Pecron E1500LFP review

The Pecron E1500 portable power station offers affordability and expandability in a compact footprint 

Based on a LiFePo4 battery, it provides more than 3500 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% drop in power. The station can have its capacity upgraded to 7680Wh as a three-unit system. With a Wi-Fi connection and a well-designed mobile app, the E1500 becomes a power station accessible worldwide.

The black plastic case has an industrial appeal and feels more rugged than the competition. A segmented LCD on the front panel shows vital data about the station. Two buttons control the entire unit, which can sometimes make usage cumbersome. The AC output can supply 2200W continuously, which drops to 1800W when used in UPS mode. The lack of a flashlight limits its usage on the road, although the provided 12V cigar socket and the possibility of charging from a car battery make this option appealing.

The Pecron E1500 starts at $1299 for the 1536Whr/2200W station. It is currently available at a 38% price reduction, bringing the total to under $800. At less than $0.6/Wh, it is one of the most affordable units available. If the battery capacity is insufficient, the E1500 can take two extra 3kWh battery modules for $1499 each, making it a 7.5kWh station. 

Pecron E1500: Design

The Pecron E1500LFP ships with a small case containing five cables, allowing connection to a car’s cigar port or a standard solar panel. Like other Pecron units, the E1500LFP sports a rugged black plastic case with orange rubber covers at each corner. Two embedded handles help move the station with ease. Two large fans on the left push a decent amount of air for cooling. The unit measures 37.7 cm x 23.7 cm x 30.5 cm and weighs around 18 kg. 

The front LCD provides straightforward information about the unit's operation. A 10 cm diagonal screen shows the battery capacity using six levels. Icons for Wi-Fi, UPS mode, temperature, and output alarms turn on when features or errors are enabled or detected. Input and output power consumption update in real-time. The display is always on when any output is enabled. The brightness is adjustable using the mobile app.

Only two push buttons are available to control the unit. These are dual functions, with long presses enabling the AC and DC outputs. A short press on the DC button will display an alternate setting on the LCD, switching between battery capacity and voltage. Pressing both buttons for a few seconds resets the unit and is particularly helpful when having Wi-Fi connection issues.

All user ports are well located on the front panel, occupying the upper half of the case. Charging inputs are on the left, AC outputs are in the middle, and DC outputs are on the right, except for the top wireless charging port. The input ports consist of two DC connectors, each with a particular purpose. A high-current GX16MF socket accommodating up to 700W connects to solar panels, while a handy 100W 12V DC5521 makes charging through the carport a breeze. The only AC input supports up to 1400W, allowing high-speed charging in less than two hours.

Pecron E1500: In Use

Three AC sockets provide 100V or 120V of 2200W pure-sine energy continuously or 4400W for a short period. The low-voltage DC section comprises six USB sockets, including a 100W Type-C, a 360W XT16 connector, a 120W regulated carport, and a 60W 12V DC5521 barrel socket. A 15W wireless charger completes the list of output options available.

The E1500LFP's LiFePo4 battery and price point sets it apart. With over 3500 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% drop, Pecron’s new station will lose little charge capacity over ten years even if charged daily, representing an excellent investment at less than $0.9 per Wh. It becomes a no-brainer with features such as fast charging, Wi-Fi, and the UPS mode, where the station switches from AC input to battery supply in under 20ms.

The E1500LFP can be controlled through the Pecron mobile app and is available on iOS and Android ecosystems. The unit configuration is registration-free, requiring only the device’s QR code or through Bluetooth scanning. The device is accessible even on stand-by, and the wireless connection consumes little power. All features available through the front panel are also present on the app.

The app allows one to change the output voltage and frequency, allowing the use of a more comprehensive range of appliances. The station's efficiency is 85%. Two fans generate a noticeable hum while the unit is in use or charging. A 700W solar input limits the charging time to four hours. Finally, there is no built-in flashlight, which can be helpful in a night-time road emergency.

Pecron E1500: The Competition

There has been a deluge of middle-sized power stations recently, thanks partly to the automotive industry, which has made affordable battery packs a reality. Jackery, at the forefront of portable power technology, offers the Explorer 1500 Pro, which has features similar to those of the E1500LFP. However, with an MRSP of $2100, it is twice the price of Pecron’s offering while capable of less output power at 1800W, compared to 2200W for Pecron. Finally, the Explorer 1500 Pro battery capacity is limited to only 1512Wh, while the E1500LFP can be upgraded to 7500Wh.

Pecron E1500: Final Verdict

The Pecron E1500LFP power station can help in many situations. It packs a powerful 2200W AC inverter that is also 85% efficient. The battery is just enough to power a whole range of 1kW-rated home appliances for one hour. The E1500LFP features an upgrade port, enabling a combined battery capacity of 7.5kWh. Wi-Fi, UPS mode, and a decent number of output ports make the unit excellent value for money.

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