Thanks zilch, really appreciate it. Not sure what's causing the issue, but I have another potential solution that I'd love someone to sound off on. Above in this thread the DC to AC inverter that runs off a cigarette lighter. This would have real advantages for the Bluetti - using a 12v cable to charge (if I could even get it to work on the extension) I would have to plug into the same port as the solar panels, thus I would have to switch out the cables every time I go to drive. Not a major problem, but with the location of the Bluetti in the van it's definitely a hassle factor. Going AC on the other hand completely eliminates this problem.
So here's the question - The Vanagon's cigarette lighter should be on a 15 amp circuit (also runs the radio and the clock). Do you think this DC to AC inverter will blow the Vanagon's fuse? You mention above that the cigarette lighter should be rated for at least 10 amps, so I should be beyond that. Just wondering if there's anything else I'm not thinking of? Also, any idea how much power it might actually supply? When plugged into shore power my Bluetti is drawing quite a bit through the AC charge port - currently shows 55 volts, 8.4 amps, and 466 watts. Curious how much it might get through this DC to AC inverter unit...
Thoughts appreciated, thank you so much!
Harwood
Hi Harwood,
OK, I need more than the DC info you provided from the Bluetti display when using its AC charger.
There are some inefficiences between Watts consumed by the AC charger vs. Watts actually naking it into the Bluetti. In other words, if the Bluetti is receiving 466 Watts, you can be sure the AC charger is pulling at least 500 Watts, if not more.
Please examine the label on the AC charger itself and reply with the AC
INPUT voltage and Amps or Watts consumed.
In advance, I'm guessing the AC charger pulls something like 550W, which means you will need something like a 700W 13.8V Inverter, in part to avoid running a lower-rated inverter too hard.
This comes with 6 AWG cables for direct connection to your vehicle's battery, but they are only 3 ft. long - which might not be long enough to mount the inverter on the cool side of your engine bay's firewall. If you need longer cables to get the inverter inside the van, you will have to go to 4 AWG. Running the inverter out in the heat and dust is unthinkable.
It gets worse: That 700W inverter is only 90% efficient, which is pretty good, but its 700W output at 120VAC will pull 778W at 12VDC from your vehicle = 65 Amps! Yeah... Your vehicle's alternator won't be happy with having to alternate an additional 65 Amps. So... You really should look into upgrading the alternator if you are hell bent on charging the Bluetti at 550W within your vehicle.
Even then, a BIG mistake many people make is to run the alternator with the vehicle idling. Ouch! First, sustained idling imposes a lot of wear on the head of a motor, due to insufficient lubrication. But often overlooked is the fact that alternators are self-cooling - with built-in fan blades that are VERY dependent on engine RPM. There's no better way to smoke an alternator, than to make it work hard at idling RPMs.
Moral of the story... I'd still like to know what the Bluetti's AC charger INPUT specifications are, but my advice would be to abandon this idea of enjoying a charge rate of 550W and go back to pursuing your original idea of "trickle charging" from the cigarette lighter socket. Even that should NOT be done while idling your motor and certainly not while the vehicle isn't running. There's also the possibility of also mounting solar panels on the roof of your Vanagon.
?
Mike