I have a Whirlpool frig (with top freezer) from 2019.which pulls 6.5 amp full load. I just set up my new Elite 100 in case of power outages. In my test when the frig turns on the inside light pulses when the door is open and when it runs it makes a strange soft up and down pulsing noise. The compressor seems to run (comes on and then later goes off) except for the strange behavior (the meter went from 18-127) and with the strange sound. I noticed the Elite 100 is running in ECO mode (?). When I plug back into the wall the frig is back to normal behavior. Do I have some initial settings wrong>
@marc-ameritech.net Marc, first thing to do is check your Elite 100v2 for DSP and other firmware updates i.e make sure it’s up to date via the App.
I have 5 fridges of various types and tried all of them on the Elite 100;
- Home fridge is a 540lt Mitsubishi top freezer inverter model - It works ok, but shows a higher load than from the grid.
- A 90lt drinks fridge Husky brand - It will not work from any of my power stations (AC70, AC180, AC200P or the Elite 100.
- 4x4 mounted Engel 40lt Combi fridge freezer - It works from 12VDC & 240VAC perfectly fine.
- Caravan mounted Dometic 110lt fridge freezer - normally run from 12VDC house batteries and hard wired, so unable to test from 12VDC. However, it has a power brick to supply power from 240VAC mains power and this worked fine. (Note - the power brick only converts 240VAC to 12VDC to supply the fridge.)
- A 40lt drawer fridge also in the caravan - This is also hard wired, so unable to test.
As an aside, I also have a caravan Air Con, it works fine from a Honda 2kVA generator, which is rated at 1,600W continuous. The Elite’s 1,800W inverter should run it, but it does not, it makes strange noises and thumping sounds.
It would appear that certain compressors, fridge or aircons don’t like the power output for some reason. I don’t know why and in my instance, it is not the start up current as this is lower than the surge limit of the power stations I have. This is also not just restricted to Bluetti power stations as I have seen Youtube evidence of other brands having similar issues. I have contacted Bluetti Support re this issue - but to date have no information as to what the issue is.
Another point - Modern refrigerators are full of electronics nowadays, not just a simple compressor with a thermostat. This may well be where the problem exists.
What you are describing is my biggest beef with advertising. They make it seem like you can take this power station anywhere, its light as a feather, it can run your dehumidifier/aircon/fridge no problem, etc., but the reality is it severely depends on make and model. In some cases, the inverter logic can’t handle the inrush current, in other cases the compressor demands utility-grade AC power. Finicky electronics as @Mandp stated as well. Instead, Bluetti needs to focus on a whitelist of compatible hardware, including community driven responses, so instead of trying to match any power station to your setup, you can find a compatible one, or you can match the product TO the Bluetti power station of your choice. Or if nothing works you whip out a gas generator and accept it as incompatible.
@sealy1986 I understand your frustration and in some ways agree wholeheartedly. However, as a retired designer, I also know full well that it is almost impossible to design for every appliance that requires electrical energy.
That said, my logic is this; A Bluetti power station, in simple terms, provides AC power via an inverter from a battery. I have friends in a rural environment, that live totally “Off Grid”. Their energy is provided by several hundred Ah @ 48VDC battery banks, charged by 3 solar arrays. That power is then converted via Victron Inverter Chargers on each of the 3 systems. They run lighting, TV, satellite TV, Starlink, washing machines, dish washers, 2 split system air conditioners, kitchen appliances, pumps and much more from these systems. Not one appliance or device powered from any of these supplies has failed to operate perfectly.
My conclusion here can only be that, if everything works, works well, with no issue from one source of inverter energy provision, but the same appliances fail from another source, it can only be an issue with that source.