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.
Edit italicised - Rather than state “an issue with that source”, I will revise to - “It can only be an issue with the interaction between that source and a specific device.” This is because I have found similar devices to work ok and others do not.
I had the same problem with my AC70P and my 2021 Whirlpool fridge. A few other people have commented they have seen the problem too.
A couple of points - ECO mode really should be off when you’re running fridges and/or freezers from your Bluetti otherwise you run the risk of ECO mode switching off whichever output(s) it is set up for.
With regard to the strange behavior of your Whirpool, it would be worth checking that you Bluetti isn’t set to use power lifting mode as that can damage motors and electronics because it works by reducing the AC voltage output by the Bluetti.
i have the same problem with a 2 doors Wirlpool refrigerator ( soft up and down pulsing noise). When the compressor turns on, there is a dip in any of the AC200L uground output. I have a light in my living room plugged in this Bluetti and the light flickers once and fast when the compressor kicks-in. My concern is that this will damage the Wirlpool compressor after a while. I dont use ECO mode and i run the AC200L on solar during the day but at night it will run on grid power because of my SOC settings but this problem will happen no matter what. Do anyone know ( @BLUETTI_CARE ? @BLUETTI ? ) if that behavior of the AC200L could damage my refrigerator compressor on the long run ?
That is a huge fridge, and even without the startup issue, the 100v2 would only run it for 1 hour or so on its 1024WH nominal capacity.
I think the 100v2 inverter is just too small to start that motor without straining, but also the 100v2 itself is too small in terms of battery capacity. Maybe you want an Apex 300 or something on that scale.
Hi @marc-ameritech.net, regarding the issue you raised, we believe it is caused by a power surge from the compressor when the refrigerator starts. Our Elite 100 V2 has firmware that can optimize the impact of high-power loads. Please provide your Elite 100 V2’s SN code and current firmware version so that we can push the update.
Hi @flomotion, regarding the issue you raised, we believe it is caused by a power surge from the compressor when the refrigerator starts.
However, there is no new firmware available for the AC200L. Since it is not compatible, the only option is to upgrade to the latest model.
We believe the Apex 300 is indeed a great choice—please make sure to use the AC output port for your loads.
thanks for the reply @BLUETTI_CARE but does that means the compressor is slowly being damage by the AC output of my AC200L and/or the inverter in the AC200L lifespan will be reduce? I wish it was that easy to just upgrade to the latest model but money does not grows on trees for the most of us. I have to say that i am very disappointed by Bluetti regarding this problem. The AC200L claim to be able to output 2400W and i cannot even run a simple refrigerator that is drawing 150W to 500W depending on the cycle that its currently at.
The issue is the starting surge which can be several kilowatts.
i dont think the surge at start is over 2400W if the refrigerator max out at 550W after the initial surge when the compressor kicks in. That tells me that the inverter can take sustained 2400W output but peak surge is much lower so i am very disappointed by this false advertisement by Bluetti that the AC output is 2400W because that is flat out false.
Hi @flomotion, We completely understand your concern. Please rest assured that this will not affect the lifespan of your AC200L or your refrigerator.
The AC output of the AC200L can indeed provide 2400W, and when Power Lifting Mode is enabled, it can output up to 3600W, allowing you to power resistive loads such as heaters.
As @Paulr mentioned, the starting power of your refrigerator’s compressor is far higher than 2400W, which exceeds the load capacity of the AC200L. You can try using the AC200L to power other high-wattage appliances that do not have compressors or condensers. This way, you can test the actual output performance of the AC200L.
im sorry but my Wirlpool refrigerator is no where near a surge start of 2400W. The model is WRF560SFHZ00. IF you look at the specs and the compressor model the peak load is around 1200W. Here is the logic from Grok AI behind this and it is based on the compressor model manual and refrigerator schematics: The surge or peak load demand when the compressor kicks in for the Whirlpool refrigerator model WRF560SFHZ00 is approximately 1200 watts. This is based on the locked rotor amps (LRA) of the Embraco EM3Z60HLT compressor (around 10 amps) multiplied by the rated voltage (120 volts). The exact value can vary slightly with voltage fluctuations or environmental conditions, but this is the typical inrush power during startup.
On top of that, i can see on the AC200L the peak surge at around the same peak at 1200W being displayed very fast on the AC output section.
If the inverter can take the peak demand at 1200W why the dip down in compressor performance upon starting ? can it be because the inverter is not fast enough ? please expand on this and let me know if my inverter is defective or if this is normal behavior.
Hi @flomotion, Thank you for providing the detailed information. It appears that your refrigerator’s power consumption isn’t very high, but if it still can’t be powered, it’s likely a compatibility issue between the two devices.
If your AC200L can handle other non-inductive loads, that means the unit itself is working properly.