DJI Power Station: Drone Pilots’ New Must-Have?

DJI is renowned for its impressive array of drones, camera stabilizers, and action cameras. A common thread uniting these devices is their reliance on battery power. Addressing this need, DJI offers the Power 2000, a portable power station designed to charge DJI drones and other devices in the field. While not the company’s first foray into this market, the Power 2000 aims to be a comprehensive power solution for drone operators.

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The Need for Portable Power

For drone enthusiasts, a mere 30 minutes of flight time can translate into hours spent recharging batteries. While purchasing multiple proprietary batteries is an option, it’s an expensive one, and these batteries are typically limited to powering drones. DJI seeks to provide a more versatile answer for drone operators, offering fast charging capabilities for drone batteries alongside the ability to power other devices. The Power 2000 follows in the footsteps of the earlier Power 1000, offering increased capacity and capabilities for users with greater power demands.

Unboxing and Physical Attributes

The Power 2000 and its accessories arrive in simple, unadorned cardboard boxes, with only basic outlines indicating the contents. The packaging lacks the glossy finishes and detailed product information often found in retail packaging. Inside the Power 2000 box, you’ll find a quick start guide, a certificate of conformity, and an AC power cable.

The Power 2000 itself measures 448 x 225 x 324mm (17.6 x 8.9 x 12.7 inches) and weighs 22kg (48.5lbs). It features two large, textured handles on top for easy carrying. All sockets, plugs, and ports are conveniently located on the front of the unit, along with a status screen. The sides and back are relatively bare, except for threaded holes used for attaching accessories.

The front panel of the UK model includes:

• Four UK Type G sockets outputting 230V at 50Hz AC pure sine wave.
• Four USB-C sockets (2 x max. 140W and 2 x max 65W).
• Four USB-A sockets, each capable of outputting 24W.
• One AC charging socket.
• Two SDC multi-use sockets.
• A status screen.

Charging Capabilities and Challenges

Upon initial startup, the Power 2000 displayed a 51% charge. The AC charging socket utilizes a standard C13/14 connector. However, the cable features screws designed to prevent accidental disconnection, which are somewhat small and could benefit from a tool-free thumb screw design.

A switch next to the AC charging socket allows users to select between fast and slow charging modes. In slow charge mode, the Power 2000 charges at 1300W, while fast charge mode nearly doubles that to 2200W. The front placement of the AC charging socket may not be ideal, as many power stations typically separate charging ports to the side or rear.

Next to the AC socket is an undocumented multi-pin socket, which is likely a terminal used by DJI for servicing purposes.

The Power 2000 can also be charged using solar panels. The solar panel used was a third-party panel from IBCPower, utilizing MC4 connectors. An included MC4 to XT60 cable allows the panels to be used with other power stations as well.

Connecting solar panels involves using a DJI Solar panel adapter module (MPPT), a small adapter box with three XT60 sockets. This allows connection of up to three panels to the Power 2000 via the SDC sockets for charging. With a single 200W panel on a moderately bright day, the input was 180W with the battery already at 89% charged, estimating 92 minutes to full charge. Charging from 0% to 100% using a single panel would likely take over 10 hours.

The screw holes on the sides and back of the Power 2000 allow for securing the MPPT box, preventing it from being misplaced. Screws and a hex wrench are provided for this purpose.

Real-World Performance

The status screen provides essential information at a glance, including state of charge, input and output wattage, output voltage, AC frequency, and USB and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connections.

The Power 2000 was tested with various high-draw household appliances such as a rice cooker, mini-induction cooker, hair dryer, and air fryer. It successfully powered each appliance individually and operated silently throughout the tests. The USB ports charged a variety of phones, a Lenovo ThinkPad, and MacBook Air laptops with ease. The Power 2000 boasts a combined continuous output power of 3000W.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Functionality

A standout feature is the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) functionality. Unlike many power stations that advertise a 20-30ms response time or require manual setup, the Power 2000 boasts a fast 10ms response time. UPS mode is automatically activated when the Power 2000 is plugged into mains, AC is on, and power is being drawn.

The UPS functionality was tested with a typical home office setup drawing around 200W. After draining the Power 2000 from 89% to 61% over two hours, the mains were switched on, and the Power 2000 began charging at 1360W in slow mode, automatically activating UPS mode. Upon switching the mains off again, the setup continued to operate without interruption, drawing power from the batteries, and the UPS mode deactivated.

SDC Ports and Drone Charging

The Power 2000 features two SDC ports, multi-use sockets capable of both charging and discharging using DC power. These connectors are QS10 sockets/connectors, known for their high current and anti-spark properties. These SDC connections can be used to connect add-on batteries to the Power 2000 or to charge it faster using separately available cables and adapters capable of up to 1800W of input.

The SDC ports also enable fast charging of DJI drone batteries using appropriate adapter cables. A DJI Mavic 3 series battery can be charged from 10% to 95% in approximately 32 minutes. Compatible drones include the Mavic 3, Mavic 4, Air 3, Matrice 30, Matrice 30, and Inspire 3.

DJI Power Series Hand Truck

The DJI Power Series Hand Truck is a hand trolley designed to securely transport the Power 2000 and additional batteries. The trolley features a sculpted base for the Power 2000 and supports stacking up to two additional batteries on top, secured with a ratchet strap. The trolley also includes screws for attaching the middle handle retaining arm to the back of the Power 2000, providing additional anchorage. The trolley has 12cm heavy-duty rubberized wheels and can be folded for storage.

Mobile Application

The mobile application could use significant improvement. Many competing power station brands offer feature-rich apps that control the power station and provide access to user profiles, loyalty schemes, and customizable settings. These apps are typically downloaded from app stores such as the Google Play Store.

However, the DJI Home app is not available on the Google Play Store. Instead, users must manually download and install the APK file from the web. Upon launching the app, the first menu presents a DJI Product Improvement Project with options in Chinese, which is not ideal for English-speaking users.

While detecting and setting up the battery is straightforward, the app’s functionality is limited to displaying power usage, state of charge, and a few adjustable options.

Final Thoughts

The Power 2000 is a capable power station with room for improvement. If you already own DJI drones and require a power station, the Power 2000 is a solid choice, particularly for its ability to fast charge drone batteries using the SDC connectors. The UPS feature is also noteworthy for its fast response time and ease of setup, and the near-silent operation makes it suitable for use in home offices. However, the front placement of the AC charging socket and the limited functionality of the mobile app are drawbacks to consider.