Make sure that number is trustworthy. Bluetti vastly overstates the surge capacity on some of their units. I know zero about Ecoflow so maybe their numbers mean something.
I just received the panels yesterday. My observations so far:
Unboxing:
BougeRV packaging is substandard, IMHO. I've never received solar panels before so I don't know how other vendors pack their goods, but these were single boxed with a thick cardboard protector over the glass, plus corner...
Interesting. There's been quite a bit of back and forth re Bluetti units which apparently MUST have a switched neutral transfer or damage will result. EcoFlow has no such limitation apparently?
^^The maker/originator of genuine MC4 connectors, Multi-Contact/Stäubli, disagrees:
The male and female designations refer to the metal contact, and not the plastic housing.
Male connector:
Wikipedia reference
The MC4 system consists of a plug and socket design. The plugs and sockets are...
Similar situation. The USA was warned of possible rolling blackouts prior to the summer of '22. My research into the packaged units presented me with a bunch of unfamiliar names and competing claims of usefulness and quality. In the end, I chose the Bluetti EB200 offered by MillerTech (I...
Today, the PV input finally cracked 300W consistently, saw a peak of 326W while I was observing. Sky was still not 100% free of clouds, at best there was still a high haze. I'm glad the Bluetti 35V minimum PV input spec seems not to be a hard cutoff; the input is almost always less than 35V.
Since we're being warned about potential blackouts this summer...
The areas covered by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, including Minnesota and Iowa, all the way down to Louisiana, face especially “high risk of energy emergencies during peak summer conditions,” according...
I bought two panels recently which were not packed well and had shipping damage. I decided to keep them since the damage is primarily cosmetic—and the seller gave me a partial refund. One thing that concerns me is a couple scratches one panel's backsheet. These look pretty superficial but I...
SOGEN PV input generally has a minimum voltage and/or wattage requirement. If your panel falls below the specified cutoff, it will not charge. This may or may not be your issue; check the specs to know for sure.
So I've been pretty much running myself nuts trying to choose solar panels for my EB200. Finally settled on these for better or worse. I'll report back when they arrive and are in service.
After having the Bluetti EB200 for about 2 weeks and trying to learn about this technology, I've got questions not answered by the user manual. Searching online often yields inconclusive or even contradictory results. For example:
A new unit should be discharged FIRST before fully charging
A...
What's the best practice for power outages re a Bluetti EB200 (similar to AC200)? Conventional wisdom says not to store the units above a ~50% SOC but that's a very limiting parameter if the lights go out without warning. I have a couple of panels but I don't want to depend on solar to top off...
Silicone paste did the trick. I see now I could have shoved it together without lube, but I'm from the don't force it school. For future reference, I have the HF 180pc metric Viton o-ring kit (67525). The one that worked for me was A010, 6.07x1.78. Almost as good as 5.32 ?
Another test today, better sky with ~50% cloud cover reported (looked more clear than that to me). Temp was 85°. I saw 300W once, most of the time the power ranged from 250W-285W.
Given that these units have a floating neutral with AC outlets that are not grounded, what happens if the device you're powering has a fault, short, whatever?
I'm a little confused. The spec plate on your EB200 shows 20V, 5A... same as your AC200MAX; both equal 100W. But assuming the EB200 is in fact only 60W output on USB C, how does this limit you? This is not about starting an argument, just asking a question.
I received my EB200 from Miller Tech today. USB-C is rated at 100W but the overall power rating is 2000W not 2048. One concern, both owner's manuals say the battery type is LI-ion, not LiFePo. Anyone else seen this?
As I understand it, Voc (voltage, open circuit) is the spec to go by when sizing your PV panels. If you will be using PV charging in cooler weather you should know the voltage of the panels may increase above Voc in sunny conditions, so stay maybe 20% below your max voltage input. Or do the math...
The primary means of charging is the 400W power block that came with the Bluetti, so no real means to regulate/monitor voltage or current (what units are you using when you say limit charging current to 0.2C)?
It seems the best I can do here is charge to between 80-90% and hope the power isn't...
My Bluetti requires 35 V minimum for PV input. I have ordered two 200 W panels with a Voc of 21.62±3%, giving me adequate voltage in a series config. My question is, how much will the voltage be likely to drop when cloud cover is heavy? Shade will not be an issue.
I'm adding panels to my EB200, using rigid panels in a temporary config--meaning that I will only put them out when I need to charge via solar and store them away the rest of the time.
The warnings say not to connect/disconnect MC4s under power. Does this apply to all the other, non-MC4...
First panel test today on the "good" side of the house; power maxed out at 110W. Kind of disappointing for two 200W panels, though we did have ~95% cloud cover at that time according to the Weather Channel. Not sure what my expectations should be in those conditions. Looks like no real chance...
The documentation that came with the EB200 is lacking, more of a quick start guide than anything else, so some unanswered questions.
#1: Elsewhere I've seen advice to charge these units to 100% then run it down to Ø a couple of times to "calibrate". Is this a good or bad idea? Or does it matter?
I meant from trees, but point taken.
The input specs on the Bluetti simply say Solar charging: 35V-150V/12A.
Vmp for the panel is 17.98±3% while Voc is 21.62±3%. Not sure if I answered your question or not. My concern is not falling below the 35V required by Bluetti.
Ok, guess we take their word for it... but it would be nice if someone who's done a teardown would verify. I wasn't aware of the weight factor, thanks.
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to think this was the wrong place to find answers to questions.
I did charge to 100% before I used it, so maybe I accidentally did something right.
With regard to sitting and waiting, I bought the Bluetti for blackout protection and I don't have much day...
Yeah, I have their Viton set. No go. Well, let's put it this way, I found one that's an OK fit, but it doesn't want to connect to its mate. Maybe some silicone paste...
Simultaneous charge/discharge
The EB200 can do this but the manual says: Supported but not recommended in order to protect the lifespan of the battery.
How detrimental is this? Are there certain scenarios that are ok and others that are not?