I can safely tell you (@ minute 3:19) yes you can-do pass-through charging. You can use power as the Safari is charging in the wall, on the panels, and now some have the capability to trickle charge as you drive (cig-lighter) (saw that on the much smaller Summit. And if you are "on the road" nice to find a park/special plug in your city to get the plug into the wall if you don't have a place at home. Caden is my go-to agent, really patient, kind, and not pushy. Lately COSTCO has been retailing in UT.
i will say the help and service team there especially Greg at Lion Energy are like none other i haven't seen a more caring company in my life and I'm old ,, as of Oct 2023 Now the ALL-new Safari me out it has a 3000-watt inverter and 4400-watt hours with the new expansion battery. i'm looking forward to using it. ive have 2 complete 2000 watt Safari me's for years now
Thanks, PJ! I appreciate that. A lot to like on this one, especially if you have the coin to get the expansion pack with it. Only thing it would be missing at that point is 240V output to handle a whole house almost.
I can see the pros and cons to it. I just have 15+ of these in my closet and none of them use the same cables so it makes keeping track of which one goes to which a pain. So I like this setup better.
I don’t know if you’ve already done this (just found your channel); I need a 240V outlet to power my water pump for my water collection system. We are off grid for water so we have ~ 40,000 gallons in tanks. Need to power the pump and purification when idiots drive into the power line poles…
Amen. That is an extremely rare feature on these units but I have seen a few that have it. Obviously, they are on the higher end of the price and performance spectrum. Are you opposed to a modular system with individual components or are you tied to these all-in-one units?
Looks interesting but without the power IO data its a hard no for me. Hopefully they will update next version with IO power data. I have mixed feelings on the power cord, one view you cannot loose it but being IEC popularity most people have spares. On the other view if it ever gets damaged no convenient way to replace. I will have to take a look at there line of products the unit looks well built.
Great video thanks. When you plug this unit into grid power, how many AC watts does it pull to charge? If you had a smaller generator say 1000w , could you pull say 1500w from the front , while back filling 1000w so effectively it provides extended runtime? The application is to be able to backup power various household loads that vary from 500w - 2000w , but then be able to refill at a constant 700 watts to provide extended runtime. thanks!
What you are describing is called "pass through charging". Most units can do it, but some cannot. However, even if they CAN do it, that is going to cause a lot of heat inside that case and it may cause the unit to have to throttle the charging process, turn the fans to turbo speed (loud), or trip an overtemperature protection. Or some combination of both.
@@LDSreliance thanks for your reply. I contacted the manufacturer yesterday and the good news is this does work and is fine to do. So that means you can have variable power from 0 - 2000 or 3000 watts from these units, while feeding in a constant 700 watts any time day or night even without solar. Lion Energy actually tested this function yesterday and it works perfectly running a space heater at 1600 watts for example, while still charging at 700 watts AC input. I think they probably have separate internal charging modules that makes this work well.
I just returned my LE-ME. Did not perform to expectation. I had to do a full cycle drain and recharge to get the LCD and charging controller to perform properly. The panels are great other than the zippers on the solar panel cases were coming off track on first use. IMO LE needs to upgrade the LCD and the information displayed. No usage of wattage or amperage displayed.
Correct. I gave them that feedback. They are way behind the curve on that aspect. But I haven't had any performance issues at all. I am sorry to hear you did.
A note on the unexpected UPS function: technically all those so called "solar generators" can serve as uninterruptible power supplies but very inefficient ones. It's Because they have double conversion loses: first in the AC to DC charging and then in DC to AC inverter. A real UPS does not have those loses, it supplies AC directly to consumer unit, until it detects power was interrupted, only then it starts the inverter and synchronizes the AC wave with minimal disturbance (called switching time).
Yes, that is true. I just don't know how I can test these units and distinguish between the two. I don't have sophisticated test equipment but I am open to suggestions.
milwaukee recently came out with a 4-battery inverter that's kinda picky about batteries and boasts big claims (especially about pure sine waves) you should check that one out before black friday is over lol
With the Safari ME by itself you could charge it only once and it may not quite fully charge it if it is 0% state of charge to begin with. Your battery is 960Wh and the Safari ME is 922Wh. Keep in mind you will also lose up to 20% of your power through the inverting process so you will likely only get about 83% or so of the 922Wh like I did in my testing.
@@LDSreliance yeah thank I wish icould use the rack heated one hobo just reviwed but I want to be able to pull it out and take it in and racks require a master
Thanks for the review! Does this system allow for charging, solar, while it is providing power? It can be charging with solar and provide power to the fridge and computer at the same time? Thanks!
If you have the ability and knowledge to build your own then that will definitely save you money. But most consumers don't. There are also people that want it in an all-in-one, nicely packaged form factor instead of a bunch of components in a home built enclosure or box of some kind. I can definitely see both perspectives. Thanks for watching!
I can safely tell you (@ minute 3:19) yes you can-do pass-through charging. You can use power as the Safari is charging in the wall, on the panels, and now some have the capability to trickle charge as you drive (cig-lighter) (saw that on the much smaller Summit. And if you are "on the road" nice to find a park/special plug in your city to get the plug into the wall if you don't have a place at home. Caden is my go-to agent, really patient, kind, and not pushy. Lately COSTCO has been retailing in UT.
i will say the help and service team there especially Greg at Lion Energy are like none other i haven't seen a more caring company in my life and I'm old ,, as of Oct 2023 Now the ALL-new Safari me out it has a 3000-watt inverter and 4400-watt hours with the new expansion battery. i'm looking forward to using it. ive have 2 complete 2000 watt Safari me's for years now
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks. Looks like a great generator!
You are welcome. Thanks for watching!
I always appreciate your no nonsense reviews and commitment to honesty Cool looking unit. No annoying brick.
Thanks, PJ! I appreciate that. A lot to like on this one, especially if you have the coin to get the expansion pack with it. Only thing it would be missing at that point is 240V output to handle a whole house almost.
I hate permanently attached cords. Give me a standard cord connector any time, IEC C14 probably for that gear.
I can see the pros and cons to it. I just have 15+ of these in my closet and none of them use the same cables so it makes keeping track of which one goes to which a pain. So I like this setup better.
I don’t know if you’ve already done this (just found your channel); I need a 240V outlet to power my water pump for my water collection system. We are off grid for water so we have ~ 40,000 gallons in tanks. Need to power the pump and purification when idiots drive into the power line poles…
Amen. That is an extremely rare feature on these units but I have seen a few that have it. Obviously, they are on the higher end of the price and performance spectrum. Are you opposed to a modular system with individual components or are you tied to these all-in-one units?
Looks interesting but without the power IO data its a hard no for me. Hopefully they will update next version with IO power data. I have mixed feelings on the power cord, one view you cannot loose it but being IEC popularity most people have spares. On the other view if it ever gets damaged no convenient way to replace. I will have to take a look at there line of products the unit looks well built.
They promised they would. I haven't seen an LED panel without that information other than small units like 300-400W size range.
Great video thanks. When you plug this unit into grid power, how many AC watts does it pull to charge? If you had a smaller generator say 1000w , could you pull say 1500w from the front , while back filling 1000w so effectively it provides extended runtime? The application is to be able to backup power various household loads that vary from 500w - 2000w , but then be able to refill at a constant 700 watts to provide extended runtime. thanks!
What you are describing is called "pass through charging". Most units can do it, but some cannot. However, even if they CAN do it, that is going to cause a lot of heat inside that case and it may cause the unit to have to throttle the charging process, turn the fans to turbo speed (loud), or trip an overtemperature protection. Or some combination of both.
@@LDSreliance thanks for your reply. I contacted the manufacturer yesterday and the good news is this does work and is fine to do. So that means you can have variable power from 0 - 2000 or 3000 watts from these units, while feeding in a constant 700 watts any time day or night even without solar. Lion Energy actually tested this function yesterday and it works perfectly running a space heater at 1600 watts for example, while still charging at 700 watts AC input. I think they probably have separate internal charging modules that makes this work well.
I just returned my LE-ME. Did not perform to expectation. I had to do a full cycle drain and recharge to get the LCD and charging controller to perform properly. The panels are great other than the zippers on the solar panel cases were coming off track on first use. IMO LE needs to upgrade the LCD and the information displayed. No usage of wattage or amperage displayed.
Correct. I gave them that feedback. They are way behind the curve on that aspect. But I haven't had any performance issues at all. I am sorry to hear you did.
i charged it with ac power cord. expansion battery has 100% charge but outputs dont work. why?@@LDSreliance
I don't know. I would recommend contacting Lion. They have good support engineers from my experience.@@ssikka1000
A note on the unexpected UPS function: technically all those so called "solar generators" can serve as uninterruptible power supplies but very inefficient ones. It's Because they have double conversion loses: first in the AC to DC charging and then in DC to AC inverter. A real UPS does not have those loses, it supplies AC directly to consumer unit, until it detects power was interrupted, only then it starts the inverter and synchronizes the AC wave with minimal disturbance (called switching time).
Yes, that is true. I just don't know how I can test these units and distinguish between the two. I don't have sophisticated test equipment but I am open to suggestions.
milwaukee recently came out with a 4-battery inverter that's kinda picky about batteries and boasts big claims (especially about pure sine waves)
you should check that one out before black friday is over lol
Yikes. $2300 and only two small batteries included? I love Milwaukee but good grief.
I have a trike with a 48v 20ah battery I would like to be able to figure out how many times I can charge it with this generator
With the Safari ME by itself you could charge it only once and it may not quite fully charge it if it is 0% state of charge to begin with. Your battery is 960Wh and the Safari ME is 922Wh. Keep in mind you will also lose up to 20% of your power through the inverting process so you will likely only get about 83% or so of the 922Wh like I did in my testing.
@@LDSreliance yeah thank I wish icould use the rack heated one hobo just reviwed but I want to be able to pull it out and take it in and racks require a master
@@LDSreliance 12v 200 ah heated for 900 was like wow
That is a Grade B battery. Not saying that isn't still a good deal, just know what you are buying.
@@LDSreliance yeah I have little skill so I will prob have to get a second bike battery or go with ecoflow lol
Thanks for the review! Does this system allow for charging, solar, while it is providing power? It can be charging with solar and provide power to the fridge and computer at the same time? Thanks!
Yes, it does pass through charging. Thanks for watching!
Thanks!@@LDSreliance
Maybe compare this to the Delta...
If Ecoflow wants to send me one I would be happy to compare them.
Wow 4 THOUSAND dollars. If I was in the market for this I would rather build my own
If you have the ability and knowledge to build your own then that will definitely save you money. But most consumers don't. There are also people that want it in an all-in-one, nicely packaged form factor instead of a bunch of components in a home built enclosure or box of some kind. I can definitely see both perspectives.
Thanks for watching!