External MPPT For Bluetti AC-200P (2 Viewers)

[wxm]

My 2nd battery build for the LX450 took a different route. Instead of connecting the AUX battery to the primary battery and charger system. I decided to keep the 2nd battery circuit completely separate. The power of this circuit is a Bluetti AC-200P battery station and it will be charged by either AC power when the rig is parked in the garage or solar when I am on the road.

At this point I only have AC power source as I am yet to setup the solar system. So here comes to a challenge, I don't have off-market roof rack, so the current plan is to fasten the solar panels on the factory roof rack. However, the Bluetti requires minimum 35v input voltage which naturally requires at least 2 100w panels. but with 40 width of the roof rack, there are very limited options of solar panels with width of 17" or less. (considering additional 6" for mounting bracket).

To me, the ideal set up will be using one panel only (potentially leave me some extra room for other accessories). So my question for those may have tried this before is whether I can use an external MPPT to raise the charging voltage up to 35v from only one 100w solar panel.

 

[e9999]

I don't know that specific battery system, but generally speaking, you'd probably want to use the solar input for faster charging, yet that has likely a mppt built-in already on that input. And I would want to be careful about putting 2 mppts in series, probably not a great idea. Maybe the internal mppt can be disabled somehow but that may not be possible. Altogether the MPPT external controller does not sound great to me, but admittedly I have not tried that myself.

Instead, I would think about a boost converter as an alternative, these can be very inexpensive. Or -likely better- you could use two 50W panels in series with minor fabbing on the rack and have the voltage boosted that way, a tad more expensive than one 100W panel, but also more versatile. One issue there is that a "12V" panel will usually have its MPP around 18V, sometimes less, so two would be around 36V, which is pretty close to the 35V limit you mentioned, that may be cutting it too close.

Seems like working on the roof rack instead to house two bigger panels may be the best way to go. Minor effort and you can double the power and halve the charging time, with no new electronics.

 

[LandLocked93]

For higher VOC in a smaller package, up the panel voltage. A 24V panel has a VOC of 35V+.
The Bluetti appears to handle up to 150VOC input, maxing at 700W. So could go 48V panel.
Also confirming it has a built-in controller. Not sure if it's mppt tho.
Would think it is for its price.

 

[DrRock]

Apologies for the hijack but I’m considering purchasing this Bluetti for my truck. Does this have the capability to perform a vehicle jump start? I don’t see any direct mention of this on their website but maybe I’m missing it?
Thanks in advance for the advice.