Battery Backup System Features and Options
Battery power backup systems are commonly used to power critical devices during power outages. They can provide power for a certain period of time, depending on the capacity of the battery and the electricity demands of the devices plugged into the system.
A battery backup system includes the following components:
- Battery: typically, a high-capacity lithium-ion battery used to store power for future use. Batteries store power as direct current (DC).
- Charger: special electronics that enable the battery to charge safely when connected to an external power source such as a wall outlet or solar panel.
- Inverter: used to convert DC power stored in the battery into alternating current (AC), which is the form of power used by most household devices.
- Power Outlets: used to plug in the devices that need to be powered. Battery backup systems typically include standard wall outlets as well as specific outlets to power other AC and DC devices with different plug types.
Battery Chemistry
The batteries in power backup systems differ from one another depending on the materials used to create them. These differences are called “chemistries.” Most power backup systems use one of two chemistries, Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (Li NMC) or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFEPO4). Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are most prevalent due to their improved safety and longer lifespan.
| Features | Ecoflow Delta Pro
| Bluetti AC300
| Ecoflow Delta 2 Max
|
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Chemistry The composition of a battery that determines its energy storage, power delivery, charging, lifespan, and safety characteristics | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
Cycle Life: The number of times a battery can be charged and discharged until it falls below 80% of its original capacity. A higher number means a longer lifespan. | 3,500 Approximately 10 years | 3,500 Approximately 10 years | 3000 Approximately 10 years |
Depth of Discharge: How much battery can be drained without causing damage over time. | 80% - 90% | 80% - 90% | 80% - 90% |
Stability: How the battery performs at elevated temperatures. | Does not overheat or catch fire | Does not overheat or catch fire | Does not overheat or catch fire |
Energy Density: The weight and size battery required to hold the same amount of energy. | Heavier | Heavier | Lighter |
Charging
Charging speed and the options for charging a power backup system differ widely. Options include:- Wall outlet
- Solar
- Car battery
- EV Charging Stations
| Features | Ecoflow Delta Pro
| Bluetti AC300
| Ecoflow Delta 2 Max
|
|---|---|---|---|
AC Wall Power | 1800 Watts (AC) Full Charge: 2.7 hrs. | 1800 watts (AC) | 1800 Watts (AC) Full Charge: 1.5 hrs. |
Solar Panels
| 1600 Watts max input Full Charge: 3 hrs.
| 2400 Watts max input Full Charge: 2.7 hrs.
|
1000 Watts Full Charge: 2.5 hrs.
|
DC Charging
| 120 watts 25+ hours | 120 watts 25+ hours | 120 watts 20+ hours |
Combined Charging
| 3400 watts Full Charge: 2 hrs. | 4,200 watts Full Charge: 1.5 hrs. | 2400 watts Full Charge: 1.1 hrs. |
Pass Through Power The ability to bypass the battery when plugged into the wall. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Backup System Features
Understanding and getting the most benefit out of power backup systems during an emergency often depends on the features and capabilities available. Some key features include:
- Un-interruptible Power Supply (UPS), power backup capability that switches from wall power to the power backup system seamlessly when the power goes out.
- App control – the ability to view and change settings on the power backup system from a mobile device.
- LCD Display – visible indication of remaining battery capacity
- Expansion – the ability to add external batteries to increase the capacity of the power backup system.
| Features | Ecoflow Delta Pro
| Bluetti AC300
| Ecoflow Delta 2 Max
|
|---|---|---|---|
AC Outlets | 4 x 120V, 20A 1 x TT-30, 30A | 6 x 120V, 20A 1 x TT-30, 30A | 6 x 120,16.5A |
DC Outlets
| 1 x 12V, 10A 1 x 12V, 30A | 1 x 24V/10A 1 x 12V, 30A | 1 x 12V, 13A 2 x 12V, 10A 1 x 12V, 30A |
USB Outlets
| 2 x 100w USB-C 2 x 18w USB-A 2 x 12w USB-A | 1 x 100w USB-C 2 x 18w USB-A 2 x 12w USB-A | 2 x 100w USB-C 2 x 12w USB-A |
Wireless Charging
| No | Yes | No |
| UPS Capability | 30 ms | 20 ms | 30ms |
| App Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Display | Yes | Yes (low contrast) | Yes |
Performance
Power backup systems need to provide enough power to support critical electronics such as Ventilators and Oxygen concentrators for as long as possible. They also need to be able to handle the power demands of multiple devices connected at once and devices that use a lot of electricity such as chair lifts, well pumps or elevators. Important considerations include:- Battery capacity - how long a battery can last on one charge (measured in watt hours) – larger batteries have more watt hours.
- Efficiency – how close the system comes to the advertised battery capacity.
- Power output - (measured in watts) – more power equals more, or more power-hungry, devices that can be plugged in at once.
- Peak power – or surge, determines how large of spike in power the system can handle without shutting down. Motors, refrigerators, and heaters all use elevated power when initially starting up.
| Features | Ecoflow Delta Pro
| Bluetti AC300
| Ecoflow Delta 2 Max
|
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Capacity The rated capacity of the battery. | 3600 Wh | 3000 Wh | 2048 Wh |
Efficiency: The usable capacity of the battery. | 3,170 Wh | 2580 Wh (~84%) | 1863 Wh (~91%) |
Power output: Maximum power output for short bursts. | 3600 Watts | 3072 Watts | 2400 Watts |
Peak power: How the battery performs at elevated temperatures. | 7600 Watts | 7200 Watts | 4800 Watts |
Dimension and Weight
| Features | Ecoflow Delta Pro
| Bluetti AC300
| Yeti Ranger 3000x
|
|---|---|---|---|
Length | 25" | 20.5" | 19.6" |
Width
| 11.2" | 12.5" | 9.5" |
Height
| 16.4" | 24.6" | 12" |
Weight
| 99 lbs. | AC300: 47 Lbs. B300: 79.6 Lbs. | 50 Lbs. |
Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE)
CU Denver
The Hub, Bioengineering
1224 5th Street
Suite 130
Denver, CO 80204
303-315-1280
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