BLUETTI Charger 1 Alternator Charger | 560W
Overview
The BLUETTI Charger 1 is a 560W DC-DC charger that refills a power station from your vehicle's alternator while you drive. It suits van and ute conversions, caravans and long touring trips, where the drive between stops is the most dependable charging window you get. It takes the 12V or 24V feed from the starter battery and raises it, delivering up to 560W at 10A into the power station. BLUETTI rates that at six times faster than charging from a car outlet.
Setting it up is straightforward. The output voltage is chosen in the BLUETTI app over Bluetooth, from 15.0V to 56.0V on a 12V vehicle or 27.0V to 56.0V on a 24V vehicle, so the charger matches the unit you are actually charging. Short circuit, anti-reverse, under-voltage and over-temperature protections sit behind the charge path, with a 60A circuit breaker available for surge protection. Fitting it is a wiring job in the vehicle, not a plug-in job. If you are unsure how it suits your setup, we're happy to help before you buy.
Key Features:
- Charging Output: 560W max, 10A
- Default Output Voltage: 27V
- Charging Output Voltage (with alternator, for charging a power station), 12V vehicle: 15.0V to 56.0V, adjustable in the app
- Charging Output Voltage (with alternator, for charging a power station), 24V vehicle: 27.0V to 56.0V, adjustable in the app
- Input Voltage: 12V to 14V on a 12V system, 22.5V to 28V on a 24V system
- Input Amperage: 50A at 12V, 25A at 24V
- Protections: short circuit, anti-reverse, under-voltage and over-temperature
- Surge Protection: 60A circuit breaker (optional)
- Cooling: fan cooling
- Protection Grade: IP20
- App Control: Bluetooth
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Dimensions (L x W x D): 145 x 110 x 60mm
What's in the Box?
- 1 x Charger 1 DC-DC Charger
- 1 x DC Input Cable
- 1 x MC4 Output Cable
- 4 x Hex Socket Screw
- 6 x Self-tapping Screw
- 1 x Hex Socket Wrench
- 1 x User Manual
- Download the BLUETTI Charger 1 user manual (PDF)
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
Note: the DC input cable that runs to your starter battery is included in this box, so you do not need to buy one separately.
560W From the Drive Between Stops
The Charger 1 draws from the alternator once the engine is running and delivers up to 560W at 10A into the power station. On a 12V vehicle it accepts 12V to 14V at up to 50A; on a 24V vehicle it accepts 22.5V to 28V at up to 25A. That turns ordinary driving time into charging time, so you arrive with more in the battery than you left with.
Set the Output Voltage in the App
The BLUETTI app connects over Bluetooth and sets the charging voltage to suit the unit you are charging: 15.0V to 56.0V on a 12V vehicle, or 27.0V to 56.0V on a 24V vehicle. The default is 27V. Set it once for your power station and the charger is matched to it on every drive after.
Protection Built Into the Charge Path
Short circuit, anti-reverse, under-voltage and over-temperature protections are built in, and a 60A circuit breaker is available as optional surge protection on the input cable. The under-voltage cut-off is the one that matters most day to day: it stops the charger pulling the starter battery down far enough to leave you unable to crank the engine. A cooling fan keeps the unit within temperature under sustained load, and the case is rated IP20, so it mounts inside the vehicle rather than in an exposed bay.
What's in the Box
Pairs Well With
Build the Charger 1 into a drive-and-charge setup. BLUETTI states the Charger 1 fills the BLUETTI Elite 400 in about 7.5 hours at 560W, a full recharge inside a touring day's driving. Set the output voltage in the app to match whichever unit you connect. If you want us to confirm the fit for your power station and vehicle before you order, just ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power does it actually deliver?
Up to 560W at 10A into the power station. It draws from the starter battery at up to 50A on a 12V vehicle or 25A on a 24V vehicle, and raises that to the output voltage you set, anywhere from 15.0V to 56.0V. Real-world figures vary with the vehicle, the alternator and how long you drive.
Does it work on both 12V and 24V vehicles?
Yes. On a 12V system it takes 12V to 14V and outputs 15.0V to 56.0V; on a 24V system it takes 22.5V to 28V and outputs 27.0V to 56.0V. Both ranges are set in the BLUETTI app, so the same unit covers a car, a van or a truck.
Is the cable to the battery included?
Yes. A DC input cable and an MC4 output cable both ship in the box, along with the mounting screws and a hex wrench. You do not need to buy anything extra to install the charger.
Which power station does it suit?
BLUETTI states the Charger 1 charges the Elite 400 at 560W, reaching a full charge in about 7.5 hours. Because the output voltage is adjustable from 15.0V to 56.0V, it covers a wide span of units, but the voltage has to be set correctly for the one you own. Ask us and we will confirm the setting for your power station before you buy.
Will it flatten my starter battery?
It charges while the engine is running, and under-voltage protection stops it drawing the starter battery down to the point where the engine will not crank. Short circuit, anti-reverse and over-temperature protections are built in as well, and a 60A circuit breaker is available as optional surge protection on the input cable.
Can I install it myself?
It is a wiring job in the vehicle: the DC input cable runs to the battery terminals and the unit is mounted with the supplied screws using the hex wrench in the box. The case is rated IP20, so it belongs inside the vehicle rather than in an exposed engine bay. If you are not comfortable working on vehicle wiring, have an auto electrician fit it.