Are there any EB Series models that Bluetti recommends for use as a traditional UPS (always plugged in to 120VAC, short switchover time, reliable 120VAC +/- 2% output with variable input 115 ~ 125 VAC) ?
I have recently been trying to use both of my EB3A devices as a replacement for an APC SUA 1500 (batteries died, don’t want to continue buying more SLA Batteries) and have been having the following problems … which I think other people are also experiencing:
EB3A providing power to [over a 3 day period], constantly plugged in, output load varies from 65W to just under 300W … running two VOIP phones, 1 GBit switch, 1 tower PC with two monitors [usually 120 ~ 200W depending upon activity], 1 Desktop PC [usually 60 ~ 80W] used as a phone line monitor/recorder
EB3A one
one occurrence of ‘overload’ shutdown likely when input voltage went slightly over 125V AC output is shutdown and will not restart until Grid Power
4 occurrences of ‘spontaneous’ power cycling … two attached PCs power off & power back on within 1 second … but VOIP phones and GBit switch are not affected.
EB3A two
3 occurrences of ‘spontaneous’ power cycling of two PCs without any apparent effect on other devices.
2 occurrences of ‘spontaneous’ power cycling of ONLY the tower PC while other Desktop PC continues working … one during the typing of this message.
There seems to be some very short drops (likely 25 ~ 200 MS duration) in the output of both of my EB3A devices when attempting to use them as traditional UPS devices.
I suspect they were not designed for this purpose
… I would appreciate a reply from Bluetti that can help me understand which models are suitable for use as a traditional UPS … or if is possible that both of my EB3A devices are not working properly. Any comments from other users that have the same or similar problem or might have solved this problem would also be welcome.
It is important to note that all Bluetti models regardless of capacity, inverter size, etc. are standby UPS devices. When power is lost, it switches to internal battery via a relay (often 10-20ms). To call them a true UPS, marketing is stretching the truth. To say something is truly uninterruptible, there needs to be a continuous circuit at all times. Incoming AC power is converted to DC then inverted back to AC, all the time. Zero switchover. The problem is a “true” UPS is not cheap. They start out around $800-1000 USD range. So with that said, you are perfectly fine using a basic standby UPS mode, provided you have no need for “critical” equipment, and your existing equipment meets the specifications of the switchover time of the corresponding Bluetti unit. For example on an ATX 3.0 power supply, the switchover is above 20ms when its idle or under 50% load, but if you lost power when it was at 100% load, it needs a minimum of 16ms switchover. Your EB3A can only do 20ms. In this case any Bluetti unit with a 10ms UPS switchover would suffice you. A larger inverter as a buffer for occasionally running higher wattage appliances might be a nice thing to have, as well as put less strain on the inverter since its never near the top end (all the time). So even if you “only” use 300W continuous, an inverter under lower load generates significantly less heat than one running closer to its limit. I own an EB3A and have had nothing but unreliable UPS problems myself. I simply quit using it. The thermals in the unit are flawed to say the least. It tends to overheat a lot. Practically any newer Bluetti unit (Elite series or AC) with an appropriate sized inverter and ideally a 10ms switchover will suffice you IMHO.
Thank you for letting me know. I believe I will have to do the same.
re: Practically any newer Bluetti unit (Elite series or AC) with an appropriate sized inverter and ideally a 10ms switchover will suffice you IMHO.
I am now not sure this is true, until I saw this problem with very short ‘power drops’ I believed the same as you. There is something happening that causes these very short power interruptions that I do not yet understand and would like to understand why they happen so that I might be able to either prevent more occurrences or at least plan to avoid the ‘spontaneous reboots’.
I think there is a bit more to the problem that I described though … for short times I have successfully run several different PCs using either of my two EB3A units … if I pull the plug from the wall, the PCs have always kept running. But over the last few days one of my PCs reboots in the way that seems to indicate a very short loss of power … even though the firmware power management is set to NOT power up on the restoration of power after a power loss … while the other PC connected to the same power plug on the EB3A does not reboot. This makes me believe the ‘power loss’ is very short duration but probably longer than the 20ms transfer time while there is no noticeable grid power interruption to the EB3A. I don’t have good information about what triggers this event though … at first I thought it might be because of excessive voltage on the input for grid power … but haven’t seen enough occurrences to support that conclusion yet.
It might be related to the charging switching … I am not sure but think these ‘very short output power drops’ only happen when the device is charging from 99% … haven’t paid enough attention to be sure yet.
I am hoping that someone from Bluetti will have better insight into why this is happening and can recommend a better choice for a UPS. I just ordered an elite 100 V2 and an elite 200 V2, I am hoping that one or both of these will work … but wouldn’t want to use for either of these for a constantly powered UPS if there is something about the design that could lead to significantly shorter usable life of the device or unsatisfactory results similar to what I am now see with the EB3A … I think a Bluetti engineer would probably know what is happening and why.
You can consider to upgrade your APC Smart-UPS 1500 with aftermarket LiFePO4 batteries. This will eliminate the need of replacing your UPS batteries every 4 to 5 years and will increase the runtime of your batteries as well, depending on which batteries you use.
WARNING
There is risk of fire involved if you do not get high quality LiFePO4 batteries that are designed to be used as drop-in replacement for your SLA batteries, to be used in series, to be charged by your UPS SLA charger.
WARNING
Read the full video description, especially the part of avoiding low quality cheap LiFePO4 batteries from Amazon etc.
This is my video of my setup. I use (expensive but high quality) European made batteries by PowerTech systems. I use this besides my Bluetti AC300 system. I was unhappy about the AC300 constant charging/discharging when used as UPS and it’s high standby power usage in UPS mode.
I now use my APC SUA1500i as UPS and have my AC300 with a beefy B300 batteries as offline backup. The APC will handle any power cuts and when the power cut lasts longer I can just turn on my AC300 and hotplug my APC ups into my AC300 for a 16+ hour battery backup time.
I also use my EB3A as a replacement for a UPS that the battery died (don’t remember the model). At first, I had a number of issues, mostly where it would overload and stop working, sometimes multiple times a day.
Based on another thread, I requested a firmware update, and it fixed the issues. My EB3A has been running non-stop with no issues for over 6 months (knock on wood).
When requesting the upgrade, be sure to include @BLUETTI_CARE in your post so they see it. Also include the serial number of your EB3A.
I did try to find suitable LifePO4 batteries but was not able to find any in Canada (where I am) … I did use some 7AH LifePO4 batteries for a smaller APC Smart UPS and it seems to be working fine for about the last 10 months or so. I’m not willing to buy anymore SLA batteries now.
Please tell me what brand & model of batteries did you use for your APC SUA1500 … I might be able to find out if these are available to me. I would like to be able to re-use the 4 APC SUA1500 units that I still have and not using because of dead batteries.
Thank you, Richard. I did sent a problem report to Bluetti by filling in the ‘after sales’ support request form on the local version of their website … if I don’t get a response in the next few days I will try posting (with the @Bluetti_Care data string included) here again.
Has your EB3A been getting unusually warm … some info on this forum suggests that leaving it plugged in all the time might cause it to overheat.
Thank you for this info. I did try to find out how to and from which seller I could buy PowerBrick batteries, but unfortunately I cannot get these in Canada. I did try to use EcoWorthy 30AH batteries which did have dimensions in the Amazon description that were the maximum size to fit into the SUA1500 … however when those batteries arrived they turned out to be about 1/2 inch taller and 1/4 inch wider than the spec in the Amazon description and could not be used.
I have since found some 19AH LifePo4 batteries that also indicate the size will fit … ordered them yesterday, I think these are the ‘Cheap Amazon’ batteries you warned about … but I cannot find any others that might fit and are available for delivery in Canada.
Those Eco-Worthy batteries are certainly on that “avoid” list. It is being tested here and fails many BMS protection tests:
Send them back. You should not buy random batteries hoping they are good. Most of them will work perfectly but leave your house on fire when something fails in your UPS. Also, many batteries do not support the amperage your UPS takes from the batteries in case of a power failure nor support charging them in series, what the APC UPS does. You need to check all of that if you want a DiY solution. As was as making very sure the BMS is up to the task of using it as drop-in replacement of your SLA/AGM (Lead-acid) batteries.
The video I linked here has some recommendations in the video description by that user who tested them. You can use that as a start. I came out by the PowerBrick+ batteries because I had the same problem as you: The listed batteries were not for sale in Europe. So I did my own testing and came out with the PowerBrick+ batteries. Which is a good but a very expensive solution.
Hi @BPR, It looks like you’ve already contacted our customer service team—could you please share your support ticket number with us? We’d like to investigate further based on the SN code, firmware version, and other specific details you’ve provided, so we can avoid asking you the same questions again. We’ll also prioritize your case for faster resolution.
Many thanks to @rgb and @TheQuickFox for their helpful responses!
@BPR I have some stuff sitting on top of the EB3A, which is not a good idea, however, even with that, it is warm to the touch, but not what I’d consider too hot. Note that I’m only running 100-200 watts though mine, much less at night.
I am not sure what the support ticket numbers are. I did see a ticket number after filling in the support request form … I think I filled in a total of 4 support requests.
if you can find them by Serial numbers here are the two older units:
EB3A2224000322650
EB3A2321001164714
On July 4, I received a 3rd EB3A … can’t read the s/n right now, it is being used as a UPS to support two Ooma Phone controllers, 2 Gbit switches and 2 PCs … and I cannot connect to it with Bluetooth. I also filled in a support request for it because of the Bluetooth issue … but it does seem to work as a UPS.
I searched my email inbox and did not find anything from Bluetti regarding the support requests except for this one [BLUETTI-Canada] Request Received #423592 which might be for the newest EB3A with the Bluetooth problem. I notice that its firmware contains 3 line entries … ARM, DSP, and IOT the two units that cannot be used for UPS do not have the IOT firmware entry.
Hi, I want to share my experiences with My bluetty EB3A and the aproach to use like regular UPS and the possibilities with old working UPS replacing the SLA bateries by LFP and also using brand new UPS with LFP bateries at factory.
Notes
the EB3A is a power station (to carry with you is the target-reason) but when you dont use as mobile power station you may use a a non critical interactive UPS.
First I hate the EB3A because i discover that didnt work as i wanted (UPS), issues auto shut down with no reason, full discharged batery, not charge with AP plug. After ask BLUETTI for a firmware solution this device works as It suposed to do at 90%. The 10% is now that (I guess is a toy that not like heat) sometime the device auto disconet from the grid with an alert of heat or something like that but just alone after it i guess slow down the temperature works . I use this EB3A for my nas (using the AC out) and my router and modem (using the DC port) more eficient .
I try using dc port direct to my 12v port of my NAS but I guess something dont like to the electronic of the NAS that is not possible.
You can check new brand od UPS like GOLDENMATE that comes with LFP bateries
You can also, replace the SLA baterires of your old working UPS and still using it with longer period of work because the LFP, i use nermak on my all old UPS and be happy.
Also I use one old UPS APC with 2 x 12V=24Vdc 10Ah behind the EB3A for have longer autonomy
For very eficient new equipments the time in ms that the normal cheal UPS 20a30ms is annoying and makes fail the PSU. For these equipments look for online UPS, looking for the most afordable in power (watts) for you and replace the SLA bateries for LFP same formfactor and maybe more Ah.
Also can combine external LFP bateries with more AH in you old UPS.
Thank you for the heads up.
I have 3 Eco Worthy 12V100AH batteries that have been in use for more than 2 years … put them in battery boxes and carry them out to the garden to power multiple IP cameras … no problem with them so far. I also have 3 Eco Worthy 12V30AH batteries … two work without any issues, but one has a charging problem … using a 5<>10<>20 selectable charger it will not charge above 50% SOC unless I use the 20A selection … hasn’t presented any other symptoms and I continue to use all 3 to power individual IP cameras.
I bought all of these batteries from Amazon Canada … and by the time I noticed anything of concern all were beyond the limited return period so I was unable to return any of them.
I have since switched to LiTime batteries which seem to be more robust and so far have not disappointed in anyway … 8 of these in use for about 14 months now.
3rd EB3A s/n is:
EB3A2436003936084
UPS function works as expected, does not seem to overheat … running in normal room temp (20~24C) with load range of 80~290W … capacity drops to 99% frequently and when recharging line input climbs to about 320~380W until capacity returns to 100% … charging is set to silent.
Bluetooth connection for this unit can only be connected to by the app for a period of a few minutes after the EB3A is powered up. Display panel does work normally though.
I have a brand new EB3A now … it also works properly as a UPS with no overheating.
I just received two 12V18AH (unheard of brand from Amazon, but the only ones I could find with the physical size that can fit into the APC_SUA1500) batteries that are nearly exactly the correct size to fit into the battery cavity of an APC_SUA1500 and I am prepping them to install and test in the next few days.
Not listed in the Specs on Amazon is the maximum current draw, it is listed on the battery label = 20A
So, it seems this will limit the output of the SUA1500 (rated @ 980W using SLA batteries) to about (25.6X20) 500W or less … which might be a problem. I don’t have a good idea of what will happen if the load surges about 500W yet.
Until I read about the new Elite 100 V2 and 200 V2 I was expecting to use a Buletti power station on a time to reduce Electricity cost by time shifting (Time of Use billing here is lowest time period = 2.8 Cents / Kwh and highest time period = 28.6 cents / Kwh) … so I am trying to minimize actual use of grid power during high cost time periods and maximize charging during lowest cost time periods.
I was planning connect the Bluetti power station to a timer to minimize use of high cost time periods and connect one of the APC UPS units directly to the load because I am concerned about the nearly continuous charging … but it might be possible to skip the APC UPS units if the Elite 100 V2 and Elite 200 V2 actually do what it seems the advertising suggest that they do … esp the ability to control charging by daily and weekly time settings. That would make thing a lot simpler for me.
You have my sympathy, seems like you have had a lot more trouble than me. But, I think I should stick to Bluetti issues in this forum.
I agree there are lots of problems with Batteries and electronic components bought from Amazon, esp those that are shipped from China. The specs are often extremely overstated and many of them do present extraordinary safety issues. I have had to spend a lot of time doing ‘boundary testing’ and long duration (weeks) load tests before deciding which to use and which ones need to be put into the garbage to avoid potential fires or significant collateral damage to other components … all because the product descriptions and specifications are more like salesman’s exaggerated claims that accurate information needed to use them safely and satisfactorily meet their claimed performance specs. That is not Bluetti’s problem … these people at Bluetti are a lot better than nearly all of the other Amazon sellers that seem to have taken over the previous suppliers I have dealt with.
But, from my experience with Buletti products so far they provide very good function and excellent quality at a reasonable price and I cannot find any similar products that offer a better value. It is just a bit too difficult to figure out what to expect consistently that gives me some frustration with them.
The EB3A is an extremely good bargain for what it can do, even if there are a few surprises with missed expectations … like the UPS function that doesn’t seem to be able to work more than a few hours … but I suspect that this problem only affects some of the older production models … I would be happier if it either Bluetti did not indicate it could be used as a UPS or would give us the information needed to figure out which versions work and which won’t work … there is a possibility that even the older versions will provide a stable UPS function with a firmware update … but for now, I can’t tell why my older versions don’t work but the newest one does.
I have confidence that if this problem can be fixed, it will be done properly by Bluetti … and if it can’t I hope they will have the common sense needed to tell me the truth, I currently expect that they will.
A usable portable power station with cell phone wireless and wired charging ability, a USB power bank with enough capacity to power a USB C PD device, Sine Wave AC output, and genuine reliable UPS support for the price paid for an EB3A is remarkable … and still a bargain if the UPS is not reliable. I don’t hate it, I love the bargain price for all of the function that it does provide.
Hi @BPR, Thank you for providing such detailed information. Your understanding and feedback have truly touched us—they mean a great deal to us.
The random disconnection of AC output on the EB3A is indeed a known software policy issue, and we’ve developed a relevant firmware to fix it. While this firmware has been helpful, it doesn’t cover all device versions. Unfortunately, your device isn’t within the supported range.
Based on your EB3A details, we’ve located the corresponding service ticket #425506. Since the first two orders were placed on the Amazon platform, they will be handled by the Amazon team. There are no repair centers in Canada, so they will arrange a replacement service instead of repair. However, one of the orders is out of warranty, and we’ll need to apply for a repair discount for you. The other is still under warranty, and they will follow up via email.
The third EB3A with Bluetooth connection issues was ordered from our official store, so it will be handled by another department.
WARNING 
