Bluetti Bug Test - Solar Charging Bug with Expandable Battery Pack - Pack Won't Wake up from 0%

In this video, I test for a solar charging bug that was reported to me by several video commenters. When the Bluetti AC200MAX power station and B230 expandable battery pack are run down to 0%, the expandable battery won't wake via a solar charger.
I confirmed the problem with the review samples I was sent and with the latest firmware update installed.

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[RIGIBBONS]

I have a MAX and two B230s, which have worked perfectly together since the winter, but in the UK we've had a month of mainly dull/wet weather, and the machines have been bumping along the bottom of their charges, at around 5-20%. I think one of the B230s went down to zero. The following day this one wouldn't charge, whilst the second B230 did. However, charging the failing B230 beyond 20% via the mains adaptor worked, and it started functioning again. A few days later a similar scenario emerged with the other B230, wit the same outcomes. Now we've actually had a little sunshine all is back to normal. However, it is annoying that both batteries always switch off overnight and need manual start-up in the morning. Having said all of this, I remain pleased with the system, which, with the help of an Ecoflow generator, has run my entire kitchen virtually since the winter. But, yes, the auto close-down bug would be a nuisance if you wanted to run the whole thing whilst absent.

[MG-cwuc]

Hey Ray, I watch all your videos, love them. I will stay tuned on this as I have the 200 max and have seriously considered getting the 230 battery. We live in south Fla, so this is mainly for hurricane prep at the sticks and bricks.
Really appreciate what you do!

[amieres]

The B300 battery has the advantage of having it's own 200W MPPT charger that wakes it up when there is sunlight. I have a solar panel connected to the B300 battery plus the panels connected to the AC200Max to get the full charging capacity of both.

[TheNovaNorm]

Thanks, Ray. Just ordered the 200 Max but I'm going to leave the expansion battery for a bit, at least until the problem is fixed.

[JustlifeTomSandraYordi]

We have an Acmax and an EB70. We provide the max with power to our refrigerator/freezer and we use our washing machine in combination with the max. The max is supplied with solar energy by 2 panels of 400 watts. We use the EB70 to watch TV and to charge small things. The EB70 is supplied with solar energy by a panel of 180 watts. So it also happens that we charge the eb70 with the max or vice versa in combination with our needs.

[amieres]

I think the issue is that when the internal AC200Max battery is at 100% the MPPT charger shuts down. The internal battery needs to be less than 100% to charge the expansion battery from solar.

[bartkupp]

I too had the same problem when the expansion battery was drained. I had to plug and charge it manually. Very inconvenient.

[climber]

Thanks for the video! I have 2 B300s hooked up to AC200Max and for no good reason after a year of use, both of the expansion batteries quit being recognized by the AC200Max. I have tried everything and have not heard from Bluetti yet. None of the previous comments and solutions have fixed it. I went ahead and charged everything to 100% with AC power and the AC200Max still won't recognize the the 2 B300s. Problem randomly happens for people and def not fixed. Also, my firmware is completely updated and the AC200Max otherwise still works fine.

[RandomStuff-zsed]

According to Bluetti there is no way / plan to fix this. The only work around may be to use their DC charge enhancer and an extra set of solar panels. I would try with the ac charger first, if it wakes up the extra battery.

[stevel.]

I have the 200max and two B230 batteries and because the original charger only charges at 469 watts on the 200max, and I pull a 100watts sometimes, I have a charger plugged into each battery, as well as the 200max. These three charge the batteries faster and help keep the 1000-watt load from discharging the batteries. I noticed that the green light comes on for the charger when the respective battery reaches 100%. When the red light is on, it is charging. When the green light is on the charging is complete and the battery displays it is fully charged. I use the lower wattage chargers because the fan on the higher output brick is so noisy. I asked Buletti about this and they didn't know if it would hurt anything or not.

[AnonVideos]

With the AC200P, the B300 won’t balance battery level (one way dump only from B300, at 500W rate). It also will not wake the B300 when the sun comes up. I returned the B300 and adapter and am working on a different solution with other vendors’ parts. Wish I could return the AC200P.

[kimwarfield]

You can charge through the B230 first. I have 2 B230 batteries and I charged all three through the B230.

[WhereRV_Eh]

Bluetti states that you have to charge the b230 on ac when it’s drained. A limitation that they fixed in the more expensive b300. With low cost comes extra work.

[banksarenotyourfriends]

I found your video after looking for info on how to rescue an AC200P thats been sitting doing nothing for 18 months - do you know if I can just plug some solar panels in and hopefully get it to take some charge? The AC mains charger wont recognise the unit so it wont send any current down the wire, but the display still fires up for about 30 seconds or so, so there is some charge left inside it somewhere.

As far as your own problem goes - if you can get some charge into the main unit, could you not just plug the smaller unit into the 'mains' AC sockets on the front of the larger unit using the mains charger? Not a solution, but a workaround if you're out of luck a long way from home at least.

Thanks for the videos!

[JustlifeTomSandraYordi]

We now also have this combination. Charging via the sun is difficult. Even at 100 watts, both batteries remain in standby 😮‍💨😮‍💨

[ericb.]

I just rook delivery on the BLUETTI AC200 MAX (Feb. 2023) and I'm hoping it has the firmware update for simultaneously charging the expandable battery. I'm assuming the firmware was for the AC200 MAX and not the expandable B230.

[JMX]

Good video - question - if you dont run the B230 down to zero (where it turns off) but 10-20 percent - does it work as desired and recharge from the AC200MAX fine ?

[jw]

My guess is that when it completely discharges it does not have enough power to power up the bms which allows it to charge back up and that causes this issue. Which is why when you charge it directly it actually works, it gives power to the bms, not sure why trying to charge it from the main machine would not do the same other than the bms cant communicate with it for some reason. Lifepo4 batteries have that issue from what i have seen on youtube, I have not experienced it myself but that is also why a lot of units shut off around 10 percent so the bms stays powered.

[jakeliujakeliu]

Thank you for the testing very helpful!

[MsSurfer]

I used the b230 with the Ac200p. Charging the b230 with D050S and I had the same problem. The b230 charged the ac200p during the night and when it was on 0% it shut itself down and never went on again so during the day I had no input from the sun and the ac200p was also running low now. Sent a few messages to support but slow return anserr and asking me to explain it again 3 times. I NEEDED to get it fixed