Anker SOLIX F3800 EV Charging: How to Charge an EV

Short answer: Yes, for emergencies. Double-tap the F3800's AC outlet button until the car icon appears, set your car or charger to 25A or less, then plug a 240V EV charging cord into the NEMA 14-50 port. Anker rates EV mode at up to 6,000W (240V/25A) and calls it emergency charging, not everyday use. One full F3800 holds 3,840Wh, roughly 14 miles of range before losses (Anker specs; calculation).

EV owners in Las Vegas often ask whether the power station they bought for outages can also get the car moving again. The base Anker SOLIX F3800 can. It has a NEMA 14-50 socket, the same style many portable Level 2 charging cords plug into, and Anker documents a dedicated EV mode for it. The catch is scale. A car battery is many times bigger than the F3800, and Anker's own guide says the feature is for emergency charging only. Here is how to do it right, and what to expect.

Why EV mode matters

A normal AC outlet button press turns on the F3800's outlets. EV charging needs one more step. Anker's support article on its grounding behavior explains that when the F3800 is not plugged into a wall outlet, double-pressing the AC button switches the 240V outlets into EV mode, and both 240V outlets become grounded.

Two more details from Anker's F3800 Solution User Guide:

• No AC recharging at the same time. In EV mode, the F3800 cannot be charged from AC at the same moment. If it is, the 240V sockets go inactive and only the three 120V UPS sockets have power.
• Auto-off can cut a paused session. The two 240V sockets (L14-30R and 14-50) cannot detect connected devices. If the six 120V sockets have nothing plugged in and the 240V sockets draw under 20W, the AC output turns off after 15 minutes. A car that pauses or schedules its charging can trigger that. Anker's fix is to keep a device plugged into a 120V smart socket, or turn off Smart AC Output Mode in the Anker app.

How to charge an EV from an F3800 in 6 steps

1. Confirm your model. The base F3800 has the NEMA 14-50. The F3800 Plus replaces it with a TT-30R RV outlet. Our F3800 vs F3800 Plus comparison shows the outlet panel for both.
2. Unplug the F3800 from wall power. EV mode and AC recharging do not work at the same time.
3. Lower the charge current to 25A or less in your car's charging settings or on your charging cord. Anker notes that Tesla's default charge current is 32A, so Tesla owners must change it under Settings, then Charging, then Charge Current.
4. Double-tap the AC outlet button and wait for the car icon on the display. If it does not appear, double-tap again.
5. Plug your 240V EV charging cord into the 14-50 port (or the L14-30R, if your cord has that plug), then connect it to the car. Anker says charging starts right away.
6. Watch the session. Keep an eye on battery level in the Anker app, and plug something small into a 120V outlet if your car pauses charging, so the auto-off timer does not end the session.

F3800 EV charging specs and estimates

The math shows why Anker frames this as emergency charging. One F3800 can get a car off empty and to a charger or home, not refill it. For your own estimate, swap in your car's kWh-per-100-miles figure for the 27 kWh example.

On the F3800 Plus, Anker's product page FAQ describes the same EV mode (double-press the AC outlet button, set the rate under 25A), but the Plus has no 14-50 socket. Make sure your charging cord's plug matches an outlet on your unit before you count on it.

EV charging checklist

• Base F3800 confirmed (NEMA 14-50 on the outlet panel), or a cord that matches your F3800 Plus outlets.
• A 240V EV charging cord you already own, with a plug that fits without improvised adapters.
• Car or cord set to 25A or less before you plug in.
• F3800 unplugged from wall power.
• EV mode on (car icon showing) before the cord goes in.
• A small device in a 120V outlet, or Smart AC Output Mode off, if your car may pause charging.
• A plan to refill the F3800 afterward, by wall power once the grid returns, or by solar. Our F3800 solar panel setup guide covers panel matching.
• Permanent wiring, such as feeding a home EV circuit or panel from the F3800, is a job for a licensed electrician. See how to connect an F3800 to your home for the home backup options.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Anker SOLIX F3800 charge a Tesla?

Yes, through the NEMA 14-50 port in EV mode, as long as the charge current is set to 25A or less. Anker notes that Tesla's default is 32A, so lower it in the car's charging settings first.

Why won't my EV charge from the F3800?

Common causes Anker documents: EV mode is not on (no car icon), the charge current is above 25A, or the F3800 is plugged into wall power at the same time. Also check that the AC output did not shut off after a pause in charging.

How many miles can an F3800 add to an EV?

Roughly 14 miles from a full 3,840Wh battery, using the 27 kWh per 100 miles example efficiency from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. Real results will be lower after charging losses and vary by car.

Does the F3800 Plus have a NEMA 14-50 outlet?

No. The F3800 Plus has a TT-30 RV outlet and an L14-30 outlet instead. The NEMA 14-50 is on the base F3800 only.

Should I charge my EV from an F3800 every day?

Anker's F3800 guide says EV charging is for emergencies, not regular use. For daily charging, a home charger installed by a licensed electrician is the better path.