Solar Charging of AC50B

Product Discussion BLUETTI AC Series
1

For more than a decade, I’ve used solar chargers when camping, hiking, and for emegencies. The largest solar charger I own is 30 watt foldable and it has done quite a good job at re-charging my compact lithium USB-A/USB-C battery packs. As we have gotten older, my wife and I have transitioned into car camping trips for two to three days at a time. We still love to tent, but we also would like to have a couple comforts of home, like a small 12-volt cooler for perishables, etc.

To that end, I’ve been looking at the Bluetti AC50B power station and I am strongly considering it for purchase. After doing some “charging time” calculations, I decided to buy a BigBlue SolarPowa 100 folding solar panel to re-charge the power station. The SP100 has a built-in SAE connector and includes a SAE to DC 5.5x2.5mm cable (which is useless with the AC50B, because it requires an XT60 connector for charging). Everything on the surface looked great until I took a closer look at he specs on the solar panel and power station.

After watching a couple of YouTube videos, I became concerned that my new solar panel’s Voc (open-circuit voltage) may damage the AC50B, because the solar panel’s Voc is 2.2 volts higher than the maximum charging voltage of the power station.

Are my concerns justified? Wouldn’t the AC50B’s internal MPPT Charge Controller protect the unit from damage?

Would a separate in-line MPPT Charge Controller reduce the voltage before the electricity even arrived at the XT60 charging port? I would like to keep the SP100 solar panel and find a good work-around. Is there anything that I haven’t considered. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

BigBlue SolarPowa 100 Model B420 Specs 01-1
BigBlue SolarPowa 100 Model B420 Specs 01-11280×720 431 KB

AC50B Solar Input Specs 1
AC50B Solar Input Specs 1617×806 134 KB

2

Yes, the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel must not exceed the solar input voltage range of the machine, otherwise it could burn out the machine.

The MPPT controller is primarily used to optimize the energy conversion efficiency of the solar system, ensuring that the system can output maximum power under different conditions. However, when the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel exceeds the input voltage of the machine, the MPPT controller generally does not provide overvoltage protection.


I would recommend that you replace it with a solar panel that falls within the AC50B solar input voltage range.

1 Like
3

Rather than replace my current solar panel, it’s probably a better idea to consider higher capacity power stations like the Handsfree 2 and the AC70, both of which are rated to easily handle my solar panel’s maximum Voc of 30.2V.

Is there any possibility that the Handsfree 2 power station will be offered for sale, independent of the 60L backpack?

4

Of course you can consider choosing both! But sorry, the Handsfree built-in power station is not sold separately.