Exway Atlas Pro and DaranEner Neo2000: A Practical Look at Charging While Riding

Introduction

The Exway Atlas Pro is already a capable all-terrain electric skateboard, but what happens when you pair it with a massive portable power station? The DaranEner Neo2000, a 2074 Wh power station, was mounted directly onto the Atlas Pro’s deck and used to charge the board while riding. The results were mixed, but they reveal a lot about both products.

This setup isn’t a practical everyday solution, but it does show the Atlas Pro’s flexibility and the Neo2000’s raw capacity. Let’s break down what worked, what didn’t, and who should consider each product.

The Setup: Mounting the Neo2000 on the Atlas Pro

The DaranEner Neo2000 is a hefty unit at about 25 kg, but its feet happen to be spaced perfectly to fit around the center of the Atlas Pro’s deck. This prevents any side-to-side movement. A couple of strips of EVA foam were added for padding, and the setup was ready to go.

The Atlas Pro was connected to the Neo2000 using the board’s 200W charger. This allowed the power station to feed energy into the skateboard’s battery while riding. It’s worth noting that this requires an electric skateboard that permits charging and throttle engagement at the same time. By default, the Atlas Pro doesn’t allow this, but the setting can be changed through the remote’s menu.

Charging While Riding: What Actually Happened

After riding for 8.5 km at about 20 km/h, the Atlas Pro’s battery indicator had dropped by only 2 percent. Under normal circumstances, the battery would have dropped by around 25 percent over that distance. This confirms that the board was indeed charging while riding.

However, a problem emerged after about an hour. The acceleration behavior on the Atlas Pro started malfunctioning. When pushing forward on the throttle from a full stop, the board would stutter for a couple of seconds before accelerating. As soon as the charger was unplugged, everything returned to normal. Plugging it back in caused the stuttering to return.

The exact cause is unclear. It could be that the board wasn’t designed to be used this way, or it could be a problem specific to that unit. Even if charging while riding worked without issues, there are questions about long-term battery health. DIY builders have noted potential concerns about the battery management system overworking or cells going out of balance.

The AUXPack Alternative

For riders who want extra range without the hassle of a portable power station, the Exway AUXPack remains a more practical solution. Rather than one battery charging another, the AUXPack connects to the internal battery in parallel, effectively turning the two batteries into one larger battery. This avoids the inefficiencies and potential issues of charging while riding.

The AUXPack can be installed when needed and removed when not, making it a cleaner integration with the Atlas Pro. It’s a purpose-built solution designed for the board, whereas the Neo2000 is a general-purpose power station that happens to work in a pinch.

View more details for Exway Atlas Pro

Beyond the Board: Charging Everything Else

The Neo2000 isn’t just for the Atlas Pro. It was also used to charge all the other boards in the group simultaneously. Rated for 2000W of output, it’s more than enough to handle multiple devices at once. According to DaranEner, it can power 99% of devices, appliances, and power tools.

The Neo2000 offers 14 output ports in total, including three AC outlets, USB ports, DC ports, a car socket, and wireless charging. This makes it a versatile power source for a variety of situations, from group rides to camping trips.

Other Uses: Backup Power and More

Beyond skateboarding, the Neo2000 has found a home in a studio space without wall outlets. It eliminates the need to run a cable across the room. When it needs charging, it goes from empty to full in less than 2 hours.

It could also serve as a powerful UPS and backup power source for essential devices like a cat’s automatic feeder and toilet, providing peace of mind during power outages or when away from home for a few days.

The Neo2000 uses an LFP battery, which doesn’t carry the same fire risk as most other lithium batteries. LFP batteries also have a much longer lifespan. DaranEner claims the Neo2000 maintains 80% of its capacity after 3,500 cycles, backed by a 5-year warranty.

View more details for DaranEner Neo2000

Buying Advice

The Exway Atlas Pro is a solid all-terrain electric skateboard on its own. Its ability to charge while riding, even with the quirks, shows a level of flexibility that most boards don’t offer. For riders who want extra range, the AUXPack is the more practical and safer choice.

The DaranEner Neo2000 is a different beast. It’s heavy, but its capacity and output make it a valuable tool for anyone who needs portable power away from wall outlets. Whether it’s charging multiple boards at a group ride or powering a studio without outlets, it delivers. The LFP battery chemistry and 5-year warranty add peace of mind.

Conclusion

Pairing the Exway Atlas Pro with the DaranEner Neo2000 is an interesting experiment, but not a practical everyday solution. The charging while riding works initially, but the stuttering issue and potential long-term battery concerns make it a risky setup. The AUXPack remains the better choice for range extension.

The Neo2000, however, stands on its own as a powerful and versatile portable power station. It’s not a replacement for the AUXPack, but it’s a great companion for anyone who needs serious power on the go.