Bluetti AC180 Review | Best 1800W Power Station Solar Generator? | + Bluetti 350W PV350 Solar Panel

[@joebloggs24]

Been using an AC180 for a year now, flawless and so great in every way. It does take just over 1300Wh to fully charge the 1152Wh battery, with power conversion in the power supply not overly efficient. I just purchased a 200W portable solar panel just like the Bluetti one, and it's great out in the day. Charger 1 for vehicle charging 👍🏼 great units I honestly enjoy using them

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Great - glad you're enjoying it!

[@TheTechnologyMan]

If you have the AC180 what do you think of it? Or if there’s another power station you want me to test let me know! Bluetti AC180 (UK): shrsl.com/47rmk Bluetti AC180 (US): shrsl.com/47rmn Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:50 Overview What's in box, weight, dimensions 1:12 Compared to BLuetti EB70, AC200P and EcoFlow Delta 2 1:48 Build, no waterproof rating 2:13 Overview of inputs and outputs, general look at power station 3:00 Operating the AC180 3:21 Charging Charging options: mains, car, solar 3:55 Mains charging speed tests, charging modes (silent, standard, turbo) 5:01 Temperature and fan noise tests (hear for yourself fan noise) 5:52 LCD display, smartphone app 7:10 Charging from car 12V outlet 7:21 Charging at 24V (if you car / van has it), testing full DC charging input range 12V-60V 7:56 Solar charging, testing Bluetti PV350 9:30 Solar charging with cheaper Bluetti PV200 10:24 Dual charging - mains and DC 10:46 Charging with Bluetti's expansion batteries 11:03 Performance AC outlets intro, checking pure sine wave outputs 11:28 Power Lifting mode demonstration 12:12 Temps and fan noise at full AC output (hear for yourself) 12:40 Testing AC outputs household and workshop devices, overloading unit 13:22 Parasitic drain AC subsystem, Eco mode config 13:48 Testing DC outputs: 12V, USB-C and USB-A ports, wireless pad 14:56 AC battery capacity test and efficiency 15:31 DC battery capacity test and efficiency 15:40 UPS modes (offline and online demonstration and tests) 16:50 Grounding port explanation, usage. Further info: gudgear.com/how-to-ground-a-g... 17:24 Conclusions

[@richiethewles]

Absolutely fantastic video review, my mind is now made up, thanks.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Great - glad I could help!

[@australianmade2659]

I’ve got one. Gotta say it’s a top notch unit. It does 90% of things and the fast charging is the cream on top. For home back I’d go a bigger unit but for portable and camping this is perfect

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Nice one - thanks for the feedback!

[@FaithfulWC]

You just saved me $99 AUD as I almost bought an MPPT charger for my 180! This confirmed my researched that I dont need one. Thanks!

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Great glad to help!

[@darylcheshire1618]

I love the screwdriver used to attach the earth lead.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Yes unfortunately I have quite the tool addiction 🤣. It's a Wera 8009.

[@Treetopflyer777]

Wonderful review. You convinced me to purchase one along with the solar panels. Thx!

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Great glad the review helped. Please let us know how you find it!

[@Ron49x]

Excellent, thorough review of this device - thanks! My knowledge of things electrical is so small as to be very dangerous, but you seem to have a good understanding - so I'll try an oddball question: My primary use for the AC180 is as an emergency power backup for things like a refrigerator and to charge phones and radios - it's my first foray into backup power and I quickly realized that the output capacity of this unit is fine for my needs, but I need much more storage capacity. It occurred to me that I have a huge lithium battery bank in my golf cart that's rated as 120 amp-hours at 56.7V. Bluetti makes a cable they call "Lead-Acid battery charging cable" that has alligator clamps to a DC7909 plug. Since the solar input is rated for up to 60V, would it be safe to try using this cable to recharge the AC180 in an emergency? Would the charging controller take care of limiting the input to 10-amps? I know that sounds crazy, but thanks for any insight you might have.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thanks! If you can keep inside the voltage range it might work ok but maybe check with Bluetti!

[@petergardiner9935]

Your review is very informative. I like the level of detail you go to. I have a Bluetti AC180 and have noticed that the machine will cut out sometimes when I am using a 1200W Nespresso machine. The battery capacity could be 90% and yet it still cuts out after heating the coffee machine, the power drops to zero. I store the machine in my campervan and this problem seems more frequent after the outside temp drops to around zero. Inside the house the Bluetti works fine when using the Nespresso, although I do notice continuous variation in the AC output. Do you think cold weather affects the battery in the way I have described?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Yes cold weather can definitely make a difference. Although not sure I'd expect it to affect the inverter. Will look out for that in upcoming reviews.

[@Stescaff]

Really great review as always and very detailed. I was considering the anker powerhouse 767 but also the bluetti ac200max ? Will you be doing a review on the Bluetti ac200max in the future ? I will keep a look out on your channel , keep up the good work, best regards.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thanks! And thank you for the suggestion - I will look into it!

[@johnmknox]

How many watts was your kettle? Is there any way to enter powerlifting mode without a smartphone? E.g holding down or pressing certain buttons?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

It's a 3kW kettle. Yes hold the AC power button for about 2s in Setting Mode.

[@samuelolalere]

Thanks for your review, it has help me a lot. I want to ask you a question. Can I plug my Bluetti AC180 to national grid and still leave it connected to national grid even though the battery is full(100%).. Will it affect the battery life span.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Yes that's fine - it will work as a very useful UPS.

[@jeremymitchell995]

Excellent review...concise, informative and useful. One question please...Renogy are doing a brilliant deal on their 200 watt solar panel currently, nearly half the price of the Bluetti....would this work on the AC180 and have you tested that panel...Many thanks,

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thanks! No sorry not tested that one - but if it has MC4 connectors you should be fine - just double check the voltage.

[@peterc2248]

Nice. Question: I want to use one of these in my allotment shed to power some 12v LED lights, recharge my battery power tools and run some mains powered tools like a circular saw, jigsaw, planer etc. I also plan to hook it up to a 100W solar panel on the roof to trickle charge it when the suns out. In the main I'll charge it at home and simply connect it up when I get to the allotment. Can I use any 100W panel and just connect it via the MP4 connectors?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Most 100W panels should be fine - just double check the voltage and that they have MC4 connectors. A 100W panel should top up the AC180 ok for limited use - but the power tools might drain it fairly quickly.

[@mikee8834]

Hi, I'm about to purchase the AC180 for my campervan and wanting to also install some fixed solar panels on the roof for it, do you have any recommendations as I'm unsure which would be the panels for the it?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Any panels with MC4 connectors should work. Just check their voltage is in the range of the AC180. Especially if you're going to connect more than one in series.

[@tonysmith7739]

We have ac180 it’s amazing.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

It is an impressive unit!

[@zodaguado6655]

You are an awesome reviewer, do you think they can put firmware to raise to 8 amps for 24v charging

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thanks! I doubt it but maybe something to check with Bluetti.

[@wilfoxreal8641]

I like this model of bluetti actually,. My problem is, it doesn't have a 220vac port which I need. It only have an American standard voltage of 110/120vac. I need something like this. Do have any recommendation? Thanks

[@samuelolalere]

There is 220vac. It is available

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Yes there's a 240V version - that's the model I tested.

[@FreeavalonUrbanHomestead-gh5ob]

Hi I am a bit confused about in 10 amps input from solar.. My 450 watt solar panel has 10.79 amp input. Is that ok.

[@joebloggs24]

Yes it will work fine but the MPPT solar controller inside the AC180 will limit the amps to 10 so your max input from solar is now 41.7V @ 10A or 417W

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Check the voltage - but should be fine.

[@jimlaman7320]

Can you explain expansion batteries. Besides more battery capacity, is there more watts for , let's say, large appliances. Thanks

[@TheTechnologyMan]

No - output is based on the inverter which is usually integrated in the main unit. You just get additional capacity.

[@cdonuts7335]

Except for the VigorPool Captain 1200, the first that joining two units together doubles to 2400 Watts power and 2560Wh.

[@frankiefire3968]

Very good review thank you for your time

[@TheTechnologyMan]

No problem hope it helped!

[@kristofeight9668]

thanks for review, but i bought AC70 which i needed 2x usb-c 100W, some how ac180 has only 1 usb-c

[@TheTechnologyMan]

How do you like it?

[@kristofeight9668]

@TheTechnologyMan I bought newer version AC70P which is 864Wh and I like it a lot, it's planty capacity to charge my drone batteries when I'm on camp. Small downside is weight, it's over 10kilos, sometimes is hard to carry all stuff to location far from the car, overall I'm happy with this purchase.

[@leongidden254]

Hi, when i activate turbo charge, I get 1200w input, but then the watts input drops to around 350w, doesnt fast charge from 0 to 100% in around a hr.. takes around 2 hours

[@TheTechnologyMan]

I find fast charging only works when the unit is completely cooled down. Leave it for a 8 hours or so.

[@leongidden254]

@TheTechnologyMan Thank you, yes this is correct, the unit will optimise itself to provide what it feels is the correct power Input based on the internal temperature of the components. Any recommendations for foldable solar panels other than Bluetti 's brand ?🙂

[@waseemmikail]

How long can it charge gaming laptop whilst playing on it at 300 to 400 watt?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

It has a 1152Wh battery. So based on say 80% efficiency that'd be 922Wh/300W which is around 3 hours if your gaming laptop consumes around 300W on average.

[@ericmullinix4717]

How come that ac200p said power oak on the front?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Confusingly Bluetti used to brand their UK units PowerOak - don't think they do anymore - this AC180 is branded Bluetti.

[@cdonuts7335]

Great review, although I've got to stop watching them! These power stations are addictive! I now have 6 units, a Ecoflow river max, Zendure Superbase, a number of different size Vtoman with expansion batteries and a Renogy. There are a lot of choices all with there pro's and cons!

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thanks - and know what you mean!

[@CiranOrange]

How long to run a ceiling fan?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Depends on the power requirements of the fan. If it's on a plug, get a cheap energy monitor and check its consumption and then you can work out how it's last on the AC180.

[@samuelolalere]

Thanks a lot

[@TheTechnologyMan]

No problem!

[@mannyfragoza9652]

i picked one up for 499.00 US yes that's right

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Great price!

[@ian9toes]

The 10 amp 12v input is a deal breaker for me. My DC2DC charger allows up to 50 amps, which is much better when using it camping and relying solely on the car’s alternator to keep it topped up which is my camping style. Having an all in one plug and play unit that is neat and tidy with many outlets built in would be awesome but this is not it for me unfortunately.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Shame but to good to hear your feedback.

[@ian9toes]

@@TheTechnologyMan Apparently I can get around that with a DC step up converter and use the solar input as my DC input. I can step the 12 v up to 48 v and it will take 10 amps. So that will be 480 watts vs 120 watts.