While testing my new AC180P, I tried charging using the 12 volt lighter plug on my car. It did charge at about 100 watts, however the tip of the plug in the car socket got very hot. I plugged and unplugged several times, pushing it all the way in. I even tried a second car, same result. Is this normal? Have I got a defective cable? Are there better cables available that do not get hot?
Hi @GregpOregon
welcome to the bluetti community forum!
The lighter plug is a not really well designed plug in my opinion. Thats not Bluetti´s fault, its a general problem.
The contact of this plug is mostly really poor, even when bluetti try to make it best as possible, the plug itself is just not suitable for long high power appliances. So yes, your result is totally normal.
I would recommend to not use this plug for two long on full power. Most time, the spring inside deform and not work, when its get too hot.
greetings
Erik
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Hi @GregpOregon, During car charging, the small contact area of the cigarette lighter socket can easily cause the interface to heat up. Therefore, we don’t recommend customers charging while driving, as this may lead to cable loosening and poor contact. If the charging works normally, then it’s fine.
If you’re concerned, you can also contact customer service for a replacement cable.
Thank you to @Selfmadestrom for the professional answer, it was very helpful.
I am not driving. I wanted to be able to charge the AC180P from my parked “battery electric vehicle, new energy vehicle”. The other car was a gas powered truck, also parked. It seems that a good cable should work in that situation. Perhaps the plug needs a temperature sensor to turn off when it gets hot. Or something that comes straight off the battery?
During a power outage, I mostly plan on recharging the Bluetti with my gasoline generator. However we have a 2019 Kia E-Niro with a 64KWh battery. It will not output 120volt AC, but it does have a utility mode where the traction battery continually recharges the 12 volt battery. I am looking for options
I have an Engel fridge in my 4x4, which had a cig plug cable supplied. It only pulls 3A (<40W) and got very hot. I also have a 12V oven installed and it pulls 6A with the same plug and worse heat issue.
For years, I have cut these plugs off and replaced them with 50A Anderson plugs, not only to alleviate the over heating issue, but, they are a more positive connection that does not vibrate loose on rough terrain.
My advice, add an Anderson outlet from your source battery and use it. (May require an auto electrician, if you are not confident with DIY)
P.S. All my accessories in the vehicle run from Anderson, both vehicle battery and auxiliary. i.e. Caravan power, anti sway, UHF, solar in and the above fridge, oven.
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I guess I am going to watch more videos. Bluetti makes an alternator charger, but on the web site there is no information on how it connects, just a picture of a box and a coil of wire. There is also a cable to hook up solar panels and it mentions up to 500 watts, that might also be a possible way to charge. The connector on the Bluetti is a DC7909. On Amazon there are some DC7909 and also similar looking 8mm connectors. Are they the same?
