Van Life 101: Best Power Stations for Living in a Van 2023
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- Today we compare the Bluetti EB70, EB3A, AC200P MAX, AC300, AC500 and the Jackery.
Bluetti has built out a whole line up of solar power storage products for use in a van , car or RV and all kinds of off-grid lives. BLUETTI prioritizes design, service, innnovation and quality over everything else.
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Cheaprvliving is the BEST RUclips ever! You never cease to impress me and everyone. You’re so informative and give such honest advice. I appreciate everything that you do for all of us, the nomads and the wannabes. Thank you
Merry merry Christmas
Agreed! I trust Bob and this channel and always get the honest truth.
If you are car living and going to gym/library/McDonald's etc a lot, I recommend smaller than 500wh. You will want to carry it in and out of places to charge.
I’m gearing up for my first van trip, RTR 2023 and have been trying to research these battery banks for weeks. I was about to pull the trigger on a small jackery like this but you posted this video literally in the nick of time. Thanks, Bob! Shopping these bluettis now!
I've been running my entire life's power needs off of Bluetti for many years now! I love Bluetti!!! Started with their suitcase EB240 (still a workhorse) and am now running my Cabin solely off the AC300 with a stack of 4 B300 batteries. I shove about 2400w of solar into them. While on the road during the winter I use the
AC200p Max coupled with a B300 battery to run my Airstream trailer and all my appliances. Those two units combined has over 5000wh of storage and 2000w of power a perfect match for my trailers power needs. I use one 375w Panasonic solar panel that's mounted on the back of my truck to recharge the units as well as a backup AC300 + B300 that I keep in the back seat of the truck in case of emergency. The Bluetti lineup has been a complete lifestyle change for me and some much needed peace of mind. Not only that but Bluetti's customer service has always been top notch. Oh, add in Starlink and it doesn't get much better than that, although I'm sure they are both figuring out ways to make it better??? LOL Thanks Bob for all of your videos! Hope to see you on the road sometime in the future! 👋😎👍 Oh, and I gave away my Jackery products...
Tons of influencers still recommend Jackery products because they are getting paid affiliate commissions to promote their products. I applaud you Bob for being straight forward in your reviews and being honest about Jackery products compared to Bluetti which have been seen as second-hand when in reality are better quality and better priced than competitors.
There is also for patriot.
Bluetti is awesome. One of my Jackery’s the screen quit working after 1 yr warranty was up. My 2 Bluetti’s work 24/7 for over 2 years now.
Yep love my Bluetti
Which bluetti do you have?
Love Bluetti but they need a 1000-1500w Solar generator.
We’ll my Bluetti died two months out of warranty and little secret here…they don’t offer any repair options. Now my $1,200 power supply is worthless. All these power supplies are the same. No service options after warranty. They just keep making them more powerful and more expensive and no thought to service. Who in their right mind would spend thousands on a unit that could be worthless in two years if have a failure. It took me a month emailing back and forth to China to find out I’m screwed.
Omg, thank you so much dude. I've been through two damn Jackerys, which after a year and a half DEAD and spent $500 and couldn't figure out WHY. Thank you so much ❤️.
I have 3 Bluettis 3 Jackery 1 Ecoflow and 1 Anker I agree with everything you said Bob Thanks for educating us. Also Ecoflow is a good competitor to Bluetti and the new models come with a 5yr warranty worth checking out
How do you think the Anker compares to the Ecoflow and Bluetti ? I was looking at the Anker with approximately 1200 watt hours. I considered the 2000wh Bluetti until I noticed how much it weighed.
How do you deal with the fans kicking on every few minutes when solar charging, don't you find them annoying?
How an earth do you have money for these? These are not Cheap! And someone have more than one? Some of these are thousands not hundreds in price tag! And I bet most of them have life like cellphone 3 to 5 years max!
@@dtroutI think the Ankers are really promising - good company. The big question is, will they stay in this market, so I would personally hold off until their second generation, even though their 1st gens seem really good.
@@april7_ He addresses that in the video.
Due to your and other recommendations I bought an EB-70 last year. I took on two trips last summer 2 weeks in Idaho and 1 week in Northern Nevada. The bluetti worked perfectly, it ran my refrigerator freezer all night and recharged with the solar panels during the day great product I am very satisfied with the purchase.
CheapRVliving Thanks for the upload 8:54, hope your subs reaches 629K 😁. May God bless you, your family and all CheapRVliving fans 🤗🤗
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What a great video everybody should watch this
Bob has been a consistent believer in the Bluetti for a long time.
This was exactly what I was looking for Bob. Thank you for the review and the explanations. Very helpful.
I have the Bluetti EB3A and I really like it. I have the Rockpals version also, and it works fine but uses the older technology and does not have near the recharge numbers Bluetti has. Keep up the great work you do Bob.
I will be buying a 2000 Wh solar generator in the next 2-3 months so I have been watching alot of RUclips videos. I also read the reviews on Amazon. While technically the Bluetti may be superior , I have decided I will not buy any Bluetti products based on the terrible reviews of their customer service and non-responsiveness. I just can not afford to take a $ 3,000 dollar chance on a solar generator. So I will be buying the Jackery 2000. I hope these comments find their way from your videos to the Bluetti company.
Tim Peterson
Thanks. After hearing his criticism I was feeling pretty foolish. Your comment makes me feel a lot better. I have 2 other smaller Jackerys and love them both.
Recently I bought the Jackery 2,000 as a gift for myself… to use an induction cooktop and air frier in my camper van.
I need one for my vehicle.ill be living in it shortly. On a low set income . I have a 1000 watt inverter . Hopefully I get a deep cycle to get me and the dog by . Thank for sharing
Great roundup! My EB3A is great for its high solar input, but its AC inverter seems to run at a higher wattage than my other solar generators, and it drops off completely when the storage gets under 20%. And it's really heavy compared to my generators with more storage. But if you can get it for a great price, I would recommend it.
Thank you for this review
I wish I had this information before I purchased a Jackery 500
I will certainly consider another Bluetti
For more power
Appreciate all the valuable information you put out for us 👍
Glad you covered the battery chemistry Bob! No reason to buy a product with 500 cycles when you can get LifePo4 chemistry doing 3k+ !!
So glad you posted this, Bob! I have the EB3A and it's great for charging my phone quickly. I don't use it for much more. I was, however, struggling with what to use in my travel van! Because I want the power bank to run not only a refrigerator/freezer, but a space heater (in cool weather), and an AC unit like you show in this video (in warm weather), I just couldn't make up my mind. Sweet spot with the AC200p or (for me because of power wants haha) the AC200p MAX - perfect timing! Going to save up my nickle and dimes for this, and you have, as always, brought the good stuff to us!! Thank you again!!
Wow! I’m betting Jackery is not going to be a super happy with this video, but on the other hand, perhaps it was for them to come into the modern times. I always appreciate the reviews and info you provide!
Nice roundup Bob. Wouldn't it be more correct to call these things big batteries with a bunch of fancy outlets and not generators? As far as I can tell they don't "generate" any power...they only store power you put in them. Hope that makes sense :) Love your videos!
I've thought the same thing
Kind of like Almond Milk. It's Juice Not milk
It stores the power you put in them and then "generates" it back out into whatever you plug into it. The definition of generate is "to cause something to come about". By using the stored energy, it causes something to come about. Energy is "generated" into it and it "generates" that power back out to cause products to run. The power coming into it from a plug or a solar panel is not directly running into appliances etc. It's the stored power in the Bluetti etc that makes whatever you plug into it work. Also, manufacturers call them generators - so, how is Bob going to change that?
The difference between these and battery packs is these have a solar mppt. I'm sure it's just marketing terms but that's the main difference when searching, I guess that's the name they picked for them
I think the lithium ion chemistry is good for people that go camping and want something light weight but don’t use it as a primary power source. I like my Ecoflow River with an ability to charge quickly. I bought a couple Bluetti units for grown kids to give them some emergency power. Looking at the Anker mid-size with LifePO chemistry but also purchased a dual fuel unit that I can run the furnace or air conditioning on at home. I can see where these units would work well for a camper or van. Nice video and generally agree with your synopsis. My understanding was that the batteries would continue to hold a charge after 500 cycles or 3000 cycles.... but the storage capacity would degrade and hold less. I’m curious to know how many years one can get out of lithium ion with diminished capacity..... have not heard much on that.
Rip art bell
Another downside to the Jackery is they require proprietary cable connections from Jackery. You cannot connect non Jackery solar panels to a Jacky solar generator. Jackery solar connections are not waterproof.
Not true. As long as it has 8 mm connection from solar to jackery. Saying that i like jackery. I don't say this for politics but I'm going blue when jackery cycles end
I found that out the hard /costly way. I have a 1000 just bought a 2000 for extra power but the cables and solar panels are not interchangeable and the Extension cables were very pricey $$$$ for the 2000.
I have a Renogy solar panel and I had to buy an 8 mm adapter to fit my jackery but that was no problem it was easy and it works just fine.
Does it depend on which Jackery you have? Like maybe the larger ones?
So incredibly useful! Thank you!
Welcome to the Jackery bash video. I love my Bluetti EB3A and EB70 but I also have my Jackery 240, my first power station. Still works by the way.
Well, wireless charging is so inefficient... 🤷🏻♂️ Just plug it in and sit it there rather than just sit it there?
Sound of each of these with fans on low and high?
I wish I had heard this before I spent $2,000 for a Jackery!
This is the last time I listen to a recommendation from a RUclipsr.
That is a powerful endorsement!!
Hey Bob….is the air conditioner you show in this video a swamp cooler or compressor type? Would a 5000 btu compressor work on any of these? Great comparison! More like this. Thanxz.
I’m a fan of Bluetti. Yet I always feel like I’m on wrong team compared to the rah rah Jackery fans. I have two Bluetti power stations. I gave up on my travel trailer and flunked out of the Class C due to the realization that I will never get in the dirt and fix the generator.
What I have is plenty to run a little refrigerator/freezer and lights for tent camping. Thanks for all you do for us.
This general overview recap is so helpful, Bob. Gratitude here as I muddle along trying to get a set up that’s right for me. Thanks to you and team, and happy trails to all. 🐾🎶
Great information
I have 3 of the Bluettis, I wouldn’t buy anything else!
Bob you said charging the jackery 500 times from 20% to 80% it would all done. But a full charge is to 100% and after 500 full charges it would still have 80% of its Capacity.
Yes and another 500 charges drops capacity to 60% and so on......
Does the 12volt car charging work or does it fail after 2-3 months?
This is great and valuable info... but why did y'all wait until Dec. 22nd to upload it, when it was recorded in October??? This info would have been VERY helpful to people who were shopping the Black Friday sales during November and part of December! Especially for the Bluetti products! Someone dropped the ball on this upload! 😏. We'll have to utilize the info for purchases on the next round of sales, I guess... but I don't know when those will occur.
Have been using Goal Zero for years but recently got the Bluetti AC200P Max and so far it's amazing how well it works, and I got an exceptional deal during the Black Friday sale.
My 3rd choice was the Bluetti AC200 Max. My 1st choice was the Ecoflow Delta Pro, I purchased my 2nd choice the (more portable, lighter, budget-friendly) Ecoflow Delta 2 with an expansion battery. I find it very difficult to overlook the features, build quality, and LifPo4 battery technology of the newer Ecoflow products.
Personally I plan to buy the Ecoflow Delta 2 and Bluetti eb3a for portability.
I have the ecoflow river2 and a rivermax,and love them both..
Ecoflow all the way, Roy.
Maybe Ecoflow should make a lifepo4 version of their Delta Max 2000 and I would have bought it.
It’s interesting that I came to the same conclusion about Jackery as I returned it once I realized how antiquated it was compared to the Bluetti EB3A, which I now have. EB3A has 1) longer life batteries (LiFePO4), wireless charging, and bed of all the smart App. Just my 2 cents
You have become a gold mine of information for those who are in a desperate situation & without technical knowledge .lot's of love coming your way from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺
I'm thinking about it have a van know power can I get a bluetti tell me what to do
The LFP chemistry of the Bluetti line is not subject to “thermal runaway” a huge fire/explosion risk advantage over the Li ion chemistry of the Jackery and many other competitors.
thank you for sharing this it was my big concern nest was long life but safety first.
In 2022 I bought the Bluetti EB3A on sale. Then a couple of months later I bought the VTOMAN Jump 600X on sale, which is vey much like the Bluetti, gets excellent reviews, and is the same price. I only have one 100w folding solar kit so far, which I have not even used yet, so I guess I'd better buy more solar! (I didn't get out this year because of the gas prices; I live in a house and camp).
I appreciate YOU so much for all you do and for this review!!! Thank you 🙏 ❤😃
Hi!! I love your videos. Thank you. Been watching for years, now.
I'm curious about people's experiences with Bluetti customer service. I've heard, not so, good things about it.
Aside from that, I've decided to stay away from Jackery for my 1000 wh battery pack. Thinking of getting a small fridge for weekend / 5 day long road trips.
can you plug a 'generic' kind of lithium battery (like a Pylontech) to one of these power stations?
Wow I would expect this will motivate Jackery to get on the stick and make a competitive product(s).
Wow, I`m a bit late watching this video. About a month ago I bought a Duracell 500. I mainly need it to run my C-Pap. It is working for now.
Thanks for the video and thanks for the great information.. I am moving to the Philippines to live and I will definitely buy one after I arrive because they have lots of power outages in most of the Philippines.. thanks for the video👍👍👌🤠😎🤗🍺🍻🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄👍👍
What is the name of the small ac unit?
Can you do a review on the 4Patriots 1800 solar generator please.
Joan, HoboTech did a kind of parody review on 4Patriots brand as a whole. 4Patriots sales strategy is marketing to uniformed consumers. RUN away from them. For example, right now you can get the 4Patriots 1800 and a 100w solar panel for $2500. You can get over THREE TIMES the storage capacity and more features from Bluetti for LESS money.
Yep!!! Love my BLUETTI EB70S!!! Solid Choice for me and my micro mobile home. My thanks for pointing the way Y'all!!! Love from Georgia!
LiFePO4 should be described as
Lithium (Li) Iron (Fe) Phosphate ((PO)4)
Just a little fyi from a chemistry nerd.
What solar panels are you using with your bluetti, I just bought a 350 watt portable panel but would like to mount permanent panels for house power. Thanks love your channel.
I am looking ahead cause I am planning on going off grid in about 6 months. I am looking at the BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC70, 768Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 2 1000W AC Outlets (Power Lifting 2000W), 100W Type-C, Solar Generator for Road Trip, Off-grid, Power Outage (Solar Panel Optional). My question is this a good one to power up a coffee pot or fan or small heater if I need one? Hopefully somebody can give me some answers. I’m looking to buy it today.
Thanks
I wish they'd make a 1000 and 1500 watt with the newest innovations! I originally considered getting a Jackery, but decided on Bluetti largely based on your reviews. So, now I have an EB 70 and I love it! And their customer service is very good.
So BLUETTI has great specs, except lack quality build of JACKERY. The "single most important thing" is whether the thing is going to keep working and if the company will support you. 1000 cycles without breaking is better than 3000 cycles and breaking.
The only reason I considered getting a Jackery, which I did, was... I didn't know about Bluetti, lol. Now I know when my Jackery 300plus kicks the bucket I'll be sure to get a Bluetti
I'm waiting for Sodium Ion batteries. Lithium is becoming more expensive and sodium is real cheap. Here in Canada they want $6,000 for the AC500 + B300S unit.
What would be best for a 10x6x6 (LxWxH) off grid custom RV…. I’m building a mower-home.(I’m taking a riding mower drive train going into a atv rear end a 19.5 go Briggs and Stratton twin opposed so 700cc engine) With those dimensions 10’ long 6’ width 6’ height as my living quarters, I’m 33 and as of march I’m going to start my adventure across Ontario’s northern crown land. I got diagnosed with m.s I’m very poor and want to enjoy the world before I’m paralyzed lol.
Youre going to make me spend 1200 pretty damn quick on bluetti. Im nervous to camp at EAA in Oshkosh and volunteer the WHOLE week. I want to make sure my ac runs ar night for atleast 8 hours a night and charge it all day so it is good to go the next
It’s funny that jackery are doing a massive campaign of advertising in the uk so glad I’ve seen this as didn’t know about the difference between lipo and lithium, I use a powapacs atm and looking for something else with more wattage
I hope someone can answer this question.
I have a 500 jackery. I also have a 160watt, no name, solar panel. The vos is 22.5. Will this work or harm my jackery?
Just bought my first school bus at 20 and I’m looking to convert it. I don’t have the highest paying job but still I am looking for a budget power system. For me $1000 is a lot… do you have anything you would recommend?
My situation is a confusing one. I am in need of a portable power station. I'm also confused as to which one & I have been researching many brands. Money is extremely limited! Extremely! But Bob, what I wanted to say was that you did answer a very important question for me! I did not know that the Bluetti had the LiFePO4. I did not find that information in any of my researching. Can you answer a question for me please? Can you drain any of these P.P.S.s completely?
Just looked up prices 😳
About to live in my car again, but last time I didn’t have/need battery.
I only need for laptop and phone charge and I would do that at library, campus, coffee shop etc.
I need to rework my plan
0:17 Good Day! I’m a new subscriber. I have a Pro Master 1500 that is wired. I have a few outlets, and have ran an extension cord to my home for power.
Please tell me what I can use to power it for electricity when I hit the road.
I am currently getting it ready to live in full time.
Thanks for all these videos. They are so inspiring!!
Just googled if these are avaibke in Australia. They are! I appreciate u making my research easier. It's nice to know overkill is available as I would like to run electric everything if I ever go tiny
Thank You Everybody for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.. Peace Shalom Salam Namaste 🙏🏻😊🌈✌🌷☮❤🕊
Thank you for your channel! I'm looking to use a power source for my truck top witch I use for camping. I have to use a CPAP beathing machine at night to sleep. So something to power that and maybe a heater or a fan. It uses a 110 outlet to run. What would suggest getting for this situation. I would need this for about three or four nights and eight hours a night. Thank you for your help. I just don't know all of this power terminology of power.
Do you ever donate those to people who don't have one? I'm just starting in van life. I'm currently temporarily on disability living in my jeep grand Cherokee.
Which 1 to power submersible pump in pond(ac 200 max.?)using solar power?
Jackery is far superior to Bluetti. I purchased several Bluetti products and was disappointed in their performance.
A total novice here when it comes to these even though I do research them 🤦🏻♀️ If car camping/traveling for months what can someone recommend I might need ..plus a little more
Don't forget the wireless charging is only around 75% efficient, so you are throwing away 25%.
Give me one pleaseee! I know some killer magic tricks i can teach you! I just bought a van and im working on making it a home. Thanks for the content!!
Can I plug my type c adapter into my house plug then into my Jackery 500
My first battery bank will be a Vtoman. Too many poor Bluetti reviews out there except yours.
Keep in mind, all these units have no service options after the thing is out of warranty. It’s on thing if you buy a small unit for a few hundred dollars. If you get sucked into a big unit for thousands I hope you are lucky.
Wow you don't have the best one😢. I immediately stopped watching lol
I been saving for van life and planing on buying a van around summer time . I just don’t know what power system to get ? Any suggestions?
Hey Bob I'm considering buying the AC200P and the solar panels that go with it to use for home emergency use. I may not need it for 6 months or 6 years. Will the battery deteriorate if not used regularly?
Many Thanks! Been on the ride with you since your split a few years ago.
Have you compared EcoFlow to Bluetti batteries?
Hi, Bob,
Looking for that A/C unit showing in this video - can't find it in your Amazon store. Please advise aource/vendor. Many thanks.
yes please!
Serene life- in the description box
Hi Bob! Thank you for this video! I thought I’d done a good bit of research on this issue; and landed on the BougeRV brand. My factors were features/ multiple ways to charge, need for running heating device, lap top, mini fridge... but WEIGHT( a lot of arthritis) and price were #1 & 2 consideration. But!! think I better go back and compare it to Bluetti. I can’t remember why I ruled it out BEFORE Jackery now... do you have any insight or experience w/ BougeRV brand ? Thanks!!
Ugh, I just bought a Jackery to serve as backup in case my power goes out.
Great report Bob, thank you for your honesty…
Jackery has a great marketing department to push their products. It would be beneficial if they put some of that budget into R&D.
I love my Bluetti EB70 and I just went ahead and got the EB3A, I hope to be able to afford their solar panel in February.
Just bought me a Bluetti eb70s 800 watt generator on sale for 500.00 sweet !!!
I don't see this red one on Amazon. Seems to avoid disappointment that i find with rv solar inverter equip its a hefty size and still the chart does not say AC or hair dryer useful until the fourth size up.
I enjoyed the fact that this down to Earth review used equipment that literally just came in from the field.
I have a 5000 btu air conditioner in my tiny trailer, which of you generators will run my ac
Which would be good for Van life like to do your refrigerator and stuff like that
If you ever have an extra one I would buy it from you instead of you giving it away lol, lmk.
What about ecoflow? Can you say something?
I have a cpap, I want to run a Dometic fridge, and a diesel heater. What should I get?
It's called lithium phosphate battery.
I’m interested in the Bluetti.
Bob what’s the brand of the portable AC unit you can plug into a Bluetti? What size of a Bluetti will handle a portable AC and 12w of solar? I’ll be in a converted Cargo van.
It is linked in the description box- on the 3rd line of the title, there is a more… - just tap that and the description will open up and you will be able to find the link. The a/c is a Zafro
The Bluetti seems bulky. Is it difficult for a solo female to move?