Bluetti Power Oak AC200Max – this box comes with a lot of power, even in the wild

What actually is a power box? Pretty much the same as a power bank for a smartphone just bigger. You can choose how big, and it depends on the intended use. In any case, it can get very big. In principle, a power box consists of a power storage unit (battery) and the necessary peripherals to charge and deliver power. Depending on the model, you can select the storage capacity and decide which connection options you need.

We have the tried out. It can be described as an all-rounder and it is just about mobile. With her weight of 27 kilograms, she wants to be transported by car. The size roughly corresponds to a PC midi tower (42 x 28 x 38.65 centimeters). You can carry them for short distances, but you’re grateful for a cart for longer distances. It is clearly too heavy to power a bicycle tour.

The advantage: You can not only connect 12 volt devices and the various USB cables to the AC200Max, it also supplies 230 volt alternating current – with a real sine curve, which supplies devices with a power consumption of up to 2200 watts. At the peak, 4800 watts can be called up for a short time. So you can heat water, operate a notebook, a refrigerator or start an electric saw in the wilderness.

Heavy but compact

Or: In the course of the van life boom, you can simply electrify your van with this device. If the electrical system is not too complex, the power supply on board is simply plugged into the box’s connections. The AC 200Max regularly costs around 2000 euros, the usual special offers are unfortunately a bit sparser in the year of supply bottlenecks. For the layman, this sounds expensive at first, but if you want to replicate a system with comparable performance values, you will have to spend even more money for the individual parts with high-quality components. The battery is based on LiFePO4 technology, which means it cannot catch fire.

If the box is delivered, the messenger has earned a tip. Once unpacked, it doesn’t get any lighter, but it’s much more compact. The two integrated handles make it much easier to lift. The connections are on two sides – the outputs on the front – the input on the narrow left side. That’s an advantage, the box can be placed on a wall, in a corner or in a cupboard more easily than if connections were attached on all four sides. All entrances are equipped with splash protection flaps, but you shouldn’t leave such a system out in the pouring rain.

Commissioning is very easy – just switch it on and off you go. The AC 200Max improves on the previous model. It now delivers 2200 watts on AC and accepts up to 900 watts of solar power for charging. 2048 Wh storage is in the box. The USB-C connection delivers up to 100 watts, the 12-volt DC outputs once 30 amps and three times 10 amps each. Wireless charging is possible on the top with two times 15 watts.

multitude of connections

You can now also operate a performance-hungry notebook via the USB-C output. The 12 volt outputs are more than sufficient to operate a standard mobile home electrical system (pump, light, cool box, etc.). 2200 watts are also sufficient for hotplates. They are also interesting when very powerful electronic devices are used for a short time – such as a hammer drill or a saw. In many cases, the station can replace a mobile power generator for manual work. The box can be operated with additional battery modules, which increases the power storage, but also the weight. The most obvious innovation is the Bluetti app, which can now be used to control the device via Bluetooth.

How does the electricity get into the power box?

As big as the AC2000 is dimensioned, the battery will still be drained. How long that keeps consumers away. If only a smartphone and an iPad are to be charged and a few LED lights operated, the filling will easily last for a week. But if you plug in a hotplate and use it several times a day, it should be over after two days. You can fill the box in three ways. With the camper, electricity can be diverted from the alternator. Here the recording takes place via a cigarette lighter connection, so the recording is limited to 10 amps. The box can then be charged as normal from the mains. However, the cooling of the charger produces an annoying hiss.

The most elegant option is of course solar panels. They can but do not have to be from Bluetti. The panels of the same brand are as mobile as the box, they are transported folded in a bag. They can then be set up at the place of use where they achieve the greatest light output. And park in the shade even with the camper.

In practice

In the cold, rainy February we didn’t want to camp in a forest with tent and box. We used the box to work on our own van project. Admittedly, this was a dry-swimming exercise, because an extension cord would have done the trick. Essentially, alternating current was used for the light and equipment such as a drill, multi-tool, flex and saws. As expected, the box supplied power to all parts without complaint. After two (hobby) days of work, the device was empty. Of course, that depends on the use, if you saw boards non-stop, you should come to the end after a few hours. A 230 volt welding machine can also be operated if you can manage with the continuous output of 2200 watts.

What speaks against it?

If you talk to camping electrical experts, they usually advise against a power box. Their argument is that with good individual components, you can tailor a system like this. Then you know all the building blocks and can coordinate them optimally. And if there is a fault, only one component needs to be replaced. This is all correct as long as one has the necessary knowledge. The layman can make a lot of mistakes on the way to an “individual solution”. This is hardly possible with a power box that is only plugged in. And don’t forget: the complete system is guaranteed. If you assemble and wire everything yourself, you are also liable for your own errors.

It should also be difficult for experts to store their own system in a box to save space. This makes the power box mobile. She can electrify the cabin and the camper and if necessary she goes fishing or working. While a permanently installed electrical system in a hut or a camper is only used in the few weeks of vacation, you can also set up the box and solar panel at home. Feeding into the home network is not necessary at all, you could simply connect suitable consumers to the box and thus convert your home office to solar power.

equipment

As mentioned, solar panels are likely to be the most sensible addition for many users. In a camper, they are essential if you want longer energy self-sufficiency without the engine running. In addition, Bluetti offers additional battery packs to expand the storage capacity up to 6144 Wh. They are in their own housing and are connected by cable. The overall system then becomes noticeably heavier, but can still be moved separately without a truck.

Conclusion

A power box of this dimension and at this price is not a device that you should buy without knowing what you need it for. You should regularly find yourself in the embarrassment of needing electricity where there is no outlet. For example in a camper project. Then take the many problems at once, which a layman would find difficult to solve himself. The tester was most impressed by the space-saving, compact design and the associated mobility of the box. Such boxes are available in smaller and even larger. But even larger devices lose mobility in practice. Smaller boxes are good for LED light, smartphone charging and more. When operating heavy consumers, they have to fit, but they can be the better alternative for small campers or for tent holidays.

Power boxes are also offered by other manufacturers. Even if the names sound like California, the boxes all come from China. The Bluetti is excellent value for money, especially if you do catch a special offer. The range of accessories is also interesting for the end customer. In addition, Bluetti offers a very wide portfolio of different boxes, but usually the customer will only buy one box. The box currently costs minus a 200 euro coupon.

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