- Who Is BioLite?
- What Is a Power Station?
- The BioLite BaseCharge 600 and 1500
- Keep It Charged With Solar
- What Does It Cost and When Can I Get One?
- Watch! Motorhome Wheelies!
Over the past half-century, we have become exponentially more dependent on electricity—and not just in our daily lives either. Not too long ago it was acceptable to head out for a weekend of camping with little more than a tent, some food, and a gas lantern. However, as technology has crept into our lives and taken hold of everything we do, and as the idea of overlanding has exploded in popularity, it’s never been more important to have a reliable source of power for all of our gadgets. The newest player to enter this space is BioLite with their new BaseCharge 600 and 1500 high-performance power stations.
Who Is BioLite?
BioLite was founded in 2009 by Jonathan Cedar and Alec Drummond. The company focuses on innovative products that change the way people cook, charge, and light their lives. The product that started it all was the BioLite CampStove, which is a biomass (wood, charcoal, etc.) stove that leverages thermoelectrics to create a smokeless fire while also charging personal devices. Today, the company offers dozens of products and is committed to helping those who need it most, including rural countries in Africa.
What Is a Power Station?
The idea of a power station isn’t necessarily a new one. At its core, a power station is nothing more than a glorified battery pack. However, as technology has advanced, these boxes have gotten both lighter and more capable. Now portable power stations often include myriad USB ports, standard 12-volt outlets, and a larger power inverter with several 120-volt outlets. Power stations can range in size from small enough to carry in a backpack to large enough to power an entire house.
The BioLite BaseCharge 600 and 1500
Perfect for a long weekend off-the-grid or as a home backup for when the power goes out, the new BioLite BaseCharge units have it all. Both models feature an easy-read smart LED dashboard that provides instantaneous calculations based on power input and usage, battery life, and time until empty or full. A digital messaging center provides important system notifications and temperature alerts, shows which ports are active, and gives troubleshooting messages in plain language so you don’t need to dig for the manual to decipher strange codes. There’s even a resettable energy odometer that displays usage habits and device consumption over a specific period.
The smaller of the two BaseCharge units, the BaseCharge 600 comes fitted with a 600-watt AC power inverter, which can surge up to 1,000 watts. The larger surge wattage allows users to operate devices such as power tools that require a large draw of power on initial startup. Supplying power is a 622-watt-hour lithium-ion battery. Best of all, the BaseCharge 600 weighs just 13 pounds.
On the other end of the spectrum is the larger BaseCharge 1500. This power station is fitted with a 1,200-watt AC inverter that is capable of surging to an impressive 2,400 watts. This means that in theory you could bring a microwave, InstantPot, or air fryer along on backcountry adventures. Inside is a large 1,521-watt-hour lithium-ion battery, and the whole package weighs just 26.5 pounds.
Both the BaseCharge 600 and 1500 come equipped with more power outlets than you’ll know what to do with. The BaseCharge 600 has 10 total outputs, with the 1500 jumping up to 12. These include a 10-watt wireless charging pad, two 12-volt DC barrel ports, one 12-volt car port, two standard USB-A ports, and one 100-watt USB-C PD. The 600 features two 120-volt outlets and one standard USB-C, while the 1500 bumps up to three 120-volt outlets and two USB-C ports.
The BaseCharge 600 will charge in just 7 hours with the included wall charger while the 1500 will take 13.5 hours to do the same.
Keep It Charged With Solar
In addition to the BaseCharge duo, BioLite is launching a new 100-watt solar panel as well. The SolarPanel 100 features 92 inches of surface area, is IPX4 rated for water and dust resistance, has a built-in analog sundial, and features an adjustable kickstand. The SolarPanel 100 is capable of producing up to 100 watts of power in peak sunshine and can power devices directly from the panel. Power output is provided through three different means: a single HPP cord, a 45-watt USB-C PD port, or two standard USB-A ports. Up to four of the SolarPanel 100 units can be daisy-chained together, producing up to 400 watts of solar power.
The SolarPanel 100 can also be used to charge either of the BaseCharge units. A single SolarPanel 100 is capable of charging the BaseCharge 600 in as quick as 6 hours. Linking four SolarPanel 100 units together will allow the larger BaseCharge 1500 to top-off in as little as 4 hours. Both of these figures assume ideal sun conditions, naturally.
What Does It Cost and When Can I Get One?
If you’d like to be among the first to get your hands on a new BioLite BaseCharge then head over to the company’s website, www.bioliteenergy.com, and pre-register for the early-bird specials. Officially, pre-orders will begin on September 7. The BaseCharge 600 is going to carry an MSRP of $699 and the larger BaseCharge 1500 will come in at $1,699. The SolarPanel 100 will start a nickel shy of $400.
Watch! Motorhome Wheelies!
Keyword: Off-Grid Power for Overlanding: New BioLite BaseCharge Power Stations