OUPES Weekly Q&A Vol. 5:Inverters, Charging & Protection Explained

Can you explain what a bidirectional inverter is compared to a regular one? I’m curious why it changes how efficiently the power station discharges.

A bidirectional inverter can not only convert the battery’s DC (direct current) into AC (alternating current) to power your devices, but also do the reverse—convert AC into DC to charge the battery. Compared to traditional unidirectional inverters (which only convert DC to AC), bidirectional inverters are smarter and more efficient in managing energy.

Our Mega Series and Exodus Series are both equipped with bidirectional inverters, allowing for features such as UPS mode and simultaneous charging and discharging. However, due to the complexity of the internal circuitry, a small amount of energy is lost during the discharge process. As a result, the discharge efficiency is slightly lower compared to that of unidirectional inverters. 

Can I use a third-party diesel generator to power OUPES products?

You can directly charge your power station using a third-party diesel generator without needing an additional converter. However, it's important to choose a generator that is equipped with a pure sine wave inverter and has a rated power of at least 1.5 times greater than the input power of the OUPES device. This ensures stable battery charging and prevents issues such as abnormal heat generation during charging or accelerated battery degradation.

Can I buy two Mega series units and use the DC to DC ports to charge one another, so I don’t need to buy an extra battery pack?

In theory, it is possible to connect two Mega Series power stations together via the DC port, such as the cigarette lighter or the Anderson output port on Mega 2, 3, and 5. However, please note that the maximum input power is limited to 120W. 

Alternatively, you can charge one device using the AC output of another Mega unit. However, frequent use of this method may accelerate battery wear in both devices. 

For optimal performance and longevity, we recommend using the main Mega unit in combination with an additional battery pack, such as B2 and B5 extra battery. 

Is it reliable to use the Mega series product to charge an electric bike?

You can safely use the Mega power station to charge your electric vehicle, as long as the input power does not exceed the product’s rated capacity. The Mega power station is equipped with a smart Battery Management System (BMS) that includes built-in protections, such as overload and over-temperature safeguards. This means that if an issue arises, charging will automatically stop to ensure safety. You can have confidence in the Mega power station’ s multiple protection mechanisms, which are designed to guarantee safe and reliable operation.

What does IP21 mean? What does it protect against in actual product use?

The IP protection rating consists of two numbers. The first number represents the dustproof rating, while the second number indicates the waterproof rating. A higher number signifies a greater level of protection.

An IP21 protection level can block solid objects with a diameter of 12.5 mm or larger (such as fingers or coarse tools) and can withstand vertical drops of water (such as light drips from above). However, it does not provide complete protection against dust, fine particles (like sand and dust), oblique rain spray, water splashes, or immersion. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using devices in sandstorms, dusty environments, or outdoors during rainy conditions and situations involving liquid splashes.