How long will a Bluetti EB3A Powerbank run a diesel heater?

[@junkerzn7312]

The Bluetti was at the limits of what it was willing to output on its 12V output. I'm a bit surprised that the DC efficiency is so bad when its only pulling 10W though. I think it might be easier to just directly connect a 12V LiFePO4 battery to the diesel heater and then have the battery on a battery maintainer/charger. So, any 12.8V LiFePO4 battery and a Victron Blue Smart 12V charger. (That's a unit that will automatically float the battery, provide load support when AC is available, and re-bulk when necessary, and it is programmable via Victron's bluetooth app). Or, alternatively, trickle charge the battery with a solar panel and charge controller (Victron smart 75/15 or 100/20 charge controller). For example, a little 20Ah 12.8V LiFePO4 battery can discharge at 20A, which ought to be enough for the heater startup, and has no significant efficiency losses. 20Ah x 12.8V = 256Wh / 10W = 25.6 hours of run time. And a bigger battery, like 50Ah or 100Ah... now you are talking 2-4 days of continuous run time. -Matt

[@TheGergeDIY]

I don't disagree with you. There is a bit of "DIY" involved using a separate battery and charger (the victron isn't overly expensive, but it's certainly not cheap). The bluetti also has a built-in inverter for AC, solar hookup, etc... it's a bit more of a convenient grab-and-go package. Cost-wise, I think it's pretty close. I do agree that the bluetti should run longer - but also take into account the startup usage, and I'm going to guess the bluetooth might use up a little power as well.

[@TheBlackPioneer]

I have the bluetti eb3a we hooked it up like you! It didn’t work for me my heater keeps throwing a code E03! What are we doing wrong? I can send pics!

[@TheGergeDIY]

@diona-3642 - I believe an E03 error is a glow plug fault. It could also be the heat sensor throwing the error. Do you have an alternate way to power it to rule out whether or not it's getting adequate power from the EB3A?

[@TheBlackPioneer]

@@TheGergeDIY We’re going to try a different way! I got a group of camping buddies that run theirs using a AC 110V/220V to DC 12V 30A 360W Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply Transformer Adapter

[@TheGergeDIY]

@@TheBlackPioneer that will work. I have video on my channel doing that. It does waste some power though.

[@stevenbrown2039]

Couldn't get mine to power a diesel heater either on the DC side with a 15amp cigarette plug

[@TheGergeDIY]

Make sure you have the latest firmware installed on the EB3A. Alternatively, you can get an ac->dc power supply and run off the ac side. It uses more power, but it does work.

[@stevenbrown2039]

@TheGergeDIY it was updated and luckily I had an inverter that I brought with us and ran it that way. Uses way more power it only ran for 5 hours on the ac side with the inverter

[@TheGergeDIY]

@@stevenbrown2039yeah it does waste a lot of power doing it that way. I did see my current draw jump to just over 10a on startup but it was brief. The bluetti hung in there.

[@stevenbrown2039]

@TheGergeDIY well I'm glad urs did but ours would shut down around the 100watt point