter. At standard and depending on inverter quality, it will be very close to max load of 500W and the inverter may trip. Hot climate will also likely allow this to happen
I have charged both my AC70 & AC180 from a Victron 375W inverter in the rear of my 4x4. It is powered by a 75Ah Slimline LFP auxiliary battery, which is charged by a 20A DC-DC inbuilt to the battery. I have never had a problem using this, because before connecting either power station, I check the charge rate via the Bluetti App. I can also note that they both draw in the order of 285W when doing this. I have also noted the current draw via the Smart Shunt at around 25A at this load. I also have a 100Ah LFP spare battery, it will charge via the inverter or directly to the power stations DC input, albeit at around 95W. It has more capacity than the AC70 or AC180 in comparison and would charge either from dead flat.