you would be correct. the increased load on the alt. will accelerate wear on things like the brushes and cause it to run hotter than designed. Also the output of the alt. is eng speed dependent. at idle it is possible to actually discharge the vehicle battery while charging with the Bluetti Charger 1.
And let's not forget using your engine as a generator is stupid, generators are usually under 1ltr, vehicle engines are usually over 2lit and use WAY more fuel, even when your driving the extra load on the alternator will cost you more fuel to drive. Solar is cheaper
One way I would like to use the charger is to hook several 12v 100ah batteries to solar and store them. Then if the power station needs to be recharged, pull one battery out and use this charger to “refill” the power station. Take the depleted 12v battery and hook to solar to recharge as much as the sun can produce on those cloudy days until it’s full
i have been using dc to dc charger to just what you are talking about. this is how i increase the battery storage of a portable power station with out paying the crazy price of their expansion batteries.
@ I agree. The price of expansion batteries is incredible. Plus I’m not liking the fact that the power station expansion batteries can usually only be charged thru the power station. This way away cheaper, and so much easier in my opinion.
I was thinking that it would be nice to make it more mobile so you could easily swap to another vehicle if you had to. Like put Andersen Connectors between the battery and the circuit breaker, another between the circuit breaker and the firewall, then another set just before the Bluetti Charger 1. Then have a longer wire and some clamps with Andersen connectors that you can easily snap together in another vehicle and you're "IN like Flint!".
Hi Evan. Many thanks for a very interesting and informative video. Now I have some information for you. Your trucks engine and engine compartment could do with a cleaning -------- just teasing you. Thanks again and take care.
Very nice :) I was just thinking about using my little invertor we had in the car for when the kids were small for their tv video games on long trips, but this is way better :) mine was only around $30 at Walmarts and not sure how long it would take to charge it up but in an emergency it would have to help lol Always enjoy your videos
On the 3rd day of the 14, my little power station died I found a cord that fits the unit cut the wire, and like you said right to the battery charged to 85 percent overnight at least I got to watch the news. not a Bluetti PS Did my car jumper pack also just saying
Thanks Evan for the head up, I own a couple of Bluetti solar batteries and I'll definitely look into this. But I am wondering does Bluetti make another line of products under the BluYetti name?
very interesting! I'm curious to know if that converter box has any electrical noise? being a amateur radio operator electrical noise is not our friend.
Evan, earlier, I posted a question concerning the possible sources for charging the battery pack. I was wondering if the truck's electronics charge port ( looks like a heavy cigarette lighter port) could also provide energy to the lithium pack. You're an electrician. Won't the battery accept any 12v source no matter what amperage is offered? The power is flowing TO the battery pack, not from it. Just wondering.
You can charge from there if your unit takes 12 volt charging, it will just be slow. Usually 15 or 20 amps max. Pretty much the same a cigarette lighter port but generally those are limited to 10 amps.
50 amps is quite a bit for a small car or some SUVs, something like his truck often has a 200 amp alternator so it wouldn't be as hard on it. The trick would be to not play with a bunch of other gadgets while you were using one. You wouldn't want to fire up all the lights, crank the fans, turn on the heated seats and wheel with the rear defroster going. That would put a real strain on the alternator. These shouldn't cause any more harm than using all those features, and we never worry about doing that.
How long do you have to run the vehicle for it to get fully charged? My solar generators came with plugs to use in a cig lighter. I know nothing about wiring and stuff or how much comes through a cig lighter. Thanks.
Actual cig lighter (rare these days unless your car is old) is usually 10 amps max. The power ports are often a bit higher, topping out at 20. Depends on the make of the vehicle. The little cover on them often gives the amperage, or you can check your owners manual. You'd have to do the math for your size of battery to see how long it would take to charge. To get watts, multiply the amperage and the voltage. 10 amps x 12 volts (approx. what you car puts out) would be 120 watts.
Interesting but I would be concerned about over taxing the alternator depending on the accessories that are existing on the truck. Depending on the vehicle.
550 watts output /13.4v (alternator output) = 41 Amps draw for this unit. Even the smallest car has an alternator that puts out 60 Amps. Most larger vehicles are 90-110 amps. . Probably not an issue for anyone that doesn’t have a tiny car and lots of 12v loads.
@@Poorehouse Alternators work harder (physically get harder to turn) when they put out max amperage. You would take life off of one drawing that much power off of a small alternator for a long time. Something as simple as running your battery flat and getting a quick boost to get going is quite hard on your alternator.
Help me understand! Why wouldn't a 2000 watt inverter for lees that $200 be a better option than a 600 watt charger for almost $300. Sometimes the obvious smacks me in the face by surprise
Because a 2000 watt inverter would pull 90 amps from a 12 volt battery & alternator. The alternator wouldn't keep up. Also, you convert DC to AC then back to DC. You would lose 20% in each conversion. So you would lose about 40% of power overall. Very inefficient. The DC to DC converter is way more efficient.
I saw someone fry their display in their vehicle by plugging in a Jackery in the back of the vehicle and using solar. She felt like it could happen with any battery pack. Using the bulk charger ( charger one) as you did is the way to charge with car and solar. I am wondering if the solar voltage back fed the car with too high of voltage. No AC or radio. I would not use the charger one and the 12v input from the car at the same time. Thanks for sharing. I do not recall the other channel, I think it was a camping channel.
This may be what I've been looking for. We live in a cloudy climate with frequent rain. I put Dielectrick Grease on ALL vehicle electric connections. Used to have corrosion shorts but no more.
Checked both amazon and bluettis' official site.... Must be a high demand, or they just didn't make that many thus far, but they're out of stock in both places. Crazy! Curious though would this charger be cross compatible for other power stations?
The price seems reasonable. I currently have Ecoflow Delta Pro and they want $800 for their charger which I cant justify. Next time I buy equipment I'm going to look at Bluetti.
@frostyfroze7352 Well, the battery pack is capable of drawing 50 amps, BUT , only if 50 amps are available. Remember, the power is flowing TO the battery pack. Not FROM it. The lithium batteries can only accept what is being offered. The charge ports in vehicles are regulated to limit current flow. At least that's what I think I am seeing on the schematics for my truck.
@@bobwollard9105 You can do that, it will just be slower. The power port is limited by a fuse, it will give as much as you draw until the fuse blows, I wouldn't call it regulated. I imaging the 12 volt vehicle charging cords that come with the power stations have a current limiting feature in them so you can't draw too much.
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I would be concerned that the life of the alternator would be shortened but maybe not a concern.. Excellent video as usual.
you would be correct. the increased load on the alt. will accelerate wear on things like the brushes and cause it to run hotter than designed. Also the output of the alt. is eng speed dependent. at idle it is possible to actually discharge the vehicle battery while charging with the Bluetti Charger 1.
And let's not forget using your engine as a generator is stupid, generators are usually under 1ltr, vehicle engines are usually over 2lit and use WAY more fuel, even when your driving the extra load on the alternator will cost you more fuel to drive.
Solar is cheaper
You may want to use it when driving turning higher rpms. Charging at idle may make alternator cause alternator overheat.
One way I would like to use the charger is to hook several 12v 100ah batteries to solar and store them.
Then if the power station needs to be recharged, pull one battery out and use this charger to “refill” the power station. Take the depleted 12v battery and hook to solar to recharge as much as the sun can produce on those cloudy days until it’s full
i have been using dc to dc charger to just what you are talking about. this is how i increase the battery storage of a portable power station with out paying the crazy price of their expansion batteries.
@ I agree. The price of expansion batteries is incredible. Plus I’m not liking the fact that the power station expansion batteries can usually only be charged thru the power station. This way away cheaper, and so much easier in my opinion.
I was thinking that it would be nice to make it more mobile so you could easily swap to another vehicle if you had to. Like put Andersen Connectors between the battery and the circuit breaker, another between the circuit breaker and the firewall, then another set just before the Bluetti Charger 1. Then have a longer wire and some clamps with Andersen connectors that you can easily snap together in another vehicle and you're "IN like Flint!".
certainly an alternative ! Thanks!
Thanks for this info Evan. Stay safe and keep up the great videos. Fred.
Hi Evan. Many thanks for a very interesting and informative video. Now I have some information for you. Your trucks engine and engine compartment could do with a cleaning -------- just teasing you. Thanks again and take care.
Thanks Evan always enjoy your channel!
Great idea Evan, thanks for sharing!
Very nice :) I was just thinking about using my little invertor we had in the car for when the kids were small for their tv video games on long trips, but this is way better :) mine was only around $30 at Walmarts and not sure how long it would take to charge it up but in an emergency it would have to help lol Always enjoy your videos
On the 3rd day of the 14, my little power station died I found a cord that fits the unit cut the wire, and like you said right to the battery charged to 85 percent overnight at least I got to watch the news. not a Bluetti PS Did my car jumper pack also just saying
Thanks Evan for the head up, I own a couple of Bluetti solar batteries and I'll definitely look into this.
But I am wondering does Bluetti make another line of products under the BluYetti name?
the one ecoflow makes is 800watts and around 400 bucks. I don't know if it's adjustable for compatibility though.
very interesting! I'm curious to know if that converter box has any electrical noise? being a amateur radio operator electrical noise is not our friend.
Awe Evan, i would have figured you would have done the alternator charger from ecoflow, it puts out 800 watts
I may have to test it out, too.
Is it universal or just for their products?
Evan do you have a list of your tools for solar?
That's a good idea. I need to come up with one.
just checked on amazon to find the price.....not available and dont know if or when it will be back in stock.
Outstanding product. Bluetti impressive in the past few years ... EcoFlow and Bluetti pushing each other. Love it.
This is currently not available on Amazon
Camper van!! That’s what I’m thinking
Evan, earlier, I posted a question concerning the possible sources for charging the battery pack. I was wondering if the truck's electronics charge port ( looks like a heavy cigarette lighter port) could also provide energy to the lithium pack. You're an electrician. Won't the battery accept any 12v source no matter what amperage is offered? The power is flowing TO the battery pack, not from it. Just wondering.
You can charge from there if your unit takes 12 volt charging, it will just be slow. Usually 15 or 20 amps max. Pretty much the same a cigarette lighter port but generally those are limited to 10 amps.
Hi Evan, I am not sold on these new chargers. I will wait and see if it wrecks people's alternators.
Great video, as always.😀
Understood.
50 amps is quite a bit for a small car or some SUVs, something like his truck often has a 200 amp alternator so it wouldn't be as hard on it.
The trick would be to not play with a bunch of other gadgets while you were using one. You wouldn't want to fire up all the lights, crank the fans, turn on the heated seats and wheel with the rear defroster going. That would put a real strain on the alternator.
These shouldn't cause any more harm than using all those features, and we never worry about doing that.
Wow!!!!
How long do you have to run the vehicle for it to get fully charged? My solar generators came with plugs to use in a cig lighter. I know nothing about wiring and stuff or how much comes through a cig lighter. Thanks.
Actual cig lighter (rare these days unless your car is old) is usually 10 amps max. The power ports are often a bit higher, topping out at 20. Depends on the make of the vehicle. The little cover on them often gives the amperage, or you can check your owners manual. You'd have to do the math for your size of battery to see how long it would take to charge. To get watts, multiply the amperage and the voltage. 10 amps x 12 volts (approx. what you car puts out) would be 120 watts.
Interesting but I would be concerned about over taxing the alternator depending on the accessories that are existing on the truck. Depending on the vehicle.
550 watts output /13.4v (alternator output) = 41 Amps draw for this unit. Even the smallest car has an alternator that puts out 60 Amps. Most larger vehicles are 90-110 amps. . Probably not an issue for anyone that doesn’t have a tiny car and lots of 12v loads.
If you had a large car stereo, or lots of aftermarket add-onsn they would need to be considered in the total power draw on the alternator.
@@Poorehouse Alternators work harder (physically get harder to turn) when they put out max amperage. You would take life off of one drawing that much power off of a small alternator for a long time. Something as simple as running your battery flat and getting a quick boost to get going is quite hard on your alternator.
Help me understand! Why wouldn't a 2000 watt inverter for lees that $200 be a better option than a 600 watt charger for almost $300. Sometimes the obvious smacks me in the face by surprise
Because a 2000 watt inverter would pull 90 amps from a 12 volt battery & alternator. The alternator wouldn't keep up.
Also, you convert DC to AC then back to DC. You would lose 20% in each conversion. So you would lose about 40% of power overall. Very inefficient. The DC to DC converter is way more efficient.
@@CountryViewSolar-DIYProjects Thanks Evan
When are you going to finish the fence
Start again here soon.
I saw someone fry their display in their vehicle by plugging in a Jackery in the back of the vehicle and using solar. She felt like it could happen with any battery pack.
Using the bulk charger ( charger one) as you did is the way to charge with car and solar. I am wondering if the solar voltage back fed the car with too high of voltage. No AC or radio.
I would not use the charger one and the 12v input from the car at the same time.
Thanks for sharing.
I do not recall the other channel, I think it was a camping channel.
Hi guys!
👋
This may be what I've been looking for. We live in a cloudy climate with frequent rain. I put Dielectrick Grease on ALL vehicle electric connections. Used to have corrosion shorts but no more.
👍👍👍
Checked both amazon and bluettis' official site.... Must be a high demand, or they just didn't make that many thus far, but they're out of stock in both places. Crazy! Curious though would this charger be cross compatible for other power stations?
As long as the power station has MC4 connections for solar. You should be able to adjust the voltage to match it's needs.
The price seems reasonable. I currently have Ecoflow Delta Pro and they want $800 for their charger which I cant justify. Next time I buy equipment I'm going to look at Bluetti.
game changer, I will be ordering one soon
That is very cool and quality option ! Thanks Evan !
Good information, Evan. Definitely a better option than solar.
If you hook it up directly to the battery, won't it draw power 24/7?
It will pull a small amount of power, but it won't charge anything unless the voltage is higher when the alternator is running.
Why can't you just hook it up to the truck charging port that looks like a cigarette lighter connection? That is a high amperage circuit.
That device will draw 50amps from the starter battery, most factory ports can handle 10amps and some at most 15amps
@frostyfroze7352 Well, the battery pack is capable of drawing 50 amps, BUT , only if 50 amps are available. Remember, the power is flowing TO the battery pack. Not FROM it. The lithium batteries can only accept what is being offered. The charge ports in vehicles are regulated to limit current flow. At least that's what I think I am seeing on the schematics for my truck.
@@bobwollard9105 You can do that, it will just be slower. The power port is limited by a fuse, it will give as much as you draw until the fuse blows, I wouldn't call it regulated. I imaging the 12 volt vehicle charging cords that come with the power stations have a current limiting feature in them so you can't draw too much.
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Be careful some smaller cars will not tolerate 40 amp extra draw from the alternator.
Very good point. Size of alternator should be considered.