Not long ago I bought the Allpowers Solar Panel SP12 and today I tried to charge my Bluetti AC2A Power Station. However, the cables and attachments that came with the Solar Panel and the Power Station do not seem to work–I believe I need a separate cable or attachment. Do you know what kind of charging cable or attachment I need?
- A 100W nominal 12V panel is fairly small, that said what are the specs?
- Did you connect it through a panel provided solar controller? This is not needed as the AC2A has an inbuilt MPPT controller. Connecting inline 2 won’t work.
- Where and how did you connect the panel? A pic might assist getting some help for your issue.
June 09, 2025
Hello Mandp,
Thanks for your reply.
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I have an ALLPOWERS SP012 Solar Panel 100W. This is the link to the model: ALLPOWERS SP012 Solar Panel 100W
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The output port for the SP012 solar panel is 5525.
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The cable that came with the Bluetti AC2A had the yellow XT60 Adapter, Female, and two MC4 power plugs. Initially I tried all the attachments that came with the solar panels, but nothing worked. Eventually I realized that any adapter kit would have to somehow connect the two MC4 plugs.
I’d also like to add that the good thing is that I can charge my devices directly from the solar panels, so even if the Power Station is not available, I’ll be able to charge my phone, flashlights and headlamps. In fact, I checked if the solar panels were working (by plugging in some devices) and yes, they were powered by the solar panels.
After having done more research online, I’m pretty sure that I need to buy another solar panel charging cable: namely, a XT60 to DC 5525 Adapter Cable (which I’ve already found online). It’s a pity that the Allpowers Solar Panels don’t have the standard socket or they don’t supply this extra adapter cable (or at least advise you to buy one).
I hope that I have solved my problem—but I’d certainly appreciate any input, comments and advice from you.
Thanks,
Jack
You will need a DC5525 to MC4 adapter. You can then connect MC4 to MC4, then plug XT60 end into the AC2A.The primary use of this panel is to bypass the need for a solar generator since you get a charge directly from solar to USB source.
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From what I see in the solar panel user manual, the solar blanket has an inbuilt regulator that you then plug in the 5525 barrel plug for output, This means, as per my original answer, that all output from this panel is pre regulated and unsuitable to charge the AC2A.
All Bluetti power stations (PS) already have a regulator inbuilt and therefore need raw solar output to feed the PS DC input.
If you use a solar blanket, mat or panel, you need the type that comes with a plug in regulator, which when using it to charge the AC2A, you discard and connect the panel directly to the AC2A. Some rigid panels, mats and blankets come pre wired with MC4 plugs, in this instance all you need is the NC4 to XT60 that is shipped with the AC2A. Here in Australia, Anderson plugs are also widely used, particularly with solar mats/blankets for 4x4 use. All you need there is an Anderson to MC4 patch lead and the provide MC4 to XT60. That is what I use with the 2 x 120W blankets I own. AS I have the AC70 & AC180 which has a higher input voltage of 58-60VDC, I can also, using a series patch lead connect them in series, you can not as the AC2A is limited to 28VDC. More…
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The raw output of a nominal 12V solar panel is in the range of 21 to 24VDC, this is what you feed directly into the AC2A. It’s internal regulator does the rest.
The output of a regulator, as in your panel is around 13.8VDC or lower. Double regulating solar input is a no no.
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Hello,
Thanks for your replies.
I am not a technical person and some of the stuff is a little difficult to understand.
However, when I sent an email to Allpowers to inquire which cable will work to charge my Bluetti Power Station, I got the following answer:
The 18V DC output port specification for the SP012 solar panel is 5525.
You need to check the Bluetti AC2A charging port specification to purchase a suitable charging cable.
Also, while trying to connect the solar panels to the Bluetti station, I measured the voltage output coming from the solar panels and it was about 20 Volts.
So my question is, can I use, with the proper cable, the Allpowers Solar Panels to charge my Bluetti power station?
If not, which solar panes would you recommend? Since I would like to bring the power station and the solar panels on my canoeing & camping trip, I need something light and small; that was the main reason I bought the Allpowers foldable solar panels.
Thanks,
Jack
From the specs I read on your panel the open circuit voltage is 22V. When you plug a cable into the DC5525 port (to your panel) it outputs 18V@5A or around 90W in ideal conditions. So you need a DC5525 to MC4 cable.
(SP012 panel) DC5525---->(MC4 +/- pair)----><----MC4 +/- pair)—>XT60 (AC2A)
So both ends of the MC4 cables will join together basically. On the solar panel side you’ll have the DC5525 which goes into your panel and on the other side your XT60 (yellow) connector you just plug straight into the AC2A.
You may need to get an adapter that steps up to 5525 as they may not sell a direct DC5525 to MC4 cable. For example I’ve seen ones where its DC5521, then they include adapters which convert it to 5525/7909/etc. Like this one .
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Hi Sealy1986,
Thanks for your comments.
I am a little confused: I have a cable with the MC4 connectors on one end and the XT60 Adapter (Female) on the other. The XT60 adapter fits into the Bluetti, but the MC4 connector, which is supposed to be connected to the solar panel, cannot be connected anywhere since the solar panel has the 5525 connector.
Therefore, I think that a XT60 to DC 5525 Adapter Cable will work, as it will connect the Bluetti to the solar panels.
I am sure that I could use cable with the MC4 connector if I bought extra adapters, but I think that the above mentioned adapter cable will make a simple solution.
In any case, I know there is a lot to learn! These are my first power station and solar panels. I think about getting a small camper trailer in the future and then I’ll certainly need a bigger battery and more solar panels.
I’m attaching a photo of my Allpowers SP 012 solar panel. As you see, it only has the 5525 output port and thus it is impossible for me the use the MC4 connector.
Hi Jack,
There is an adapter that goes from DC5525 TO MC4.
Then you have the MC4 to XT60 cable that came with the Bluetti unit.
Plug the MC4 cables into each other. Male side of MC4-#1 into female side of MC4-#2. Female side of MC4-#1 into male side of MC4-#2. Plug the DC5525 into your solar panel, plug XT60 into your Bluetti. Done.
MC4#1 is DC5525 to MC4 cable
MC4#2 is XT60 to MC4 cable
(SOLAR PANEL) <-----DC5525-----MC4----MC4—XT60—> (Bluetti)
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Thanks Sealy, spot on. From the picture in the user manual, it looked like regulated output. Goes to show that if you want the right answer, you must first ask the right question, lol.
BTW - here in Australia Anderson is very widely used for low voltage, higher current in the 4x4 community as it survives the rugged tracks we off road on. Plus, it’s much easier to plug n unplug than MC4.
One of the reasons, I have made several adaptor cables with MC4 one end and Anderson the other. The MC4s are left connected and the Anderson is the plug/unplug when setting up or packing.
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Hello,
Sealy1986: Thanks for being so patient and explaining everything to me. Of course, I do understand it. I looked up the adapter that goes from DC5525 TO MC4, it’s available on Amazon Canada, but it would cost me about $40 (if the shipping is free). I’d rather invest in another solar panel, which I’ll eventually need anyway.
I have already ordered the XT60 to DC 5525 Adapter Cable, I hope it will work—I will let you know here.
Mandp: since I’ve never been a technical person, sometimes asking the right question is often not easy for me. Besides, the topics pertaining to power stations and solar panels are totally new to me.
Regards,
Jack