Here on DRN we’ve reviewed a fair few solutions for when the mains power goes out or for situations away from the grid.
Generally, people choose either a generator or a power station.
Why not both?
In this review I’ll spruik the benefits of using a portable power station – a job made much easier when this PPS is the new VoltX Topband V1200 Portable Power Station.
Topbrand or Topband?
I first thought Topband was a moniker for the model description.
Turns out it’s the name of the company that produces the batteries and the power stations.
VoltX is a top brand and Aussie to boot.
The V1200 is a more descriptive indicator: its rated power is 1200W.
In my last review we tested the Outbax GTX4200 generator and the Outbax VoltX Topband fulfills a similar role: to provide power when mains power is unavailable.
First Impressions
This is a unit that you don’t need to hide in a cupboard.
The V1200 is a well-thought-out design with a pleasant exterior.
And at 13kg it’s small enough to be truly portable.
Especially pleasing is the plethora of in/out ports!
Plenty of ways to charge this unit back up: solar, AC or DC.
The cables for these are in a handy bag and won’t get lost amid the myriad of cables in, under and behind our test bench.
And you can hook up anything and everything: 3 Aussie 240V outlets, 2 standard USB ports (QC 3.0) and 2 USB-C ports.
Everything is clearly labelled, and all the info is displayed on the screen.
The last item that I’m very happy about is the 2 LED lights built into the unit.
No need to fumble around with a flashlight to plug things in. Or just use it as a light on its own. It hardly draws any power.
When I wrote about the Outbax GTX4200 generator last month, my only suggestions for improvement were:
Three 240V outlets would be nice. And a USB-C port perhaps?
Maybe also some inbuilt LED lights? I know, I’m getting fanciful here…
How about making the digital display meter more readable?
Well, all these wishes have materialised in the Topband model!
And there are some other favourable comparisons as well – see below.
Second Impressions
A direct comparison with the Outbax generator is not sensible.
Yes, the price is very similar: The Topband costs AUD1099 (even though DRN readers can buy it with a 12% discount – see offer at the end of this review).
Generators have the advantage of greater output for the same price and can keep that going almost indefinitely as long as you have fuel.
With power stations, once you’ve exhausted the battery, it takes ages to have it recharged with solar or via your car (these are the only alternatives when AC power is still out or unavailable).
Solar or car charging is OK for camping where the demands of power are relatively small.
And, generally, campers are not too much in a hurry…
The Topband’s great advantage for camping is that it is absolutely quiet!
People with power stations make for best neighbours…
That very quality makes the Topband also a welcome guest in our home.
To keep our fridge and freezers running during a power outage, I would have to distance the generator from my house because of the noise and exhaust.
Not so with the Topband.
She has the run of the house if the need arises. Her main job here is to keep the frozen and refrigerated stuff at the right temperatures.
In fact, with the UPS feature, she’s permanently plugged into the main fridge/freezer, instantly switching over when mains goes down.
This is extremely handy as the power sometimes fails when we’re away.
A generator is of no use then, but the Topband does this automagically!
Other essential equipment, like security cameras or WiFi router, can also be connected, with power to spare.
Testing Impressions
The Topband arrived with a charge level of 56% and we charged it to 99% in well under an hour.
Test 1
Hooked up our large fridge/freezer and a medium size freezer.
With that load the battery will last exactly 10 hours.
I’m happy with that result.
Test 2
See how the UPS feature works.
I plugged in the Topband to recharge whilst having these appliances still connected.
The Uninterruptible Power Supply symbol shows up on the display.
Switch off at the power point and whatever is plugged into the Topband continues to perform merrily without missing a beat.
Test 3
Hook up a solar panel.
Well, we’d better wait till summer to get some reasonable readings on the input display.
Weather has been downright wintry recently here and with the occasional low sun we could only manage a measly 107W input…
Anyhow, we tried out the included XT60 to Anderson plug when we hooked up the Bushman 200W Portable Solar Panel that we reviewed 5 years ago.
Whatever a proper summer test reveals, it still will be the slowest way to recharge the Topband.
Test 4
During a power outage you might want a hot cuppa.
Could the Topband run our large microwave?
Not at full power but most microwaves can be set at lower power levels.
I first ran it at 700W, which is power level 40%.
It takes 2 minutes to make a cup of hot water and takes 3% of the Topband’s battery.
The highest I could go is with power at 70% for a hot cuppa in 90secs.
The unit will overload at 80% microwave power.
Still a great result!
Also, it’s also good for heating up a wheat bag or for using an electric blanket to keep your body warm.
Test 5
Hook up another power station.
Seems a bit silly but, hey, we have a few of these review units lying around.
Could we extend the Topband’s battery life if we’re gone from home more than 10 hours?
Well, not so fast, buddy!
The Topband requires close to 700W for AC charging.
The smaller power stations I have can only output 400W.
Maybe we can use the DC charging option?
Hmm… only the smallest unit has cigarette lighter output.
Let’s try that first.
Yes, that works.
Bit slow but the charging can keep up with the demand. Until that battery is also exhausted, of course.
If the power outage should last more than a day when we’re away, we can plug in another power station with a big 12Ah battery.
This one will be able the charge the smaller PPS which in turn charges the Topband PPS…
Look at the ridiculous – but workable – Tower of Power below!
Ridiculous though it may be, there are a couple of advantages to this setup.
1. When we’re away for two days, our fridge/freezer food will still be cold/frozen.
2. When we get home and the grid is still down, we can still use all the other 12Ah batteries to keep going a bit longer.
If you also have a generator, things become a lot easier.
You can run the bigger appliances and charge up the Topband.
Not So Favourable Impressions?
We always find aspects in our product reviews where we feel the company could have done better.
Nothing major with the Topband though.
Display is very well lit, very informative, but I would like the option to keep it on permanently.
Fan noise is negligible when the unit is running.
However, when you try to recharge the Topband, you’ll notice two things.
First, charging is fast, and you’ll get to 99% in 2 hours flat.
Secondly, if you want to go to a full 100%, that takes ages.
During that last 1%, the fan starts up for a second or two and goes quiet again.
It’s very noticeable to the point that my wife said: “Is there something wrong with it?”
It’s probably related to overcharge protection…
Last point for future improvement: the display has icons for Bluetooth and WiFi but these functions are not enabled – yet.
Would be handy.
Last and Hopefully Lasting Impressions
There is a lot to like about the VoltX Topband V1200.
It’s compact and relatively lightweight, yet heavy duty capable.
It’s built well and looks good.
I love the many ways to charge the unit and the many outlets.
Finally, the price is right: AUD1099 is a value-for-money proposition in a heavily contested market.
So, what’s my conclusion?
The VoltX V1200 Topband is a worthy winner of our highest recommendation: our coveted DRN Pulse Award!
Special offer for our DRN readers:
Outbax has made a 12% discount code available for not only the Topband V1200 power station but for anything and everything on their site!
Until the 31st of Dec 2024.
The Code is DRN12 at the checkout.
And if you haven’t checked out Outbax.com.au yet, you’ll find all the camping and outdoor equipment to make life in and around the home or on the roam more comfortable and safer.
As they say, Outbax is your one-stop shop for premium products at an affordable price.
Here’s the link for more info on the Topband unit but do check the whole site while you’re there.
Video Impressions
Lastly, a short 1-minute vid to see the Topband in action.
There’s not much “action” happening though, no movements, no noise but that is the nature of this product.
And we like it like that.
Product Specifications:
• Brand: VoltX
• Model: V1200
• Capacity: 1152Wh
• Battery Type: LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
• Life Cycles: 2,000+ Cycles
• Shelf-Life: Recharge to 100% Every 3 Months
• Management System: MPPT Controller, BMS
• Charging Method: Solar, Car, AC charging
• AC Output: 3x 200-240V 50/60Hz 1200W (Pure Sine Wave)
• DC Output: 1x DC5521 13V /8A, Max 100W
• USB-C Port: 2x PD100W
• USB-QC Port: 2x 18W Max
• Car Cigarette Lighter: 1x 100W Max
• AC Input: 700W Max, 200-240V (50/60H) / 90-120V (50/60H)
• Solar Input: 550W Max, XT60 11.5V-55V
• DC Input: 240W Max, DC5521 12V/10A, 24V/10A
• AC + DC Input: 700W Max
• Solar + DC Input: 700W Max
• AC + Solar Input: 700W Max
• Maximum Input: 700W
• AC Charge: ≈2 Hours
• Solar Charge: ≈3 Hours
• DC Charge: ≈5.8 Hours
• Display Screen: LCD Display
• Illumination Light: 3W LED with SOS Mode
• Multiple Protection: Lack of Voltage, Over-Temperature, Over-Current, Short-Circuit, Automatic Recovery After Fault Elimination, Short-Circuit, Output Current Protection
• Working Temperature: 0°C-45°C
• Charge Temperature: -5°C-40°C
• Storage Temperature: Normal Temperature Indoor Storage
• Pass-through Charging (UPS): Instantaneous Switch Within 0.02S
• Certificates: RCM
• Product Size: L365.4xW235xH274.5mm
• Package Size: L480xW370xH370mm
• Product Weight: 13kg
• Package Weight: 15.5kg
