review – Whether due to natural disasters or choosing to go off-grid, we sometimes find ourselves needing portable power. Whatever your situation, the Fanttik EVO 300 Portable Power Station will power you for a long time – at least, that’s what the marketing materials say. I received their power station bundle and EVO solar 100 solar panel charging unit to test, so let’s take a closer look.
Over the past few years, I think people all over the world have had some kind of emergency. Whether it’s floods, wildfires, blizzards, armed uprisings, etc. – many people have to deal with the unknown. Worried about how to power what you need so often in these situations, and don’t think it through until you’re in the middle, wondering “How do I power my cell phone or the weather radio or the most important emergency equipment: my coffee maker?”
What is it?
The Fanttik EVO 300 is a portable solid-state power plant Suitable for large and small applications, AC and/or DC, and solar charging arrays for charging them
What’s in the box?
The bundle comes in two packages. The power station box contains:
- Fanttik EVO 300 Power Station
- Car car charging cable
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- Kits
- User Manual
- Quick Start Guide
The solar charger box contains:
- Fanttik EVO 100 Solar Charger
- Anderson charging cable
- Kits
- User Manual
Hardware Specifications
Listing from the company Amazon
Power Station Specifications
- Large LCD Screen: The large LCD screen displays real-time input and output power, remaining charging time, battery level and warnings for your convenience. When the power bank is charging the device, the screen will stay on, allowing you to check the remaining power at any time.
- USB-C 60W Dual Fast Charge: Charge 80% of the battery in just 2 hours simultaneously via the wall outlet and the 60W PD USB-C port. Additionally, each port is independent of each other and can power 6 devices at the same time thanks to 2 AC outlets, 1 USB-C port, 2 USB-A ports and 1 car outlet.
- Four easy charging methods: This solar generator can be charged via wall outlet + PD60W USB-C, wall AC outlet, solar panel (built-in MPPT) and car cigarette lighter port. The easy-to-carry handle can be carried anywhere without worrying about power shortages. The flashlight is designed with SOS light, which is convenient for your outdoor emergency.
- Advanced Technology: Fanttik solar panels consist of individual monocrystalline silicon panels, damage to any one of them will not affect the overall usage. Additionally, the panels are laminated using a variety of materials, allowing the modules to last up to 25 years. Suitable for building roofs, yachts, RVs, etc.
- Higher energy conversion rate: The solar panel is covered by monocrystalline silicon solar cells, using multi-layer cell technology to generate energy from sunlight, with better performance and conversion efficiency up to 23% higher than other conventional panels.
Solar Panel Specifications
- More efficient solar energy: Built with industry-leading SunPower solar panels that convert up to 23% of incoming solar energy into electricity. Controllers with MPPT technology intelligently manage power flow to maximize efficiency.
- Durable: Fanttik solar panels are composed of many individual monocrystalline silicon, any damage to one of them will not affect the overall use. Additionally, the panels are laminated using a variety of materials, allowing the modules to last up to 25 years. Suitable for building roofs, yachts, RVs, etc.
- Portable and Foldable: The Fanttik 100W Solar Panel has 2 brackets and can be placed securely on any ground. With just a few seconds of setup, you can start absorbing energy from the sun for your power station. The rubber handle makes it easy to carry when traveling off-grid.
- WATERPROOF AND DURABLE: The Fanttik 100W solar panel features a seamless one-piece design and is completely waterproof, making it ideal for outdoor activities like camping and hiking. ETFE laminate enclosures are durable enough to extend the life of your solar panels.
- Compatibility: This EVO Solar 100 panel can charge the following batteries: Fanttik Power Station; Sealed Lead Acid Batteries; Gel Lead Acid Batteries and Open Lead Acid Batteries.
Design and Features
The Fanttik EVO 300 Power Station is a sturdy black polycarbonate box with a very sturdy bolt-on handle. Overall, it measures 10″ x 10″ x 7″ and weighs 8.8 pounds. The handle adds about 2 inches to the 7-inch height.
The front of the unit is divided into two horizontal sections: a large (1.9″ x 6.25″) display, three knurled plastic oval buttons just below it, and the lower part of an output port. These three buttons are used to display DC status (left button), AC status (right button) and turn the monitor on/off (center button).
The output section is divided into two parts: DC and AC. In the lower left DC quadrant, there are: one covered 12W vehicle power port, two USB-C ports (Power Delivery 60W and typical 5V 3 amp), two USB-A ports (QC 3.0 and 5V 2.4 amp) , and two 12V 5 amp center ring jacks. The AC quadrant has two polarized US standard 2-pin sockets side by side. To accommodate a three-hole plug, there is a hole under the socket, but it is not conductive. I read that it was a big flashing sign saying “This unit is not grounded!” Unsurprisingly, and it was handled very neatly.
On the back of the power station is a good-sized (5.4″ x 1.77″) LED light controlled by a knurled plastic button on the left. Press the button to cycle between half power, full power, SOS flashing and off. This can be used for camp activity lighting or emergency signaling. Opposite the light button is the power input, which can be used in series for faster charging. One is an Anderson plug, which can be connected to a solar panel. The other is for the included 24V building power supply or the included 12V vehicle power cord.
Rounding off the included cable is USB-C with a snap strap<=>USB-C cable. These all fit into a nice drawstring pouch with a silk-screened logo.
The solar panel is divided into two hinged halves, each 21.125″ x 24.125″ x 0.5″, each including a handle cut into the longer end. These handles have strong magnets integrated into the molded plastic reinforcement. Attached to each half is a 4.5-inch-wide leg that flips out to support the unit at an angle to the sky. With adjustable angle webbing, two strong magnets keep the free ends connected when the unit is not deployed.
Both handles have powerful magnets built into them to hold them together. There is also an unattached strap that wraps around and holds the two panels together. Sewn into this strap is a zip pocket that will hold the cables that connect it to your power station. For outputs, there are only Anderson plugs under the weatherproof flap. Grommets at each corner can be temporarily tied or suspended.
set up
Aside from unpacking, it really doesn’t require much setup. The power station can be charged using the included solar array, vehicle power or building socket. This means you can charge it while driving to a campsite or evacuation point, or charge it and be ready when you’re unplugged or powered down.
To set up the solar array, just open it up, flip the legs over and plug it in. Here is a quick video.
Performance
When I plugged the Fanttik EVO 300 into an outlet in my house, it started charging immediately. Then I can run pretty much anything from it. I charge portable devices like phones and tablets without any issues. My drone has a multi-battery array that charges faster via AC than DC, so this is a welcome upgrade to my roaming drone use. (For most drones, you have to charge multiple times each time because they have to trade off battery weight and flight time.) I’ve rarely been able to reduce the power station’s storage capacity – it’s a huge amount of energy stored in a relatively small amount of energy , efficient packaging.
I’m hoping to camp some this spring and would love to have solar panels to keep things topped up, as well as make hot water in my hot pot!
I’ve been without power for two different weeks. While living in Asheville, NC, a snowstorm knocked down power lines on our street, but trucks couldn’t reach limbs or poles because the street was 45% graded and icy under the pine trees. (We did have a kerosene heater, so we were warm inside!) Two years later, (summer this time!) we were in central North Carolina and a hurricane knocked down 6 of our 8 utility poles in two blocks root street. Since we are a small community, our priorities are low. In either case, having backup power makes life less of a worry. Some neighbors have generators, but these come with their own tradeoffs – gas and noise are two huge!
what do I like
- Covers all modes of input and output
- All cables included
- Fully self-sufficient – all you need is sunlight
what would i change
- I’m surprised I don’t have any problems with anything in this kit.
final thoughts
There are two situations (mainly) you need a power station like the Fanttik EVO 300: you are someone off the grid (camping, wilderness research, gold prospecting in the wilderness) or you are a person/group anticipating an emergency (preparing administrators, disaster recovery teams, aid organizations). I can even see this setup making family picnics more fun in the backyard, watching movies, karaoke or music without the need for an extension cord. I’m sure I’m missing some use cases, but for the two main groups this package seems to be a good fit. Small and lightweight for campers, it can be deployed and stowed in very small spaces in minutes. For emergency responders, you can power an almost unlimited number of devices – from communication tools to batteries for power tools or medical equipment, and it’s easy to pack, deploy, and teach volunteers how to use it. Weatherproofing on two pieces will prevent failures in the field, and things like signal lights allow for reading, emergency first aid, or just fighting the fear of the dark unknown. Grab one before the next snowstorm, tornado, hurricane, flood, wildfire or power outage.
price: Power Station 300 for $299.97, Portable Solar Station for $299.97. $619.97, both bundled.
where to buy: Amazon
source: This product sample is provided by Fantik.
