Battery GENERATOR - DIY or BUY (with Bluetti EB55 Review)

Sometimes you need to have a p0rtible source for power. Be it using power tools away from where you can plug them in or running lighting or fans in your camping tent at night. Up till now generators were the only choice but now we have other ways to bring electric power with us based on Lithium batteries.
In this video we compare a commercially available unit, the Bluetti EB55 with a DIY unit that I put together some time ago.

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[markhunter]

I have been using a 45 pound thrust electric trolling on my 'get to the boat dingy' and to cruise around with my family maybe up to 2-3 miles with a walmart SLA and 50 watt panel keeping it charged in Maine on a not so smooth bottom 12 ft aluminum. I have been really thinking about a similar sized aluminum as our primary cruising dingy with a larger lithium portable pack. I really like the idea of the trolling motor for the ease of use and maneuverability for my wife. I don't want her to be stuck to me as the dingy operator when we end up doing more extensive family cruising/sabbatical. It had definitely crossed my mind to have this battery merged with the ships systems as well. Lots of food for thought, thank you for the video.

[davidbabc]

great video! I'd love to see more details on your home built battery.

[youtubeuser]

I don't think you specifically listed it as an advantage although you mentioned it in passing. Your DIY one is totally waterproof. That's a huge difference if, for example, you hit some rough weather and flipped the dingy while carrying the Bluetti to/from the beach. Plus of course, you could easily get a 2000 or even 3000 or 5000 watt inverter that the angle grinder couldn't overload as long as you make sure your cells and BMS are up to the job.

[boblivingston]

Best and safest for AC power Northern Lights 5KW generator.Very reliable sips diesel have owned one for over 10 years.Running like it is still new.Like all your videos so much great information.

[braithmiller]

Very helpful analysis. If everyone made product videos like you have no one would dislike them.

[disabledarmyveteran]

I own the Bluetti EB55 and it works great. The only issue you might have is ordering the extra charging cable because they have been out of stock for awhile now. I purchased two of them to have two chargers to charge one Bluetti but you still need that cable to make it work with both chargers at the same time.

[TheOldGuy]

Great Job Clark! I know you did video(s) on your DIY Power Bank, but think an update comprehensive video guide might be well received. Thanks For the Video!

[annhysell]

Thanks. Been watching you both for awhile & appreciate the insight. Im a nomad both on my Tartan 37 & truck/camper. Multi use is is important. My solar is used on both, as well as my batteries. A portable unit such as bluetti is on the radar. Great vid as usual. :)

[pieterbarneveld]

I have exactly the same generator.. I had the same problem till I put a small in one fuel filter, ours is 11 years old and has done over 2000hrs but agree noise level is not great s we will not use when it’s possible t close the boat up and not hear it from inside. Lithium is amazing and have had it for 7 years now 👌

[deaconyates]

Nice review, I enjoy your tinkering projects that look to spawn from the better mouse trap mindset. I too suffer this affliction. Your follow through to end product is what I find impressive. I chase the challenge and once overcome, I put it down and then its on to the next one (real or imagined). I’m really interested in past flops or projects that you may still be working out but that are currently beating you. The way you present knowledge and your reasoning, sends me on mental tangents, that nudge me forward on my own projects. I appreciate that. Cheers, Clark and Thanks

[Cptnbond]

This was an inspiring episode. I can see another case of your heavy-duty DIY battery pack. Use it as a spare emergency, say if the boat's primary electric system is flooded and you need to rig some temporary power source for the bilge pumps. It will be satisfying to run a heavy load and not be nervous if the Bluetti will blow a fuse or just malfunction in the worst possible moment. Cheers.

[RandomGaijin]

They make resettable ATC style fuses you might be able to replace the ones in you inverter with so you don't have to replace the fuse if it blows, just push a button and keep working. i found some online for around $3US, might be worth looking into especially if you go off cruising somewhere you cant find replacements.

[hansslob]

Seems a handy tool to have when running only 12 V = on your boat. Nice video!

[randycain]

Good reviews. Get yourself a connector to go from your diy powerpack to the Bluetti so that you can get the benefit of both. You don't need 2 inverters but I see great utility in the two units working together.

[webheadusa]

"Power a big refrigerator" turned on a light bulb! My application is to have a power source to run the big fridge in my house when there is a power outage. Our last power outage was for four days, so I want a unit that can be charged by the sun in a few hours, then run the fridge until the sun comes out the next day. And to do so with the power unit in the house. And every now and then power the internet gateway for a few hours instead of the fridge. I hate power outages longer than 8 hours, so I'll be looking for something that will burn a hole in my pocket! Thanks for the thought-provoking tour! :¬) Webhead USA

[lenwhatever]

The prepack unit is what it is. The home made unit can be expanded at any time.
It pays to read the specs on things. There are 1k inverters that are continuous 1k and some that are peak 1k. I have a 1k inverter that says 1k continuous and peaks at 1k8. The prepack unit is set up to be a fool proof as possible. Tech support does not want to spend it's time teaching people to use the product. It has three states: working, discharged and broken that anyone with enough money to buy the thing understands and two dummy lights can show these conditions :)

[cyber_surfer]

Video is just what I needed, really :) However, would now be a good time to elucidate the difference between amp-hour and watt-hour (current vs energy)

[budawang]

Looks like a good piece of kit. My question is about the rationale for a small electric outboard motor. Wouldn't it be better to simply row? I'm assuming you could row almost as fast as you can move with the motor. Rowing is a good form of exercise. I can understand why a more powerful electric outboard might make sense.

[brucegarrison]

Please show us how you built battery pack

[LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

The smaller the carburetor...the quicker it'll clog when unused. Even with new carb in one to two weeks clogged. I have equipment like that where i learned to just carb-spray the carb jets i can get to and try to dose (spray) directly into the float bowl, wait a minute...before i even begin to try to start it...works 90% of the time. So much easier than taking the carb off and disassembly. I keep carb spray in the truck.