Photo credit: www.theverge.com

DJI Unveils Powerful Car Charger for Portable Batteries

DJI has recently launched an innovative new car charger designed to efficiently power its portable battery lineup. The Power 1kW Super Fast Car Charger is priced at $299 / €269 and offers the capability to charge various power stations at a staggering 1000W, drawing power from your vehicle’s alternator while the engine is running.

This new category of alternator chargers, largely focused on user-friendly setups, has gained traction among popular solar generator and power station manufacturers moving towards DC-to-DC charging solutions. During last summer’s remote work experience from my van, having such a charger was invaluable.

The installation of the Power 1kW is straightforward: it mounts inside the vehicle and connects to the car’s battery using a 5-meter (16 feet 5 inches) fused cable included in the package. Once set up, it can connect to the DJI Power 1000 power station via its proprietary SDC port, which I previously reviewed. Additionally, it can charge the DJI 2048Wh Power 2000 Expansion Batteries when linked together using SDC cables, resulting in a total of up to 11kWh in stackable storage. The charger also features a reverse-charging ability to help maintain your car’s battery life.

At its peak performance, the DJI Power 1kW can fully charge the Power 1000’s 1024Wh battery in just a little over an hour of driving. However, it is important to note that the charger is initially limited to an output of 500W out of the box. To unlock the full 1000W capability, users must purchase an additional accessory, the $25 DJI Power Dongle, and adjust settings in the corresponding app. Fortunately, as part of a promotional offer in the US, new purchasers of the charger will receive this dongle as a complimentary item.

This latest product introduction comes on the heels of the 800W EcoFlow Alternator Charger reviewed last summer, as well as the newly launched 560W Bluetti AC500, announced in the fall. Both EcoFlow and DJI chargers utilize proprietary connectors for optimal compatibility with their respective systems, whereas the Bluetti AC500 offers broader applicability for a variety of solar generators and power stations, though at a lower charging rate compared to DJI’s offering. It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is equipped with a sufficiently powerful alternator to support these high-capacity charging operations.

Source
www.theverge.com