Don't Waste Your Money on Lithium // I Install a Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 in My RV

By request, today I'm sharing all the details on how I seamlessly integrated a portable power station in my travel trailer RV that powers everything 120V off the grid except for the air conditioner. The install is complete with an automatic transfer switch and the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000, which supports 2200W of 120V AC output and has over 2048 Wh of battery power.

Obviously I'm being playful with the title as the underlying battery found in the Segway power station (and most other portable power stations) is indeed lithium. But, by stating "Don't waste your money on lithium" I'm referring to a full-fledged and permanent lithium-based system with invidual batteries, inverter, charger, fuses, wiring, etc. And, just remember it's just a personal opinion as I've always struggled with how expensive permanent lithium systems are in RVs by the time you factor in all the individual components...and the fact you cannot use all that $$ when the RV isn't in use. Certainly if you're full time in an RV or using it more a permanent and pricey install may make more sense for you. So don't take it personally if you're in camp lithium and have spent the big bucks on a custom lithium system.

This portable power station mod was featured in a recent video:
36 Mods & Upgrades

00:00 Intro
01:22 Don't Wast Your Money
03:41 Goals
06:08 Live Demonstration
07:39 Wiring Diagram
10:48 Transfer Switch
13:11 Safety
15:59 Benefits
17:58 Final Thoughts

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Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000

30A Automatic Transfer Switch

NEMA 5-20 Plug

10 Gauge Wire

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[AdventureRocks]

Support the channel with these affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:

Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000

30A Automatic Transfer Switch

NEMA 5-20 Plug

10 Gauge Wire

[gloriatreis]

It was going to cost me thousands of dollars to put an inverter system in my trailer. Instead, I bought a 1500w power station with an 80ah battery in it that I have sitting in my main living area. I just use a heavy duty extension cord to power one appliance at a time. It recharges with a 12v charger from my main lithium batteries and solar system. Cost: less than a $1000. And it is also portable. I love it! I live full time in my RV and boon dock 80 percent of the year.

[TheJoseMedina]

Great vid! Been following since the “rental RV video pros/cons” would be cool to do a truck/RV load out video for when you go RV’ing

[jdollar]

I did this 2 years ago for the exact same reasons. Why spend $2k on Battleborn batteries, $300 on an inverter, put solar panels on your roof, and pay someone to do all the wiring to install a 2kwh battery system?
I bought a Bluetti AC200MAX. If we need to use it, I take out the container holding all my sewer connections and slide the Bluetti in the storage compartment right beside all my water hookups. I have a Passport, and this compartment is on the front of my RV. I take my shore power plug and run it into the access where my water hose runs. Since my RV is a 50amp, I doggone down to a 30amp, plug it into the Bluetti, and run the entire RV that way. Like you, I can't run my AC and I have to pay attention to what I'm doing with running multiple appliances, but it works well to keep all my AC plugs working as well as my fridge.
I can't use this on the road because it requires my shore cord. I use a small Bluetti while on the road to power the outdoor fridge, so we have cold drinks in transit without keeping a cooler full of ice.
I don't recommend the AC200MAX anymore because of the slow AC charging and the power brick. It works fine, and it's expandable, but the AC charge time is over 4 hours, while their newer models are about 1 hour. I think I paid $1700 for mine, and they're now about $1100. I use mine around the farm all the time in places where I don't have power. I can run a chop saw, air compressor, or hammer drill with it. I also can run an 8k BTU window AC for about 3 hours with it to cool down a small storage building if I need it.

[ncycles]

Just discover your channel. I had the GD 23BHE but sold it due to problems from Covid build quality issues. I wish I had the 21bhe instead because my slide was a big problem. I like what I see so far. I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to technology and I like the way you did this. I’ve said for a long time that you shouldn’t waste money on permanent lithium unless you’re living in it off grid. Even then it might not make sense. Good content and I look forward to seeing more

[usmcshepherdE]

I agree 100% with you on this point…I saw a recent system for a 5th wheel like ours that was $15k+. And as you said it’s part of the RV forever.

[markfowler]

That’s a really good application. You did a great job for minimal $$. Personally I put 2 Chins 100 Ah batteries in my unit this year. I have a 1200 watt inverter that I put in 4 years ago with lead-acid batteries and the Chins LiFeP04 batteries replace the lead acid batteries. So including the Victron power shunt, I replaced the converter so it could charge the lithium batteries. You’re fortunate that the wiring was there for you to run the power station from that forward bay. I’ve got about $1300 in my system. I really only use my inverter to power 2 CPAP machines in the bedroom.

[lbrumleve]

I would definitely think rv manufacturers should build for plug and play. Great video. I have always thought of this since I started watching some solar generator utubs. May have to call you sometime if I ever do this. lol. Thanks again. 🍻

[lrndspirit]

That is a great setup. Thanks for sharing.

I have done something similar, but sadly my 2019 2250RK was not inverter prepped from factory. I used a Bluetti AC200max and tied it to my 30A system via a transfer switch. The main difference in mine is I also tied into my 12volt system so I can also run everything inside off of the AC200MAX + 1 B230. No need for a separate 12 volt battery even though I keep one as a backup. Powers the slide outs, furnace, fridge, and everything. It already had dedicated braker for the 12v charge converter that I leave locked in a off position so as to not create a power charge loop. I also wired a soft start into my 15K Coleman Mach AC, which allows me to run AC off the 2200 watt AC200Max. The AC200 max can bring in 900 Watts of solar and another 500 with the extra Charge enhancer so there is times I'm Power neutral when running my 1400 watt ac at full blast.

I'm now created a dedicated 2nd system as a backup since I already have 200Amps of spare Lithium battery's. Will have it also tied in when done with a 2nd transfer switch so I can bounce between the two systems if the AC200 max every dies or runs low on power. When I sell the Trailer I will take the Bluetti with me and leave the backup as a permeant install. Learning a lot along the way is half the fun. Had my power go out recently at 1:AM and didn't even realize until the morning when I noticed my power rate was lower then normal. Didn't wake up hot like the rest of the park as it was 96 degrees and humid here in Texas. I full time RV so having a happy spouse = happy House. :)

[michaeldean]

Very nice clean setup. I am in the same mindset at the moment I have a 5th wheel and only planning to keep here for the start of my full time run this winter then upgrading. I have been looking at the Delta 3 ultimate rather than installing my Rack batteries and dual inverters ect... to only remove at a later date

[rayr]

Everything but the AC... Florida folks have left the chat.

[Chriss-Gear]

I have a Bluetti AC200 Max. I totally agree if you are not a full-time/high time RV'er something like this makes a lot of sense. Other than the benefit of shore power being able to automatically charge the power box are there additional benefits? There are lots of power boxes with 30amp connections. I have not done long term testing with my setup. I have a portable solar panel for the Bluetti and just need to see how well it does powering everything. No wiring required. Just plug my shore power cord into the Bluetti and done. Well done on your setup.

[bdwillis]

When I can spend 3000$ and run my 15000btu air conditioner for two days I'm in. Technology just isn't there yet. Keeping my propane generator. Thanks for the great video!

[benjaminvillines]

I have a Reflection with the same inverter prep. I was researching the traditional inverter setup and came across your video. I like this way more. This solves the problem of being able to watch a movie during quiet hours. A must for our special needs kid. Being able to run the Keurig was a perk too.

However, going the traditional route I was going to get more battery storage with 2 lithium batteries (vs my 2 L/A batteries). I was originally leaning this way because that would help running the 12V heater through the night. Also important as the same kid will not sleep with covers.

My question to you: do you think the 2000 Segway cube would run a trickle charger through the night to get the best of both worlds? Inverter for TV and boost the 12V capacity in a sense? Would running the cube inverter that long cause it to overheat? I’ll be honest, I haven’t looked at the draw of a trickle charger yet or if it would charge fast enough to make a difference. Just curious. 🤔

[ryanreeves]

I think your on to something here..plus it make sense

[kdalt]

So the power station is going from dc to ac to power the coach, and in your coach at the converter, it's going back to dc to charge your lead acid batteries. Their is a loss there.

[stefwellie]

Cool setup and I agree it’s the way to go but do you actually need that transfer switch stuff? That unit advertises ac pass through (waiting for mine to arrive before I can test) so my plan was to change the shore power connection such that it goes straight to the Segway ac input (lower part of your power board) and then connect the rest of the van (upper half of your board) to one of the Segway ac outlet plugs. The Segway should pass through ac if it has shore power and use the inverter if it doesn’t. I would be interested in your thoughts as that was my plan and it would be good to know if that won’t work for some reason before I start fiddling 😅

[tomtompkins]

Pretty sure that unit has lithium-iron phosphate batteries built into it. Still lithium. It's just an all-in-one unit as in when the unit fails. The whole thing fails. I chose to build from the ground up system learning as I went and I have a pretty good system. If any part fails I can replace just that part. I can also upgrade just individual parts at any time I choose to. I can also place the parts where they fit best because in my small unit I would not have space for that piece of equipment. So I guess it just depends on what your needs are

[butchthurman]

Pecron 2000flp. But Pecron has a new 3600 power station for 1600.

[aguyinback]

Great approach to the problem! Do you happen to know if the Solar input is an MPPT device? I don't see any mention in the manual on their website. What was the next runner-up in your decision? Finally...do you run your microwave from the power station. (sorry if you covered that) Thanks!