This is Part 2 of the Elite 100 v2 (E1v2) Review, it was intended to start in 2-3 weeks time during a remote trip.
But, and that is a big BUT, the E1v2 may not be travelling with me on that trip.
Preamble - I have 1 x AC200P, 3 x AC180 & 2 x AC70 power stations. From the perspective of charging them from AC input (Grid etc), this is what works for me for all of the AC*** power station, exception noted.
All of the above charge from the grid, the 200P at 500W via power brick. The 70s & 180s at approx 280-290W in silent mode.
Excepting the 200P, all charge from a 375W vehicle mounted Victron Inverter in Silent mode.
I have a Honda EU20i inverter generator rated at 1,600W continuous and a Gentrax 800W inverter generator, that will take up to 600W load continuous. Both will charge all of the above in Silent mode and the 200P power brick.
I have tested all combinations of the AC*** power stations to charge from each other. All successfully charging in this manner. More…
It is winter in my country. Solar is not always reliable, therefore, carrying a generator is almost necessary.
Prior to using power banks for AC in my RV, I carried the Honda, which, with fuel is a 30kg load. It ran the RV microwave, the house battery charger, the hot water electric element and the air conditioner, albeit not all at the same time.
On obtaining my first AC180, I decided to offset the weight and bulk of the Honda, with the Gentrax @ 10kg and the 16kg of the 180, totaling 26kg and a similar bulk to the Honda.
The smaller generator can be used to charge both the RV house batteries and the AC180. The AC180 runs the microwave, but not the 950W Air con. LPG is used for hot water. More…
The following are the experiences I have had, with the Pre Production model E1v2.
Aside from my part 1 review, I have tested the E1v2 at home and at my RV, primarily relative to AC charging. Here are the results.
As the E1v2’s silent mode charge rate is now 600W, the Victron 375W vehicle inverter will not charge it.
I tried all 6 AC*** power stations, charging from and to the E1v2. The E1v2 will charge all of the others with no issue and at their respective lowest charge rate.
When connected to charge the E1v2 from all of the others, all 6 went into overload with the E1v2 set to Silent mode and also in Standard mode. Conclusion - the E1v2 will not charge from other power stations.
I then “fired up” both the Honda & Gentrax generators at my RV. The 1,600W cont. Honda, powered up, then overloaded, reset, then overloaded, continuing to cycle in that manner. (Silent mode set). Followed by the Gentrax generator, it immediately went into overload.
At this point the only available AC charging option is the Grid and running a 400km+ cable back to my house is not a preferred option, lol.
Edit - I am adding a note here - The issue re charging the E1v2 from other power stations has been resolved. Read on and you’ll get there.
This is the reason, Bluetti get people like me to find these issues if they occur, so you don’t, lol.
At a weight and space dependency, 2 x 120W solar blankets (placed on ground)
This is a total of 700W, however, I noted my house 6.6kW array outputting 975W at mid day today, due to inclement weather.
This tells me I would be fortunate to produce 150W from the 700 possible RV solar. Most of which is used for its house batteries. Hence carrying the Gentrax generator.
Therefore, if charging the E1v2 is not possible from either generator, it takes space/weight that is unaffordable and the AC180 has to go with me in its place.
Relative to other small kitchen appliances in the RV, they are all resistive loads at less than 1,100W and I have no doubt they will work from the E1v2.
I do not know if the above is as a result of the E1v2, I have, being a Pre Production version. These issues have been raised with Bluetti and awaiting response.
From a personal perspective, given how I charge the 5 x AC*** models, and how I charge them in Silent mode at <300W, that capability is not available for the E1v2’s 600W minimum charge rate.
The smallest power station available to me is the 1,000W AC70, the largest, the 2,000W AC200P. I can not understand why all overload from the 600W load when charging the E1v2, when all have been tested to near their maximum from other devices.
Good news - Bluetti contacted me with a new DSP update, which was applied to the Elite 100 v2.
I then connected it to the older of my AC180s (the one I normally RV with).
I connected the AC180 to the E1v2, so as to try charging the Elite from the 180. I set it to all 3 charge modes, Silent, Standard & Turbo. As the Elite was at 48% SOC, it charged at near 600W in the 600W range charging and was up to 1,000W in Turbo before I switched off. The Elite 100 v2 now will charge from other power stations.
Due to poor weather over the next few days, I may have to wait to try my 2 generators. I’m certainly now hopeful they will work. The 800W Gentrax is at or near its output limit for even Silent charge mode. This means if the Honda 2kVA works and the Gentrax doesn’t, that limit has been breached. More…
If the small Gentrax’s limit is exceeded, I can still now charge the E1v2.
As I take an AC70, which the Gentrax will charge, I can then charge the E1v2.
Methinks I plug the AC70 input to the generator, then the Elite input into the AC70 output in an UPS type mode.
If the AC70 is full, it will charge the E1v2 at 600W, whilst the AC70 is charged in silent mode at around 290W.
With the 769Wh of the AC70 and the 290W going back in it should recharge before the AC70 depletes. Not to mention I rarely take any power station below 50% anyway.
I will also test other power stations I have to charge the E1v2 and when running the house fridge, but that’s a job for another day, it’s night time here…
More good news. I got a short weather window this morning.
The Elite 100v2 DSP update appears to have resolved the engine (petrol) generator charging issue.
I first connected the E1v2 to the Honda EU20i. The E1v2 display showed a charge of 595W, within 3-4 seconds of connecting. I ran the Honda for 3-4 minutes and charge was stable. (Silent mode charge was set)
The Gentrax 800W was then started and the E1v2 connected. It repeated the Honda result with no issue at 595W charge.
However, the 595W Silent mode is probably at the limit of the Gentrax continuous output limit. I don’t like making equipment constantly work at maximum, so; As I also take an AC70 with me when off grid and its silent mode is under 300W of charge, it can be charged at 1/2 the genny’s load. It can then top up the E1V2, as under normal use, only 20-25% of capacity is used daily. This becomes useful when several days of bad weather don’t provide enough solar.
I would have liked to see the E1v2 retain a Silent charge mode at around 1/2 Standard charge mode W, similar to the other small to mid AC versions. That function allows for greater charging flexibility.
I have around 9 days before departing to the “Boonies”. I still want to do some more tests weather permitting;
Try the E1v2 again, running the RV Air Con.
Testing the E1v2 to top up the RV house batteries from their 550W AC charger.
Retest the RV microwave, following the DSP update.
Deplete the E1v2 to below 10%, then charge from the 800W genny until full. This will take over 1.5 hours.
Result - to make sure the generator will perform continuously at the near 600W load.
This will then determine, if the E1v2 goes on the trip. I’m leaning toward - Yes, following these recent wins.
Visited the RV this morning, with the E1v2. Although not something normally done…
The RV has a Projecta (AU Brand) battery management system for the house batteries. Apart from inbuilt MPPT, it also has a 30A 12V multi stage LFP compatible battery charger from 240VAC supply.
This charger draws approx. 500-550W, so I wanted to test the E1v2’s ability to run it.
It did so flawlessly, at around 540W on the E1v2’s display and 498W on the power meter monitoring actual charger load.
This scenario would only be used in the event of almost empty house batteries and capacity in the E1v2 for a power transfer. Most of the RV loads are hard wired 12V and difficult to rewire for any more than the 12V - 10A cig socket of the E1v2. 120W max is not enough to run the RV loads. So item 2. above is covered.
(I did not try the aircon, that’s better left for summer.)
Although not strictly Elite 100 relate, it was used to power my next application…
Starlink Mini - I created an account this afternoon, logged in to the App and activated Starlink Roam. Once up and running its load on the E1v2 was 25W approx. which gives around 36 hours continuous runtime. As an aside, my AC70, running fibre to the home broadband, WiFi Router and Security system also draws 25W and I know this will run for 25hrs.
Added to this is info re the Starlink, for those considering its use.
I did the initial setup with the Mini on a tripod, to get the best orientation, for activation and software updates. That was not my main focus for intended use. I did a speed test at around 240MBs download.
I positioned my 4x4, in roughly the same direction, placed the mini on the dashboard, with the E1v2 in the passenger footwell. Connection was via a 3 metre cable USB-C to Starlink barrel connector.
Once connected, I moved the antenna a small amount to an almost perfect angle. The dish has a soft rubberised cover for this application. I did another speed test at 145MBs, still plenty fast enough.
I then, using another mobile phone, walked behind the 4x4 around 20M, under my carport and behind a metal fence and opened a Youtube video (actually Hobotech’s channel reviewing the E1v2). The video loaded, played with no spooling.
The reason I did this is to test use when on my trip next week. I do not want to leave the Starlink Mini, where “light fingers” might decide it’s theirs. Plus it’s out of the weather. Placing the Starlink on the dashboard and running it from an AC70 in the footwell in a locked car is safer, more secure and stable than in the open on a tripod. Added to this, I believe the WiFi signal will be strong enough to pass into the RV to where my devices need internet and phone, a signal for WiFi calling.
Although not a semi permanent mount, I don’t need WiFi whilst driving solo, looking at the road or tracks is needed. But, if I need a signal to call for help, a few minutes setup, is better than nothing.
So, will the Starlink mini get through a windscreen, a weather cover and work? Yup, absolutely.
There is one comparison I forgot to make; The AC70 v the Elite 100 v2.
After looking at the physical from factor - The Elite 100 is 6mm (1/4") longer, 5mm (<1/4") deeper and actually 6mm (1/4") lower than the AC70.
It is only 1.3kg heavier. (2.9lb).
Considering the additional 256Wh of battery and 800W of inverter, along with other feature, that’s a huge size improvement.
It makes me wonder what Bluetti can do to the AC70, if it follows a similar redesign.
Update on the Starlink scenario - The preferred usage of placing the dish on the 4x4 dashboard, powering from Elite 100 or AC70 in the passenger footwell and parking the 4by in the correct orientation was tested this morning.
Speed test from the Dish was 145MBs. Using a Samsung Tab in the RV (Caravan) speed test here was 50MBs and tested with video streaming, working well.
The other thing tested was the ability to connect to the power stations via Bluetooth (Both were tested) and turn them off. This also worked well.
This means evening internet and ability to shutdown before bed, without leaving the RV. Plus, the Starlink is in a locked vehicle and out of the weather…
