Put the Amp in Camp

Words and photos by Perry Mack

We previously tested a couple of 600W rated power stations (including the 268 Wh Bluetti (pronounced BlueTee) EB3A - https://suncruisermedia.com/Home/tech/bluetti-eb3a/) and were amazed at the number of devices we could run and charge simultaneously through such a miniscule-sized power station (only 4.6 kg (10.14 lb).

If we were so enamoured by the 600W version, why go larger? With an 800W rating, ‘only’ 200W more, is it worth it? Yes, for many of us it is. Not so much because of the additional watts (although we’ll describe the impact later), but because of the massive jump to 716Wh, 2.7 times the portable power.

The stored energy in the LiFePO₄ battery can be released through four 110V AC outlets or eight DC outlets including two USB-A, two PD ports, two traditional 12V/10A outputs, a car port (aka a cigarette lighter for us older folks), and a wireless charging pad. Essentially all the devices we need to use or charge out on the road can be plugged in at the same time, with some ports still available.

It supports pass-through charging, which means you can charge the EB70S while simultaneously using all your devices. You can charge this power station five ways; AC household power, up to 200W solar panels, your vehicles car port (cigarette lighter), a generator, or lead acid battery (like in your car).

The larger 716Wh storage of the EB70S means longer boondocking without needing to charge the power station (solar power is fantastic, unless you end up with some overcast days). Items like our 250W heater can run for a couple of hours to ease those cool and/or damp mornings. Portable coolers can run for days, we can grind coffee beans for a fresh brewed coffee and crush ice in a blender for frozen adult beverages (or healthy people can make smoothies).

It’s not powerful enough to run most heating and cooling appliances. By that we mean electric kettles, coffee machines, space heaters and air conditioners, which typically require a minimum of 1500 to 2000 watts to run. However, the EB70S will power 200W slow cookers and 500W rice cookers.

To help you understand more about choosing the right power station and solar charging system for you, read our article on how to choose a system here - https://suncruisermedia.com/Home/tech/how-to-choose-a-solar-charging-system/.

Dislikes

This is not a deal breaker, but the AC charger fan is loud and runs continuously while plugged into the wall. It doesn’t matter if the EB70S is fully charged, in fact it doesn’t matter if the charger is even plugged into the EB70S - an odd design feature for a charger.

Some devices requiring a grounded plug may not work. There are two AC ports that are designed to accept a three-prong plug however there is no ground. Having said that, our large three-pronged 27” Mac (100W) computer ran no problem.

Unlike the Bluetti EB3A power station, there isn’t a blue tooth app, which would allow you to monitor and change settings easily.

Likes

The two 100W PD 3.0 ports can be used at the same to the full 100W. This is an unusual ability in a power station but very handy as the PD 3.0 port is becoming the new standard in portable devices.

The necessary charging cables are all included - wall outlet, car charger, and solar panel connection. Other manufacturers often make the car charger and/or solar panel connection optional accessories.

The available Watts, Watt hours, and number of ports is exceptional. In our test, we simultaneously charged/used a Dometic cooler (50W), an electric fan on high (38W), blender (240W), coffee bean grinder (78W), GoPro (1.5W), iPhone (6W), power tool battery charger (72W) and our iPad Pro (34W) to watch Netflix. This totals 519.5 Watts. If you have a larger fridge/freezer you’ll surpass the 600W limit of smaller power stations described at the start of the review. The 800W output of EB70S creates a margin of safety allowing you to plug in what you need when you need it - even if it is only for a short time like the blender and coffee grinder, and the fridge/freezer, which cycles on and off to maintain its internal temperature.

Bluetti PV200 solar panel - 200W

We combined this solar panel with the Bluetti EB70S. It is very thin, and light 7.3 kg (16.1 lb), making it extremely portable. The folded size is 59 x 60 cm (23.2 x 24.8 in) and then it folds out to 59 x 226.5 (23.2 x 89.2 in). It comes with a 3 m (9.8 ft) cable, which combined with the 1.5 m (4.9 ft) cable from the EB70S means you can have the solar panels out in the sun and have 4.5 m (14.8 ft) of cable to keep the power station in the shade while you work on your iPad and charge/use your other devices (fridge/freezer, fan etc.) On a sunny day you can completely recharge the power station to 100% in 5-6 hours.

Get more info and the best prices here: 

EB70S https://amzn.to/46OxCYq

PV200 https://amzn.to/3XE1ano

There are many more options for power stations, battery backups, and solar panels at bluettipower.ca.

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EB70S Specifications

BATTERY INFO

Capacity:

716Wh

Cell Chemistry:

LiFePO₄

Lifecycle:

2,500+ Cycles to 80% Original Capacity

Management System:

BMS, Over Voltage Protection, Short Circuit Protection

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RECHARGE TIMES

AC Adapter:

3-4 Hours

1*BLUETTI PV200 (200W):

fully recharge from 0-100% in 5-6 hours.

1*BLUETTI PV120 (120W):

fully recharge from 0-100% in 7-8 hours.

12V Car Adaptor:

7-8 Hours

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GENERAL

Weight:

21.4lb (9.7 kg)

Dimensions (LxWxD):

12.6*8.5*8.7 in(32*21.6*22.1cm)

Operating Usage Temperature:

14-104F (-10-40℃)

Certifications:

UL2743, NOM, PSE, FCC ID

Warranty:

24 Months (Enter to learn more about BLUETTI warranty policy)

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PV200 Solar Panel Specifications

POWER

Power:

200W

Lamination:

ETFE (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene)

Cell Type:

Monocrystalline Silicon

Cell Efficiency:

Up to 23.4%

Voltage at Max Power(Vmp):

20.5V

Current at Max Power(Imp):

9.7A

Open Circuit Voltage(OCV):

26.1V

Short Circuit Current(Isc):

10.3A

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GENERAL

Connector:

Standard MC4 Connector

Weight:

16.1lbs (7.3kg)

Dimensions (Unfolded):

23.2 × 89.2in (59 × 226.5cm)

Dimensions (Folded) :

23.2 × 24.8inch (59 × 60cm)

Operating Temperature:

14-149℉ (-10-65℃)

Best Working Temperature:

77℉ (25℃)

Cable Length:

118in (3m)

Certifications:

FCC,CE,ROHS

Warranty:

12 Months (Enter to learn more about BLUETTI warranty policy)