The Charger 1 solves the problem every touring setup runs into: your power station goes flat faster than a cigarette lighter can fill it. A 12V lighter socket gives you about 100W. This gives you 560W while the engine’s running, so a day’s driving actually puts your battery back.
It wires to your vehicle battery rather than plugging into a socket, and that’s the bit to plan for. It’s a proper install with a fuse at the battery end. Plenty of owners do it themselves in an afternoon, but if you’re not comfortable near your starter battery, get an auto electrician to run it.
Two things worth knowing. It’s Bluetooth only through the app, which is fine because you’ll be standing next to it. And it’s IP20 rated, so it lives inside the van or under the bonnet in a dry spot, not out in the weather.
- 560W from your alternator. Roughly six times what a 12V cigarette lighter socket will give you.
- Works with most brands. All BLUETTI stations and, by the maker’s reckoning, 95% of others on the market.
- Adjustable output. Set the voltage and dial the wattage back from your phone to suit your alternator.
- Auto on and off. It stops itself draining your starter battery when the engine isn’t running.
- Active fan cooling. Keeps it working hard on a long drive instead of throttling back.
- 1.2kg and pocket-sized. 145 x 110 x 60mm, so it tucks away under a seat or in a cupboard
