I purchased the Bluetti AC2A and have been using it for just over two weeks. I plan to use this for off grid and as a backup device. I needed a minimalist configuration that was portable, lightweight and transportable to an off grid seasonal property. My initial results of this unit are better than expected.
The power station is made for outdoor use, and has a wealth of capabilities despite its small size. It's ideal for camping and hiking trips, or any other prolonged outdoor activities. Weighing just under 8 pounds, the AC2A is very lightweight, making it easy to transport and store in your bag. The LiFePo battery capacity is 204 wh and it has 300w pure sine inverter power
The unit was well packaged and comes with standard accessories such as an AC charging cable, MC4 solar charging cable, grounding screw, and product documentation. You can add optional accessories including a car charging cable or a B80 Aviation Plug to XT60 cable. The B80 cable would be used if you purchase a B80 expansion battery to connect to the AC2A.
Here are some tests as I evaluated the unit:
Unit Charging
I solar charged the unit using 2 100w panels. These need to be wired in parallel due to the 12-28VDC limit with the AC2A. You can maximize the solar power to 200w. I was getting 135-140W with this configuration. Solar input can fluctuate based on the sunlight, panel positioning, and time of year.
I charged the unit under AC mode and used the available modes. This included standard, silent, and turbo modes. I drained the unit and did some recharging using the available modes. In Standard mode it recharged in 1-hour 47 min. In Turbo mode, it charged in 1-hour 7min. In silent mode it recharged in just over 4 hours.
I did some advanced turbo mode tests combining solar and AC and realized 276 watts. The XT60 solar port does allow for 12V battery connection with the proper battery cable. With standard mode the charging mode combination decreases to roughly 160 watts.
Given I would use this unit off grid, I tested the AC mode with my 1000w gas inverter generator. I was able to fully recharge the unit under standard mode in under 2 hours. You need to ensure the gas generator has a pure sine inverter and THD (total harmonic distortion) is under 5%.
Unit Loads
I tested the ability to run 110/120V AC appliances up to 300W on the unit. I’ve been able to run a small fan, TV, humidifier, lighting and home office computer system.
I tested DC power charging my phone, IPAD, and flashlight. I tested both the USB-A (2) and USB-C ports. The power consumption of my off grid is less than 200W and I can leverage this as supplemental power provided, I feed it with solar, generator, or battery bank power.
To conserve power, I used the ECO mode on both the AC and DC mode. The ECO mode testing included activation from the unit display console, phone app, and setting based on a period of time. All scenarios worked successfully.
I experimented with power lifting mode with an induction cooktop. The setting cannot power a 600w induction cooktop.
I found the ac charging cable to be too stiff to hold connection in the charging port. I used a EB3A cable for charging.
Other Testing Scenarios
I examined the general display features and how to turn on/off DC and AC. The LCD display is easy to read. Timeout for the LCD is configurable. I found the smaller icons for state, performance, and fault to be on the small side. It required some cross reference to the manual for information.
I tested mode setting on the display which allows you to toggle AC+DC buttons to set features like Frequency, ECO mode, Charging Mode, and Power Lifting. This is a great feature as you can program the unit without use of the phone application.
I reviewed the phone application and found it easy to navigate and change settings. It does have limits as its Bluetooth based and you must be in range of the AC2A unit.
One important test conducted was to use the unit with my CPAP device. I have a Resmed Air11 and wanted to test this with a DC power adapter. I configured the DC power adapter with the AC2A. On the AC2A side, you have to account with turning ECO mode off. As a contingency, I used an extra 40ah battery to recharge the AC2A in silent mode. I left the CPAP settings on for humidifier and heated tube. The DC draw was averaged around 35 watts. With this setup, I was able to get over 5 hours of CPAP usage. I plan to continue testing settings with the CPAP humidifier and tube settings off to lower battery consumption. It's possible that adjusting CPAP settings may provide dedicated AC2A capacity without an external battery bank.
What I like so far
I like the compact design including the handle, user friendly display, size, and weight.
I like the ability for mode selection setting off the display. It avoids reliance on the phone app to change settings on the unit.
I like the fast-charging features including charging modes, solar, DC, and AC charging.
I like the fact that the unit has a 5-year warranty. This is very unique for the portable power station marketplace.
What could be improved?
The AC charging cable shipped with the unit was rigid and difficult to maintain a tight connection. I used my EB3A cable which is a smaller gauge and a better fit.
The messages on the console are small. It would be nice to have quick reference cards within the app especially for errors or warning. Currently you have to navigate to the online or paper manual as a reference point.
The Power Lifting feature is a less essential capability on the 300w inverter. I would have preferred a slightly larger inverter or more battery capacity.
It would be helpful to add features in the phone app that are tailored to the devices owned by the customer. A quick reference main icon pertaining to the AC2A or other owned Bluetti device would be of value. Allowing the customer to tailor icons on the app would be a welcomed feature. There’s an abundance of Bluetti marketing icons the customer may wish to hide.
More optional XT60 accessories would be a useful addition. For example, adapter plugs that fit a XT60 to DC7909 adapter or a 4 in 1 MC4 connector cable would benefit Bluetti customers with different models.
Overall, this unit is a keeper. It’s extremely powerful and full featured. The footprint is compact and allows for easy transport.
BLUETTI AC2A Portable Power Station, 204Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 2 300W (600W Power Lifting) AC Outlets, Recharge from 0-
4.4
| 409 ratingsPrice: 219
Last update: 12-31-2024
About this item
[Portable & Powerful] - With a 300W AC inverter, 204Wh capacity, 6 outlets, yet weighs only 7.9 lbs, this power station is your perfect partner for outdoor adventure, camping, RV trip or even home backup.
[Fast Charging] - With 270W Turbo Charging, charging AC2A from 0-80% takes only 40 mins, and 100% in 70 mins. You can also get it charged via solar panel, car, and lead-acid battery.
[Safe & Durable] - Built with LiFePO₄ battery batteries and BMS for safety and longevity. The AC2A can be activated even when the battery runs out, making it a perfect power source for emergency relief.
[App Remote Control] - Using the BLUETTI App, you can monitor its status, set the charging / discharging mode, and achieve an OTA update on your phone. Intelligent power management made easy.
[What You Get] - BLUETTI AC2A portable power station, AC charging cable, solar charging cable, user manual, 5-year warranty, and friendly customer service.
[Fast Charging] - With 270W Turbo Charging, charging AC2A from 0-80% takes only 40 mins, and 100% in 70 mins. You can also get it charged via solar panel, car, and lead-acid battery.
[Safe & Durable] - Built with LiFePO₄ battery batteries and BMS for safety and longevity. The AC2A can be activated even when the battery runs out, making it a perfect power source for emergency relief.
[App Remote Control] - Using the BLUETTI App, you can monitor its status, set the charging / discharging mode, and achieve an OTA update on your phone. Intelligent power management made easy.
[What You Get] - BLUETTI AC2A portable power station, AC charging cable, solar charging cable, user manual, 5-year warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product information
Brand | BLUETTI |
---|---|
Wattage | 300 watts |
Fuel Type | Electric |
Power Source | Solar Powered |
Recommended Uses For Product | Camping |
Item Weight | 7.9 Pounds |
Voltage | 120 Volts (AC) |
Output Wattage | 300 |
Special Feature | Portable |
Included Components | User Manual, AC2A |
Product Dimensions | 9.8"L x 6.2"W x 6.9"H |
Engine Type | 4 Stroke |
Runtime | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
Total Power Outlets | 6 |
Frequency | 50 Hz |
Manufacturer | BLUETTI |
Item Weight | 7.9 pounds |
ASIN | B0CLGZW9WD |
Item model number | AC2A |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars
108 ratings
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #14,887 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #68 in Outdoor Generators |