Bluetti AC240 / AC200L + D40 question

[Whittle1000]

Evening Everyone.

I’m after a little advice if anyone can help.

It’s highly likely that I’m going to use a Bluetti to power my van, it’s mainly on a EHU with the odd days off grid.

My question is The AC240 has a 30amp output that I could wire into a fuse board and has enough power for my 12v fridge, LED’s and diesel heater etc.

The AC200L does not have the 30amp socket but you can buy a DC battery charger that I believe will allow my to connect everything in a similar way to the AC240. The AC200L has more storage.

Can anyone advise which is the better of the two?

The AC240 is waterproof but it’s going to be in the van so it’s going to remain dry.

I hope this makes sense.

Any help would be appreciated

Many thanks Andy.

 

[T6VanLife]

I use an AC70 with a 200w panel on the roof to power my entire van (fridge, heater, lights) I then use it to power one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08Q3ZP...=2CHH0DXCJ6JQA&psc=1&ref_=abl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I have it running in Power Supply Mode (switched via the app) then run it to a 6 way 12v fuse box and then to your appliance's, job done ! see below for rough layout.

200w Panel ---- AC70 PowerStation ----240v---- Victron Bluesmart 12v 30amp converter ----12v---- 6 way fuse box ---- Appliance's.

 

[Whittle1000]

I use an AC70 with a 200w panel on the roof to power my entire van (fridge, heater, lights) I then use it to power one of these: Amazon.co.uk

I have it running in Power Supply Mode (switched via the app) then run it to a 6 way 12v fuse box and then to your appliance's, job done ! see below for rough layout.

200w Panel ---- AC70 PowerStation ----240v---- Victron Bluesmart 12v 30amp converter ----12v---- 6 way fuse box ---- Appliance's.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated. I’ll have a look at your set up on-line to compare. Many thanks.

 

[Phil1]

I use an AC70 with a 200w panel on the roof to power my entire van (fridge, heater, lights) I then use it to power one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08Q3ZP...=2CHH0DXCJ6JQA&psc=1&ref_=abl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I have it running in Power Supply Mode (switched via the app) then run it to a 6 way 12v fuse box and then to your appliance's, job done ! see below for rough layout.

200w Panel ---- AC70 PowerStation ----240v---- Victron Bluesmart 12v 30amp converter ----12v---- 6 way fuse box ---- Appliance's.

Hi, I hope you don’t mind I’ve just quoted this on my new post - this might be a solution that could work for me. Can I just ask what your run off this system and how long you can last off grid please?

(Sorry to hijack your post @Whittle1000)

Thanks

 

[T6VanLife]

Well my setup is still pretty new and I have only been running it for about 11 months now and so far it works a treat and I am delighted with how it all works and how flexible it all is, the real game changer was putting a 200w solar panel on the roof, with it you are always getting "something" back into the system off grid.

I just upgraded from a Bluetti EB55 and the AC70 isn't big capacity as far as power stations go, but my biggest problem is I am restricted by its physical size in the van, but we don't require huge amounts of power.

At the moment its currently powering:
Fridge 35-60w (intermittent depending on ambient temperature)
20w Led lights
Diesel heater (160w for about 5 mins on startup then ramps down to about 20w)
Tap & water pump (about 30w for a minute while you fill the sink or kettle)

If your running all of the above flat out at night and only relying on its internal 768wh battery it will only last about 6-7 hours, but as of yet we haven't been in that situation and are sensible/mindful about the systems limitations off grid, and I still have the EB55 I can daisy chain or swap out if the AC70 runs out which will give us another 5 hours. But if you are on sites and using EHU plugged into the PowerStation the none of that matters.

I am seriously considering installing the Bluetti Charger 1 as emergency backup when fully off grid, with that installed you will never run out of power as it will charge the AC70 in an hour just by turning on the engine.

 

[Paynewright]

We’re homing in on our van spec and it looks like portable power (with solar) and fridge will best suit our needs. The main power drain when not hooked up to 240v will be the fridge and the odd hair dryer blast.

What make and model fridges are you using?

 

[T6VanLife]

Just a Dometic TCX 14 not the biggest by a long shot but its ample for me and the missus.
Power usage across all these 12v fridges/cool boxes are pretty similar whether its thermo or compressor driven.

 

[Whittle1000]

I use an AC70 with a 200w panel on the roof to power my entire van (fridge, heater, lights) I then use it to power one of these: Amazon.co.uk

I have it running in Power Supply Mode (switched via the app) then run it to a 6 way 12v fuse box and then to your appliance's, job done ! see below for rough layout.

200w Panel ---- AC70 PowerStation ----240v---- Victron Bluesmart 12v 30amp converter ----12v---- 6 way fuse box ---- Appliance's.

Apologies, complete newbie to this, do you think that attached is along the lines of your install?.

 

[T6VanLife]

No problem, that is exactly my setup

But if you really want to maximise the life of the battery plug your fridge directly into the 12v DC output on your PowerStation (cigarette plug 120w 10A Max), it the most consistently power hungry of all the appliance's as it will run stop/start all day long, and by doing this you feed the fridge direct 12v DC and will cut out the power draw of the Powerstations internal 240v inverter saving you a little bit of power.

Put everything else through the Victron as they are only switched on when required, remember and turn Eco Mode off on the PowerStation or you will have to keep switching the 240V output back on every 15 mins which is a pain in the ass ! it took me ages to work that out !

 

[Whittle1000]

No problem, that is exactly my setup

But if you really want to maximise the life of the battery plug your fridge directly into the 12v DC output on your PowerStation (cigarette plug 120w 10A Max), it the most consistently power hungry of all the appliance's as it will run stop/start all day long, and by doing this you feed the fridge direct 12v DC and will cut out the power draw of the Powerstations internal 240v inverter saving you a little bit of power.

Put everything else through the Victron as they are only switched on when required, remember and turn Eco Mode off on the PowerStation or you will have to keep switching the 240V output back on every 15 mins which is a pain in the ass ! it took me ages to work that out !

That's great, thanks very much for your help. Is the connector on the 12V output secure enough when driving around for the fridge to stay connected?.

Cheers,

 

[T6VanLife]

Well that was one of my original concerns too, but to be honest I have never had an issue with the plug shifting or popping loose and we have been to some pretty out of the way places up some rough tracks ! but I will say that the 12v DC socket on the AC70 is a vast improvement over the one on the EB55 ! much more secure & tighter fitting, but it never moved with the EB55 so hey ho !

 

[Whittle1000]

Well that was one of my original concerns too, but to be honest I have never had an issue with the plug shifting or popping loose and we have been to some pretty out of the way places up some rough tracks ! but I will say that the 12v DC socket on the AC70 is a vast improvement over the one on the EB55 ! much more secure & tighter fitting, but it never moved with the EB55 so hey ho !

Many thanks, much appreciated. I was thinking of going all out for the AC200L with solar, I’m guessing I’d be okay using the AC output on this with it having 2048wh, they do the AC240 that has the 30amp output but it’s storage is 1536wh guessing still plenty of power. As mentioned I’ll be off grid maybe a day but mainly on ELU . Thanks again.