Tag: reviews

BLUETTI Elite 200 v2 | Crazy Efficient 2600w Portable Solar Power Station

Posted on by HOBOTECH Tom

BLUETTI Elite 200 v2 | Crazy Efficient 2600w Portable Solar Power Station

The Professor reviews Bluetti’s new subcompact power saving 2600 watt portable power station / solar generator — the 2074Wh Elite 200 v2.

[BONUS: Includes password to unlock turbo / pro fast charge mode!]

Intro

  • Bluetti has launched a new subcompact 2600 watt portable power station that embraces a new naming scheme that should hopefully make more sense to customers going forward. The Elite 200 V2 is the successor to the now discontinued AC200P that offers a bigger inverter with more battery but is significantly smaller and lighter than any 2kWh model of the past. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!

Features

  • Battery Capacity/Tech/Cycles: 2074Wh automotive grade LFP battery rated for 6000 cycles. They don’t state to what capacity in the manual, but I’m assuming 70%.

  • Size/Weight: Here’s where the new Elite shines over any other midsize Bluetti of a similar spec. It’s only 14 x 10 x 13 inches at an amazingly slender 53 lbs. This is several inches smaller in each dimension and over 9 pounds lighter than the current AC200L, and THIS has the larger inverter. How they did this was with use of their very own TARDIS tech. Kidding of course. I actually have no idea how they did it. I know they are using a new wire free manufacturing technique that allows them to make smaller and more sturdy designs, but at the time of filming I have little information on this.

  • Design/Display: The Elite uses the current standard Bluetti display they are putting in every model now that includes all the important information such as input / output watts, time to charge / discharge, battery % display with icons. It does have both low and high temperature protection and icons will appear on the screen if any protections are activated. This Bluetti is also one of the few that has all the inputs and outputs on the front with exception of the AC input which is on the side. This will make many folks happy that like to use power stations in small spaces like RV’s or vans.

  • Inverter Size/Type and #outlets: As for that pure sine inverter, it’s a massive 2600w with a brief 5200w surge ability, and this is output through 4 standard 20A outlets. No 30A RV hookup on this model which was very surprising, but a TT-30R is a very large outlet and if you’re going for compactness, you simply can’t include one. If you do want to hook up a 30A RV, you can simply get a 20A to 30A dogbone adapter from my website https://hobotech.tv. With that you can still pull 2400w all day long which is more than enough for any RV roof air conditioner. You just won’t be able to use your microwave at the same time.

  • Ways To Charge : This Bluetti can charge via grid power at 1800w in turbo mode good for topping up in less than an hour and a half. In standard mode, it takes just under 2 hours and silent mode about 3 hours.

    • Of course it wouldn’t be a solar generator if it couldn’t charge from solar and this model includes a single MPPT solar controller good for 1000w of solar charging from 12-60v up to a whopping 20A. This means you can run more solar panels in parallel if you are using larger high voltage panels.

  • 12v Output Types: As for DC outputs, this is where the Elite really cuts some corners to save space. Gone is the coveted 30A DC output of the past along with the usual 5521 barrel plug outputs. On the Elite 200 you get a single 12v regulated car accessory socket regulated at 13.3v and 10A, and that’s all she wrote.

  • USB Output Types: It does offer some well rounded USB options with a pair of 100w USB-C PD outputs and a pair of standard 5v USB ports good for charging your dinosaurs. Again, no USB-A QC ports.

  • Other Features: For those that hate apps, this Bluetti does allow the end user to modify many of the important settings via button presses. Also, for those that really need the outputs to turn themselves back on after the battery is dead and recharged, this model does it but you do have to set it up through the app. 

  • Warranty: 5 years from Bluetti

Testing

  • DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 1845wh for 89%

  • AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 1990wh for 96%

  • Phantom load / Parasitic drain test

    • DC consumption: used 72wh (%) over 12 hours or about 144wh over 24 hours

    • AC consumption: used 88wh (%) over 6 hours or about 352wh over 24 hours. That’s a very exceptional 15w at idle for a 2600w inverter. If you left the inverter on it would take almost 6 days to kill the battery. That’s amazing and actually the best result of any product I’ve tested to date. If you’re looking for a power station you can leave on all the time to run a fridge, this is it.

  • I’m always asked how long stuff will run. Compensating for usable capacity, you can pause this chart to see approximately how long common appliances will run on this unit.

    • 13500 btu RV a/c (1200w @50% cyc): 3 hrs

    • 6000 btu window a/c (400w @50% cyc): 10 hrs

    • 20cuft modern fridge (1.2kwh/day): 1.25 days

    • 1500w heater: 1.3 hrs

    • 1200w microwave (1800w): 1.1 hrs

    • Keurig coffee maker (1200w 60wh/c): 33 cups

    • Instant Pot (1000w @50% cyc): 4 hrs

    • Hot plate (500w): 4 hrs

    • 55” LED TV (80w): 21 hrs

    • Macbook (60w): 26 hrs

    • Box Fan (50w): 30 hrs

    • CPAP (30w): 44 hrs

    • Chromebook (15w): 5 days

    • Tablet (5w): 7.5 days

 

  • Sine wave check under load: 120/60

  • Inverter capacity test (max): 3200w

  • 15A saw test: pass

  • Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins): 2600w

  • Inverter fan noise db: 50

  • Max Charge Rate AC @ watts/volts: fast 1750w ; quiet 800w; standard 1400w

  • DC Input Range: 12-60v 20A 1000w

  • Max Charge Rate DC @ watts/volts: 12v 100w; 24v 195w; 48v 850w; max 64v 1000w

  • Charging fan noise db: AC max 54db ; AC min 0db ; Solar 0db

  • Simultaneous charging ability: 2400w solar priority

  • Pass thru / UPS: 15ms PC pass

  • DC Output(s) Max Rate: 10A 12.5v

  • 12v output(s) regulated: 13.3v

  • USB output rate check: 100w x 2 pass

  • Wireless/other output: na

  • Amp interference test: pass

    • AM radio test: DC low; AC moderate

    • EMF test: DC high 68; AC high 88

My Opinion

  • For those of you that thrive for simple, compact, yet very usable power for virtually any type of remote power use while camping, in a RV/van, or at a job site. The Elite 200 is for you. If you want easy, portable backup power for your home to run a fridge or other appliances when the power goes out, the Elite 200 is a great choice. If you plan to run a 12v compressor fridge, this is one of the best choices out there today as it just sips power with the DC turned on. Some of the other Bluetti products we’ve seen recently haven’t been so frugal with the juice.

  • If you’re looking for something with battery expansion ability or 30A outputs this is not for you. You’ll want to look into the AC200L or larger models. It’s also obvious that this is not a power station for whole home backup nor will this run your air conditioner all night long. That’s what the AC300 and 500 is for.

  • For the record, I was as confused as you were about the Elite 200 V2 naming scheme. I asked Bluetti what was up with the V2 part as there never was a V1. They said, “We’re not going to disclose this now. You need to wait for CES in January”. That’s a very strange answer to a very basic question but okay, we’ll find out in January why this product is called the Elite V2. Maybe there’s an Elite V1 coming up? That would be my uneducated guess.

  • I’m just happy that they finally took my advice and are going with a new naming scheme. Long time subscribers know that I’ve been complaining about the overly confusing product model names for over 2 years now, and I’ve made those complaints well known to Bluetti management. It’s about time they listened to customers. Now if only we can get them to put 12v ports and wireless chargers back on their smaller units.

Pricing and Competition

  • Product Price with current discount:

    • Bluetti is launching this product at a truly amazing deal for only $1099. That’s 2kWh with a 2600w inverter for a blistering 53 cents per watt hour. But wait, there’s more. For a limited time, Bluetti is offering an additional 5% off for viewers of HOBOTECH because they know just how awesome you are. This knocks the price down to $1044 which brings you into the magical realm of 50 cents per Wh. Yes, a brand new state of the art, top brand name power station for 50 friggen cents per watt hour. What is this world coming to? Granted, this price won’t last as they said this deal will vanish on Dec 3rd.

CHECK IT OUT HERE https://gohobo.io/elite200 use 5% off code HOBOE2V2

 

BLUETTI AC240 2400w IP65 Water Resistant Modular Solar Generator Battery Power Station

Posted on by HOBOTECH Tom
bluetti ac240 b210

 

bluetti ac240 b210
Watch here: https://youtu.be/K3SnGM3fzho

 

BLUETTI AC240 2400w IP65 Water Resistant Modular Solar Generator Battery Power Station

The Professor reviews the IP65 water resistant Bluetti AC240 solar generator and B210 modular battery bank good for up to 20kWh of power and 4800w output in parallel mode.

  • Bluetti has released yet another AC200 series power station that oddly seems to compete with it’s own most recent release, the AC200L. Despite having a smaller battery, this one is called the AC240. So what’s the big deal? Well the AC240 comes packing some new features not supported in any of their other midsize offerings. Such as an inverter parallel ability only found in their flagship products (so you can hook two together for more power), direct battery expansion support up to 20kWh with their new B210 battery, a new app-free interface that lets you change all the settings without needing an app and then turn off all WiFi and Bluetooth, and last but not least… IP65 water resistance. It certainly ticks a lot of boxes. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!

Features

  • Battery Capacity/Tech/Cycles: 1536wh LFP battery rated 3500 cycles to 80% capacity and can be expanded up to a whopping 10kWh of capacity (20kWh if in parallel mode) using the new IP65 rated B210 expansion battery we’ll check out in a bit.

  • Size/Weight: It measures a tall 17 x 12 x 16 inches and weighs in at a meaty 72 lbs – this is 10 pounds heavier than the AC200L, that has a larger battery and same size inverter. Not really sure where it packed on 10 extra pounds but mcdonalds did reintroduce the double big mac recently. Hmm… 

  • Design/Display: The AC240 rocks the same high quality color LCD as their other models, and this one shows you everything you need to know from watts in and out to time to charge and discharge. I counted 29 total pieces of information on display. Dang.

  • Inverter Size/Type: This has the same power inverter as the AC200L or 2400w with a brief 3600w surge. Of course they offer their proprietary “power lifting” feature that claims to power resistive devices up to 3600w, but it does this by dropping the voltage of the inverter. I always suggest turning this feature off to prevent damaging your appliances.

  • Ways To Charge:

    • The AC240 can charge via AC wall outlet or grid power using the included cable, up to 2200w for charging from 0-80% in 45 minutes. However, this product is factory locked to 1800w and in order to unlock faster charging you need to get a pass code from support. Just be aware of that.

    • It can of course charge from solar with the built in 1200w MPPT controller in a “theoretical” 2 hours under perfect conditions. However, unlike the AC200L’s 145v controller, this one is limited to a maximum of 60 volts at 21 amps. That’s right. 60 volts. That’s going to make it quite difficult to hit that magic 1200w mark because you’d need the perfect series-parallel combo of panels to reach 60 volts at 21 amps without over volting. Remember, “you can over amp but you can’t over volt”. Over volting a power station will result in either a shut down, or smoke. We’ll get deeper into this situation, in a moment.

    • Last and certainly least you can charge from a 12 or 24v source at 8.2 amps that’s good for 100w and 200w of charging respectively.

  • 12v Output Types: Bluetti decided to ditch the fancy new proprietary 48v output on this model and go back to the very useful 30A 12v output that van lifers, RVers, and hobbyists love. There is also the standard 10A lighter socket for powering your retro items.

  • USB Output Types: The AC240 offers the typical pair of USB-C 100w PD outputs alongside a pair of 18w USB-A QC ports. This is standard fare nowadays with most midsize power stations.

  • Other Outputs: Note that Bluetti doesn’t seem to be offering wireless charging pads anymore on their latest offerings and this product is no exception. I personally miss the wireless pads. Maybe because this is a stackable product they opted out this time.

  • Other Features:

    • The AC240 does offer the aforementioned Parallel ability where you can use an optional hub to connect two AC240’s together. This shares the inverter and battery power between the two units equally and will split the loads. However, this parallel ability has a very important limitation that we’ll review in a moment.

    • App haters rejoice! You no longer need an app to change the major behind the scenes settings in your AC240. You can also opt to disable all wireless access permanently until you decide to turn it back on. 

    • The AC240 and B210 are rated IP65 dust proof and water resistant. This means dust can’t get inside and you can shoot a ¼ inch stream of water at 3 gal/min from any direction into the unit with zero damage done. This is very handy if you need power outdoors in severe weather or on a boat.

  • Warranty: 6 year warranty for both the AC240 and its B210 battery

Testing

  • DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 1210wh/1536 for 79%. If you were paying attention to the time lapse you’ll notice I was using the 30A output instead of the cigarette lighter. I did this to speed up the test thinking that it may score better around 20A. It certainly didn’t help. The AC200L scored 5% better on this test, but it doesn’t offer the coveted 30A output of the AC240 so it’s going to be more efficient at DC.

  • AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 1270wh/1536 for 83%, which is average for the industry but nowhere near the 91% scored by the AC200L. I assumed these two inverters at 2400w were identical but they can’t be, and we’ll verify this in a moment.

  • Phantom load / Parasitic drain test

    • DC consumption: used 177wh (%) over 12 hours or about 354wh over 24 hours. This is on par with other midsize stations and pretty close to what the AC200L scored.

    • AC consumption: used 109wh (%) over 4 hours or about 654wh over 24 hours. If you left the inverter on it would totally kill the battery in under 3 days. This is literally double the idle consumption of the AC200L, so this tells me that they are using a totally different 2400w inverter on the same 51v battery architecture.

  • I’m always asked how long stuff will run. Compensating for usable capacity, you can pause this chart to see approximately how long common appliances will run on this unit.

    • 13500 btu RV a/c (1200w @50% cyc): 2 hrs

    • 6000 btu window a/c (400w @50% cyc): 6 hrs

    • 20cuft modern fridge (1.2kwh/day): 1 day

    • 1500w heater: <1 hour

    • 1200w microwave (1800w): 40 mins

    • Keurig coffee maker (1200w 60wh/c): 20 cups

    • Instant Pot (1000w @50% cyc): 3 hrs

    • Hot plate (500w): 3 hrs

    • 55” LED TV (80w): 15 hrs

    • Macbook (60w): 20 hrs

    • Box Fan (50w): 24 hrs

    • CPAP (30w): 40 hrs

    • Chromebook (15w): 3 days

    • Tablet (5w): 5 days

     

  • Sine wave check under load: 120v / 60hz

  • Inverter capacity test (max): 3200w >5s

  • Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins): 2400w max

  • Inverter fan noise db: 49

  • Max Charge Rate AC @ watts/volts: fast w ; quiet w; standard w

  • DC Input Range: 12-60v

  • Max Charge Rate DC @ watts/volts: 12v 100w; 24v 200w; 48v 1050w; max 60v 1020w (equipment limited)

  • Charging fan noise db: AC max 43db ; AC min 0db ; Solar 0db

  • Simultaneous charging ability: 1020w solar + 1180w AC = 2200w (amp limited)

  • Pass thru / UPS: 15ms pass with PC test

  • DC Output(s) Max Rate: 10A 12.6v; 30A @ 360w pass

  • 12v output(s) regulated: 13.6v

  • USB output rate check: 2x 100w pass

  • Wireless/other output: na

  • Amp interference test: pass

    • AM radio test: inverter noisy

    • EMF test: 70 (very high)

My Opinion

  • The AC240 is another fine product from Bluetti, a brand that releases more new products each year than most hobos change their underwear – present company excluded. The new parallel ability is very cool along with the ability to store up to 20kWh of power if you max out the battery capacity with 8 of those B210 batteries. I like the new B210’s. They’ve managed to squeeze 100wh more power than the B230 for only one extra inch of space. However, like the AC240, it’s quite a bit heavier. Like 14 more pounds than the B230. So this doesn’t make sense to me. Does IP65 water resistance really create so much more heft? I suppose with the water proof chambers and this mysterious bleed valve system it can. But for the customer, is the extra size and weight worth it? I’ll leave that up to you.

  • One thing that I know app haters will adore is the ability to change all the major settings and totally disable WiFi and Bluetooth. I was literally just asked this question a week ago, if such a modern power station exists. Now it does.

  • Where the AC240 falls flat in my opinion is the limited solar charging voltage. It maxes out at 60v compared to the rest of the 200-series 145v limit. Maybe Bluetti was trying to reduce the heat inside of this sealed up case? Because of this limit, those that charge with big panels are likely to choose one of the other Bluetti models.

  • The AC240 does shine when it comes to upgradability. If you really need 4800 watts of power in a portable package this is definitely the way to go. Two of these units can be easily placed in just about any vehicle and with a true 30A RV outlet available, you can power a ton of stuff at 120v. Just be aware that the 50A RV outlet on the hub is NOT 240v and will NOT power a 50A RV or any 240v appliance for that matter. I found this out the hard way, and this by design. I did write to the CEO of Bluetti with my complaint, and a dire warning that offering a 240v style NEMA 14-50R outlet that only outputs 120v is going to put them on the chopping block with some customers. I’m hoping that they will update this product or the hub to output split phase 240v as it would be a simple process of running both inverters in opposite phase with each other instead of in the same phase.

Pricing and Competition

  • Product Price with current discount:

    • The AC240 lists at $1399 on Bluetti’s website which happens to be the exact same price as the AC200L. Go figure. However, I do have a discount code in the description of this video that will knock $100 off the AC240 for a limited time until April 29th.

  • Recommended Solar Panel Type/Size:

    • As for solar, you can use a pair of Bluetti’s PV420’s in parallel and charge at a solid 800w with no issues, or go for 4 of their PV200’s in series-parallel for the same effect. The PV420 is my go-to choice for a portable panel when camping and I’ve beat the tar out of mine for about 2 years now with zero issues. If you’re looking for something for a more permanent install, check out my list at gohobo.io/solar for ideas.

GET THE AC240: https://gohobo.io/ac240 use code HOBO240 for $100 off!

(also score $150 off using code HOBO150 on the AC240 + B210 + 2x PV200 bundle!)

Prefer the AC200L? https://gohobo.io/ac200l

Solar Panel options at: https://gohobo.io/solar

 

RUNHOOD Rallye 1200w Hot Swappable Modular Battery UPS Solar Generator

Posted on by HOBOTECH Tom

 

RUNHOOD Rallye 1200w Hot Swappable Modular Battery UPS Solar Generator

The Professor reviews the Runhood Power Rallye 1200 watt “Pro” modular solar generator with hot swappable batteries and 100w solar panel. Features a unique “snap on” inverter and power bank turning extra batteries into usable power stations!

Back in the spring of ’22 I reviewed a new innovative 600w power station called the Rally from new kid on the block, RUNHOOD Power. Most of the complaints at the time were that the product was just too small. Runhood has since expanded their product line to now include a new 1200w version they call the Rally 1200. So what’s the big deal? It’s one of the only midsize power stations on the market that doesn’t have batteries built in – instead the batteries slip into the side and are fully modular. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!

Features

  • Battery Capacity/Tech/Cycles: The Rally 1200 is a fully modular system so the “host engine” as they call it is the power station part without any batteries. It has two battery receptacles where you can use either one or two batteries (or what they call power bars) simultaneously. Each one of these power bars are 324wh each so essentially the size is up to 648wh. However, since the Pro package comes with 4 of these batteries it’s technically 1296wh. Actually, it’s as big as you want it to be because as long as you have enough batteries and a way to recharge them before the last one runs out you have virtually unlimited power since they are hot swappable – meaning you can swap the batteries while using the power station. That’s pretty cool. Now in order to keep the size and weight down these batteries are NMC technology with a 1000 cycle life expectancy and not LiFePO4, but since they are swappable if you do manage to kill a battery just swap in another one.

  • Size/Weight: approximately 13x8x8 at 10.2 lbs

  • Design/Display: The product is all ABS plastic with a folding handle and a color LCD screen that appears to be from the same parts bin of another major brand.

  • Inverter Size/Type (constant/peak) and #outlets: It sports a 1200w pure sine inverter with a 2400w peak from 3x 15A outlets

  • Ways To Charge (and times for each): Assuming a 648wh battery configuration, it can be charged at 400w from AC power using the direct power cable in about 2 hours, 180w from the AC power brick in about 4 hours, from 200w of solar in about 4 hours, or 120w from 12v DC in about 6 hours.

  • 12v Output Types: It offers a single 12v cigarette lighter style socket that can handle 10A and is regulated at 13.3v

  • USB Output Types: The 1200 has a pair of 100W USB-C PD outputs and a pair of 28w USB-A quick charge ports. So unlike everyone else that’s skimping lately on the quick charge ports, Runhood is not.

  • Other Outputs: The Runhood does offer a 15w fast wireless charging pad up top and a fancy flashlight on the side with a compass in the stock. Sorry, I just watched A Christmas Story this evening…

  • Other Features: If you opt for the Pro package it also comes with a neat 80w snap on inverter and a power bank snap on adapter that fits directly to the energy bar batteries so you can use them to power other stuff when the power station is in use elsewhere. I’ll demo these in a bit.

  • Warranty: Runhood offers a 3 year warranty when you register your product online.

Testing

  • DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 532wh/648 for a respectable 82%. However when we ran the

  • AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): the results were an unacceptable 400wh/648 for only 62%. At first I thought my results were in error so I ran the test a 2nd time with a different set of batteries and got similar poor results which was explained after I did the the next test.

  • Phantom load / Parasitic drain test

    • DC consumption: used 21wh (%) over 12 hours or about 42wh over 24 hours

    • AC consumption: used 121wh (%) over 4 hours or about 726wh over 24 hours. If you left the inverter on it would totally kill the battery in about 21 hours. Ouch. Doing the math this little 1200w inverter is burning 30w just to be turned on. Since the AC battery capacity test runs for about 4 hours that explains the missing 120wh from that test.

  • Sine wave check under load: 120/60 clean

  • Inverter capacity test (max): 1250w <1s

  • Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins): 1200w 10m

  • Inverter fan noise db: 57

  • Max Charge Rate @ watts/volts: AC fast 400w ; quiet w

  • DC rate: 120w @12v ; 200w @24v; >30v = meltdown

  • Charging fan noise db: AC max db ; AC min db ; Solar db

  • Simultaneous charging ability: DC blew up

  • Pass thru / UPS: pass

  • DC Output(s) Max Rate: 10A 12.7v

  • 12v output(s) regulated: 13.3v

  • USB output rate check: 2x100w pass

  • Wireless/other output: fast 12w

  • Amp interference test: pass

    • AM radio test: very noisy

    • EMF test: 80 (very high)

  • Light demo: done

  • APP/solar test: no app

  • notes: batteries overheat over 1C loads; MPPT smoked over 40v; 180w brick also DOA

My Opinion

  • Okay, lets get the cons out of the way first. Yes, I blew it up in my testing which was entirely my fault. In the real world with a proper 200w solar panel this would never happen, but this is HOBOTECH and I find the limits on my product so you don’t have to on yours. Yes, Runhood should absolutely add upper voltage protection for the MPPT controller like everyone else has and frankly I’m shocked we’re almost in 2024 and I can still blow up any MPPT controller with only 40 volts. Obviously an oversight on their part, but again something that probably won’t happen in real life if you only use their solar panels or at least limit input to 200w 12v panels that run a maximum of 27v open circuit. You also have the included 3 year warranty just in case something does go wrong.

  • Second, the overheating issue can certainly be a pain in the butt. They keep these power bar batteries isolated inside the host engine without any apparent active cooling. Under any serious loads for any real length of time they over heat. While it seems in most cases you can still use the inverter as usual, you just can’t recharge them by AC or Solar until they cool off which can take 15-30 minutes or more. This is only going to be an issue if you’re pushing the inverter into the upper limits around 1200w where the batteries are being discharged at 2C rates (1C equals the rate at which a battery can be fully discharged in one hour). I haven’t seen any overheating when simply charging the batteries since the chargers run at a much lower rate.

  • Finally, the AC parasitic drain test results were brutal. This is not a device you want to use to power AC loads for long periods of time unless you plan to do some battery swapping.

  • As for the good stuff, the Runhood is that very unique product on the market that no one else really has. It’s a midrange size fully modular power station that can basically run indefinitely as long as you have enough power bars and solar panels to keep it going. The batteries are hot swappable so when one is about to die just slap in another one. Since the power station can run on a single power bar battery, you can technically charge the other 3 with solar or AC power via the included adapter in the interim in a totally separate location.

  • Probably the neatest feature is the snap on power bank and inverter module that turns your extra power bar batteries into mini power stations of their own. The power bank one I find the most useful because it lets you charge the power bar batteries with 100w USB PD when you’re away from the main power station. Having a pair of 100w PD ports on such a big battery would be great for running a couple of high end laptops when on the road or during a blackout.

  • That takes us to the next best thing about this Runhood power station … the price.

Pricing and Competition

  • Product Price with current discount:

    • The Rally 1200 PRO which is a 1200w product with a bundle of 4 “power bar batteries” totaling 1296wh, a 100w solar panel, and the mini inverter / power bank modules retails for $1599, but being HOBOTECH I was able to Priceline negotiate a $500 off discount code bringing this bundle down to only $1099. That’s 84 cents per watt hour but remember this is a fully modular system and that price includes a solar panel and the two power bar module add ons.

    • Note there are also two other lower priced bundles if you’re interested. If you want to bypass some of the extra bling, there is the Rally 1200 Plus which is the 1200w power station with 4 power bars totaling 1296wh. Price with discount code is only $842 or just 65 cents per watt hour. If you don’t need the solar panel or the mini inverter / power bank modules this is your best deal.

    • The last bundle is just the 1200w power station and a pair of power bars totaling 648wh. The price with discount code is $599 or a brisk 92 cents per watt hour. So you see the best bang for the buck ends up being that midrange “Plus” bundle for $842.

  • Market Focus:

    • This is a midrange power station so it can handle some smaller appliances but none of the real big stuff. While you should be able to start up and run a standard energy star residential refrigerator on a 1200w inverter, some of the larger models may not start. It will definitely handle apartment sized or dorm fridges along with 12v fridges. It’s not going to handle your Keurig, huge 12 cup coffee pot, or your large microwave, but it can handle smaller drip machines and dorm/RV size microwaves under 700w. It can obviously handle low draw appliances like laptops, tvs, fans, PC’s and the like. I think you get the picture.

  • Recommended Solar Panel Type/Size:

    • I strongly recommend sticking with either Runhood solar panels in a maximum 200w configuration or use your own 3rd party panel if it is 200w or less. It must be a 12v-18v solar panel, not a 24v or residential panel. Anything over 200w and you see what happens. Use 3rd party panels at your own risk.

  • CHECK OUT RUNHOOD HERE: https://gohobo.io/rallye use code OFFFORPRO for “Pro” version [ use code OFFFORPLUS for “Plus” version and OFFFOR1200 for base “1200” model ]