Anker has been a leading brand in portable power devices like power banks and portable chargers. Recently, they launched their Powerhouse line of high capacity portable batteries to compete with brands like Jackery and Goal Zero.
The Powerhouse line aims to provide portable power solutions for RV and outdoor use, during power outages, and for off-grid solar setups. The Powerhouse 757 is Anker’s largest model yet, with a mammoth 1225Wh capacity.
This article will provide an in-depth look at the Powerhouse 757 – its key features, performance, use cases, and limitations.
Powerhouse 757 Specs
The anchor Powerhouse 757 has some impressive capabilities for a portable battery power station. Here are some of the key specs:
- 1228.8 Watt-hour capacity. The total battery storage is 1.23 kilowatt-hours.
- Lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry. This provides better longevity and safety compared to standard lithium-ion.
- 1500W AC output with 2400W surge capacity. It can handle high power draws from inductive loads better than lower capacity models.
- 12V, 10A car socket (120W max).
- 100W USB-C Power Delivery port.
- 60W USB-C port.
- 5V, 2.4A USB-A ports.
- The 51.2V nominal system voltage allows the high power output.
- 10 hours to charge from 0-80% at max 1000W input.
- MPPT solar input up to 300W.
- Car socket charging input up to 120W.
The Powerhouse 757 specs make it well suited for high power devices, appliances, tools and as an emergency power source. The capacity and outputs are more comparable to a gas generator than a small power station.
Lithium Iron Phosphate Technology
The Powerhouse 757 utilizes lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technology instead of the more common lithium ion or lithium polymer. This offers some key advantages:
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Longer lifecycle – LiFePO4 batteries can achieve around 3,000 charge cycles before dropping to 70-80% of initial capacity, compared to only 500-600 cycles for lithium ion.
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Safer chemistry – LiFePO4 has an improved safety profile compared to lithium ion. This makes the Powerhouse 757 safer for applications like RVs, tiny homes, and long-term stationary use.
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Thermal stability – LiFePO4 cells have better thermal stability and are less prone to thermal runaway issues.
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Cost – While LiFePO4 used to be more expensive than lithium ion, costs have come down dramatically making it price competitive.
Overall, the lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry in the Powerhouse 757 provides longer lifetime, better safety, and similar cost compared to lithium ion alternatives. This makes it well-suited for the heavy duty applications this power station is designed for.
EV Battery Cells
The battery cells used in the Powerhouse 757 are high-quality cells that originate from electric vehicles. Specifically, the cells are model TR-2670-40E produced by EVPower, a company that manufactures lithium-ion phosphate battery cells for EVs and other applications.
Each cell has a nominal voltage of 3.2V and a capacity of 12.8Wh, or around 4000mAh. The overall battery pack consists of 16 cells connected in series (for a nominal voltage of 51.2V), with 6 sets of these 16 cell strings connected in parallel. This 16S6P configuration provides the total capacity of 1228.8Wh in a compact and durable package originally designed for the demands of electric vehicles.
By utilizing genuine EV battery cells, Anchor is able to provide the Powerhouse 757 with exceptional performance, safety, longevity and fast charging capabilities that set it apart from other portable power stations. The EVPower cells have proven themselves reliable in tough automotive environments, so they are well-suited to RV, off-grid, and emergency backup applications. Their high cycle life and thermal stability lend confidence that the Powerhouse 757 battery will continue delivering energy storage over years of use.
Charging Capabilities
The Powerhouse 757 offers several ways to charge the battery, providing flexibility for different use cases.
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The primary way to charge is through the AC inlet. Using the included power adapter, the 757 can charge from 0% to 80% in around 1 hour when plugged into a wall outlet. This makes it feasible to quickly top up the battery before heading out or in an emergency situation.
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For off-grid applications, the 757 can charge from solar panels at up to 300W (with a 30V 10A max input). This allows the battery to be recharged sustainably while camping or living in a van, for example. Based on testing, real-world solar charging input hovers around 125W on a sunny day.
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You can also charge the Powerhouse from a 12V car outlet while driving. Using the included 8mm to XT60 cable, charging tops out around 120W (14V ~9A). This gives you the flexibility to top up the battery on road trips or while commuting.
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The 757 utilizes an MPPT charge controller, which maximizes power transfer from solar panels. This results in faster, more efficient charging compared to non-MPPT controllers.
Overall, the Powerhouse 757 provides versatile charging options. You can quickly recharge from the grid or generator when available, or leverage solar for sustainable off-grid usage. The charging speeds make it practical to top up the battery on a regular basis.
Build Quality
The Powerhouse 757 has impressive build quality that reflects its long-term outdoor durability and safety. The exterior plastic shell feels sturdy with nice clicky buttons and switches that should withstand years of regular use.
Inside, the unit uses a robust cooling system with high velocity fans more akin to server fans. There are two fans at the top dedicated to cooling the DC to DC and AC power conversion components which run at variable speeds depending on load. Below those are two larger fans that cool the battery cells directly. Under normal loads below 700W, the fans remain quiet or even off completely. But during high 1500W loads, the top fans will audibly kick into high speed to maintain safe operating temperatures.
With a 5 year warranty and expected 50,000 hour operating life, the Powerhouse 757 seems designed for longevity rather than planned obsolescence. This pairs well with the resilient lithium iron phosphate battery cells inside that can undergo 3,000+ charge cycles. Between the industrial grade cooling fans, batteries, and thick plastic housing, the Powerhouse 757 feels ready for extended outdoor use rather than delicate indoor use only. Just be sure to keep it dry and out of the elements.
Efficiency and Capacity
The Powerhouse 757 has a rated capacity of 1,228.8 watt-hours or 1.23 kilowatt-hours based on the batteries inside. However, the real-world usable capacity is lower for a few reasons.
First, the Powerhouse 757 does not allow the batteries to be fully depleted. It maintains a 10% battery reserve, like most battery packs. This means only about 90% of the rated capacity is actually usable.
Second, there are efficiency losses in the DC to AC conversion used for powering AC loads. Testing showed the AC conversion is about 92% efficient.
Third, testing revealed that for resistive AC loads around 200W, about 88% of the rated capacity was usable. For a variable dishwasher load, about 82% of the rated capacity was usable.
On the DC side, efficiency was higher at 96-97% due to the simpler DC-DC conversion. DC testing showed 93-98% of the rated capacity was usable.
In summary, while rated at 1.23kWh, real-world usable capacity is around 1kWh for the Powerhouse 757 after accounting for battery reserves and conversion losses. Expecting the full rated capacity is unrealistic.
Safety Certifications
The Anker Powerhouse 757 has undergone rigorous safety testing and certification by SGS, a world leader in inspection, testing, and certification services. SGS evaluated the Powerhouse 757 for compliance with two key standards:
- UL 2743 – Standard for Safety – Portable Power Packs
- UL 1778 – Standard for Uninterruptible Power Systems
Achieving UL 2743 certification means that the Powerhouse 757 meets safety requirements for lithium-ion battery systems, electrical shock and fire hazards, and other risks associated with portable power stations. This standard was created specifically to address safety concerns around high-capacity battery packs like those found in the Powerhouse 757.
The UL 1778 certification means the Powerhouse 757 can serve as an uninterruptible power supply or UPS. UPS systems provide emergency power backup for equipment in the event of a power outage. The Powerhouse 757 passed tests for voltage and frequency stability, reliability, and other criteria needed for safe UPS operation.
Having both the UL 2743 and UL 1778 certifications from an internationally recognized testing lab like SGS provides assurance that the Powerhouse 757 meets stringent safety standards for a lithium battery-based portable power station. These safety certifications are a key reason why the Powerhouse 757 can be considered for reliable use in RVs, tiny homes, emergency backup power, and other applications.
Use Cases
The Powerhouse 757 can be used for a variety of applications including RVs, solar power storage, and outdoor use.
RVs
With its large capacity battery, the Powerhouse 757 is well-suited for use in RVs. It can provide power for lighting, appliances, and electronics while off the grid. The lithium iron phosphate battery is safer for indoor use compared to lithium-ion batteries. At 44 lbs, it may be heavy to move around, but the sturdy handles make it easier to transport. With the ability to recharge via solar, it can help RVs rely less on shore power or generators.
Solar Energy Storage
The Powerhouse 757 works great for storing solar energy. It can be recharged through solar panels at up to 300W (limited to 30V and 10A). This allows the Powerhouse to store solar energy captured during the day to use at night. The large 1.2kWh capacity provides substantial energy storage for off-grid solar systems.
Outdoor Use
With proper protection from rain, the Powerhouse 757 can be used outdoors to power various devices and tools. Its surge capability is useful for powering motors and power tools. Just be sure to keep it dry and protected in an outdoor enclosure. The fans make it more suitable for warm environments where it needs active cooling.
Limitations
The Powerhouse 757 has a couple limitations worth noting.
First, there is no option to keep the display on continuously, even when dimmed. The display will turn on at full brightness when a button is pressed, then dim after a short time, and then turn off completely. This can make it tricky to monitor the battery level at a glance.
Additionally, the battery discharge warnings could be improved. When the Powerhouse 757 gets down to 1% capacity across any of its outputs (AC, DC, or USB), it will start blinking the display and output. However, 1% is very close to being fully depleted and does not provide much advanced warning. It would be preferable if there were capacity milestones that triggered warnings earlier, such as at 20%, 10%, and 5% remaining. This would allow users to better plan and prepare when operating loads near the battery’s capacity.
Overall the Powerhouse 757 is an excellent portable power station, but enhancing the display and battery warnings would make it even easier to use confidently in a wide variety of applications.