AnkerSOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station with 2× 200W Solar Panels, 3,840Wh LiFePO4 Battery, 120V/240V 6,000W AC Output, Solar Generator for Home Use, RVs, Emergencies, Outages, and Outdoor Camping

I purchased an Anker Solix F3800 in March of 2024 with the intention of using it as I develop my property in Idaho. It has proven to be an invaluable tool, and as I've used it in various scenarios, I've learned a lot about its quirks and undocumented "features".I use the F3800 to power my tools and recharge batteries, to provide light where I'm working, run my well pump and more recently to provide power to my 40ft. Class A diesel pusher motorhome. It's been quite reliable, but it does have a few issues.First, should you purchase one, be sure to hook it up to wifi and update the firmware. Prior to doing that, I was unable to use AC power (from my RV Generator) along with solar to recharge it. I'm currently running firmware 2.1.5, which does allow simultaneous AC and DC charging.Second, the MPPT controllers built in for solar are optimized for Anker's proprietary solar solutions, which are relatively expensive. Pay close attention to how you configure your solar panel wiring to optimize charging. Assuming you can find the right combination of serial/parallel connections, you can charge the F3800 with up to 2400 watts of solar power, but it's not easy to get to that number.Third, the built-in BMS limits charging current when the batteries are colder than 10c/50f. I've discovered that you won't be able to put more than about 710 watts DC or 685 watts AC into the F3800 if the battery temp reads below these figures. (Quick tip - put a heavy AC load on it to get those electrons flowing and warm up the batteries in the morning!)IF the batteries are above 10c, it will charge quickly with solar or AC input. I manage to push about 1500 - 1600 watts into it at peak sunlight with my two strings of panels, and at that rate it only takes a few hours. If you're charging a warm unit with AC power, it will charge completely in under two hours, assuming you have not limited the AC power for charging via the app.Overall I'm very pleased. the phone app (I use IOS) is good, but could be improved by adding input and output power over time. It has graphs, but since those numbers are constantly changing, there's no way to track usage.Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase. Anker support is responsive, although it took almost a week of emails back and forth to find out that my "charging problem" was because the batteries were cold and current was being limited by the BMS. For those of us who understand solar, batteries, BMS, etc. 50 degrees F is a pretty high threshold under which to limit current. Hopefully Anker will reduce that to a more reasonable level in a future firmware update. With such a high temp. hurdle the usefulness of this device will be less than desired as the cold weather approaches.For those wondering, it *does* allow you to use a plug-in EV charger to charge your EV. I've tried it on my Rivian R1T, although the capacity of the Anker is a drop in the bucket for an EV with a 131kW battery!Highly recommended due to typical Anker quality, flexibility of use and expansion capabilities. It offers a reasonable value proposition when purchased on sale or in bundles.

The Anker SOLIX F3800 has proven to be an impressive addition to my power setup. The setup process was straightforward and user-friendly, which was a pleasant surprise given the complexity of some power systems. The unit's ability to connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi made monitoring and controlling the system convenient, especially using the iOS interface, which was a breeze to install and navigate.Visually, the SOLIX F3800 looks fantastic once installed. The design is sleek and modern, blending well with the surrounding environment. The unit's build quality is outstanding, and it was also very well packed, ensuring it arrived in perfect condition. The inclusion of wheels and a telescoping handle, along with locking wheels, makes the 130-pound unit much easier to maneuver despite its weight.I’m currently using the SOLIX F3800 with an AC Transfer switch via the 220 VAC output. While this setup works well, I've encountered a limitation: the 220 VAC output is disabled when the unit is connected to AC input power with the 220 VAC output enabled. This prevents me from leaving the AC Transfer switches in the "Generator" position. However, this issue does not occur if connected to the DC charging inputs, typically used for solar panels. To work around this, I'm considering purchasing DC power supplies for the DC inputs, which would add approximately $500 to the project but should resolve the problem.One area where I feel the product could improve is the manual. While the instruction manual is available in the app and can be downloaded, I would have preferred a professionally produced hard copy. Overall, though, the Anker SOLIX F3800 is a robust, well-designed power solution that has met my needs with only minor caveats.

I recently took the plunge and invested in the Anker F3800 with an additional expansion battery, and let me tell you, it has been an absolute game-changer for my home power needs. After eyeing this product for a while and reading up on its capabilities, I finally got the chance to put it to the test today, and it did not disappoint.Where I live, power outages are more than just a nuisance—they're a part of life. So having a backup that's dependable isn't just nice, it's essential. And the F3800? It's been knocking it out of the park. As I'm typing this out, I'm actually running off the Anker unit, and the switch was buttery smooth. There's something incredibly comforting about knowing that my house can stay bright and my gadgets can keep buzzing, even when the grid lets me down.What really makes the F3800 stand out for me, though, is how versatile it is, not to mention the added bonus of that expansion battery. The storage capacity is nothing to scoff at, and the fact that I can beef up the power reserve on the fly is a massive win. We're not just talking about keeping a couple of lamps on here; we're talking full-blown normal life, uninterrupted, even when the unexpected hits.Another bonus is the EV charging feature—because that's a slice of genius I didn't even know I was craving until I had it in my hands. The 240V outlet on the F3800 is a godsend. The idea that I can juice up my electric ride in a snap (for those that need less than 25A) adds a whole new level of security and convenience that I'm all about.Wrapping this up, if you're on the hunt for a portable power solution that's solid and dependable, the Anker F3800 with an expansion battery should be at the top of your list. Whether you're gearing up for emergencies, hitting the great outdoors, or just want a reliable backup at home, this power station is the real deal. Hats off to Anker for this one—they really hit it out of the park!