If you’re looking for a reliable and versatile backup power and lighting solution for your home, you might have considered the Biolite BaseCharge Home Emergency Kit. This kit includes the BaseCharge 1500 power station, three AlpenGlow portable lanterns, a HeadLamp 425 head torch, and a Charge 80 PD portable power bank. These devices can keep your phones, laptops, routers, medical devices, and lights running for days during a power outage or emergency.
But what if you encounter some problems with your Biolite kit? How do you troubleshoot them and get your kit back to working order? In this guide, we’ll cover some common issues that you might face with your Biolite BaseCharge Home Emergency Kit and how to fix them. We’ll also provide a comprehensive guide to the error codes that might appear on the BaseCharge 1500’s display.
Problem: BaseCharge 1500 won’t turn on or charge
Solution: Check the power switch on the back of the unit and make sure it is in the ON position. If it is, check the battery level indicator on the front of the unit and see if it has any bars left. If it doesn’t, plug the unit into a wall outlet using the included AC adapter and let it charge for at least 8 hours. If it still doesn’t turn onor charge, contact Biolite customer support for assistance.
Problem: BaseCharge 1500 won’t charge devices or output power
Solution: Check the output ports on the front and top of the unit and make sure they are not damaged or obstructed. If they are, clean them gently with a soft cloth or compressed air. If they are not, check the devices that you are trying to charge or power and make sure they are compatible with the output specifications of the BaseCharge 1500. For example, some devices may require more than 1200W of AC power or more than 100W of USB-C PD power, which the BaseCharge 1500 cannot provide. If your devices are compatible, try using different cables or adapters to connect them to the unit. If none of these steps work, contact Biolite customer support for assistance.
Problem: AlpenGlow lanterns won’t turn on or charge
Solution: Check the power button on the bottom of the lanterns and make sure they are not locked. To unlock them, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds until you see a green light flash. If they are not locked, check the battery level indicator on the side of the lanterns and see if they have any bars left. If they don’t, plug them into a USB port on the BaseCharge 1500 or another power source using the included micro USB cable and let them charge for about 3 hours. If they still don’t turn on or charge, contact Biolite customer support for assistance.
Problem: HeadLamp 425 won’t turn on or charge
Solution: Check the power button on the side of the headlamp and make sure it is not locked. To unlock it, press and hold the power button for 8 seconds until you see a blue light flash. If it is not locked, check the battery level indicator on the back of the headlamp and see if it has any bars left. If it doesn’t, plug it into a USB-C port on the BaseCharge 1500 or another power source using the included USB-C cable and let it charge for about 2 hours. If it still doesn’t turn on or charge, contact Biolite customer support for assistance.
Problem: Charge 80 PD won’t turn on or charge
Solution: Check the power button on the side of the power bank and make sure it is not locked. To unlock it, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds until you see a white light flash. If it is not locked, check the battery level indicator on the front of the power bank and see if it has any bars left. If it doesn’t, plug it into a USB-C port on the BaseCharge 1500 or another power source using a USB-C cable (not included) and let it charge for about 4 hours. If it still doesn’t turn on or charge, contact Biolite customer support for assistance.
Error Codes Guide
The BaseCharge 1500 has a message center on its display that shows plain English messages to inform you of its status and performance. Sometimes, these messages may include error codes that indicate some problems with the unit or its inputs or outputs. Here is a list of possible error codes and what they mean:
- E01: Input voltage too high
- E02: Input voltage too low
- E03: Input current too high
- E04: Input current too low
- E05: Output voltage too high
- E06: Output voltage too low
- E07: Output current too high
- E08: Output current too low
- E09: Output short circuit
- E10: Output overload
- E11: Battery voltage too high
- E12: Battery voltage too low
- E13: Battery temperature too high
- E14: Battery temperature too low
- E15: System temperature too high
- E16: System temperature too low
If you see any of these error codes on the display, follow the instructions on the message center to resolve them. For example, you may need to unplug some devices from the output ports, reduce the input power, or let the unit cool down. If the error codes persist or you are unsure how to fix them, contact Biolite customer support for assistance.
We hope this guide has helped you troubleshoot some common issues with your Biolite BaseCharge Home Emergency Kit. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us directly. And don’t forget to check out our other blog posts for more tips and tricks on how to use your Biolite kit and enjoy portable power and lighting in any situation. Stay safe and stay lit!
