Bluetti AC200MAX & B230 battery & DC Charge Enhancer maximizes capacity and charging options.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- If you want to expand the capacity of your AC200MAX or AC200Pto 4100WH or 6300WH the best way is to add 1 or 2 B230 expansion batteries. If you add the D0505S DC Enhancer, you can charge the B230 or the AC200Max in multiple solar panels and other ways. With these additions, you can really supercharge your Solar Generator. With more Capacity, you will also increase the lifespan of your LiFePO4 batteries because you will go through less of the 3500 complete charging cycles.
Link for Bluetti and a $200 discount on the AC200Max: shareasale.com...
Bluetti Amazon Link: amzn.to/40NrTyY
Renogy Amazon Link: amzn.to/3JWtz3b
Contact Info: Craig. Email: CruisingOffDuty@gmail.com
Link for Bluetti and a $200 discount on the AC200Max: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2246300&u=3474089&m=118852&urllink=&afftrack=
Bluetti Amazon Link: amzn.to/40NrTyY
Renogy Amazon Link: amzn.to/3JWtz3b
Do you know if the charging issue has been resolved/updated? Specifically, when both units drain and charging begins, you have to physically turn on the B230 battery.
Thanks for the info on the DC enhancer, that is absolutely a deal killer on buying this device if it blows non removable fuses, this should be a resettable breaker.
I have the Max with 2 - B230 batteries. I built a fancy Faraday cage for them stacked and patted myself on the back! Then I read in the manual that Bluetti doesn't recommend stacking these units (even tho their promotion photos show it thus), so do what you choose!
I also found this confusing: If they're all plugged together, which gets the power first? They don't charge concurrently, so I'm still searching for full knowledge on that topic! I want to charge to 80% for long term storage (like my EV), so, after using them during a power outage, I charge one battery at a time and stop at 80%. Then I have three sources for charging: 120 volts AC, 3 Bluetti P200 solar panels and a 24 volt Lithium MarineKenetix MK-4 wind charger. THAT'S called preparedness!
Really? No stacking? That doesn't sound right. All of their photos show it stacked.
My 3rd comment. I twisted the cables in a loop like a pretzel shape so they don't stick out on the side so far. I bought my second expansion battery. I put one on the bottom, then the main unit and then the second expansion battery on the top and I am able to twist both cables in a loop and connect them so they don't stick out on the side so much. I keep coming back because I am new to this and each time I learn something different. I didn't realize we're both in Canada. I thought the DC enhancer was only available in the US as a bonus. BTW I think it's the same with all Chargers. I think you're supposed to put a charger into the wall first and then plug it into your tablet or computer Etc. In the instructions with the regular black power box it says plug it into the wall first, turn on your the power Banks and then plug the charger into the power bank in that order. I only bought this for a grid down emergency situation. My only experience with sailing is falling off a sailboat when it tipped over in the Bay of Fundy when I was in the Navy Reserve.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for the content as this is all new to me and I am expecting my AC200 Max tomorrow.
I think you will like it
@@Bowmans-Woods any suggestions for adding a diy powerbank for the Bluetti AC200MAX?
@@216baja A stepup converter 12-44v to 58v DC fitted to the Bluetti DC input port, battery 24v/100Ah
Great Vid. Professionally done! Came across this looking to find more info on the enhancer. Glad to see you spent time on operational procedures. Bluetti lacks in this. I have the 200max with a B300 and keep my fridge plugged in. The B300 is closest to it so I chose to plug the fridge into it. Next morning, everything is off! Fridge and freezer are warm! After hearing bits and pieces here and there from many videos I finally put it together. If the AC200Max senses no power coming in or going out it shuts down after about 4 hours. It also turns the B300 off even though the fridge is plugged into it. So at night when the solar panels quit producing power I turn the AC200Max off and then turn the B300 back on. It stays on all night and the fridge stays nice and cold. If you have other operational ideas would appreciate them. Thx again for an awesome vid.
Thanks. Yes, the main unit will shut off if it senses no power being used. I do not believe it recognizes the power coming out of the expansion battery. So plug everything into the main unit and use the B230 as extra capacity. You can use the power-out options on the expansion battery IF you know the main unit will also be powering things and will not time out and shut off.
@@Bowmans-Woods Have you looked in the app for a setting to keep this on? sounds like this could be resolved with a firmware or app update.
Great info. I agree with you on the connector cord, what a beast!!! What were they thinking! My other beef is Bluetti should have a lot more precise instructions on using their solar system as solar power is new to many people.
Ya that cord is too much of a space waster. It’s ok if you have it set up in a large space but in a boat or RV it is real issue finding space for that massive cord. It should connect by snapping it together when you stack them. In a perfect world there would be no cord.
thanks so much for the info on the problematic charge enhancer - have to make a note of that!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi, my 2nd comment. I have a question as I'm new to this. I put the main unit on top of the extra battery. Is it ok to twist the connecting cable between the two units in a loop like half a pretzel before plugging them together that way the cable doesn't stick out so far. Do you think it will damage the connections? Quebec.
One can also run from the B230 link port, a P090D To XT90 cable to power up a 48V rated inverter up to 2000w . I also had luck incorporating a step /up step down converter to pull in 72V& 800 w of solar off the roof of my RV / That Converter feeds the D0505S to charge the B230.. Works great if you need your big AC200 somewhere else
Lol - I liked the opening. “There are four things you want…”. 1, 2, 3, 3. Ooops. Good video. L
I didn’t notice? Did I number 3 twice? Ooops. Too late to change it now if I did.
Sure as "Bob's your uncle" this is a great review! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review. I have the AC200 MAX and charge it when car camping with a 220 watt Off Grid TREK solar "blanket" (Canadian product). It runs my DC cooler and charges my 2 battery e-mountain bike at the end of the day.
GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT PLUG-IN PROCEDURE FOR THE DC ENHANCER!! Tape the procedure on the enhancer so others don't blow yet another fuse.
Nice to have that extra B230 **BUT... it will NOT charge simultaneously with the main AC200 MAX.**🤔
Interesting comment on the charging issue. I have a B300 attached and the solar coming into the AC200Max. Under this configuration, both the Ac200Max and the B300 are charged at the same time. My fridge is plugged into the B300 so it is always lower in power percentage-wise than the AC200Max in the morning. The solar power is distributed such that both units reach 100% at the same time.
Ya, my B230 and the AC200Max charge together. Now they are not always completely synced at the same % of charge but close enough. When one is full it just keeps charging the other one, until it is also full.
Excellent review. Thank you.
Glad you got value.
contacted the bluetti, here is what they wrote:
D050S can not boost the charging power.
I connected it to to the car battery, and bluetti was charging only at 109W 😕
OK. Thanks
Great information....thank you so much!
Thanks. Glad it helped
With the enhancer I think it should have a higher current in so that it is easier to get closer to 500 watts while staying under the input voltage limit or it should be a buck, boost type so one could connect 100 or 150 volts of PV.
I agree. There should be at least a buck boost so a 12v LIFEPO4 battery could send in 200w vs 100w. You can connect a battery directly to the solar in port and get 100w. The only thing it can do for you is allow you to bring in DC watts into the AC. In port.
Make your own with a step up or down MPPT controller. Just set the output to 59V. $40.
The DC enhancer seems like a perfect device. Any drawbacks cons to it? I'm assuming it also consumes power to upstep the voltage?
Ya, I’m sure there is some power loss but it allows you to connect 2 different solar arrays at the same time to the Bluetti.
A great and practical video for AC200max owners! Are you able to confirm that I can get max output of 500W from a 12.8V 200AH LiFePO4 battery if the D050S enhancer is used? Some reviewer from amazon claimed he could get only 100W max from a battery (not sure what type it was) with the enhancer. I am debating between a B230 and a 12.8V 200AH LifePO4 battery (less than CAD $800) to get for my AC200MAX. If you video is correct, the LifePO4 battery will be most economical as long as if I can 500W output from it. Thanks very much!
Never mind. I got the answer from another video. Somebody connected a 12.8v 100AH battery to the DC enhancer and it pulled out only 100W. Perhaps, you should correct your comment on the DC enhancer would convert whatever source's volt to 58V in the video.
Ya. The DC enhancer should help more than it does. I realize it does very little to help other than give you a way to bring in an additional Solar panel array.
Actually, you can put together panels of different sizes and voltages. Only thing will happen is that the bigger panel will be limited to the power of the smaller panel. Easy.
True. Just not as efficient as getting 2 equal output panels.
You also can use to B 300 with the AC200 generator as well.
Just remember, either run with 2 B230 OR 2 B300. But you cannot have one of each connected.
thanks for the review. Is AC200 Max much better than AC200p ?
@@maxblack9204yes, you are right! I've just bought ac200max, and the app is very useful)
It is, unless you can get a good deal on the older model 200P
Thanks for this review. I think the cord taking up so much room wouldn't work for me.
It is an issue in a boat or RV. Just a huge space waster. It’s ok set up in a garage or basement where you have room but there had to be a smarter way to connect them.
I wonder if the cord wouldn't look so unsightly hanging out so much on the side if the B230 was placed behind the AC200MAX and the B230 turned around
Have you done any videos on the AC180? I own one of them and then realized that the battery capacity is not sufficient for my needs if I get cloudy days. Therefore I am looking for an expansion battery. I was told that the 180 doesn't accept them. Any info would be helpful.
Check the B80 expansion battery out:
th-cam.com/video/XoeDqt_O9Eo/w-d-xo.html
I just use my 6000 watt inverter and shove power into it that way then I can get 3000 w every hour or should I say every minute.
As someone who has recently bought the B230, I'm massively disappointed with it. Rather than doubling our capacity, there seems to be major overhead with the electricity transfer when connected to the main unit. Our overnight loads have not changed yet, with the B230 connected, they both drain faster than the AC200MAX on its own. You genuinely seem to want to present an unbiased view. So could you perhaps do a follow-up video and share your observations on the real capacity the B230 adds. Bluetti forums suggest I'm not on my own.
Sounds like you're on your own.
@@bc_usa Probably was! Past weekend saw it behave much more in line with expectations. Don't know was was happening earlier but the units appear to have 'settled' despite charge levels not quite syncing. We DID use our two AC chargers on the Friday night (one to 'Max and one to B230) taking both back up to around 85%, so maybe that did a bit of a reset. Much happier now and more inclined to expand to another B230 in the future.
@@jaydenwhatley5551 my MAIN battery and B230 Do not drain evenly. When under load the B230 drains faster and charges up slower. But I do notice a significant overall capacity gain.
@@Bowmans-Woods Thanks for taking the time to check this out and respond.
@@jaydenwhatley5551 Seems to be some kind of software updates that fix this issue - is it still working well?
Can you get another b230 and do a video on the pros/cons of two b230s with the sc200max?
It would just add an additional 2048 WH of capacity. Other than that there is no extra benefit of having 2x B230 vs just 1. If Bluetti sent me another I could show it but I don't think there is much to be learned there.
So, in other words, the B230 isn't truly an EXTENSION OF the AC200MAX but, rather, an ADDITION TO the AC200MAX?
It adds capacity but also has some DC ports out so it is more than just a battery
I notice sometimes the AC200max goes down in price so it would be cheaper than buying a B230 battery. Do you have any thoughts on why I would want to get an AC200max plus B230 battery as opposed to just getting 2 AC200Max units?
If they were close to the same price I would probably just get another AC200Max. You are getting all the extra parts like the Inverter that way.
@@Bowmans-Woods thank youi!
I can plug on AC200MAX at the SAME TIME : D050S and Adapter T500 correct ?
This mean if I have AC200MAX and B230 I could plug for each D050Sx2 and Adapter T500x2 (total 4 adapters ) is this correct ?
Greetings Sir, I thought these extra batteries could be charged from solar by themselves and dont need the charge enhancer as a middle man.
Appx 12:24
The battery can be charged independently with the MC4 to XT90 adapter cord.
That comes with the AC200Max
Don’t take this the wrong way, as feedback is a gift, but I really don’t think this was too impartial. I didn’t really get any cons except the cable point. I think the AC200Max is a great bit of kit - I’ve had one now for about 3 months, but I could list a few cons re points they could improve. It would have helped if you gave some ‘in use’ feedback rather than just trotting out the specs, which we can all read. So, overall, I don’t consider this to be an impartial review and it didn’t add anything further versus many vids that were produced months earlier. Sorry to be so blunt, but I just spent about 20 mins I will not get back.
He did list a few cons. Cable connecting the units is cumbersome. Enhancer shorts out fuses too easily. Units are heavy. Probably even more cons, but I caught those 3. What were some of your cons.
Thanks Bo. Yes I did mention quite a few cons. Maybe he wasn't listening for them and skimmed to the end. I really like the product and I have been using it for 6 months straight in my house, until sailing season. I am not going to bash a product that I really like. No product is perfect and I think I pointed out the areas I wished were improved.
@@Bowmans-Woods I agree - plus it's hard to improve on these. I have the AC200MAX, the PV420 solar panel and now I want to get a battery. I'm actually looking at the B300 instead of the B230 - do you have any thoughts on that? I'm a sailor also - but this isn't for my boat - I live in the woods. My boat is a little Columbia 26 - so a single battery with waterproof solar panel will light it up and power the audio/radios etc. Thanks!
Why don't you get specific? I'm sure we'd all appreciate it.
The biggest pro is everything is contained in a nice package.
External Li-Po batteries, cable and charge controllers would not be as easily portable.
I heard Abby B300S will not compute with AC Max 200 connect generator his connections are bigger on the B300S .
That's correct - you have to get an adaptor - but you could just get the B300, not the B300S. The advantage over the B230 is that the B300's can be directly charged with a solar panel, making them more flexible in their use.
Say you put the charging enhancer with whatever power source into the b230 battery while it is connected to the ac200, will the charging pass through to the ac200 once the b230 is full? Or does it only charge the b230? Cause other way around it works, right?
No, but you can buy 2 enhancers.
when a B230 is plugged into an AC2000 it treats it as one big. battery and will charge them together.
Or you could wire 2-24vdc batteries in series and get a charging rate almost as good for less $$$.
I am also Canadian in Southern Ontario. If you have an additional Bluetti DC enhance charger and/or B230 for sale let me know and we can correspond directly.
Hello. Can I use the Bluetti T200S charger (200W - EB55 / EB70) to double charge the AC200MAX? If I insert it into the solar charging port, through an adapter?
I don’t know? Im guessing no but I am not sure what exactly you are trying.
such a good video!
Thank you!!
Can you charge through the enhancer in the 230 while connected to the ac200 max? I have 2 enhancers.
Yes, I believe you can charge and also use the power inside it.
I really wish they made an enhancer for the EB3A 😢
hmmm, I guess it is so small that they doubt anyone would need to run 2 different solar arrays into the same small Sol Gen. It charges up pretty damn fast with just a 200W panel.
Sorry but you have got that wrong about the DC050s, It does not convert any voltage to 58v, What it does do is allow you to hookup 12v batteries or Cigar sockets or solar panels to a Sogen or B series battery, and If to use 3 solar panels it will allow you to connect those 2 or 3 panels to the the Sogen as long as their VOC Voltage is not over 58V, IF you add 2x 200w solar panels @ 23.8v each then the voltage going in to the DC050s will be 47.6v and the DC050s will Only put out between 42 to 47.6v. It does Not boost the voltage to 58v, ok.
I don't think you are correct about it "not converting to 58 volt". There's another review video on the DC050s that shows a guy applying about 36 volt to the input to the DC050s and he gets about 59 volt out of the output of the DV050s. The output of the DV505s is then plugged in to the AC200Max "58.8 Vdc 8 amp" input port. The video is titled:
Bluetti D050S DC Charging Enhancer in-depth review and benchmarking
and the time stamp is 7:00.
The problem for me is the AC300 is only about $200 more than the B230 battery right now. In the name of redundancy I might just get two AC300s for the inevitability that one of those is going to die at some point (I speak from experience 😜).
Did you mean the AC200Max is just a couple hundred more than the B230? The AC300 is significantly more than the B230. If you meant the AC200, then, I don't disagree with you. For a little more money you can just get two AC200Max and have double the LifePO4 and twice as many plugs etc.
@@Bowmans-Woods oops! That’s what I meant.
@@Bowmans-Woods You choice lug around another ~62lbs. AC200Max or 48lb expansion battery.
Is B300 better way to go?
Ya maybe, but the footprint wont match if you are stacking them
Bluetti had me cycle my ac200max and b230 because the cells become unlevel and it worked with new firmware. But my ac200max & b230 seem to drain the SOC 1 (the generator to 100%) then my b230. Does anyone have that experience too?
In my case, it seems like when I charge, it charges the solar generator battery to full while only slowly charging the B230. Then it keeps charging the B230 until it is full. When I discharge it, it seems to use the B230 more aggressively and the battery in the generator less so. They do not equal out for me except when everything is 100% charged, but I still get much more capacity. I just assumed if my screen says I’m at 60%, that both batteries would be 60%, but in this case it may be that my B230 is at 50% and my main battery is at 70%.
Where did you get the fuse
Just bought one as they are standard Car type fuses.
I have a question im hoping someone can answer. If i turn the ac200max off for the night and go to sleep, when the sun comes back out and my solar panels start generating power will the ac200max start to charge or does it need to be turned back on manually to start accepting charge?
I believe it needs to be on to function. Best way is to just leave it turned on but turn off the AC and DC, so that you can minimize battery drain when not using it for short periods. You can turn on and off the AC and DC from the app without needing to touch the AC200 but the app can’t connect if you completely shut it off.
To justify leaving it on I leave 2 bar fridges plugged in so there is a small draw off and on that I don’t pay for (saving me some money) and the Solar can top it back up during the day. That way you can feel like you are getting to use it even if it just way under its capacity. Also justifies the cost of the solar panels. If you turn off the AC200, they won’t be used.
the problem they are so expensive i dont see the saving
I hear you. They are not cheap.
Everything was sounding perfect until you got to the part about blowing the fuse. That is ridiculous. If you are out in the middle of nowhere and are someone someone who doesn't know how to solder a fuse you just lost $1,500. I just bought both of them together on special.
The fuse issue was disappointing on the DC ENHANCER. But it only effects the DC Enhancer. Not the main AC200 so you are not out $1500. You just could do duel charging without the DC E.
My 230 draws twice as fast when connected
Thats good.
Just buy a DC-DC (xx->48V) convertor, cost 35€ and you got your "DC enhancer"...
That's my thinking, it's just a step up DC DC converter set to 59V
Did you try it yet? I am waiting on a step up converter to test in my channel's solar sea container house using Bluetti AC200 Max.
Ya, a step up converter is what it is doing but that would not have the built in solar connections etc. If you are handy you could build your own system, for sure
You’re asking who’s going to deplete for 4100 watts every single day?
I’ll tell you…Ukrainians🙂
Even couple times a day because of blackouts
@@nick5017 Very true. I’m now living off grid and I’m depleting them regularly.
All I know is I don't want an AC charger the plug into a wall because all you solar only.
Exactly, on my channel I am off grid sea container tiny house building, but it's using the Bluetti AC200 Max and charge enhancer.
Don't buy bluetti!!! They give zero after sales service and even worse. They deliberately miss wire a cable used to connect solar panels to They batteries so that only their solar panels work thus they increase the sales of their solar panels!!!! It's an easy fix though, showing how stupid they are, you find the offending cable and cut off the mc4 connectors and replace with new mc4 connectors the connectors in the correct polarity. They offer 2 extra years of warranty if you register the product but when you register it, they send an email stating under consideration and never confirming the additional warranty!!! In short, they are a cheap and nasty Chinese company who think international laws don't apply to them. I have reported them to the accc here in Australia.
I’ve plugged non BLUETTI panels into my AC200Max and it worked fine. I actually show other solar attached in my videos so I’m not seeing your issue.
@@Bowmans-Woods I'm just telling you my experience with bluetti here in Australia. I've also heard similar stories from other Australians.
I figured out why the cord is at that length. If you have a second B230 it would be on top of the 1st. Thus you would need the length to connect. Thus not wanting to have 2 cables sizes.
Yep. That would be a reason but I still think it would be better if the Sol Gen and the battery clip together when stacked and it passes power though a clip system vs some massive cable that takes up as much space as the Solar generator itself. Better designs will come in the future, I am sure.
Will this work On the AC 200 not the AC200P The first one Bluetti made? I have been trying to get a hold of them for over a week but no luck with that. Also can it be charged by solar while in use on the AC200?
It's says right on their website what models it supports.
@@bc_usa Yes I know but the others keep telling me the first Bluetti can't be use on it but the 2nd one that came out can. I was just wondering if you would know and Bluetti is no help because they don't answer there phones so Thank you for your reply but I think I'm going a different way that's not Bluetti before I spend more money with them... I like the two I have and at 1099 was a good deal but not being able to get help from them is just nuts. The lack of help from customer service is going to cost them a lot of repeat customers.
If it says on the website then I would assume it is good. Otherwise call Bluetti support and ask them again it yours would work.