Selecting an Off-Grid Energy Answer for Our RV
After we first hit the street in our journey trailer, we needed to determine how one can energy our camper whereas boondocking. A totally wired photo voltaic setup with lithium-ion batteries, an inverter, and mounted photo voltaic panels would have been costly and time-consuming. Since we weren’t comfy putting in it ourselves, hiring knowledgeable would have added much more to the price. As a substitute, we opted for the EcoFlow DELTA Professional Moveable Energy Station with EcoFlow moveable photo voltaic panels as an easier, extra inexpensive various.
Options & Specs: EcoFlow Delta Professional
The EcoFlow DELTA Professional is a strong and versatile moveable energy station, superb for residence backup, off-grid adventures, and RV or van life. With excessive capability, quick charging, and a number of output choices, it supplies a dependable power resolution for a wide range of wants.
EcoFlow DELTA Professional Moveable Energy Station
- Capability: 3,600Wh (expandable as much as 25,000Wh with further batteries)
- AC Output: 3,600W (7,200W surge)
- Photo voltaic Enter: 1,600W max
- Charging Time: 3 hours through AC, 3-4 days through 400W moveable photo voltaic panel (weather-dependent)
- Battery Kind: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
- Weight: 99 lbs
EcoFlow 400W Moveable Photo voltaic Panel
- Energy Output: 400W
- Effectivity: as much as 22.6% monocrystalline silicone
- Sturdiness: IP68 waterproof ranking
- Dimensions: Unfolded: 105.8 × 236.5 × 2.5 cm Folded: 105.8 × 62.0 × 2.5 cm
- Weight: 35.3 lbs
EcoFlow 400W Inflexible Photo voltaic Panel
- Energy Output: 400W
- Effectivity: Excessive-efficiency monocrystalline cells
- Sturdiness: IP68 waterproof ranking
- Dimensions: 67.8 x 44.6 x 1.4 in
The DELTA Professional is a top-tier alternative for these searching for a high-performance, expandable, and versatile energy resolution for each stationary and cellular use.
Preliminary Setup & Powering the Camper
One of many greatest challenges was safely connecting the EcoFlow DELTA Professional to our RV with out pricey electrical work whereas additionally discovering an appropriate place for it. Because it’s massive and never waterproof, leaving it outdoors wasn’t an possibility. Preserving it inside ensured safety however took up invaluable house, making placement troublesome.
Our resolution was to plug the RV’s 30-amp energy twine immediately into the EcoFlow. This required routing the twine indoors—by a storage compartment, right into a gap within the boys’ backside bunk, throughout the ground, and into the photo voltaic generator close to our dinette. Whereas purposeful, this setup wasn’t probably the most elegant, because the twine ran throughout the ground.
In case you’re comfy with electrical work and have an even bigger price range, you would hardwire a switch change or set up an exterior energy inlet for a cleaner, extra environment friendly setup. However for us, this straightforward and inexpensive resolution labored nicely sufficient!
Photo voltaic Charging Efficiency & Challenges
Moveable Photo voltaic Panel Limitations
We initially used the EcoFlow 400W foldable photo voltaic panel that got here bundled with our generator. Whereas its portability made it straightforward to reposition for optimum solar publicity, charging was frustratingly sluggish—taking as much as three full days of direct daylight to completely cost the generator if no energy was being drawn.
Safety was one other concern. We couldn’t depart the panel unattended whereas out buying or climbing, as theft was an actual chance. Due to the sluggish photo voltaic charging pace, our most dependable possibility grew to become AC charging, which takes solely three hours. Whereas off-grid, this usually meant operating our fuel generator to energy the camper whereas concurrently charging the EcoFlow.
Upgrades & Future Growth
To enhance our setup, we mounted two EcoFlow 400W Inflexible Photo voltaic Panels on the roof, offering a complete of 800W. The set up was simple—I ran the wiring right into a junction field, by the roof, into our higher cupboards, and down into the dinette bench seat, the place it connects on to the EcoFlow.
This improve considerably improved our capability to remain off-grid. On sunny days, we are able to typically go days and even weeks with out utilizing our fuel generator. Whereas our present setup works nicely, we plan so as to add an further battery sooner or later to double our capability and prolong our off-grid time. Nevertheless, extra batteries are massive and ponderous, requiring more room contained in the rig.
Value & Worth
The EcoFlow DELTA Professional is a major funding, sometimes priced round $2,000–$3,000. Nevertheless, offers, reductions, and bundle choices may also help cut back the price, particularly when buying photo voltaic panels or equipment.
Whereas the upfront value is excessive, the long-term financial savings—decreasing generator gas prices and avoiding costly full-hookup campgrounds—make it a worthwhile funding for off-grid residing.
Downsides & Frustrations
Whereas the EcoFlow DELTA Professional has been a fantastic resolution general, it comes with some irritating points—notably firmware updates and buyer assist.
- Firmware Updates: After one replace, we seen the battery drained considerably sooner. Many different customers reported the identical challenge, which was irritating given the unit’s excessive price.
- Buyer Assist: Coping with EcoFlow’s assist workforce was difficult. We skilled points, together with three melted wires that wanted changing. Whereas they finally despatched replacements, the method was sluggish and irritating. No less than half the representatives we spoke to had been impolite or unhelpful, making the expertise much more troublesome.
Would We Select This Setup Once more?
In hindsight, we might have opted for a conventional lithium battery, inverter, and photo voltaic panel system from the start. Whereas the EcoFlow DELTA Professional is a good product, it has limitations {that a} everlasting system wouldn’t have.
That mentioned, we don’t remorse utilizing EcoFlow’s merchandise—they’ve served us nicely. The DELTA Professional is highly effective and versatile, however it’s not with out flaws. If EcoFlow improves customer support and firmware reliability, it may grow to be a prime contender within the moveable photo voltaic market.
Closing Ideas
The EcoFlow DELTA Professional is an inexpensive, moveable energy resolution superb for RV vacationers who need simplicity over complicated wiring. It really works finest with inflexible photo voltaic panels for effectivity, although a backup energy supply is crucial for cloudy days.
Whereas it’s been a nice general resolution, set up requires some creativity with wiring. For these searching for a plug-and-play possibility, the DELTA Professional is a stable alternative. Nevertheless, for long-term off-grid residing, investing in a everlasting lithium battery system could be the higher route.
Learn extra actual evaluations from full-time vacationers:
Purpose Zero Moveable Energy Station
