Charge Your Bluetti at 1200W in Your Car
▼ Summary
– The Bluetti Charger 2 is a new car charger that can rapidly charge power stations at 1200W, which is about ten times faster than a standard 12V outlet, and can also reverse power to jump-start a vehicle.
– In ideal conditions, using the Charger 2 while driving could recoup a typical day’s energy consumption (1.6kWh) for vanlife in about 75 minutes.
– The charger achieves its maximum rate by combining up to 800W from a vehicle’s alternator and up to 400W from rooftop solar panels, and it can also feed 600W of solar power when the vehicle is parked.
– Installation is straightforward for DIY users, though adding solar panels or a separate DC Hub for powering other devices increases complexity.
– The Charger 2 is broadly compatible with most power stations but its reverse charging feature only works with Bluetti’s own models, and it is currently available for a special price of $349.
For those embracing life on the road, whether in a van or an overland vehicle, keeping essential electronics powered is a constant challenge. Bluetti’s new Charger 2 offers a powerful solution, delivering a rapid 1200W charge to compatible power stations directly from a vehicle’s electrical system. This represents a massive leap over the typical 100-150W available from a standard 12V cigarette lighter port, potentially cutting charging times dramatically for high-capacity power stations.
The device achieves its impressive output by intelligently combining power sources. It can draw up to 800W from a vehicle’s alternator while driving, and simultaneously integrate up to 400W from rooftop solar panels. When the vehicle is parked, the Charger 2 can prioritize solar input, feeding up to 600W into a connected power station without depleting the vehicle’s starter battery. This dual-source design maximizes energy harvest whether you’re on the move or camped for the day.
Installation is designed to be a manageable do-it-yourself project for many users. The core setup involves routing cables through the vehicle’s interior and connecting them directly to the starter battery. The process becomes more involved if you choose to add solar panels or expand the system with Bluetti’s optional DC Hub, which can provide 12V power to auxiliary devices like lighting, a refrigerator, or a communications setup.
While the Charger 2 is broadly compatible with about 95 percent of power stations on the market, its unique bidirectional feature is exclusive to Bluetti’s own ecosystem. This reverse function allows a Bluetti power station to jump-start a vehicle or maintain its starter battery, adding a valuable layer of utility. It’s worth noting that most major power station brands now offer their own alternator chargers, which typically perform best when paired with devices from the same manufacturer.
The practical impact of this charging speed is significant. For example, someone consuming roughly 1.6 kilowatt-hours of energy per day from their power station could theoretically replenish that full day’s usage in about 75 minutes of driving under ideal conditions. This efficiency can greatly reduce reliance on shore power or lengthy generator runs.
Bluetti has priced the Charger 2 at a promotional rate of $349 for a limited time, after which it will increase to $599. The unit is designed as a direct upgrade for owners of the earlier Charger 1 model, as it can reuse the existing cabling. Current Charger 1 owners are being offered a special upgrade price, making the transition to faster charging more accessible for existing users.
(Source: The Verge)
