We’ve reviewed a number of power stations that allow you to power your devices on the road or even the home office. The solar generator we introduce to you today goes much further than that. Mango Power E has enough power and capacity for energy-hungry studios and demanding productions.
When Mango Power contacted me and asked if I would like to review their newest power plant, Mango Dien E, I was skeptical because I hadn’t heard of this brand. But when I looked at the specs and components used, skepticism turned to curiosity.
Mango Power E uses high-quality CATL LFP batteries that ensure advanced security and long life. These types of batteries are commonly used in modern electric cars and can last through many recharge cycles. Mango Power has a state of up to 6,000 cycles until capacity drops below 70%. Much more than regular LiFePO4 batteries.
With a capacity of 3,500 Wh, this device can provide enough power for my entire apartment for a day. The inverter can deliver 3,000 W through four AC outlets, which I would never be able to max out with my appliances. Even a microwave, kettle or oven is not a problem for Mango Power E.
But this is a place to take photos, not a place to cook. The question is: How can photographers use such a device and what kind of photographer needs it? I will try to answer it by discussing some use cases.
Backup system
If you experience frequent power outages where you live, Mango Power E can ensure continuous power supply through backup mode. In this mode, you connect it between the grid and your device. When there is a power outage, Mango Power will switch to battery mode with a transition time of 20 ms. It can help keep your server running around the clock, which can be important if you travel and want to access your files.
Please note that using Mango Power in this mode will increase your energy bill. Operating it requires cooling the system. For it, Mango Power has a built-in fan. It will operate every few minutes to keep the station cool. You will accumulate additional losses from the powerful inverter and Wi-Fi module.
If your sole use of Mango Power E is for backup, the investment may not be suitable unless the power grid in your area is very unstable. When I started writing this article, it cost $3,199. Now, a few days later, the new sale is live and you can get it for $2,699. On average, it costs around $3,000. It’s all a matter of timing when buying Mango Power E.
Power your office
If you want to buy a Mango Power E, you should consider turning it into a solar generator by adding solar panels. My current setup uses a Mango Power E with two 200 W Mango Power Move Solar power panels. Each is portable and weighs only 10 kg. The 400 WI received on a sunny day is enough to power my office. I only need about 1,000 Wh a day, and even in March and April I can still generate enough power. I only consume Mango Power E if it’s raining and cloudy for more than two days.
If you have higher energy needs, you can extend the solar installation period. Mango Power E can be charged with solar energy up to 2,000 W. To achieve it, you can use more or larger panels. You also don’t need to use Mango Power’s portable solar panels to charge the station. As long as you stay within the 60V – 150V range with your solar setup, you can connect it via a standard MC4 connector.
When designing your system, you must take into account energy losses when operating Mango Power E. Like all power plants, they are mainly caused by inverters and fans. If you use low-power devices, such as I use in my office with less than 100 W, you will only achieve about 70% efficiency. That means to have 1,000 Wh, you must collect nearly 1,500 Wh of energy from the sun. It’s good to know that as your energy needs increase, so does efficiency. Like all inverters, there is an improved performance curve when using higher wattage devices.
By using Mango Power E as a solar generator, you can reduce your energy bills. However, depending on the size of your solar setup, it will take time until you can balance the investment.
If you just want to power your office with solar power, there may be cheaper ways to do it. However, Mango Power can serve many use cases, and now you know two: Backup while traveling and use as a solar generator during office hours.
Portable solar generator
The big advantage of such a power plant is its mobility. Although Mango Power weighs more than 40 kg, you can still take it on the road. It has a handle and wheels that make this effort possible. On the other hand, lifting the station around is quite a job.
Mango Power can also operate in harsh conditions. CATL batteries are designed to withstand temperatures from -20°C to 60°C.
If you have an RV, Mango Power can meet your power needs for days. But I find it best used with photographers doing large outdoor works. If you have to set up an outdoor studio that requires lots of lights, charging stations for your devices, and a setup to review results on a laptop and external monitor, the Mango Power E is a much quieter solution than the Electricity runs on fuel. Train station. Depending on the power required and budget of those production operations, you can even expand Mango Power using Large battery pack.
What I like
The Mango Power E has multiple outlets, including four AC outlets, one 100 W USB-C port, one 65 W USB-C port, six 24 W USB-A outputs, one car power port, and two 12V/ 5A DC 5521 additional port.
Fast charging is possible with a capacity of up to 3,000 W from the grid. Solar charging up to 2,000 W is also great. Even though I’m not using it all now, it’s good to know that I can renew it at any time.
I also like the build quality, especially the solar panels, which I have installed more than 50 times in the past months. They are easy to install, IP 67 waterproof and feel very sturdy. I took them outside in a heavy rain with no problems.
What can be improved?
You can control Mango Power E through mobile application. However, the setup experience needs some improvement. First, you have to create an account that’s not the same as the one on the Mango Power homepage – at least, I can’t use the two interchangeably. You must then provide your Wi-Fi settings to the Mango Power E via Bluetooth. Bluetooth connection alone does not allow you to control the device. After you insert the network settings, Mango Power E will connect to Mango Power’s server and you can control it through the mobile app. But all communication requires such a connection and there will be a delay when performing settings. They will work directly via Bluetooth.
Since all communication happens through the server, you should expect more functionality in the app. It would be great to get statistics on energy consumption, solar input at different times of the day, and system efficiency. It seems like an easy feat to accomplish and Mango Power should add something in the future.
Then I figured the fan was too loud to have Mango Power in a small office. Even when I have low power consumption, the fan still works every few minutes. It is similar to the compressor of a small refrigerator, which can be annoying. That’s why I put Mango Power E in another room. It would be great if the mobile app allowed setting different fan modes to improve noise levels. Continuous mode at lower speeds can provide similar cooling but produces less noise.
Conclusion
The Mango Dien E is a powerful solar generator that comes at a price. Currently, Mango Power is constantly running price cuts in the US, making this equipment more affordable and even lower than the cost of many competing power plants.
Above, I introduced several use cases and especially for the last one, Mango Power E can be an invaluable asset. As with any device you buy, think about what problem you want to solve with it. The size of that problem will determine how much you are willing to invest to solve it. For example, a photographer who needs a reliable power solution for big-budget productions on the road, will have a different budget than a photographer who needs some power on a field trip. seldom, no often, rarely.
But if you have high power needs and need a portable and reliable solution, the Mango Power E offers a great package.
