As we've seen in recent weeks, the PowerStation market—those large “batteries” useful both on the go and at home in the event of a power outage—has expanded considerably. There are, of course, well-known brands like EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Jackery, which we've had the opportunity to test. But other models deserve a closer look, like the FOSSiBOT F2400, which I'm introducing to you today. A 2048Wh LifePO4 battery capable of delivering 2400W of power, as its name suggests, for less than €850 (current promotion), and which proves to be efficient and very comprehensive. Let's take a closer look… Discovering the FOSSiBOT F2400 BatteryThe FOSSiBOT F2400 comes in neat packaging, highlighting the product. Inside, it's perfectly protected and wedged, which is always reassuring for transport.
The FOSSiBOT F2400 is a simple and fairly sleek unit with rounded lines, all made of anthracite gray ABS plastic, yet exudes solidity, with all its sockets protected by silicone covers. It's perfect for portable and outdoor use; you won't have to worry about water or sand getting inside the sockets. It's also available with green accents for those who find this version too “drab.”
Dimensions-wise, it measures 38.6 x 28.4 x 32.1 cm, and weighs 22 kg. This footprint is very well managed compared to other similar models, which is important in vanlife, for example, where every square centimeter is precious. This one can be installed under a seat or a box without any problem. Don't bother searching for the cables in the box: they're all neatly stored in a compartment on top of the Power Station.
This is a detail I really appreciate: no need for a separate pouch with cables you might forget about, everything is integrated into the battery.
There's no separate power supply here; everything is integrated into the battery, which is much more convenient.
When the cables are in use, you can take advantage of this space to safely charge your smartphone, for example.
Another interesting detail: the manufacturer provides all the necessary cables. We have, of course, the standard power cable (IEC C13 type), the cigarette lighter adapter, but also the MC4 adapter for solar panels, which some manufacturers sell as an option (we won't name names ;-)
This cable is relatively common (Anderson type), since I have other batteries that have used this connector for many years now:
And at the other end, we have the MC4 connectors, the standard for connecting any solar panel. This means you can use the manufacturer's panels, but also any other model, as long as you respect the voltage and power (50V and 500W). Basically, on the front of the battery, we find its 2400W power. It can actually supply up to 2400W of power, which allows it to power a wide range of devices, from computers to electric heaters, including raclette machines and coffee makers :) Note that it can withstand peaks of up to 4600W, for devices that consume a lot of power at startup, for example.
Another eye-catching feature: the presence of an LED light in the middle. This is also very useful in portable mode for lighting at night. But it's also a great help in case of a power outage at home or when you can't find your flashlight :p It can also be activated in SOS mode, switching to a flashing light.
Finally, the silver button stands out amidst the black exterior, while the power button, right next to it, blends in seamlessly. This is a button I'm seeing for the first time on this type of power station: it allows you to adjust the input power for charging the battery. You can go from 300 to 1100W, with numerous intermediate steps (in 200W increments). The feature itself isn't new, as we've already encountered it on the Ecoflow models, for example. But generally, this setting is done via the mobile app. Here, you don't need your smartphone; you adjust the settings directly on the battery itself.
The rest of the FOSSiBOT F2400 is more traditional, even though it offers very comprehensive connectivity. We thus find a cigarette lighter and XT60 12V connector, increasingly used to charge small batteries or drones, for example:
Two 12V DC connectors, capable of powering various devices without the need for a transformer:
6 USB ports: two USB-A ports compatible with fast charging, but also three 20W USB-C ports and another up to 100W, and therefore capable of powering modern laptops, for example.
All of this, of course, is perfectly protected by silicone covers:
As usual, these different groups of sockets are activated via a small button visible next to each group.
But what about the 230V sockets? They are actually located on the right side of the FOSSiBOT F2400:
No silicone cover here, but two plastic flaps to open. The first protects the battery ventilation. It will need to be deployed when using the power station. The bottom flap conceals three 230V Shuko-style sockets, making them compatible with most of our devices. The current produced here is pure sine wave, making it easily compatible with sensitive devices, such as computers.
Be careful, the button to activate these outlets is located just above, between the fan flap and the outlet flap. It's discreet, so it's a bit of a hassle at first…
The back of the battery is completely blank and only serves as a reminder of its properties.
While the left side of the battery has two other flaps. The first protects the battery's fans, which must be deployed when in use, like the one on the right side panel.
And another flap protects the battery's AC power connector, as well as the connector for the cigarette lighter or solar panels:
All you have to do is connect the adapter cable to the battery, and plug a solar panel into the other end.
Important point: it's entirely possible to connect the battery to the mains while also connecting it to solar panels. This allows you to increase its power output to 1600W, meaning a full charge in about 1.5 hours. Not bad for a 2048Wh battery! On the practical side, the FOSSiBOT F2400 features two sturdy integrated handles, making it easy to carry, even with one hand.
The bottom is equipped with four rubber pads to protect it, depending on where the battery is placed.
The bottom also has four threads for securing the battery, which is often sought after in vanlife, to keep everything together and prevent loose parts from moving around.
FOSSiBOT F2400: In Use
Using this FOSSiBOT F2400 is extremely simple, and if you've ever used a product of this type, you won't be disoriented. The main “Power” button in the top right corner allows you to turn the power station on or off by pressing it for 2 seconds. Then, a button on each group of outlets allows you to activate the USB ports, 230V outlets, the lamp, etc., depending on your current needs. This saves battery life by not activating unnecessary outlets. You just need to remember to deploy the side flaps to let the battery breathe. These flaps also protect the fans even when used outdoors, as they can't be rained on (note: the battery can withstand water splashes but is not IP68-rated).
The screen allows you to check the battery level, charge, discharge, and activated outlets. Here, for example, we see that I consume 46W from the 230V outlets, which gives me about 26 hours of battery life.
When charging, the screen also displays the input power. As we saw above, the silver rotary knob allows you to set the battery's input power. Here, for example, I have 700W:
And here, 1100W:
This setting has several advantages:
If you're in a hurry and need to charge the battery quickly, you can switch it to 1100W, which will charge it in about 2 hours. On the downside, the fan will be noisier. However, from 80% charge, the power drops to 550W to finish charging while preserving the battery.
If there's no rush, but you're looking for some peace and quiet, you can reduce the input power. The battery is then completely silent, and can even be charged in a bedroom. It will of course take longer to charge, but at the same time slower charging is often more beneficial for battery life.
Personally, I really appreciate the ability to adjust the input power, as it allows me to adjust it based on my excess solar production at home: if my solar stations (such as Sunology, Beem, Sunethic, Sunity, etc.) produce more electricity than my house needs, I take the opportunity to recharge my power station. If my excess production is 700W, I set the input to 700W. If I only have 300W, I set it to 300W. This way, my FOSSiBOT F2400 is recharged completely free of charge thanks to the sun :)
You can also use a solar panel connected directly to the battery to recharge it, which is particularly useful when traveling on the go or in remote locations. The manufacturer offers its own panels, notably the SP200, which has the advantage of being foldable and therefore easy to transport on the go. This one looks a lot like the one from
Jackery
that we saw, but here it's a 200W version, so it folds out into 4 sections instead of 2:
- And it uses a standard MC4 connector. Conveniently, it comes with an adapter that uses other brands' connectors, so this FOSSiBOT SP200 panel can connect to most power stations on the market ;-)
- A very practical adapter!
But you can also connect any photovoltaic panel to it, as the MC4 connector is standard. In the event of a power outage, you can easily disconnect the MC4 connectors from a Sunology station's inverter and plug them into the FOSSiBOT's adapter, which supports up to 500W of input. With 500W of solar panels, you can fully recharge the battery in 4 to 5 hours on sunny days. In use, this FOSSiBOT F2400 proves to be truly versatile. In nomadic mode, or in an isolated location, it provides good battery life, lasting several days depending on your electricity needs. Between solar charging and the cigarette lighter, it can be recharged quite easily. It's also practical for photographers/cameramen, or drone pilots, for example.In outdoor mode, it also proves very practical, whether camping or simply for DIY projects at home without running an extension cord across the entire property. Its 2400 Wh power allows it to be used with a wide range of tools, from hedge trimmers to circular saws, without any problems. Finally, even at home, it proves to be an effective ally in the event of a power outage. It was actually tested during Storm Ciaran, when we experienced a power outage for a few hours. Thanks to my power inverter, it powered the entire house for those few hours, allowing us to have light and make hot breakfasts before heading off to school. Installed under the electrical panel, connected to the power inverterBut even without a power inverter, you can simply plug in the devices you want to power: freezer, pellet stove, refrigerator, computer, etc. Its light weight and compact size make it very easy to handle and move wherever you want. It's a real alternative to a noisy and polluting generator. Note, however, that it cannot accept extension batteries, as offered by the EcoFlow or Bluetti models, for example. Therefore, it won't be a model to choose for those who want to ensure a long battery life at home. But at the same time, that's not its primary purpose ;-) ConclusionThis FOSSiBOT F2400 is the first power station I've tested from this manufacturer, which is less well-known to the general public. And yet, this model has nothing to be ashamed of when compared to the competition! It ticks all the boxes: good storage capacity, good output power, very comprehensive connectivity, and even a UPS mode (only 0.008s!), very useful for protecting delicate devices like a computer, a 3D printer, or medical devices. Technologically, this FOSSiBOT F2400 uses LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) technology, the best available, with a lifespan of around 10 years (3,500 cycles), which leaves a bit of leeway for the future. I haven't mentioned a mobile app here, since the manufacturer simply doesn't offer one. There's no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, which aren't useful here. This may be a drawback for some. At the same time, while it's highly likely that this battery will last 10 years, can we be as certain about the mobile app, given how quickly smartphones and operating systems evolve? Here, the powerstation is completely autonomous and doesn't require an app to manage it. The elimination of this technology may also contribute to its very competitive price, since the FOSSiBOT F2400 is currently available for less than €850 (thanks to the codeNNNFRFF
). For a 2048 Wh battery, that's an unbeatable price compared to the competition!
In fact, the Bluetti AC200 Max that we tested some time ago is a direct comparison. And this FOSSiBOT F2400 surpasses it, with an equivalent battery life, but more power, a lighter weight and footprint (still 6 kg lighter!), and a much more affordable price.
Not everything is perfect, of course. Personally, I would have preferred the 230V outlets at the front, as the side visibility is a bit lacking, especially when the battery is placed on the ground. And the “mirror” screen isn't always easy to read in sunlight. But considering the price, these are almost minor details, because the FOSSiBOT F2400 currently offers the best value for money, I think, especially during these “Single Day” sales when GeekBuying is slashing prices, also offering the always practical carrying trolley:
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