Bluetti or Jackery or …?

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Not looking to power a fridge or have wired up to the Bronc battery, but just looking for a simple under $500 unit for 1-2 night camping excursions. No heavy electrical loads, just coffee, some cooking, recharging of phones. There are SO many options that I’m super confused. What is the best bang for my buck, oh B6G gurus?!

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[Brian_B]

I think they are all made in the same factory in China. I would say of all the ones I’ve seen, Goal Zero probably impressed me the most, but honestly not sure it’s worth the premium you pay for them. Can almost always find Anker or Jackery on sale. Any of them will do what you are looking for - but I would advise over sizing what you think you need - better for the battery if it doesn’t get cycled hard

Biggest thing is to try not to run them completely dead, and don’t store them long term (weeks) at 100% charge - ideally long term storage should be around 50%.

 

[Alassise]

You just missed some good sales on Amazon. I got a Bluetti AC 180P for future excursions for 500.00. Testing it with home appliances (i.e. expresso machine, toasters, air fryers, etc) worked amazingly well. It will be plenty of juice for 2-3 day excursions. Something smaller should also work, but if you have the room in the rig get the biggest you can.

The model I have was older, and they do have a newer, smaller, more powerful version, but not for 500. 00. Wait for a sale for Black Friday, all brands will have them on sale at very competitive prices.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

This is a good deal to me: https://www.costco.com/ecoflow-river-3-plus-wireless-boost-combo.product.4000358863.html

Just how are you planning to use this to make coffee? You mentioned coffee and cooking, those ARE heavy loads.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

This is a good deal to me: https://www.costco.com/ecoflow-river-3-plus-wireless-boost-combo.product.4000358863.html

Just how are you planning to use this to make coffee? You mentioned coffee and cooking, those ARE heavy loads.

Yeah, I’m aware that coffee (say an electric teapot > pour over) and something like a voltaic pot and pan are heavy loads, but I wouldn’t be needing for long time periods. So say: cooking lunch & dinner = two meals, boiling water twice, charging a phone or two (maybe), perhaps a camp light. The idea is getting through 24-36 hours on a full charge.

Feels like a good idea in this summer of wildfires to not be bringing butane or propane or building open fires in the mountains of southern Utah.

 

[brkdncr]

What’s the power draw for the equipment you’re using? Direct heat is a pretty big ask. You may be better off with a jetboil for water.

 

[B22-2023]

Yeah, I’m aware that coffee (say an electric teapot > pour over) and something like a voltaic pot and pan are heavy loads, but I wouldn’t be needing for long time periods. So say: cooking lunch & dinner = two meals, boiling water twice, charging a phone or two (maybe), perhaps a camp light. The idea is getting through 24-36 hours on a full charge.

I have this Bluetti for what you do. I had their solar panels just for insurance but didn’t need. If you bring the box on your trail rides, or idle your truck a 15 minutes at site it can be charged via the AC port.
@JediMcMuffin clearly found a better unit (more power, less money, modular battery - though fewer ports) and I’d get that one.

 

[Dugout]

This works great for short trips. Coffee, cooking, etc. You can also get solar panels to run with it, just in case.
Sale’s all the time just not right now.
https://a.co/d/4rMCMgm
EcoFlow River 2 Pro

 

[Brian_B]

Induction hot plate. Requires special pots/pans (steel/iron) - but not hard to find, boils water insanely fast, and easier on the power than standard resistive heating

 

[Tricky Mike]

Not VTOMAN, I can't tell you that much.

Have had good luck with Ecoflow.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Induction hot plate. Requires special pots/pans (steel/iron) - but not hard to find, boils water insanely fast, and easier on the power than standard resistive heating

Induction the way to go, absolutely.

 

[DrillRX]

Not looking to power a fridge or have wired up to the Bronc battery, but just looking for a simple under $500 unit for 1-2 night camping excursions. No heavy electrical loads, just coffee, some cooking, recharging of phones. There are SO many options that I’m super confused. What is the best bang for my buck, oh B6G gurus?!

https://a.co/d/1ZFGGl5

This Ecoflow Delta 3, 1000 WH capacity (4 times the capacity of whats been suggested at only twice the cost) and close to your budget. It has an nice case for it (cost extra) and has a boost of 2,600 watts. Also 2 solar inputs. It's also expandable if you later decide its not enough. It comes with a 110 and a 12 volt cord. The Bronco will charge it at a full 100 watts while drive but you can adjust the 12 volt input charge current from the Ecoflow app if you think its too much stress on your vehicles 12 volt system

$519 on Amazon right now (The Delta 3 plus is $699 and worth the upgrade) and you can get an discount if you get the 220 watt solar panel also, although the 400 watt from Renogy is about 1/4 the size of the Ecoflow 220 watt when folded (little larger than a laptop) and much lighter.

 

[Portagebay]

I live off grid and use 3 Jackery batteries charged by solar. I highly recommend a JetBoil or some other propane fired device for cooking. Save the batteries for charging devices (I converted a Starlink to 12v and run it off a Jackery). Anytime you need to use the inverter (120v) you lose efficiency.

 

[Gypsy]

Not looking to power a fridge or have wired up to the Bronc battery, but just looking for a simple under $500 unit for 1-2 night camping excursions. No heavy electrical loads, just coffee, some cooking, recharging of phones. There are SO many options that I’m super confused. What is the best bang for my buck, oh B6G gurus?!

We went out west camping for six weeks. We have a Jackery

Not looking to power a fridge or have wired up to the Bronc battery, but just looking for a simple under $500 unit for 1-2 night camping excursions. No heavy electrical loads, just coffee, some cooking, recharging of phones. There are SO many options that I’m super confused. What is the best bang for my buck, oh B6G gurus?!

We went out west camping for six weeks. We had a Bodega refrigerator/freezer, my husband's sleep apnea machine, and our cell phones. We used our Jackery 1000 which has solar panels and served us well.

 

[javelina]

Wow, cool thread. I have a CPAP, and that I need something to run for about 3 nights, (on my hunting trips). Been using a Flexo-Power battery setup https://flexopower.co.za/blogs/news/lithium444-power-pack-by-flexopower I don't have the solar thingy. I can get maybe 2 nights of run time, and then need to fire up my F-150 to recharge it.

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