Ryobi is coming out with two new cordless battery-powered inverter generators, a 1500W model (RYi1802B5, shown above), and a 300W model (RYi300BG, more on that another time). Both are powered by their 40V Max Li-ion batteries.
Features include 1500W max output, (3) AC outlets, and an LCD display that shows remaining charge capacity among other things. It also features Bluetooth-connectivity.
There are handles-galore, for easy portability.
Unfortunately, Home Depot pulled the product page (temporarily) after I started the post with some notes and before I could finish it, and so there are quite a few unanswered questions. How much does it weigh? What can you do via Bluetooth – maybe a charge capacity monitor? What does the power output look like – is it a modified sine wave? Is it weather resistant?
If I recall correctly, the pricing was around $700.
Buy Now(via Home Depot) – link is temporarily down
Thank you Mark for the heads-up!
First Thoughts
The Dewalt Portable Power Station, reviewed here is a convenient kit, capable of powering full 15A corded tools.
Ego recently came out with a small AC inverter for their 56V batteries.
The Anker PowerHouse is a small rechargeable power source for light load devices.
The Bosch mobile battery bank was never released in the USA.
When paired with two 40V 2.6Ah batteries, the Ryobi battery-powered inverter generator will have 208 watt-hours of output capacity. When paired with 5.0Ah batteries, it’ll have 400 watt-hours of output capacity. The Dewalt, with (4) of their largest 12.0Ah batteries, would have 960 watt-hours of capacity, and 400 watt-hours when paired with 5.0Ah batteries. The Bosch mobile battery bank power unit is rated to 1650 watt-hours.
Can it be used to power corded power tools? Yes. Three at a time? That depends on the tool. An oscillating multi-tool, sander, and work light? Possibly. A table saw, grinder, and vacuum? No. Let’s say you have a 13A electric snow blower. This should be able to power it. It looks like the LCD display could provide users with a power output gauge, to help them avoid guessing, or at least it should; I can’t imagine Ryobi not including something like that.
Can it charge both batteries when plugged into an AC source with an extension cord? That’s a feature I would expect it to have. If not, that would greatly decrease its appeal in my eyes.
I spy USB charging ports, and what looks to be either a handy slot to stash your phone or an LED worklight (what else could it be?).
I think that Ryobi’s RYi1802B5 battery-powered generator could be an excellent recreational power source, and it might be useful to DIYers and maybe even for pro users. It should also come in handy in a blackout. But, how well-suited will it be for powering corded power tools?
Ryobi 40V Max cordless power tool line mainly includes lawn and garden tools – tools that are likely used by homeowners more than anyone else.
Ryobi’s new cordless battery-powered generator isn’t a game-changing innovation, and while it’s not powerful enough to serve as a jobsite battery generator solution, it’s not a wimpy 150W inverter either.
I find it appealing for what it is, and am eager for Ryobi to release more info as its launch date nears.
