Tag: solar generator

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

 

Ecoflow Delta Pro ULTRA 7200w 120v | 240v Home Backup Battery Solar Power Generator

Posted on by HOBOTECH Tom

Ecoflow Delta Pro ULTRA 7200w 120v | 240v Home Backup Battery Solar Power Generator

The Professor reviews the Delta Pro Ultra 7200w Solar Generator Home Backup Battery UPS Power Station by Ecoflow with 240v split phase, 5600w solar panel input, and modular battery support up to 90kWh. [watch the video here]

Intro

  • The masses have been literally waited years for a major brand to come out with an all in one power station that supports both 120v and 240v split phase power in a single product for a TRUE home backup solution. After all, you can’t run most large electric appliances at home without 240v split phase service. There have been solutions for years that require multiple units connected together through fancy boxes, but there has never been a single all in one portable unit (meaning it rolls on its own wheels) with a built in split phase outlet until now.

  • Meet the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra, the industries largest 7200w all in one solar generator, debuting today from CES in Las Vegas. And as much as I despise the phrase used for everything from bubble gum to bicycles, it actually appears to be a true game changer in the industry. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!

Features

  • The Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra (or what I’ll call the DPU for the rest of this video) comprises of two separate units. You have the main 7200w inverter head unit that does all the work, and the modular heated 6144wh LiFePO4 battery units, that store all the power. You can chain up to 5 of these batteries for a total of 30kwh of power through each DPU inverter. Then with the right hardware, you can chain 3 of those together to power your entire house with 21600w of inverter power and up to 90kwh of battery power. If you’re thinking this thing is no lightweight … you’re correct no matter what angle you look at it. This is by far the biggest thing to ever to come out of Ecoflow’s factory – or any of the competitors factories for that matter.

  • That brings us to physical size. The inverter section weighs in at around 72 lbs which in of itself isn’t bad for a 7200w split phase inverter sporting dual MPPT controllers. The 6.1kwh battery units, however, are a bulbous 116 lbs each. So what you see here on the table comes in at a hefty 188 lbs, or well above the capacity of this motorized table (shake table). Dimensions are 27 x 19 x 8 inches for the inverter and 26 x 18 x 8 for the batteries.

  • Design/Display: Like all Ecoflow products the screen is an industry leading color LCD. This one is a huge widescreen that’s 9 inches diagonal. Here’s a clip from the manual that shows the insane amount of information it displays. Of course you have the basic input/output watts, time to charge discharge, battery icon with % display, then I counted another 24 informational icons on the same screen. I’m not sure but I think this is a record for any power station.

  • Inverter Size/Type (constant/peak) and #outlets: As previously mentioned the DPU packs a 7200w pure sine inverter but here is where it gets complicated. See, there are 4 standard 20A outlets hidden behind these removable panels. The left two use pass through UPS power like most power stations do and switch loads under 20ms when main power is disconnected. The right two, however, use battery inverter power at all times. This is called an “online UPS” and offers a 0ms switch time – because there’s no actual switching involved. Next to this is a 30A RV hookup (otherwise known as a TT-30R), this is also 0ms online UPS. Next to that is the coveted 4 prong twist lock outlet (otherwise known as a L14-30R) that provides 240v split phase service using the standard 20ms switching UPS relay.

    • For those of you that don’t know how split phase 240v works. You have one ground, one neutral, and two hot leads. Each hot provides 120v at 60hz that’s out of phase with each other. So when you pair up the two hots you get 240v. This means that with a simple dog bone adapter you can in fact get an additional pair of UPS switching 120v circuits if you don’t need 240v. This also means that if you have a 50A RV or a welder that needs split phase 240v, you can buy adapters online that will convert from the 4 prong twist lock to whatever you need, for example a 4 prong 50A RV hookup. Now the outlet and the DPU are only rated for 30A at 240v so you can’t pull more than that but almost no RVs or other appliances actually do. If you try the DPU will simply shut down.

  • Ways To Charge: Now on to charging, which again isn’t as simple as other power stations. Of course you have the basic wall charging cable that will let you charge at 1800w 15A and will top up a single battery in about 4 hours. It can also charge from split phase 240v service either from a household outlet, fuel generator with adapter (show), or level 2 EV charger with adapter (show) at 3000w 12.5A. This cuts the time in half to about 2 hours.

    • Now on to solar. The DPU sports a pair of MPPT solar controllers but what is unique is that you have both a high voltage and low voltage option. So if you are series-parallel connecting a lot of large residential panels together you use the high voltage input that accepts from 80-450v up to 15A with a maximum of 4000w. If you are using smaller panels you use the low voltage input that accepts from 30-150v up to 15A with a maximum of 1600w. Yes, you can use both at the same time for 5600w of total charging. Note, and I’m going to say this twice because its important. Because the DPU’s low voltage controller only starts working at 30v, you will need a minimum of two solar panels in series to charge with solar – unless you are using a single 24v residential panel. Say again, if you want to charge the DPU with solar you need a minimum of two 12v-18v solar panels in series or one large 24v panel. This is a big deal because a competitor many years ago had a 32v minimum on their solar controller and the world stopped rotating when folks were trying to charge it with a single solar panel. They blamed the company instead of themselves and it was such a big deal that it’s rare to find a solar generator today that can’t charge with a single panel… until now.

  • 12v Output Types: As for 12v outputs … there are NO, I repeat NO cigarette lighter sockets on the DPU. Instead, they offer a single 12.6v regulated 30A output through an Anderson power pole good for 376w. I guess they assume anyone using this product won’t be plugging 12v refrigerators into it. Although you could get an adapter that would convert the Anderson into a lighter socket if needed. This 30A output is designed to power an external fuse box or can be wired into your RV or van to supply power to all your DC loads.

  • USB Output Types: Even though this is a monster product and they skipped the 12v socket, they didn’t skip on the USB outputs. You get a pair of 100w USB-C PD ports and a pair of basic fixed voltage USB-A ports good for charging up your dinosaurs.

  • Other Features:

    • The DPU of course supports remote access via the Ecoflow app through both Wi-Fi and BT which can be turned off if desired.

    • Now my DPU here on the desk does have optional wheels that I installed in order to make it easy to move around. You can also purchase an optional trolley that has a luggage style handle that allows you to tilt this entire monstrosity like a dolly and move it around. Seeing this duo weighs more than the average adult human it’s not that easy to move around, but it can be done … making this the largest still technically portable solar generator money can buy today.

    • I did briefly mention the DPU batteries are in fact heated. They will preheat themselves for charging when the cell temperature is below freezing (32F) and when the battery is attempting to charge at at least 250 watts. The heaters allow the batteries to charge down to -4F ambient temperature or -20C.

    • In order to connect several DPU’s together and power your home you need what’s called the Smart Home Panel 2. This is the brains of the operation and allows you to decide which loads are critical and must be powered at all times and which ones can be cut when the batteries are under a certain percentage to save power. You can even program it to store power automatically 12 hours in advance of a big storm. The Home Panel 2 does require a permit and a licensed electrician to install at most residences. It really deserves its own video so it’s not something I’m going to cover today but will later in a separate review. Here is what it looks like. (show)

  • Warranty: Ecoflow provides a 5 year warranty on both the inverter unit and batteries and a 10 year warranty on the smart home panel 2

Testing

  • DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 5000wh/6144 for 81%

  • AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 5390wh/6144 for an improved 88%. These numbers are about industry average and on par with the recent ecoflow products. Note that the DC test literally took 24 hours to run and because it took so long is why the numbers are lower. While the DC output does support 360w of output, I could only pull about 225w constant out of the 12 volt port over long periods of time without melting the wiring.

  • Phantom load / Parasitic drain test

    • DC consumption: used 232wh (%) over 12 hours or about 464wh over 24 hours

    • AC consumption: used 634wh (%) over 12 hours or about 1268wh over 24 hours. If you left the inverter on it would totally kill the battery in about 4.5 days

  • 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. Entries that say “n/a” means that appliance won’t run at all:

    • 13500 btu RV a/c (1200w @50% cyc): 9 hrs

    • 6000 btu window a/c (400w @50% cyc): ~1 day

    • 20cuft modern fridge (1.2kwh/day): ~3 days

    • 1500w heater: 3.5 hrs

    • 1200w microwave (1800w): 3 hrs

    • Keurig coffee maker (1200w 60wh/c): 90 cups

    • Instant Pot (1000w @50% cyc): 10 hrs

    • Hot plate (500w): 10 hrs

    • 55” LED TV (80w): ~3 days

    • Macbook (60w): ~3.5 days

    • Box Fan (50w): ~4 days

    • CPAP (30w): ~2-3 weeks

    • Chromebook (15w): ~4 days

    • Tablet (5w): ~4 days

  • Sine wave check under load: 120v 60hz

  • Inverter capacity test (max): 7900w <5s

  • Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins): 6400w (fails >6400w)

  • Inverter fan noise db: 42

  • Max Charge Rate AC @ watts/volts: fast 1800w ; quiet 500w (120v)

  • Max Charge Rate DC @ watts/volts: low voltage 30v min 450w; max 150v 1600w : high voltage 450v 4000w supported; 220v max equipment limit ~3000w

  • Charging fan noise db: AC max (unreadable due to noise of loads) db ; AC min 0db ; Solar 0db

  • Simultaneous charging ability: 4600w+ (equipment limited)

  • Pass thru / UPS: online ups 0ms pass; backup ups 20ms pass

  • DC Output(s) Max Rate: 30A 12v 360w pass

  • 12v output(s) regulated: 12.7v

  • USB output rate check: PD 2x 100w pass

  • Wireless/other output: na

  • Amp interference test: pass

    • AM radio test: low/moderate noise

    • EMF test: medium EMF low EF

My Opinion

  • Ecoflow has a real winner on its hands. The DPU is finally the solution that most folks with big power needs have been looking for. The fact they still made this thing still kinda portable with the add on dolly is icing on the cake. This is something not even the competition can do with their largest sogens. Sure you can push them on a cart, but they don’t offer a custom snap on dolly system.

  • 240v split phase operation is a snap and works seamlessly with standard 120v service. The only catch is that you lose output to all the AC outlets when charging from 240v. This is a non issue if you charge from solar or 120v.

  • Massive power output like this simply hasn’t been seen before on the market from an all in one unit. Ecoflow claims it will start up and run literally any electric home appliance including a 3 ton central air unit. I obviously don’t have the means to test this claim but it certainly could handle anything I could throw at it. When I do my follow up video this spring with the Smart Home Panel 2 I’ll show it powering my entire lab including 1 ton mini split.

  • Unfortunately, I didn’t realize until after I received the DPU that it was a “YAP” … meaning “Yet Another Prototype”. I been trying pretty hard to avoid prototype products because they always end up failing somehow and then I end up having to do follow up videos later with the retail product and it ends up gobbling up a valuable spot that could have been used for a different product. However, this is Ecoflow and I’m going to cover all of their new products this year. At least it wasn’t another Kickstarter. I think everyone is sick of those.

  • That being said, not to toot my own horn, but I was right again about prototypes. I’m not sure what is wrong with mine but not being able to sustain over 6400w for more than a few minutes is a problem. Is it a “prototype thing”? Most likely. Will it be fixed? That’s pretty much guaranteed. In fact, the app I had to use to access the DPU is a beta app and I can tell a lot of things are still missing which is why I didn’t bother covering the app in this review. We also might see some better numbers from the AC inverter when it is updated to retail. I’ll bet you credits to navy beans that Ecoflow will be sending me an updated unit sometime after release which means, yep. Another video.

  • As it sits today on my bench it’s an excellent product and I’d have no problems spending my own money on one if I was in the market for it. 

Pricing and Competition

  • Product Price with current discount:

    • This is obviously not a cheap product and it has pricing to match. Unfortunately, as of the time of recording, they are keeping the retail price under wraps. However, they did offer viewers of HOBOTECH (that’s you) a $1000 off discount code that starts working as soon as you see this video air. I believe this is on top of any coupons you order. The fact they are offering $1000 off and Ecoflow is known for selling around 80 cents per watt means we can expect pricing probably in the $5000 range give or take. Of course, I’m just talking out my backside. I have no inside information to offer. Note that my discount code is only good until Feb 9th so you’ll want to act fast if you’re interested.

    • They are also offering a free gift worth 400 bucks if you buy the DPU along with the Smart Home Panel 2. Along with that they are also offering interest free financing, and free installation consulting for customers in TX and CA. Not sure why you only get consulting in those states but you’ll have to ask them.

  • Who’s It Aimed At?:

    • This is obviously aimed at the huge untapped home backup market. There’s a lot of folks that can’t afford the big stuff like Tesla power walls or 40 grand for a local contractor build. Instead, this is a simple plug and play entry that can get anyone started with a home backup solution that they can expand on over the next several years. Ecoflow is well known for selling their old products well past obsolescence so I expect the DPU batteries to be available for many years allowing folks to upgrade over time. The fact they offer 5 year financing and you can score up to 30% off from the federal tax rebate makes it a lot more affordable to the masses.

    • I could see a select few getting the base DPU to power their RV’s or vans as this thing packs the power of nearly 500ah of lithium batteries and can easily run any size RV roof air conditioner and the microwave at the same time. Basically, the use cases are endless with it being so expandable and future proof.

    • If you have a shop or work a job site that requires split phase 240v to run welders, compressors, and other large power tools with big startup loads, the DPU can run right from the back of your truck and get the job done. You can’t say that about any other power station sold today. If it’s being used for your business or to power essential medical devices it could be a big tax deduction for you too.

  • Recommended Solar Panel Type/Size:

    • I recommend whatever solar you can afford because this will take anything you can throw at it up to 5600w. Of course I recommend the panels I have on my site hobotech.tv if you’re so inclined to check them out. Here’s the link.

  • CHECK OUT THE ECOFLOW DPU: https://gohobo.io/dpu use code EFDPUHOBO for $1000 off! [does not stack with other codes]

 

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 ]