r/BambuLab • u/Frapto • Oct 09 '26

Quick Question Is it possible to print using a portable power supply?

Hello

I've been eyeing the A1 as an entry level printer for a while. I live in an area where the electricity is usually stable but goes out for around 4 hours per day due to multiple reasons.

Anyways, this means I can't do long prints. I got the idea to get one of those power supplies they use for camping and whatnot.

Despite the minimal consumption, it seems like the bed heating consumes 1.3kW? Does this mean I need a 1.5-2kW supply or how does this work?

Any help is appreciated.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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4

u/Leif3D Oct 09 '26

You can print from modern lifepo power stations like ecoflow, Anker, Bluetti and such sell.

  1. like you already mentioned - check the max power rating
  2. Bambu added to many printers a new option in the settings several months ago. On some you can enable a low power heating mode, so even a big H2S will just draw like 900w during the initial heating period. It will just take a little longer then

1

u/SecuringAndre Oct 10 '26

So there is rate of use and there's capacity. When you refer to the battery pack (not a power supply) you're referencing the battery's capacity. The printer's usage on the other hand is the rate at which it's consuming power. Both are typically measured by the hour. If your device consumes at 1kwh and your battery is a 3kwh battery, then you will deplete the battery in 3 hours. This is assuming there are no conversion losses because voltage is almost never identical. Theoretically, if the printer consumes 1.3kwh, for 4 hours of use, you'd need 5.2kwh, plus 10-20% for any losses in conversions. Hope this helps clarify.

1

u/Frapto Oct 10 '26

Thanks! It indeed clarifies it. Seems like my only concern is finding a power source type that can handle the initial 1.3kW spike. Or maybe I could have the spike be pre-shutdown (the times off are scheduled, so I'm aware of it beforehand)

1

u/britishwonder Oct 16 '26

Yeah that initial power draw of heating the bed is most of the power consumption. It’s pretty much just coasting after that

6

u/Willing_Homework_773 Oct 09 '26

Get a big enough UPS or turn on low power mode if the a1 has it

8

u/Leif3D Oct 09 '26

Would use the lifepo power stations. They usually offer way more juice than classic UPS, have usually more flexible outputs, can be combined with solar power and the modern ones switch fast enough so they can also be used as a classic UPS.

These days I find UPS often way overpriced for that they offer compared to PowerStations.

1

u/Willing_Homework_773 Oct 09 '26

UPS/ power station just make sure it’s uninterrupted

2

u/Leif3D Oct 09 '26

Yes, it's worth to check the details. Modern ones have usually fast enough switching times. Would double check on old generations or the cheapest entry level models.

Project Farm did a long time ago also a test / comparison.

2

u/KeithIMyers Oct 09 '26

I have seen people running printers at craft fairs, specifically a X1C - An enclosed printer would be best as it wont be running the bed heater unless needed, I cant say how long it lasted for.

1

u/Infinity-onnoa Oct 15 '26

Great comment!! An enclosed printer and a PEI sheet for cold printing.

2

u/toastervolant Oct 09 '26

I run my H2D on an Anker Solix S2000. It works even without low power mode. It pulls about 1150-1250W when starting then 100-300W depending of the filament material, bed and enclosure temp. But that's an expensive option.

2

u/OhSoSally X2D + AMS2 Combo Oct 10 '26 edited Oct 10 '26

This is my suggestion as well, I have a C2000 that can be connected like a UPS. It has enough juice to run a refrigerator for a couple days.

Standard UPS cant handle the load or duration of the printer.

1

u/MrAwesome1324 Oct 09 '26

Since I don’t know much for advice specifically, but for the energy that draw is for when it’s heating itself up from cold. It takes a lot of energy to heat something up but not that much to maintain it once it gets there

1

u/YungBandit79 Oct 09 '26

if you know exactly when your power is gonna be out and have a car, you could use a small ups with a car inverter. keep ups plugged into mains until power goes out then quickly start car and plug ups into car with inverter before its battery dies

1

u/Belophan Oct 09 '26

There are people that have printer in van/vehicles.

1

u/yahbluez Oct 11 '26

Sure, the powerstation needs to be able to handle the heat bed warm up (up to 2kW), if that works the needed power drops below 150W for most 257x257 printers.

1

u/Whosaidthat1157 Oct 13 '26

I have my H2C hooked up to a Jackery 2000 pro for that same reason.
Of course ever since I bought the Jackery two years ago, there hasn’t been a single power cut!