Anker, EcoFlow and Jackery have one or two models of DC-only power station(s), but Bluetti has none AFAIK. Is Bluetti planning to make a DC-only power station?
Let's list the features, pros and cons of the current models on the market.
Anker, Solix C200 DC and Solix C300 DC:
Pros:
Lightweight (C200 DC is ~101 Wh per kg, C300 DC is ~102 Wh per kg).
Has XT60 solar port on both models.
Has both USB-A and USB-C ports.
Cons:
No way to disable eco mode at all.
EcoFlow, Trail 200 DC and Trail 300 DC
Pros:
Lightweight (200 DC is ~105 Wh per kg, 300 DC is ~112 Wh per kg).
Has both USB-A and USB-C ports.
Cons:
Only the Trail 300 DC has an XT60 solar port.
Even if you disable eco mode, it turns off automatically after three hours of low power draw.
Jackery, Explorer 240D:
Pros:
Lightweight (116 Wh per kg).
Has both USB-A and USB-C ports.
Cons:
Solar port is not XT60. While DC8020 is still much better than USB-C, which is what they've done on their Explorer 100 Plus, it's not the industry standard. I'm also pretty sure XT60 is also much tougher than DC8020.
Unknown:
I've heard you can disable eco mode, but I have no idea if there's a time limit like the EcoFlow.
What I would like Bluetti to make
I would love to see something about the same size as the competition, with a true XT60 solar input, at least two USB-A and two USB-C ports (with support for 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V and 20V). If there is enough room, a 12V car socket would be nice but a DC5525 or similar for 12V would be okay in place of the car socket. I'm guessing they should use the same DC size as their new Elite power stations to keep compatibility problems to a minimum. Capacity between around 200 to 300 watt-hours to compete with the other DC power stations from their competitors.
I was thinking, maybe a "Handsfree DC" model, shorter in height but also half shorter in depth. The front width is already perfect and is probably the minimum required to use the LCD display. Maybe a "Handsfree 200 DC" and "Handsfree 300 DC" or something. The weight and size/volume has to be similar to the competition.
Here's a concept image for the "Bluetti Handsfree 200 DC" vs the Bluetti AC2A and the Bluetti Handsfree 1:
I saw today there is an Elite 10v2, 128wh DC device launched first in Southeast Asia. It looks like a mini Elite 30. I have the Handsfree 1 and really like your idea of the Handsfree DC though.
I have a 548, C200 and C300. I like the built in light on the 548 and C300. I find the C300 the most useful for its size. I like the C200 least as its a bit lacking in capacity for me and also has no light. I like that they are all narrow, upright designs as they take up little room on a desk or to store away or transport.
I didn’t consider the Trails as the 300 version is the only size I would be interested in and it isn’t LifePo4, which I think is a backward step from Ecoflow.
I hope the Elite 10 is followed by an Elite 20 with at least double the watt hours. There were no other specs with the available info on the Elite 10, such as dimensions and weight. I’d be very interested to know that information.
If the Elite 10 can be used on its side like that, it means they basically just released the near-perfect unit for my needs, except that I would trade more watt-hours capacity for the AC port.
By comparing the Elite 10’s volume to the volume of the units from the other companies, I’m guessing they should be able to push a theoretical “Elite 10 DC” to double the capacity at 256Wh.
Now that I noticed that, and if it can be used on its side like that, I’m really hoping they have an “Elite 10 DC” planned for the near future.
The Bluetti Elite 10 looks like a really nice mini AC/DC unit, if it had been available last year in Canada, I probably would have bought it instead of my AC2A.
Unfortunately, for my application I need something as narrow as the Handsfree 1 with the ports on the front.
Unfortunately it’s not recommended to use the batteries the wrong way up as it stresses the components inside.
I didn’t realise the Elite10 had AC until I saw a Youtube review of an interesting looking see-through one. I have the X20, but I hope Bluetti will make a DC only device with more outlets and solar input as well.
Agreed. Probably 90% of what I run in my truck camper is DC. I appreciate the flexibility of AC, but its on-demand only. My AC appliances are basically my microwave, portable air cooler/dehumidifier, my micro file server, and if I need the extra power I switch my Dreo fan from DC cord back to AC. Other then that, I’m running everything else on DC. My fridge, lights, fan, etc. The problem is you are capped at 10A on one single 12V socket. Give me two cigarette lighter sockets, DC5521, USB type C, USB Type A, etc.
I find the C300 most useful. I run a lot of stuff in my lounge from usb/c which tends to need recharging at the same time in the morning. It has 4 usbc and 2 usb outputs, whereas my AC batteries are much more limited. None of the competitor versions have the DC5521 though so that would be a big plus for a lot of people on a Bluetti DC battery.
Lower charge cycles is a non-factor for the targeted market that the TRAIL Plus 300 DC was designed for. They do not need consistent power 24/7/365 (with daily discharge and recharge) rather the device will be used only sparingly at certain times of the year. Charge cycles are exaggerated GREATLY in marketing. Like 100 full cycles a year, at 2000 cycles is still 20 years of use! My understanding is NCM doesn’t need to be calibrated as frequently (maybe once a year) and can handle cold weather temps much better than LFP, making it a better fit for backpack campers. Not to mention, higher energy density meaning they (can) fit more capacity into a package that would typically weigh less than LFP, however its funny that the TRAIL 300 Plus weighs the exact same as the LFP variant go figure lol
I made a compilation of the specifications of the DC power stations on the market. I also included the Bluetti AC2A (which I own), the Bluetti Elite 30 and the EcoFlow River 3, all three of them being AC/DC units, to compare the Wh per kg, the volume/size, etc.
Must-haves for this Bluetti DC-only unit: XT60 solar input with MPPT, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports with support for multiple output voltages (9V, 12V, etc) at least one DC5521 port like the Elite 10, and the ability to disable the Eco Mode like on my AC2A. Basically a "vertical Elite 10" in size, with the Handsfree 1 design, with a capacity ranging from 128Wh to 256Wh would be an instant buy from me. Last but not least, it must be at least 100Wh per kg to be competitive. A capacity of 192Wh at 2kg or less would be perfect, in my opinion.
The question is, assuming Bluetti starts designing such a unit today, how long will it take before it's available in Canada? Six months? A year?
Thank you for compiling the specifications of DC power stations on the market and for your detailed comparison of Bluetti products! Your suggestions are very valuable, and we will take them into serious consideration. If you have any more ideas or questions, feel free to reach out anytime!
