In this video, I review the Safari ME portable power station from Lion Energy. This isn’t my first time reviewing a Lion Energy product. In fact, two years ago I installed and reviewed their UT1300 12V RV lithium battery offering. Over the months that followed, I published a number of updates and demo videos. They are still in our RV and performing well.
The Safari ME contains a 922 watt-hour LiFePO4 battery and a 2000W (4000W surge) pure sine wave AC inverter with two outlets. It also has two 12V and four USB ports for all your off-grid power needs. Operation and setup are extremely easy.
Solar and AC recharging times are terrific! Empty to full charge in as little as 95 minutes and 83 respectively. Weight is 45.5 lbs and dimensions are 18.7 x 12.8 x 12.8 inches. Compact power that unlike gas generators is safe to use inside the RV or your home.
My detailed video review includes AC & DC power capacity tests, AC & Solar charging tests, plus demos of the Safari powering different items around our RV. In the end, I share my likes and dislikes. And, stay tuned in the coming weeks I will have more videos showcasing the Safari ME 2048 watt-hour expansion battery pack and Lion Energy’s own 100W 24V folding solar panels.
*Fair Disclosure* I received the products in the video free of charge from Lion Energy in exchange for reviewing them. I’m also an affiliate earning a commission on sales. However, I’m not sponsored by Lion Energy and receive no direct monetary compensation for the videos and blog posts. Opinions remain my own and I have full editorial control.
Safari ME Off-Grid Portable Power Station Video Review
Pros:
- Has metal casing on top, bottom, and two sides
- Strong handles with convenient outward slant
- AC charge cord built into the unit
- Simple to operate uncluttered controls
- Bright, easy to read display screen
- 922 Wh LiFePO4 battery (2500+ cycles)
- Can hold a charge for 12 months
- Fast charging with 668W AC or 585W solar
- 2000W (4000W surge) AC power inverter
- 15 & 25 amp 12VDC output ports
- USA company based in Utah
- Good track record making lithium products
- Easily connect up to 600W of solar panels
- 2048Wh expansion battery pack option
Cons:
- The front plastic faceplate feels weak
- 12v output port regulation issues
- On the expensive side compared to other competitors
- No 12V car charging input
- Solar input limited to max 60 VOC
- It only has one year warranty
Safari ME Deluxe Kit Review – 600W Solar & 2048Wh Expansion Battery
In this video, I demo/test the addon pieces that make up the Lion Energy Safari ME Deluxe Kit. The deluxe kit has six 100W folding panels, a 2048 watt-hour expansion battery pack, and a 25-foot solar power cable.
In my tests, the system performed well. Empty to full charge times were roughly 5 hours via the AC power input and just under 7 hours using the 600 watts of solar panels. Usable power capacity came in at 2640 watt-hours. The system charges surprisingly fast, given the large battery capacity.
With some consistent sunshine, this system could easily power most RVers off-grid needs for days on end. In the coming weeks, I plan to put it to a real-world test with some back-country camping. Stay tuned for a future video. Cheers, Ray
Real World Off-Grid Camping Tests in the Rain Forest
In this video, I take my Lion Energy Safari ME portable lithium power station out camping with me on Vancouver Island, BC. We visit a couple of the beautiful provincial parks in the coastal rainforest. It was an excellent 10-day real-world test of the power station. Since the campsites were in the forest, it’s was a rigorous test.
I was able to recharge the Safari ME using the Lion Energy portable solar panels. With 600 watts of solar recharge, time was pretty short. About 2 hours for the main box and another 4 hours for the battery expansion pack. During rainy days I used my 2000W generator to charge with. The quick recharge time of the Safari’s LiFEPO4 battery packs was most helpful in this use case.
More Pros and Cons after Real-World Usage
Pros:
- Love the solar panel cases. Easy to fit panels into, padded, and don’t slide easily when stacked.
- Solar panels have enough weight and good stands to handle the wind.
- Safari ME charges quickly. Important when the solar day is short or gas generator run time is limited.
- Split units make for less weight when carrying and easier storage in the RV.
- Great display brightness. It’s one of the best I’ve seen. Easy to read outside.
Cons:
- Has issues powering my 1350W RV microwave. Took 4-5 tries to get it to fire up and cook.
- I’m not a fan of the solar panel plugs. Too small and weak for my taste. I even broke one.
- The system could be a chore to move if a person isn’t very strong. Boxes are over 40 lbs and solar panels 20 lbs.
- Wish it had more in-depth information on watts and amps in and out. Suggest a Bluetooth or WiFi app be added.
Product Links:
*Get 15% off using the Lion Energy product links or with discount code LYRVUT1300 at checkout.
4 Month Review Update of the Lion Energy Safari ME
A quick review update video on the Safari ME Deluxe Kit after using it longer term. I have had some issues with the main Safari ME box and the battery expansion pack. Lion Energy tried to solve the problems by swapping with newer units, but the replacements have different issues.
I’m still not a fan of the little hard plastic power pole connectors used for the solar hookup and the large, stiff cord for the expansion pack. I am a fan of the durable folding solar panels and would love the complete system if they could get the power box issues sorted. Maybe it’s just a fluke that I had problems. Who knows…
