Using Your Power Station 12v Socket To Charge A 12v BATTERY?! Does It Actually Work?

In this video I test multiple power station DC outputs to see if they will charge a standalone 12v battery. How much power will we get into the battery? This might be an alternate solution if you are in a pinch without a dedicated charger. This also might be a good way to run a DIY expansion battery on your power station! ...If you don't want to charge your battery this way, check out the list of dedicated battery chargers below!
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#jasonoid

[@user--PM]

there are boost converters as well, so could get a little more voltage by using one, even if the charge current is reduced, you can get a higher charge percentage into the battery. thanks for the video, good to see you make good use out of that new battery.

[@MOTrav]

You might want to discuss battery storage conditions. I have batteries in my garage that don’t get used very often. The temperature swings in a garage jump all over the place. Thanks for your product reviews!

[@Jasonoid]

Garage temps can be crazy! Hot and cold extremes as the seasons change. Usually in the owners manual they battery temp specs are listed. I think 140F is the high point for LFP batteries, and -20F is the low point.

[@grindychum]

I recently bought the Bluetti 30A cables to try this as another option of charging 12V Lifepo4's- you beat me to it! Glad to see that it will work and I didnt waste money on those cables.

[@samuelfox8126]

I was wandering this exact thing with the E1500. So thank you for making a video about it. I love creative videos like this.

[@richardhobbs7107]

Am a loyal subscriber ! ( I may not watch every video all the way through depending on subject, but still give a 'thumbs - up' before moving on! ) take care, rh

[@campbellsoup4910]

Hey Dr J' Happy Holidays🎅🏻 Very good info Nice vid👍🏽

[@mrracerx8302]

Interesting tests. Confirmed expected results but still interesting. Thank you

[@KatysCampKitchen]

Hi Jason! Very interesting- great information to see how the battery voltage impacted the charging and the difference it makes. Very helpful as always! Katy

[@Jasonoid]

Thanks, Katy!

[@alainleger8973]

The Ecoflow DC output is intended for a lead-acid battery , mainly cars, needing a lower charging voltage than Li-Ion😊

[@robertdillon9989]

Obviously

[@kenjboyd6233]

Thanks Jason

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. A side benefit of doing a direct battery to battery charge like this is that there are no losses to a boost converter or similar device between the two. On a side note, I use a 100ah Li Time to directly charge my EB70 directly. At some point the 100ah voltage is going to be too low for much to to be moving in the EB70 - I am guessing low 12 volts. I wonder how much amp hours will be left in the 100ah Li Time at this point.

[@Jasonoid]

Once a LFP battery drops down to around 12v or less, there's not much juice left, you'll get most of the power out of the battery around 13.3v - 13.0v, then the voltage drops pretty quickly.

[@shelley131]

Great video and interesting. Learned something new again with you. Is it possible to use to large a wire gauge when charging or discharging. I understand that using to small a wire can create more of a hazard by heating or melting the wire due to resistance. I was wondering if too large a wire gauge would impact the current in a negative way.

[@jimdaly5077]

Hi good fun but informative video, thank you. 👍🐝🌞

[@Jasonoid]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RandiG63]

I’m always learning something following you lol 😂

[@Jasonoid]

Thanks, Randi!

[@johntate5284]

Really useful information! I use the same 50 AHr battery in my modified UPS system which only charges to 13.5 volts and it's nice to know that i have almost all of the rated power of the battery available when needed. As i have the AC200MAX, now i know that i can keep that battery charged in a pinch as i have no battery charger, which is hard to believe:O I just bought the new AC70 and AC2A on the early bird last night and hoping to see some reviews soon. I am going to charge the AC70 up with one of my PV350 panels, which weighs almost twice as much as the AC70!

[@Jasonoid]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I had to pass on testing the AC70 since Bluetti is releasing too many units for me to test at once. I decided on reviewing the AC200L (the AC200Max replacement).

[@bobjones9727]

Nice useful content review.

[@stuartstuart866]

Ran in to something sort of similar. I tried charging a small solar power station off of the 12 volt power supply (AGM trailer battery) and it was a no go, until I hooked up to external power, increasing voltage to the 12 volt outlet. By the way, I love the Delta 2, not a lot of reserve power but what a beast of machine for being so small and relatively light weight. I can run my clothes washer at home, our big instant pot, full size toaster oven, our big coffee maker etc. I also have an older Bluetti EB150 but now mostly use it to boost the reserve capacity of the Delta 2.

[@Jasonoid]

I love the size and weight of the Delta 2. I use it all the time for random things around the home / yard

[@stevenblack122]

Very useful. I heard your early comments on ecoflow delta 2 max low dc regulated output. This really brings that home. I was about to buy delta 2 max…it is decent enough for ac output…but why not get everything covered? I will wait thanks

[@coastdweller69]

Great video - thank you - new sub - hit like and enjoyed the content.

[@Jasonoid]

Welcome aboard!

[@ladavila]

Hello Jason! Your videos are fantastic and very informative. If possible, I would love to see a video featuring the Bluetti AC200Max. Specifically, I’m interested in how the AC200Max functions when connected to a B230. It would be particularly helpful to see how the AC200Max charges the B230 when it’s at around 30% capacity. Thanks!

[@Jasonoid]

This is my most in depth video of the AC200max: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJrUl6Nrjr6opNk I was recently testing the B230 expansion battery and it seems to function just fine together with the AC200MAX. I never noticed any issues.

[@klatlap]

Just plug in a lithium battery charger to the AC output of the unit if the DC doesn't support it, this is a great way to increase the capacity of any of these units with out buying a higher priced unit or optional add ons.

[@soctnights]

I'm an amateur radio operator and I agree we need 13.8 VDC for most of our equipment for it to give us the stated RF power output. Most just grin and bear it. Some spend $250-$300 USD for a power booster to increase voltage levels to 13.8-14.0 VDC to achieve maximum RF output.

[@Jasonoid]

I definitely don't want to spend that much!

[@jimb1312]

I tried to do this a couple years ago with my ecoflow delta and the 12 outlet quick working on my ecoflow when I plugged in and seems to be broken, guess I should have used a fuse. I now charge with the ac outlet and a Noco charger.

[@BrianP-nv1sp]

I am so appreciative of all your videos THX. IS it safe to use the Pecron E1500 LFP to charge a 12 volt lead acid car battery?

[@Jasonoid]

The E1500LFP comes with an adapter to do that so I'd assume so.

[@BrianP-nv1sp]

@@Jasonoid thank you

[@jw3843]

Nice test. It really goes to show you that anything above 13.5 volts on the battery is very little deference between fully charged at 14.6 volts. Definitely prefer the pecron or the bluetti for that. Good enough if needed and keeps your battery below 100%, might prolong the long life of the battery if that is a concern. If you used a charge controller, then you could definitely get the battery to 100%. I used the charge controller hub from the dr prepare battery for charging my battery at 12 volts from the pecron 5525 barrel ports at about 50 watts.

[@Jasonoid]

Totally agree, thanks for sharing your insight!

[@tim1299]

But to balance the cells would you still want to charge at 14.6? at least occasionally?@@Jasonoid

[@Jasonoid]

@@tim1299 correct, I would recommend fully charging the battery on occasion to allow the BMS to balance out the individual cells.

[@tim1299]

Received this week a Li Time 100-amp w/o low temp protection. Just won't need it. Will use the charging profile of a non-lith progressive dynamice charger /invertor. But I have a 5 amp 14.6 volt charger to top it off occasionally and to slowly charge it. I have an electric or propane hot water heater. can that battery power that Suburban 6 gallon? It was bought in 2020 . Hooked up both ways but never used, thanks.@@Jasonoid

[@user-ty6lb8fn7x]

Jason if you put a rc battery charger inline you can charge it to full and adjust amps going in to weather like clound days and charge power stastion as well

[@Jasonoid]

Yep. Great idea!

[@stevenblack122]

Maybe you have covered elsewhere but lifep04, LFP battery maintenance whether in a solar generator or stand alone batteries is an open question for me. 1. Minimum charge levels…units left “ in storage” before recharging for battery health or warranty….2. recommended use of battery maintainers( if safe ones exist) for LFP batteries. ( have successfully used for 6-10 month constant time periods on traditional 12v) 3. if solar generators have no load connected/ or backup load connected …but are connected to ac all the time….should inverters be left on ….to charge maintain, or if inverter turned off to reduce draw…how then to maintain battery levels etc etc

[@teuton6167]

Great video, thanks for making it. I learned a lot from it. If someone were to buy an extra battery (or a couple of extra batteries) to add some extra capacity for an EcoFlow Delta Pro and you don’t want to spend $2000 on an EcoFlow slave battery, which one(s) would you recommend for performance and value? I understand that they can’t be hooked up and synchronized in the same way as the EcoFlow extra battery.

[@Jasonoid]

I made an entire video about DIY expansion batteries. I personally use a EG4 48v battery to charge my power station at night. Here's the video showing the difference in batteries / voltage: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnyXe36jm9OXnpo

[@teuton6167]

Thank you@@Jasonoid

[@samuelisraelsson5610]

Bought a used Bluetti ac200p and use 95% of the time 12v via Aviator plug. In the videos you show how to charge Lifepo4 batteries via the 12v plug but can I use it as a permanent solution to increase the capacity for 12v as I almost only need 12v?

[@jamessong5838]

Hello~~ Putting 800watt portable power station to healthy car battery in garage.. How many days will work? I am gonna use Noco genius 1 battery charger (Input : 100-240VAC 50-60Hz 18W Output : 6/12 VDC 1000mA)

[@jasonbroom7147]

12v regulated output is really more about powering a 12v device than it is charging a so-called 12-volt battery, which as we should all now understand actually has to be charged at or around 14.0 volts to fully charge. Personlly, I don't see a lot of use-cases for charging a battery from, what is in essence, another battery. If I want to charge a battery, I'll probably do that with an AC charger or, better yet, through a solar charge controller and some panels.

[@Jasonoid]

What's the fun in using something as it's intended!? haha I agree, using a solar charge controller would be the best way to charge a battery (and that's how my main systems charge everyday). I do enjoy experimenting to see how certain processes behave in order to learn new things :)

[@stuartstuart866]

@jasonbroom7147 It depends, We have a travel trailer with one 100 Ah battery and if the solar panel isn’t replenishing that battery adequately due to clouds, you’d want to have a plan “B” if camping out in the boonies. I already have the solar generators so might as well use them.

[@jasonbroom7147]

@@stuartstuart866- That makes sense, but it would be more efficient to use the power station to power the loads in your trailer, versus charging up the battery. Some of the newer models have a 12v Anderson ouput that can do 20+ amps, continuously, versus the 8-10 amps you usually get from an auto accessory plug. Ever since I got into all of this solar/battery/inverter stuff, I've been a little obsessed with trying to avoid charging with AC, and even more so with not charging one unit with another unit. The only exception is when the unit doing the charging is actively taking in solar for its power supply.

[@erani2]

Would like to see you testing charging powerstations using powertool batteries!

[@Jasonoid]

That would also work well since tool batteries put out around 20v or so (similar to a small 100w solar panel). The only issue is that power tool batteries are very small, so I order to charge a power station you'd have to have lots of them!

[@erani2]

@@Jasonoid but there are alsp many small powerstations that are popular such as thw Bluetti EB3A. The powertool batteries might be an easy way to extend the small powerstations battery. I've personally done it with battery adapters and I'm getting quite good output from them (around 100W) using my EB3A.

[@sia3540]

What will happens if you include a small inexpensive boost converter set at 14.6?

[@Jasonoid]

That would allow you to fully charge the battery. Probably would be best to spend the money on a dedicated charger though just since that's faster and more reasonable.

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

Jason, I have a question for you if you don't mind. My diesel night heater in my campervan runs off my 100 ah sealed lead acid leisure battery. I don't take it below 50%, but if I haven't managed to get a decent charge into it because of the lack of driving and/or solar, could I use this method to keep the leisure battery from getting too low while running the diesel heater at night? On max my heater uses 13 amps on start up, it then runs at a max of 3.5 ah although i never have it set on High continuously so probably more like 2 amps continuous give or take fluctuation. Would the 13amp draw be fine as it's going through the leisure battery? A kind of buffer, taking the load. I'd prefer to do it this way than through an AC 12v charger connected from the power station to the leisure battery saving approximately 20% power due to inverter inefficiencies. I don't need to charge the leisure battery, just keep it above 12.4 volts while running the heater if the leisure battery is getting low. I enjoyed the video, it got me thinking...Cheers Jason.

[@Jasonoid]

It depends on the power station you have and what voltage it puts out to charge the lead acid battery.

[@patricktrier4503]

Powerwerx makes a dc to dc charger that will charge up to 8 amps and 14.6 volts. I haven’t tried it but I thought this might work well to slow charge a lifepo4 battery with a power station while the power station is getting charged by a solar panel. I would love to see you test that scenario. The idea with that is you could buy a smaller and less expensive power station but expand the capacity by buying a battery. Run your 12 volt stuff off the battery and charge it with the power station.

[@Jasonoid]

Is this the one you mean? powerwerx.com/dcdc-charger-lifepo4-8a-adjustable I'd probably just recommend the 300w powerwerx affordable MPPT solar charge controller to charger directly from a solar panel, it works super well. I use it all the time :) It's cheaper than the DC output and allows for more power: amzn.to/3FLx2y6

[@patricktrier4503]

@@Jasonoid yep that’s the one. Thanks for the advice. I was thinking with the dc to dc charger I could charge a battery with my EcoFlow river 2 pro (and charge the EcoFlow with either ac power or solar panels). Your idea is simpler though

[@Stranger_Root]

Wow. I just bought the Delta2Max on sale last month because it looked practically identical (even a bit better) that the Bluetti200Max. Can't believe there's such a glaring difference in their performance for this job. Kinda feels like I made the wrong choice...

[@Jasonoid]

Honestly, this isn't something I would recommend doing vs a normal charger. This was just an experiment video to demonstrate some concepts. I just wanted to show the benefit of having a higher DC output. In daily use of running 12v devices, the lower voltage of the Delta 2 won't matter too much. Don't have any regrets, the D2M is a great option.

[@OnusBones]

Interesting test. Here's one for you, since those batteries all have a BMS. Could you use your voltage doubler, and feed 24V-25V into the battery? Would the BMS handle that and let it fully charge?

[@jw3843]

I would say that would not work since the batteries are 12 volt batteries and that would be about double the recommended charging voltage, I would guess the BMS might just not take the voltage because it is too high, but it might fry the BMS. It would work if you had 2 batteries wired in series because they would be at 24 volts. You are supposed to charge the 12 volt batteries at 14.6 volts max, I think 24 volt batteries charge around 28 volts to get to 100% so I would think 24 volts would not get you to 100% capacity just like charging at 13.5 volts will not get to 100% on a 12 volt battery. It will get close though. I would guess about 90% charged maybe 95%. That would be a good test for someone that does not mind possibly frying a bms to test it.

[@Jasonoid]

Hmmm maybe there's a small adjustable boost converter that takes 12v and puts out 14.6v.... Kinda like a small DC to DC battery charger? I don't think it would be wise to do that for a long period of time. The BMS might handle the high voltage for a little bit but I'd be worried something might fail and you'd risk damaging the internal battery cells. The highest voltage I'd probably risk going for a long duration would be 15v.

[@OnusBones]

@@Jasonoid Yeah, I'm not sure what the BMS would take. Perhaps one of the manufacturers would answer that?

[@JT-lq4yd]

The BMS will disconnect from the cells if the voltage is higher than 14.6, so a 24v supply will not work.

[@alainleger8973]

Ecoflow will accept. 12v-24v input at 10amps max ,

[@leianth1]

Hi Jason, Can I ask what's the Connector you used for 30A DC output on Bluetti AC200max to charged that 50ah LFE Battery? How long would it take to make it full? Thanks as always Jason -Klinton

[@Jasonoid]

For the best results I'd recommend using a standalone battery charger. They are better to charge the battery to the full capacity and balance the internal cells. I used a couple adapters I had laying around (xt 60 > anderson > ring terminals). You could use whatever option you wanted.

[@leianth1]

@@Jasonoid Thanks as always!

[@annshephard3929]

Is the cable coming off the Bluetti 12VDC/30A output port an aviation plug to a male (or female) XT90 or is it an aviation plug to a male (or female) XT60? Thanks so much for your help.

[@Jasonoid]

Female xt60 is the end coming off the 30 amp DC output cable.

[@annshephard3929]

@@Jasonoid Thank you!

[@wadeosceola6738]

Jasonoid, good afternoon, as always I have a question lol, and it's usually in reference to the bluetti ac 500. I think it's awesome that our power stations have multiple options to charge , so my question, is it safe to charge my bluetti ac500 from my Honda 7000is gas generator. Obviously I wanted to consult w/ you first , thank you

[@Jasonoid]

I'd recommend setting the custom charging speed at around 5 to 7 amps first, then try raising the amperage current amount to full speed once everything is going. These settings are all accessed via the touch screen.

[@wadeosceola6738]

@Jasonoid , thanks for the advice, from doing some research before purchasing the bluetti, I have already set the amperage to 5 . I figured that could possibly be easier on the battery. Would it be o.k. to just leave it at that setting, and would u recommend any specific extention cord ?? As always, thank you !!!

[@wadeosceola6738]

Oh, by the way, congratulations on your last live stream, I wasn't surprised that you had so much positive comments, keep up the good work

[@TheStopwatchGod]

Very interesting. But how does the battery know not to pull more than 30A, or 10A in the case of the EcoFlow? Is it like USB where there is some secret communication between the devices where the device doesn't pull more power than the charger can handle?

[@Jasonoid]

The DC output is amperage limited on each power station. They will only allow the max rated power they are rated for.

[@pedestrianfare8175]

I'm sorry if I missed this. How does the amperage on the output of the power station come into play? ie. 13.6 V @ 5 amps vs 13.6 V .@ 10 amps? Is one usable for this and the other not?

[@Jasonoid]

You can consider the amperage the charging rate. For example, a power ststion that puts out 10 amps, will charge hypothetically charge a 100 amp hour battery in 10 hours (if the output voltage was 14.6v). A 5 amp output would take 20 hours to charge a 100ah battery. So basically the 30 amp output is much faster than a 10 amp output.

[@pedestrianfare8175]

@@Jasonoid Thanks!

[@user-rp1vu1gk5u]

hello Jason quick question. i have a dr. prepare 100ah battery plus the hub and 100 watt lion energy rigid solar panel. i just received a renogy 700watt inverter with 1400 watt surge. i am planning to run a full sized refrigerator plus perhaps a tv in the garage if the panel can keep up. now ive learned i need a anl fuse or a breaker? any recommendations? this is my first time building a system.

[@Jasonoid]

I'd recommend reaching out to me here for more in depth advice: asqme.com/@Jasonoid

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

Hey @jasonoid, I have an idea for new video, How about using your car or truck plus an Inverter to act as an emergency gas generator?

[@Jasonoid]

That's a good one!

[@richardhobbs7107]

@Moes_Prep_and_Tech - EV's will charge the 'system battery' from the traction battery when the EV is powered up to drive at up to 1000 watts. I have already used an inverter on my Nissan Leaf's system battery to power a circular saw to cut up several hard-wood pallets at a remote location. The draw for the saw exceeded 1000 watts, but the Leaf's system battery would discharge enough to make up the difference under load and recharge when the saw was off. Worked great, and it's traction battery is (only) 24 KW but more than enough for emergency 1000 watt power for an extended period of time.

[@Texasprepper]

If you hook up to the cig lighter on the ac200max....it will overload it...try it!

[@Jasonoid]

Nope, it will limit automatically to the rated amperage of the 12v socket.

[@Texasprepper]

@@Jasonoid mine doesnt.....tried charging a low 55ah agm...overload every time. The eb3a does not do it.

[@Jasonoid]

@@Texasprepper interesting! Well mine worked when I tested it, I might have to try again.

[@Texasprepper]

@@Jasonoid mine worked at first......but soon failed after a couple minutes and then kept failing. 😒

[@nunyabeeswax7937]

Could you use 110 charger from power station?

[@Jasonoid]

Yep

[@abghere]

Does this apply to 12V lead acid car battery?

[@Jasonoid]

I'm sure it would charge up a lead acid battery a little bit, but make sure the charging voltage is within spec of the battery.

[@HomeOnWheels320MKS]

How about charging my BE from batteries?

[@Jasonoid]

I have an awesome video on that topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnyXe36jm9OXnpo

[@schadlarry]

So could you charge a car battery this way? The DC output on my power station is 12.8V which would be high enough for a car battery. Probably not practical, just thinking of an emergency situation.

[@Jasonoid]

Lead acid batteries need a similar charging voltage as an LFP battery. The 12.8v of your power ststion is a bit low to get a battery fully charged but it would definitely put power into the battery and possibly allow you to start a dead car.

[@schadlarry]

I think it would be more of a trickle charge solution and if you can get a battery up to 12.5 or so it should start. I've looked at the jump packs and heard they only last a year or so and just one extra thing to carry. @@Jasonoid

[@JT-lq4yd]

Technically, it is possible as the power station will bring the battery voltage up. It will take a while if the output is 10 amps as most power stations are.

[@davidparker7156]

Interesting just don't know when you would ever want to charge this way.

[@Jasonoid]

Sometimes I experiment to see what would happen in a certain situation. I just documented the results in this video.

[@hyppievanman]

Do it in the other direction, charge the power stations with the 12v battery’s

[@Jasonoid]

I have lots of videos showing how to charge a power station with an external battery, I wanted to experiment with it the other way around. Check out this one, it's great! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnyXe36jm9OXnpo

[@dfgatorfan]

It always annoys me how low Ecoflow keeps their DC output across their product line. Give me 13.8v please!

[@Jasonoid]

I'd love 13.8 volts! Still yet to find a unit with that high of voltage!

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

In an emergency, fine. Regularly? Nope. The 12v battery should support the solar generator, not the other way around.

[@Jasonoid]

Exactly. This was just a fun experimenting video. Good to know it works if you need it (as long as your DC voltage is decent).

[@gunpet]

You really dont want to use the 12v output to charge Another 12v battery. And you really dont want the 12v to be 13.5v....

[@Jasonoid]

This was an experiment to see if it could be done...and I demonstrated it's best to use a dedicated LFP battery charger. Did you finish the video?

[@gunpet]

@@Jasonoid if you read the comments, its confusing for the low-tech viewers

[@ZIlberbot]

0:33 I understand this graph following way: battery is discharged and has 11V (2.75V per cell inside battery). Then constant voltage 14.6 applied to it, so charging is done by difference of applied voltage 14.6V and battery voltage 11 V (and rising). Power supply is like a source of stable current. When battery have reached 14.6 V, there is no voltage difference which is charging battery. Such 12 V batteries consist of 4 serial connected cells, each is 3.5-3.6V per cell (3.65 V per sell when whole 12V battery reaches 14.6 V).

[@Jasonoid]

Yes, that is correct.