Bluetti's Charger 1 DC to DC alternator charger. My DIY portable design / non permenant install

[@wwfgumby]

I'm not sure if this is correct but the advice I received about using Charger 1 when idling is that the alternator can become over heated and wasn't recommended. They guy who sells the Charger 1 here (AUS) told me the alternator needs good airflow when producing that amount of power and 10 minutes for a quick top-up was all it could handle without long term damage..

[@neilgonzalez305]

I have scoured YT for a video on making an alternator charger portable to use between cars. This is the first I see.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

lol, glad this helped👍🏻👍🏻

[@jamescabaniss5857]

Perfect, but I would try to do the MC4 connectors as a solid (Entry Gland) mount instead of the hanging cable.

[@mauricelowery9711]

Sir this is a fantastic idea! I had tossed around the idea of not permanently mounting it inside any one vehicle, but you’ve got that figured out, well done! A short parts list would be very nice cause I plan to steal your idea if you don’t mind.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks! All the parts used are in the video description👍🏻

[@PugetSoundComedy]

Yes, even a follow-up video on step by step building your non-permanent kit setup would be awesome?

[@clarencewiles963]

Thumbs up 👍 good idea and portable for just about every thing

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks Clarence

[@thomascronquist1604]

Just order the parts to make my BLUETTI more portable. Thanks for the great ideas.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@billyboozer8806]

Great way to organize the charger for various set up use. Nice simple way to put all items together.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks👍🏻👍🏻

[@ANoss13]

This is brilliant! Love the portability of it!

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks👍🏻

[@my3sonsnh]

Great setup, portable and versatile! Easier than panels...

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@davidcantu282]

Very cool setup. I don't want to be leaving my Bluetti AC70 and Charger One Charger in my vehicle. I like the convience of it being portable and be used in another vehicle or even recharging from an independent battery(s). Thanks for your informative video. God bless.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks👍🏻

[@philn9813]

Now I know I'm not crazy for thinking about doing this lol!! Thanks for the vid. I'm pondering a separate anderson for the output side for the purpose of being able to adapt output however needed since the unit is capable of more than just bluetti units.

[@Justgolden]

This setup is going to go viral for this charger. Nicely done. Do you have a build video ?

[@robertshinazy3055]

Thank You. I just purchased the charger 1 and was debating how to hook it up. I like this setup

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks👍🏻👍🏻

[@georgealvarez8967]

Great video, I am considering a similar approach myself for the reasons you mentioned as well. Love the portable aspect for transporting to use with other vehicles. And the ability to lower the voltage rate of charge is a big win. Thanks for the info.

[@CraigG21]

Nice portable setup for use with multiple vehicles 👍

[@stevenlake6293]

Great video and awesome build.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thank you👍🏻

[@roncameron7461]

Great video! I just got my charger 1 today! You're video was very helpful, thanks so much 😁

[@seanconnerysmith4387]

I just bought 2 of them...I will make my own cable and have a second one portable..

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@BA-zy2kb]

Awesome! Greetings from 🇨🇦 I’ve been wanting to build something similar. Thanks for sharing.

[@johntate5284]

Interesting! I I use the 30A output on my AC200MAX to allow me to charge up all of my small power stations while having just one solar connection to the AC200MAX. It's really a set and forget (to an EB3A for instance) that allows me to charge any small power station at 200 watts with no need to turn on the AC inverter. Being able to set the output voltage to pretty much any voltage between 12 to 56 volts is what sets the charge 1 apart from all the others out there. Nice review!

[@JCAJCA3]

Very nice!

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thanks👍🏻👍🏻

[@commonsensepatriot9450]

Great idea! Thanks for the video.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Pinzman27]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@jeverhart99]

i love this

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@steven4569]

Great idea I just bought the EcoFlow charger but I think this should still work.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@adamburley3776]

Can i use the bluetti charger 1 to directly charge a lifepo4 battery

[@mohvanwah]

Why didn’t you change the mc4 connection to another Anderson so that you don’t have mc4 connectors flapping around on the side of the case?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

I will eventually swap to either Anderson or an XT90👍🏻

[@marceld6061]

I like this idea. I didn't want to hardwire the Charger 1 to the vehicle. As you mentioned, it's now portable. The only drawback I can think of is being able to charge your Power Station 'on the fly' as the Charger 1 was intended. I have purchased a 16 foot set of 6ga jumper cables (and just cut an end off), an inline breaker and the Andersen connectors after watching this. I have a waterproof box already that will work for this. What I might do is run another line directly from the battery under the vehicle to the cargo area with another Andersen plug end so I can connect directly to the portable box when driving in my main off-road vehicle and carry the jumper-to-Andersen cable for when we're stationary. Actually, now that I think of it, the jumper may only be needed when running in a different vehicle! After I have the C-1 in my hands and do some testing I will see if adding small vents to the box will be enough to dissipate the heat.

[@angelagoodwin8779]

Great setup! I took a wheelchair lift out of my van and already have 6 GA power cables coming up through the floor with ring terminals on them but the Charger 1 uses tube terminals. Is there a way I can connect the ring to tube?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

I would just cut the rings off and splice into them directly from the charger 1.

[@tbiowa9977]

How do you know what voltage to use that will not damage your alternator?

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

Nice idea, and I'm impressed that you even put heat shrink wire labels on the box cables. I don't know anything about the Bluetti DC-DC charger, but apparently it doesn't have a current limit function? If so that is a huge oversite on their part.

[@janecormie5410]

Could you let me know exactly how you did that. I think that is the best way. Thank you. Did not want to run through my Jeep.

[@michelleevans9869]

Nice !!

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@rickdavid1795]

Great idea Thanks

[@jeverhart99]

To run this from your truck what would be the order of hooking things up? For example, do you hook up everything except the clips to the battery, then fire up the truck and then connect the clips to the battery? I am wondering what order of plugging things in protects the AC70, the Charger 1, and your alternator.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Hook the car battery up first, then plug the output cables into the power station.

[@richardpialet2879]

Thank you sir, great video. Just received my Charger 1 (I have 2xAC180's). I am considering normal install on my truck for when traveling with our trailer, but using your setup with a set of heavy duty jumper cables w/ 6 guage wiring to make a portable option to use in my other vehicles or battery if needed. I believe with the breaker switch and the Anderson connector it would be safe to have the cable not hooked up in the vehicle, am I right? Note: Stock cable has a NCCY EDB1-63 63A/259V non-polarized CB breaker which I cannot find. Suggestion for a different one? Thoughts? TIA. Rick

[@lakayfreddiecastillo2599]

Charger 1 is I believe made to charge your power station through the alternator while you’re in the move. How can you charge your power station while you are traveling in your set up ? Your set up is best when you’re not moving. Nice video though.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

I’ll have to charge while truck is in idle.

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

Nice

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Thank you👍🏻

[@BrianAhearn8597]

What stops it from draining the battery in the vehicle?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

It monitors the vehicles battery and won’t charge once it gets to a certain voltage

[@MRanda-so9yo]

Did you have to cut off the ring terminal to add the clamps?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Yes

[@douglasmontgomery6315]

I'd like to see a comparison between Bluetti's and Ecoflow. I like Ecoflow due to its sealed case, but don't think you can have solar and DC input (two inputs).

[@mariogarrett6760]

How do you attach cables to vehicle battery if you're driving with this setup? Or is it just naturally used @ idle? Thanks for the video

[@GearGadgetReviews]

This portable design is not intended to be used when driving. You’d have to idle the vehicle to charge

[@randomspirit]

I like the idea of moving the circuit breaker. I was wondering if it'd be a good idea to mount it in the dash so you can flip it off when you're not using the charger at all, just as extra assurance you're not dragging on your alternator? Also, is there a way to determine how much your alternator outputs so you can make sure you're not putting a strain on it, or do you just have to guess?

[@currentlyhd7649]

Can you reverse charge Power station to lifepo4 battery?

[@richardmoore2003]

How many amps does the charger draw? Wondering if it’s under 40amps, you could make a 7-pin plug to Anderson connector cable to plug into the trailer connection if you have a high output alternator.

[@hrgp13]

I don't see the link to the parts you used.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Click on “more” under the video title. They are listed there👍🏻

[@Barc7580]

Excellent video I had some thoughts of using the charger 1 in the case of a grid down condition to recharge some power stations while in use from a battery like your demo. But want to make the battery “kid proof” while recharging. Any thoughts you might have of putting a battery in a second case with an Anderson SB50? Was thinking of using a watt cycle 12v 300ah mini because of its size and capacity. Then recharge away from the power station by either solar and/or generator Thanks

[@fordtrbo]

Another great video Brian, quick question. What did you use to cut the rectangular hole in the plastic? Dremel, jigsaw?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

A very sharp carpenter knife and lots of patience👍🏻

[@dansouthcomb5439]

Great informative video. Nice setup that I will clone. I have an AC200 Max. My issue which I have to investigate is that my truck does not have an alternator. I have a Ram Hemi etorque which has an electric motor that charges the battery via an onboard 48v lithium ion battery which has it's own dc to dc stepdown converter. But I want to make sure I won't damage anything in my electrical system. The only thing I would change in your setup is I would wire up a permanent anderson plug with dust cover on my truck battery.............. Also I'd like to pick your brain on this idea I have to also use the Bluetti Charger 1 to charge my 230ah Li ion travel trailer battery putting the charger output in to a 30a mppt charge controller outputting to the battery. Do you think this is feasible, thanks for your response.

[@Chicago_Clout]

You are organized

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@KY4TRK]

Build your own cable and get away from the solar power connectors. A XD60 to Anderson Powerpole 45 amp or the 75 amp... though looking at the size of the cord you have there the Anderson Powerpole 45 amp is more then enough for a end to end connection. The solar connector is a pain in the butt mostly.

[@jinjerjunkie]

lol, Amazon has all the items you listed as "frequently bought together" under the Meijia box.

[@driveabout1world872]

Is your truck diesel? It should work if the truck’s emissions hardware doesn’t mind the excessive idling. You might consider hardwiring the DC2DC charger and charge when driving. Then use your Sportsman 800watt inverter generator to charge your batteries when parked up.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻

[@randybeckner2556]

Hey Brian...I just bought a AC 200L today. I am thinking about getting the Bluetti Charger One, and using a Battle Born 12V 100 Ah battery to back feed the AC 200L in our small RV. Is that possible without an alternator? Will the Battle born dc to charger one to AC 200L work?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

That’s a great ? I honestly have not tried yet to run the Charger 1 directly off a stand alone battery. I’ll try to give that a test though

[@Gazziza29]

I may be missing something. Are you connecting this up to the vehicle battery using alligator clamps while driving?

[@GearGadgetReviews]

No. This setup is not intended to use while driving.

[@Gazziza29]

@@GearGadgetReviews I don't understand the point of this setup then. I thought that the whole point of a DC-DC charger was to take advantage of your alternator to charge your house battery and portable power station while driving. In this situation you are charging up your power station while idle? It seems like a pretty inefficient way of charging your power station since you'll be wasting gas while idling. You also run the risk of depleting your house battery just to charge up a power station.

[@janecormie5410]

Can I buy. Set up from you?

[@tfho]

"I thought the Bluetti charger 1 would only work when the alternator is running, but it can also run when you connected to the battery. Will it drain the battery while the car is off?"

[@ryanlongino6505]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@mannyfragoza9652]

I'm guessing a lot of folks will be copying your setup

[@GearGadgetReviews]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@robertshinazy3055]

Yes I'm one of them 👍

[@jeffreyjacobs6072]

👍🤠

[@ThaDru]

Not a great idea to drive around with "alligator" clamps. Too much vibration makes for poor connection that can cause voltage fluctuation/loss (which can also create a bunch of heat) and arcing, both of which can be a fire hazard. In mobile electrical systems, very solid, stable connections are very important, functionally and as a safety concern. Should always use proper terminal lugs.

[@GearGadgetReviews]

I don’t use this specific setup for when driving.

[@PurpleDrazi]

Am i doing something wrong? i click on the Amazon link, but I'm not getting the Charger 1 😢 [I get the BLUETTI Solar Backpack Power Station]

[@GearGadgetReviews]

Hello. Sorry about that. The correct links and discount codes have now been updated. The Charger 1 is expected to be back in stock mid-November now.

[@KA9DSL]

200 watts? Not enough. I've got about 500 watts on my Van and just about makes it. Also have a DC-DC alternator charger and a small 800 watt inverter gas generator. (try not to use your car engine for charging, waste of gas)

[@GearGadgetReviews]

You can charge more than that, 200 watts is by choice

[@KA9DSL]

@@GearGadgetReviews When you get the chance, try more panels. I've got to try what you did, cool.

[@rickwaisanen]

Bluetti changes their wires with each new thing none of their wires are interchangeable and trying to order a wire without buying the next new pos they are selling is impossible unless you speak Chinese at 3am

[@leemobai762]

Decent product crap customer service. Good luck if you ever need any warranty service.

[@CampedOutGamers]

Too much going on right here 😩