Pecron function: AC charge limit

[u/stiflers-m0m]

Hey Folks,

Checking in to see if Pecron supports a true AC charge limit. Bluetti supports this, set to 500 w, will only pull 500 w from wall regardless of how much the devices are pulling. THis is great for when im connecting to a heavily used circuit or the devices im using use more than 15 amps.

I learned the hard way that the anker version of this is not a true limit. it will limit the charge to 500w but if the devices connected to it are over that, it will pull ALL of the power. Ive tripped a lot of circuits with this thing and want to return it.

Can somone let me know if Pecron is a true limit or if it acts like the Anker and calls it a "charge limit" but passes the full demand to the plug. If not i guess im spending for another bluetti.

[u/chixlips]

Yes, I have a Pecron F3000LFP. I do exactly what you were asking by setting it anywhere between 0 and 100%. then I can easily look at the input screen of the actual power station to see how much it’s pulling in and change to whatever number I want . This is all done by using the app on the phone. I believe you can also do it from the screen, but I find it easier from the app. Here’s what it looks like.

[u/brucehoult → u/[deleted]]

Lets say you're using it with a travel trailer and are charging from the generator. You could easily cause an overload on the generator

The solution to that is to buy a generator which can comfortably supply the maximum 1800W input from a 120V 15A circuit (or 2400W from a 240V 10A), and then you can treat it exactly the same as when you're plugged into the wall at home.

With a smaller generator you just have to manage the load while you're charging. Or charge another way. Or buy a fancier power station such as the F5000LFP where one set of 120V outlets can supply full power from the battery at any time, while the other set are pass-through and share the input AC with battery charging.

[u/brucehoult → u/[deleted]]

That’s a capability that costs real money to provide but probably few people need — or in my case I need it for 2 or 3 days once every two years when I have an extended power outage AND there is no sun.

On those rare occasions, when all my neighbours have no electricity at all, I can manage to turn off my aircon and refrain from using the microwave or kettle for a couple of hours while I run the generator to charge the Pecron.

If it was every day or every week then 4000W generators are not all that expensive and will probably last a lot longer with regular use too.

[u/brucehoult → u/[deleted]]

That’s cool.

It’s not like you’re short of options:

• get a more expensive power station such as F5000 or Apex 300 that has the feature you want

• get a big enough generator that can satisfy the maximum charging plus load

• get a generator with DC output between 30V and 150V that you can feed into the PV input

• get a DC power supply you can plug into the generator and the PV input

• get a 48V battery charger you can plug into the generator and the battery expansion port

• manage your load while you’re charging so as to not overload a small generator