One thing I do love about the Smart Generator is that I can also monitor it by using the same Ecoflow App that I use to monitor my Delta power station.
I apologize for hammering you with comments, but I’ve been using dual fuel gens for 20+ years. They are all harder to start on propane because the demand regulator can’t get sufficient vacuum without a good pull, and it’s worse at altitude. That’s probably why yours won’t electric start. If your viewers want a reliable & cheap-ish dual fuel generator of this size, I recommend the Champion 2500 ($550 street). I have one & it works great.
The electric ignition was painful to watch, but, as always, an excellent review! I’m impressed with the power output under a high load, throttling down is better than tripping off.
Liked the video. PS: When using recoil starter, do NOT just jerk the handle. 1st softly pull to engage the recoil to the flywheel, then give it a steady pull. This procedure will extend the life of the recoil starting system. Also not fair to take a dB reading from a unit in a garage that acts like an amphitheater. True test would be in open surroundings at your measured distance. Grass and other plant life will also reduce true readings. Owner of many Honda EU-series generators sets. Quietest in the business. Looking very hard at the new battery back-up systems and this unit is "smart" for generator b/u to the battery system for extended outage. In fact, I just ordered the unit you are testing for personal review and ease of use for my mother as it has electric start. (had to get EU3000 at 130+lbs to get electric start.) P-Chi this feature).
So happy to see this review this morning - thank you! This gen is next on my list. I have Max/Wave and solar is not really a good option at 48North (NW Montana) on wooded property. I have watched EcoFlow's video on how to operate and maintain the gen, but always good to see your review. And I guess I've not been paying attention ... I did NOT know that propane lived forever :) ***Edited to add that I love the EcoFlow app and found it worked very well. I ran the Wave in my home office (10x11ish) mostly from house outlets but some testing from the Max. Even though I was very close to the unit, the app is easier to use and info at a glance.
hi thanks for another great video. I was just wondering if anyone ever ended up calculating how long EcoFlow's dual-fuel generator ran on a full propane tank? (at full output wattage of around 1600W. Thanks again
A couple of late comments to this great video. Generator mfg’s state the oil capacity in the manual, so if you measure it out first you won’t get any mess. Run for 10 hours to break-in and change the oil! After that change oil @ interval in manual. Over 40+ years I’ve found it best to use 5W-30 (any decent brand) if you live where it gets cold. If temps rarely go below freezing 10W-30 is fine. I prefer synthetic but it probably doesn’t matter.
Flow points of 10w synthetic is significantly better than conventional. You usually see same flow results for 5w and 10w the same until your like down to -10f..
Just got this generator and was unable to do the electric start on propane as well. Ran the unit for an hour for break-in. Will try electric start again tomorrow
Thank you for taking the time to make this review and actually test this in a way that helps us understand how this thing works. I really like the bundle that they have (with the power station included) but it's still at least $2,000 and tough to spend that money. The problem is when we really need it will probably be happy if we can get one at Double the price.
So about $1300 with discount and taxes on the black Friday sale. I guess it's an ok deal when you consider the features and the capacity on propane. I have a propane only generator that is much smaller and I think I paid 550 with shipping and tax. Starts up first go every time but only outputs 850 watts at 6000+ feet where I tend to use it. I would like a model that could handle a bit more but with a battery array as a buffer it will do fine.
If that cable to connect to the Delta Pro is Ecoflow proprietary then it is way too short, obviously it needs to be outside and Delta PRO inside, that is the deal breaker for me as mine are in my basement by my panel and Generator would be outside, would need a 50ft cable for sure as the generator should be a good 10+ ft away from the home IMO.
Weird.. when I click on your link it’s 1299, not including your percent off code. But when I go to the Black Friday page it’s 999. Ah.. dual fuel or not. That makes sense. Hopefully at some point they will make it work on the delta 2 also
Can you think of an easy way to direct the exhaust to the outside? It would be nice to be able to have a Delta Pro and this generator close by/indoors.
I just purchased mine a couple months ago. Still have not fired it up yet. Got a new 5 gal gas can and exchanged on of my propane tanks for a new full one. I really appreciate how you went through the steps to get it ready for use. This is the first generator I have ever purchased. Went through a couple of days of losing power a few years ago due to an ice storm. I had a feeling that this winter just might bring us another one down here in Georgia. Thank you for the video, it is much appreciated. After shipping (and a couple other charges) it ended up costing me around $1500.
$1500 for a 1800 watt generator? You got ripped! I paid less than $900 for my 3800 watt Wen electric start generator. Barely 56 decibels at 10 feet and runs almost 12 hrs on 5 gallons of gasoline. Never have had to use the pull starter and always has started on first attempt.
BETTER fire it up NOW, I worked @ a MFG plant that IMPORTED 10 or more DIFFERENT U.S. WELL KNOWN name brands from ONE MFG plant in CHI NA, they came directly from the Savanna Ga. port to our warehouse, the trailer door would open and you would see MANY DIFFERENT name brands staring at you that the typical consumer would ASSUME was U.S. built units, and it was well known some would be defective from the get go. NEVER let sit in a box something you may need in an emergency
@Numa Newbern the instructions state that you should run them for 20 minutes every one to two months to keep the lithium battery charged and fuel system clean. That is exactly what I have done since I bought the generator in 2020. No issues at all. I recently refreshed my gasoline supply (five gallon containers with stabilizer) so I know that is good for another year or two.
It almost sounds like the flow safety valve on the tank was tripped just turn gas off remove the hose and replace fully then slowly turn gas on you should hear a click.
I found out from that Scotty guy on the auto channel that as long as the codes on the oil jug meets the application you’re good. Wow 8 pulls. And a great number’s of cranking. No joy 🎉. The 7000’ is a issue but understand it and working it and knowing why is a good heads-up. Thanks again for your review their a great service. Tom all that stuff in your van. Just saying.
It looked like you open the gas cap air port after the 7th pull so it appears to me it started technically on the 1st pull once gas cap was in on position.
Thanks for the video. I have a question. Can we connect the dc output of this generator to another device? For example, to the pv input of an inverter. Is there voltage on the + and - ends of the generator without connecting a cable when it is running? Or does it need to communicate with a device?
Thanks for another thorough review. Great information, as usual. I depend a lot on TH-cam reviews, on your channel for this subject, and many others. If I may, what would be super helpful is a brief summary at the end. Here's why: Although I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos, front to back, and you're usually my first stop, I'm often seriously considering a purchase and want to gather as much data about the product as quickly as possible. Yes, sorry, I do stray to other TH-camrs from time to time 😊and I'll wager a lot of your loyal viewers do the same. If I can jump to the end of your review and get a quick summary, I can collate it with a couple other trusted experts (if they include summaries), and come to a relatively quick buying conclusion. Then, as time permits, I'll go back and watch the whole video to pick up more detail. I hope this helps. Thanks again. Your Facebook group is wonderful as well. I'd urge anyone who hasn't visited it to go there immediately. Lots of well informed members will jump in to help solve problems. Tremendous resource!
Exactly. And you pay a premium for the honor of pull starting it. 🤑 I just bought an electric start dual fuel 65lb 3500w generator for several hundred dollars less than what this 1800w one costs. At the start of the video I was afraid I had missed out on an opportunity but by the end of the video no such worries.
I would add a filter to your propane line. Rubber hoses can deteriorate from the inside and send tiny particles into the fuel system and clog it. Propane does take a while to fill up the lines. Is there a primer button like you’d find on a Mr. Heater propane heater? That would be a nice feature.
Have you considered loading it with Aspen fuel ? - that is ethanol free, burns cleaner, does not degrade quickly - and does not destroy rubber and about 5 times as expensive as E5 from the gas station.
Use the dip stick on the oil fill cap, don't just fill to top. Also open propane valve all the way, use a hand levered ball valve between line and bottle if you need quick shut off.
It's only a smart generator in warm weather. Once it's 32° or below you need to warm it up for 3 minutes before you can apply any load to it including your Delta pro unit, so it needs to remain unloaded and therefore isn't smart at all in cold weather.
ANOTHER GREAT informative video, Tom .... "THANK YOU" !!!! 👌👍👍👍 WOW ... 7000 ft elevation ? Are the winters tough in that area , ? Snow ?? (I'm at sea level in Massachusetts so not bad in the winter months here ) ..
I get that they added a bunch of electronics to the generator but 1300 dollars (on sale) for a generator that produces 1600/1800w depending on the fuel you use, is kinda lame TBQH. You can pick up a champion dual fuel inverter 2500 that is basically the same running watts for around 500 dollars on sale. I am not sure the electronics added are worth a 145% increase in price. Are the auto features worth 145% increased cost?
Lot of electronics but I agree. This is for somebody who's looking for seamless integration with their existing EcoFlow system. Too much money otherwise. 2 cycle 800 watt Harbor freight generators $100 😂😂😂😂. You can definitely do better on price. Not same thing but there's definitely cheaper options.
Did you charge the 12-volt battery? It probably arrives too weak to start it on its own. And after you ran it for a while it charged enough to start it....
Oops.. let’s see what anonymous support call (if there is a call center) or email chain gets Hobo to correct the electric start issue. How long, if the people were American, and what it took to get the issue resolved. As usual, great exam/test. Informative.
I have an ecoflow Delta Pro. Had an issues with a Open Ground issue when hooked to my home. Sent an email and by the end of the day I had a reply with a way to resolve the issue. So hope they will do the same for all products.
@John Ross I bought Delta Pro/wave bundle and was missing a cable. Customer Svc responded immediately. Supply chain issue but CS kept me informed until ship.
1:17 I wonder if Honda sends you that stuff if you buy one of their generators. No king of the hill reference? No LaForge in engineering reference? Edit: Does it tell you time to empty for the gas and propane? Like time reference or a countdown rather than showing the percent of your fuel? Does it always show fuel percentage? What about oil life percentage since oil isn't really consumable like fuel is?
Did performance mode (aka full throttle) allow it to start on propane each time? Seems like eco mode was not happy starting on propane. Looks like a firmware update is needed to fix that :) Thanks Tom for another great video
So what are the benefits you get from this vs more powerful propane generators that are half the price like the pulsar. Is it just integration with their battery systems (auto start/stop, etc)?
Hi and thanks for posting, does it work without having a smart phone and has it been tested to recharge other branded power stations for example a Bluetti AC180p. Cheers Glenn v
I would love to see someone present a creative solution for their battery cable thats "proprietary" and FAR too short to be safe for a generator so close to your home. I cant find anyone with any videos that openly address this issue and truly potentially fixes it.
Hi Hobo Can I use an Ai-Power 2000 inverter generator to recharge my Delta Pro with its electrical AC cable plugged into the Delta Pro? What port do i use or do i need an adaptet?
@@HOBOTECH While that is something, it's not been perfected yet. Why buy a generator for a purpose that kinda works? Especially one that's brand new and no service parts are available? Call me crazy or whatever, I don't care about the CCP feefees. Either make it right or don't leave the factory should be the rule. I understand your alliances, and understand your argument. Without completion all brands suffer, and if they can't handle criticism then tell them to grow thicker skin, no offense intended 🤣😂🤣
What do you mean kinda works? It works just fine. I show it more than performs at elevation. The hard start I show went away after it ran. So I don't understand the criticism. If you don't like it don't get one.
@@HOBOTECH Okay, well said. Calm down, I watched the video, I don't think it's ready for prime time. Does eco flow have a state side repair center or spare parts? It's a great design,I'll give them that. And they came close. I've been running generators for about as long as you have, we're pretty close in age, and you and I both know that parts or service are a critical item to have with this investment. Eco flows aren't cheap. That said if they had parts or a USA service center or fully stocked, 3rd party service centers available then the decision to buy one, two etc would be that much easier. I'm sure you are aware where this world is at, and Eco flow is not made stateside. C lock downs, wars, transportation/ supply chain issues and the like can and have happened. Having a brand new generator perform like it did in this video might not be a high probability, however that doesn't bode well for a new unit. Until Eco flow has either a parts department or a USA based service center, buying into their ecosystem is off my table. If on the other hand one can find parts in ten years then I'd buy a few. I've got 25 year old eu2000 Honda's that run like champs. And all of their part's are available. So if comparing apple's to apple's the Honda's win, presently. Thanks for the conversation.
Do you have the length on the DC to DC cord. I have the Delta Pro for my RV and am looking at the placement possibilities for both if I go with the "smart gen". I can't find it listed anywhere. TY - Al
Its the Propane bro, It will never get its full rated watts on propane. I have a DF gen as well, mine is 4500 watt so the power loss is not a issue for me. If you used regular gasoline It would be close to max watts.
This generator is meant to auto-start when it detects the low battery level on your ecoflow.... if the electric start doesn't work reliably then it's useless. Needing to pull the cord a couple times makes this no better than every other generator.
Another comment, since some of the propane in the tank is liquid, the pressure has nothing to do with how full it is, rather it has to do with the temperature and how rapidly you’re drawing it out. The best way to tell how much is in the tank is to find the vertical place on the tank where it gets cold, or look for condensation on the tank, after the generator has run for a few minutes. That’s the liquid level.
Hello! The generator without a load operates at low speeds and consumes little fuel. If you connect a load to it, it will increase the speed automatically.
Strange that in all of the TH-cam review of this generator, the generator do not start itself with the electric start on propane... Did you figure out why or did Ecoflow provided you the solution?
Elevation might have played a part in his difficulty, and probably fact that it was less than half full and regulator. But even more likely was since the line was brand new, full of air (and hadn’t been running). Once it was running for a while the electric start then worked immediately. Generally speaking, if it hasn’t been running already on propane, you should pull the cord a few times (slowly) to prime it, then turn the system on and start by whichever method you want.
It doesn't come with the adapter you have to order that separate. So you will spend basically between this and the pro model roughly 4 grand and you still can't use it. Geez just throw in the adapter and add it to the price. It would cost another 70 bucks hardly something that would change ones mind when they are already spending over 4 grand. My other criticism of this is why not have some outlets on it in case the pro goes down?
@@HOBOTECH Yup one outlet so a 1200 dollar one outlet generator? That doesn't come with all the parts. At the end of the day its just constructive criticism. I was hoping eco flow would consider it in the future because it would make an okay product into a great product. Considering the wonderful tech ability they already show us I can't imagine it would be to hard to do.
@@johnmal5975it’s one outlet, as it’s only providing one full circuit =1800 watts =15 amps. Obviously they expect you to put whatever plug divider/power bar you want-but if they put two outlets on it then someone would expect it to supply enough for two full circuits, when it just splitting one. Therefore it’s better for you to do it.
@@GMC-qo9xi That person would no nothing about generators or power stations. None of eco flows power stations work like that or the competitions . Gas/propane generators normally have at least 2 120 outlets The price of this thing it should also. Sorry its lame just an opinion to each his own.
@@johnmal5975 exactly regarding the opinions. My opinion is the single plug actually makes more sense, as it keeps the front clean and simple and I’d rather have one cord coming out the front instead of like 6! Lol… one cord that feeds the rest of them from the ground. But having said that, for many it already is 2 outlets, as the DC out to an EF power station must be used to make sense of buying this machine in the first place… BUT what is an even more important point is that you can then leave everything plugged into the power station while it is charging through the DC port. IF you don’t generally use it for EF products-you would (probably) be wise to not buy it, as you can get remote start machines that are cheaper, lighter and much quieter than the EF. I was tempted to buy it today, as the price after multiple discounts was the lowest it’s ever been (in Canada), but I decided not to based on the noise factor considering the relatively low output-as it needs to run full bore/volume to get the needed output. Can get a lighter, quieter, higher output package for the same price as their best possible price.
The Dual-Fuel Generator with a brain. 😗 I also read these generators can start automatically to recharge your power station based on your settings on the mobile app. Very cool 😎 (Except, they will not ship these to Commie-fornia addresses).
Not true, I purchased one on the EcoFlow website 3 weeks ago and it arrived in San Jose, CA. without issue. I recall that on Amazon they will not ship to CA.
I have been researching eco flow for ages. I was just about to buy a smart and a delta. I’m not now. Dual fuel was something I needed. Obvs the smart isn’t good on lpg. Thanks for the review
Thanks for another great review professor hobo. By the way I'm sure you probably know this already but you are seriously nerdly 🤭 my property in Colorado is at 6800 ft. Where are you in Arizona that's 6800 ft just curious
Because propane (especially if cold?), and the new line, with partially charged battery, lack of priming. Once he had it going for awhile it started back up immediately… which means the main kinks in the connection were removed and battery was freshly charged, etc. Pulling the cord a few times slowly with the system powered down can help prime it-from what I gather… then turn on and try starting. Presumably, it will start more easily later on if it hasn’t been disconnected or let to sit a long time.
I scrolled thru the ecoflow website page at your link. I used their search engine to try and find the word "warranty". I scrolled up and down the page, watched the video, no warranty info. I clicked the help button in chat, to express my concern. They wanted my name and email address, said they would get back with me in 1 to 2 working days. ANY BODY KNOW HOW LONG THE WARRANTY IS?
Hi! It is possible that the ambient temperature was too low and the tank contained a lot of butane, which does not evaporate well in the cold. If you keep the cylinder with gas in a warm room for a while, this should help the gas evaporate better. Another option is to fill the cylinder with pure propane, it evaporates well even at low temperatures, but I do not know if they can do this at filling stations in your country.
That unit is too expensive for 1 outlet, and electric start that leaves alot to be desired. The battery sounded healthy in the beginning. I bought an ALP generator/inv. 100% propane. It does take 4 pulls to start. Also, has a purge valve for the propane. There are plenty of dual fuel units out there, too bad ECO flow is the last one in the parking lot
@@GMC-qo9xi You need to run a gas generator. To keep it in condition. Preferably at least once per year. It’s not good to just let them sit in stowage for years without use.
I'd rather have a gas can than a propane tank. my truck runs on gasoline. Lot easier to siphon gas out of that, than constantly fetch propane somewhere in an emergency. On the other hand, my 7000 watt gen set at home is hooked up to a natural gas line.
I wouldn't touch a generator with computerized controllers - especially not a screen and Bluetooth and the like. A generator is a last ditch device. It's like having a fire extinguisher with an OLED screen and a tactile switch for the trigger. What I would totally buy is a smart add-on for a Honda generator.
I have the Hutchmountian propane kit for my Honda 2200i and it does work well, but I do have to pull it about 3 to 4 times for it to start on propane & 4 to 5 times for the natural gas to start but it runs nice. Also customer service is incredible with them I kid you not.
Well Japanese manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha make better cheeper quieter units with higher outputs for less money , their not duel fuel...as a RV owner with a land Rover discovery not having a petrol bomb in the back of the vehicle is worth the extra money...being able to use the propane stored aboard the RV is the safest option!!!.
Another another comment, lithium starting batteries are just dumb. They don’t work when it’s winter cold, it’s stupidly difficult to find replacements, and they only last for a few years. Lead acid still has its place. Interesting how the only people to use custom lithium as a starting battery are Chinese companies that make lithium batteries…
GET IT HERE: gohobo.io/eflpg use code ECOFLOWAFF
UPDATE: This generator does NOT require Internet access to run. It's a one time setup only!
Thanks for the good report on ecoflow generator
discount code seems to not work anymore unfortunately...
The added convenience of using oripane or gasoline is undeniable. This is something I can really use.
One thing I do love about the Smart Generator is that I can also monitor it by using the same Ecoflow App that I use to monitor my Delta power station.
I apologize for hammering you with comments, but I’ve been using dual fuel gens for 20+ years. They are all harder to start on propane because the demand regulator can’t get sufficient vacuum without a good pull, and it’s worse at altitude. That’s probably why yours won’t electric start. If your viewers want a reliable & cheap-ish dual fuel generator of this size, I recommend the Champion 2500 ($550 street). I have one & it works great.
It's hard to beat DC charging that the champion doesn't have
The electric ignition was painful to watch, but, as always, an excellent review! I’m impressed with the power output under a high load, throttling down is better than tripping off.
Liked the video.
PS: When using recoil starter, do NOT just jerk the handle. 1st softly pull to engage the recoil to the flywheel, then give it a steady pull. This procedure will extend the life of the recoil starting system.
Also not fair to take a dB reading from a unit in a garage that acts like an amphitheater. True test would be in open surroundings at your measured distance. Grass and other plant life will also reduce true readings.
Owner of many Honda EU-series generators sets. Quietest in the business. Looking very hard at the new battery back-up systems and this unit is "smart" for generator b/u to the battery system for extended outage. In fact, I just ordered the unit you are testing for personal review and ease of use for my mother as it has electric start. (had to get EU3000 at 130+lbs to get electric start.)
P-Chi this feature).
So happy to see this review this morning - thank you! This gen is next on my list. I have Max/Wave and solar is not really a good option at 48North (NW Montana) on wooded property. I have watched EcoFlow's video on how to operate and maintain the gen, but always good to see your review. And I guess I've not been paying attention ... I did NOT know that propane lived forever :) ***Edited to add that I love the EcoFlow app and found it worked very well. I ran the Wave in my home office (10x11ish) mostly from house outlets but some testing from the Max. Even though I was very close to the unit, the app is easier to use and info at a glance.
48 north, nice I’m at 58 north, nice to meet you 👋🏼
It's always a good idea to have a standby power source and the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator fits that purpose quite well...
hi thanks for another great video. I was just wondering if anyone ever ended up calculating how long EcoFlow's dual-fuel generator ran on a full propane tank? (at full output wattage of around 1600W. Thanks again
A couple of late comments to this great video. Generator mfg’s state the oil capacity in the manual, so if you measure it out first you won’t get any mess. Run for 10 hours to break-in and change the oil! After that change oil @ interval in manual. Over 40+ years I’ve found it best to use 5W-30 (any decent brand) if you live where it gets cold. If temps rarely go below freezing 10W-30 is fine. I prefer synthetic but it probably doesn’t matter.
Flow points of 10w synthetic is significantly better than conventional. You usually see same flow results for 5w and 10w the same until your like down to -10f..
Most owners with dual fuel generators know that the trick is so do 5 to 10 quick pulls of the cord to prime the system, works every time
I watched Echoflow video on this gen … didn’t go back this morning, but I do remember there was at least 1-2 slow prime pulls in their video.
Just got this generator and was unable to do the electric start on propane as well. Ran the unit for an hour for break-in. Will try electric start again tomorrow
It started just fine after it ran for a while.
How's the electric start now?
Thank you for taking the time to make this review and actually test this in a way that helps us understand how this thing works. I really like the bundle that they have (with the power station included) but it's still at least $2,000 and tough to spend that money. The problem is when we really need it will probably be happy if we can get one at Double the price.
13:54 the electric start worked…maybe you need to let the engine run and charge the battery inside the generator first?
So about $1300 with discount and taxes on the black Friday sale. I guess it's an ok deal when you consider the features and the capacity on propane. I have a propane only generator that is much smaller and I think I paid 550 with shipping and tax. Starts up first go every time but only outputs 850 watts at 6000+ feet where I tend to use it. I would like a model that could handle a bit more but with a battery array as a buffer it will do fine.
If that cable to connect to the Delta Pro is Ecoflow proprietary then it is way too short, obviously it needs to be outside and Delta PRO inside, that is the deal breaker for me as mine are in my basement by my panel and Generator would be outside, would need a 50ft cable for sure as the generator should be a good 10+ ft away from the home IMO.
Weird.. when I click on your link it’s 1299, not including your percent off code. But when I go to the Black Friday page it’s 999. Ah.. dual fuel or not. That makes sense.
Hopefully at some point they will make it work on the delta 2 also
Can you think of an easy way to direct the exhaust to the outside?
It would be nice to be able to have a Delta Pro and this generator close by/indoors.
There are videos on how to do it
I just purchased mine a couple months ago. Still have not fired it up yet. Got a new 5 gal gas can and exchanged on of my propane tanks for a new full one. I really appreciate how you went through the steps to get it ready for use. This is the first generator I have ever purchased. Went through a couple of days of losing power a few years ago due to an ice storm. I had a feeling that this winter just might bring us another one down here in Georgia. Thank you for the video, it is much appreciated. After shipping (and a couple other charges) it ended up costing me around $1500.
$1500 for a 1800 watt generator? You got ripped! I paid less than $900 for my 3800 watt Wen electric start generator. Barely 56 decibels at 10 feet and runs almost 12 hrs on 5 gallons of gasoline. Never have had to use the pull starter and always has started on first attempt.
BETTER fire it up NOW, I worked @ a MFG plant that IMPORTED 10 or more DIFFERENT U.S. WELL KNOWN name brands from ONE MFG plant in CHI NA, they came directly from the Savanna Ga. port to our warehouse, the trailer door would open and you would see MANY DIFFERENT name brands staring at you that the typical consumer would ASSUME was U.S. built units, and it was well known some would be defective from the get go. NEVER let sit in a box something you may need in an emergency
@Numa Newbern the instructions state that you should run them for 20 minutes every one to two months to keep the lithium battery charged and fuel system clean. That is exactly what I have done since I bought the generator in 2020. No issues at all. I recently refreshed my gasoline supply (five gallon containers with stabilizer) so I know that is good for another year or two.
@@garycolvin6625Wait, did you say that it has a lithium battery? If so do you know if it's lithium ion or lithium iron phosphate?
It almost sounds like the flow safety valve on the tank was tripped just turn gas off remove the hose and replace fully then slowly turn gas on you should hear a click.
I found out from that Scotty guy on the auto channel that as long as the codes on the oil jug meets the application you’re good. Wow 8 pulls. And a great number’s of cranking. No joy 🎉. The 7000’ is a issue but understand it and working it and knowing why is a good heads-up. Thanks again for your review their a great service. Tom all that stuff in your van. Just saying.
That initial propane startup is interesting and concerning..
Definitely want to run through the break-in period before relying on it in an emergency.
It looked like you open the gas cap air port after the 7th pull so it appears to me it started technically on the 1st pull once gas cap was in on position.
Its running propane, dude.
Thanks for the video. I have a question. Can we connect the dc output of this generator to another device? For example, to the pv input of an inverter. Is there voltage on the + and - ends of the generator without connecting a cable when it is running? Or does it need to communicate with a device?
Thanks for another thorough review. Great information, as usual.
I depend a lot on TH-cam reviews, on your channel for this subject, and many others. If I may, what would be super helpful is a brief summary at the end.
Here's why: Although I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos, front to back, and you're usually my first stop, I'm often seriously considering a purchase and want to gather as much data about the product as quickly as possible. Yes, sorry, I do stray to other TH-camrs from time to time 😊and I'll wager a lot of your loyal viewers do the same.
If I can jump to the end of your review and get a quick summary, I can collate it with a couple other trusted experts (if they include summaries), and come to a relatively quick buying conclusion. Then, as time permits, I'll go back and watch the whole video to pick up more detail.
I hope this helps.
Thanks again. Your Facebook group is wonderful as well. I'd urge anyone who hasn't visited it to go there immediately. Lots of well informed members will jump in to help solve problems. Tremendous resource!
Aside from being able to use propane and gasoline. This Smart Generator would look good beside the Delta Pro.
Wow! At my age I can't be yanking that starter rope. I'll take a hard pass on this one.
Great video tho! Glad you reviewed it.👍
Exactly. And you pay a premium for the honor of pull starting it. 🤑
I just bought an electric start dual fuel 65lb 3500w generator for several hundred dollars less than what this 1800w one costs. At the start of the video I was afraid I had missed out on an opportunity but by the end of the video no such worries.
I like the electric start. And the delivery was good
I would add a filter to your propane line. Rubber hoses can deteriorate from the inside and send tiny particles into the fuel system and clog it. Propane does take a while to fill up the lines. Is there a primer button like you’d find on a Mr. Heater propane heater? That would be a nice feature.
Just make a copper whip and eliminate the rubber line.
Have you considered loading it with Aspen fuel ? - that is ethanol free, burns cleaner, does not degrade quickly - and does not destroy rubber and about 5 times as expensive as E5 from the gas station.
They sell ethanol free gas at gas stations in AZ. That's all I use in my small engines.
I think there should always a little of gasoline in the tank for electric start?
Use the dip stick on the oil fill cap, don't just fill to top. Also open propane valve all the way, use a hand levered ball valve between line and bottle if you need quick shut off.
Air in the empty propane hose?
Hi Tom,, the screwdriver turns to either flat or Phillips.. just hold the handle and pull the metal part away to switch it.
It's only a smart generator in warm weather. Once it's 32° or below you need to warm it up for 3 minutes before you can apply any load to it including your Delta pro unit, so it needs to remain unloaded and therefore isn't smart at all in cold weather.
Thats y i have a room built just for the ecoflow and equipment. As i live in northern mn
ANOTHER GREAT informative video, Tom .... "THANK YOU" !!!! 👌👍👍👍
WOW ... 7000 ft elevation ? Are the winters tough in that area , ? Snow ?? (I'm at sea level in Massachusetts so not bad in the winter months here ) ..
The weather is great. We do get some snow during winter but it doesn't get crazy cold.
You need a Mini Hobo to help with the back Log. 🤙🤙🤙
I get that they added a bunch of electronics to the generator but 1300 dollars (on sale) for a generator that produces 1600/1800w depending on the fuel you use, is kinda lame TBQH. You can pick up a champion dual fuel inverter 2500 that is basically the same running watts for around 500 dollars on sale. I am not sure the electronics added are worth a 145% increase in price. Are the auto features worth 145% increased cost?
Yes that’s what I was thinking. I got a wen 3800 for 600.
Remote monitoring would be nice but not sure what the extra smarts really do.
Lot of electronics but I agree. This is for somebody who's looking for seamless integration with their existing EcoFlow system.
Too much money otherwise. 2 cycle 800 watt Harbor freight generators $100 😂😂😂😂. You can definitely do better on price. Not same thing but there's definitely cheaper options.
Did you charge the 12-volt battery? It probably arrives too weak to start it on its own. And after you ran it for a while it charged enough to start it....
I like the auto stop-start-charge. I will wait for Bluetti and others to come out with theirs. Hopefully the price will come down.
Oops.. let’s see what anonymous support call (if there is a call center) or email chain gets Hobo to correct the electric start issue. How long, if the people were American, and what it took to get the issue resolved. As usual, great exam/test. Informative.
I have an ecoflow Delta Pro. Had an issues with a Open Ground issue when hooked to my home. Sent an email and by the end of the day I had a reply with a way to resolve the issue. So hope they will do the same for all products.
@@joshc606 good to know. Thanks.
@John Ross I bought Delta Pro/wave bundle and was missing a cable. Customer Svc responded immediately. Supply chain issue but CS kept me informed until ship.
@@johnross6314 And a correction ... I have the Max/Wave bundle not Pro.
1:17 I wonder if Honda sends you that stuff if you buy one of their generators. No king of the hill reference? No LaForge in engineering reference? Edit: Does it tell you time to empty for the gas and propane? Like time reference or a countdown rather than showing the percent of your fuel? Does it always show fuel percentage? What about oil life percentage since oil isn't really consumable like fuel is?
Did performance mode (aka full throttle) allow it to start on propane each time?
Seems like eco mode was not happy starting on propane. Looks like a firmware update is needed to fix that :)
Thanks Tom for another great video
Settings made no difference.
I assume the 12 volt wasn't charged enough out of the box
The time a solar generator says it has left, is that a for sure number or an estimated amount if time remaining?
It's a very rough estimate.
If you have already gas in the generator , how can you switch tp LPG ?
So what are the benefits you get from this vs more powerful propane generators that are half the price like the pulsar. Is it just integration with their battery systems (auto start/stop, etc)?
First, it's Yamaha engine. Second, it fully integrates with many of Ecoflows systems with auto stop start functions.
who makes the engine ?
Hi thanks for a great channel ! Do you have any info when ecoflow is releasing Delta 2 MAX Delta PRO ?
Hi and thanks for posting, does it work without having a smart phone and has it been tested to recharge other branded power stations for example a Bluetti AC180p. Cheers Glenn v
I assume this can be converted to run on natural gas, yes?
Is there an adapter to use the Ecoflow Dual Fuel to charge up my Growatt Infinity 1500 that I just bought last month?
Just plug it in.
@@HOBOTECH How long will it run on a full tank of propane?
@@DaveSimcik 12.5 hours
I would love to see someone present a creative solution for their battery cable thats "proprietary" and FAR too short to be safe for a generator so close to your home. I cant find anyone with any videos that openly address this issue and truly potentially fixes it.
Hi Hobo
Can I use an Ai-Power 2000 inverter generator to recharge my Delta Pro with its electrical AC cable plugged into the Delta Pro? What port do i use or do i need an adaptet?
Good review, however if I needed a dual fuel generator I'd get a traditional one. Then use that to run the loads, and maybe charge some batteries.
The point of this generator is to save up to 40% on fuel by DC to DC charging other Ecoflow products. No other generator can do that.
@@HOBOTECH While that is something, it's not been perfected yet. Why buy a generator for a purpose that kinda works? Especially one that's brand new and no service parts are available?
Call me crazy or whatever, I don't care about the CCP feefees. Either make it right or don't leave the factory should be the rule.
I understand your alliances, and understand your argument.
Without completion all brands suffer, and if they can't handle criticism then tell them to grow thicker skin, no offense intended 🤣😂🤣
What do you mean kinda works? It works just fine. I show it more than performs at elevation. The hard start I show went away after it ran. So I don't understand the criticism. If you don't like it don't get one.
@@HOBOTECH Okay, well said. Calm down, I watched the video, I don't think it's ready for prime time. Does eco flow have a state side repair center or spare parts?
It's a great design,I'll give them that.
And they came close.
I've been running generators for about as long as you have, we're pretty close in age, and you and I both know that parts or service are a critical item to have with this investment. Eco flows aren't cheap.
That said if they had parts or a USA service center or fully stocked, 3rd party service centers available then the decision to buy one, two etc would be that much easier.
I'm sure you are aware where this world is at, and Eco flow is not made stateside. C lock downs, wars, transportation/ supply chain issues and the like can and have happened. Having a brand new generator perform like it did in this video might not be a high probability, however that doesn't bode well for a new unit.
Until Eco flow has either a parts department or a USA based service center, buying into their ecosystem is off my table.
If on the other hand one can find parts in ten years then I'd buy a few.
I've got 25 year old eu2000 Honda's that run like champs. And all of their part's are available.
So if comparing apple's to apple's the Honda's win, presently.
Thanks for the conversation.
Very interesting and informative video. Does the display tell you how many hours the eco-flow has run? Happy New years 🥳🎈🎊🎉 thanks Michael
It keeps track of the hours run.
@@HOBOTECH nice thanks Michael ☺️💡
Any idea what the LPG fuel consumption is at 1500W output? About how many pounds does it consume per hour?
Do you have the length on the DC to DC cord. I have the Delta Pro for my RV and am looking at the placement possibilities for both if I go with the "smart gen". I can't find it listed anywhere. TY - Al
5 meters
Its the Propane bro, It will never get its full rated watts on propane. I have a DF gen as well, mine is 4500 watt so the power loss is not a issue for me. If you used regular gasoline It would be close to max watts.
This generator is meant to auto-start when it detects the low battery level on your ecoflow.... if the electric start doesn't work reliably then it's useless. Needing to pull the cord a couple times makes this no better than every other generator.
my thoughts exactly, disappointing.
Another comment, since some of the propane in the tank is liquid, the pressure has nothing to do with how full it is, rather it has to do with the temperature and how rapidly you’re drawing it out. The best way to tell how much is in the tank is to find the vertical place on the tank where it gets cold, or look for condensation on the tank, after the generator has run for a few minutes. That’s the liquid level.
thanks if you start the generator with no load at all will it run at high idel like a Honda and only speed up when the load is applied Thanks
Hello! The generator without a load operates at low speeds and consumes little fuel. If you connect a load to it, it will increase the speed automatically.
Does this solar generator or any other have generator support mode 🤔👍
Like the white lab coat.
Is it fuel injected or carb?
Carb
Strange that in all of the TH-cam review of this generator, the generator do not start itself with the electric start on propane... Did you figure out why or did Ecoflow provided you the solution?
Elevation might have played a part in his difficulty, and probably fact that it was less than half full and regulator. But even more likely was since the line was brand new, full of air (and hadn’t been running). Once it was running for a while the electric start then worked immediately. Generally speaking, if it hasn’t been running already on propane, you should pull the cord a few times (slowly) to prime it, then turn the system on and start by whichever method you want.
can't buy them anymore... update coming?
Can you use solor panels with this also??
You can use solar panels with solar generators.
Just remember to slowly open propane tanks valve and keep full bottles, will last for ever
My gas only EcoFlow generator won't electric start when the battery is low, such as after months of storage.
I don't get why you don't use the wall socket
It doesn't come with the adapter you have to order that separate. So you will spend basically between this and the pro model roughly 4 grand and you still can't use it. Geez just throw in the adapter and add it to the price. It would cost another 70 bucks hardly something that would change ones mind when they are already spending over 4 grand. My other criticism of this is why not have some outlets on it in case the pro goes down?
It does have an outlet. Did you watch the review?
@@HOBOTECH Yup one outlet so a 1200 dollar one outlet generator? That doesn't come with all the parts. At the end of the day its just constructive criticism. I was hoping eco flow would consider it in the future because it would make an okay product into a great product. Considering the wonderful tech ability they already show us I can't imagine it would be to hard to do.
@@johnmal5975it’s one outlet, as it’s only providing one full circuit =1800 watts =15 amps. Obviously they expect you to put whatever plug divider/power bar you want-but if they put two outlets on it then someone would expect it to supply enough for two full circuits, when it just splitting one. Therefore it’s better for you to do it.
@@GMC-qo9xi That person would no nothing about generators or power stations. None of eco flows power stations work like that or the competitions . Gas/propane generators normally have at least 2 120 outlets The price of this thing it should also. Sorry its lame just an opinion to each his own.
@@johnmal5975 exactly regarding the opinions. My opinion is the single plug actually makes more sense, as it keeps the front clean and simple and I’d rather have one cord coming out the front instead of like 6! Lol… one cord that feeds the rest of them from the ground. But having said that, for many it already is 2 outlets, as the DC out to an EF power station must be used to make sense of buying this machine in the first place… BUT what is an even more important point is that you can then leave everything plugged into the power station while it is charging through the DC port. IF you don’t generally use it for EF products-you would (probably) be wise to not buy it, as you can get remote start machines that are cheaper, lighter and much quieter than the EF.
I was tempted to buy it today, as the price after multiple discounts was the lowest it’s ever been (in Canada), but I decided not to based on the noise factor considering the relatively low output-as it needs to run full bore/volume to get the needed output. Can get a lighter, quieter, higher output package for the same price as their best possible price.
This is the first generator that I have seen that uses both propane and gasoline. Very clever indeed.
Thanks from LaPosa S ltva.
Could this run off methan?
Seems decent at most. I’ll stick with my Champions :)
can this generator charge a delta 2 w Xtra smart battery?
also can it charge my delta 2 max?
Yes
@HOBOTECH thank you sir.
I like it!
The Dual-Fuel Generator with a brain. 😗 I also read these generators can start automatically to recharge your power station based on your settings on the mobile app. Very cool 😎 (Except, they will not ship these to Commie-fornia addresses).
Not true, I purchased one on the EcoFlow website 3 weeks ago and it arrived in San Jose, CA. without issue. I recall that on Amazon they will not ship to CA.
Can the Ecoflow Dual run by itself?
1.6k
I have been researching eco flow for ages. I was just about to buy a smart and a delta. I’m not now. Dual fuel was something I needed. Obvs the smart isn’t good on lpg. Thanks for the review
If you need someone helping out on your projects, I would to it for a place where I can sleep in the warehouse.
Thanks for another great review professor hobo. By the way I'm sure you probably know this already but you are seriously nerdly 🤭 my property in Colorado is at 6800 ft. Where are you in Arizona that's 6800 ft just curious
Did you ever Figure out why the electric start wouldn't work for such a expensive generator
Because propane (especially if cold?), and the new line, with partially charged battery, lack of priming. Once he had it going for awhile it started back up immediately… which means the main kinks in the connection were removed and battery was freshly charged, etc. Pulling the cord a few times slowly with the system powered down can help prime it-from what I gather… then turn on and try starting. Presumably, it will start more easily later on if it hasn’t been disconnected or let to sit a long time.
I kinda wanted to see like a plain white oil bottle with only the word “OIL” on it
I scrolled thru the ecoflow website page at your link. I used their search engine to try and find the word "warranty". I scrolled up and down the page, watched the video, no warranty info. I clicked the help button in chat, to express my concern. They wanted my name and email address, said they would get back with me in 1 to 2 working days. ANY BODY KNOW HOW LONG THE WARRANTY IS?
Answered in the video ...
when I had watched another review .they couldn't start because the proppane tank was low on propane
Hi! It is possible that the ambient temperature was too low and the tank contained a lot of butane, which does not evaporate well in the cold. If you keep the cylinder with gas in a warm room for a while, this should help the gas evaporate better. Another option is to fill the cylinder with pure propane, it evaporates well even at low temperatures, but I do not know if they can do this at filling stations in your country.
Mobile one . Valvoline . Quaker City is probably work
I'd buy a few raffle tickets for it.
Raffles are illegal
Never knew any other company that was clever enough to build a generator like this that uses both propane and gas.
there are many that are dual fuel..
Quanto costa dove lo vendono
That unit is too expensive for 1 outlet, and electric start that leaves alot to be desired. The battery sounded healthy in the beginning. I bought an ALP generator/inv. 100% propane. It does take 4 pulls to start. Also, has a purge valve for the propane. There are plenty of dual fuel units out there, too bad ECO flow is the last one in the parking lot
👍
What other sub 2000 Watt electric start high efficiency inverter generator do you know of? Also, ever hear of a plug strip?
Great Video. Bro. F that Gas tho. I have a Gas generator. Only run it now. So it won't lock up over time. The is for the video. I'm skipping this.
Lock up over time? What are you saying?
@@GMC-qo9xi
You need to run a gas generator. To keep it in condition. Preferably at least once per year. It’s not good to just let them sit in stowage for years without use.
I'd rather have a gas can than a propane tank. my truck runs on gasoline. Lot easier to siphon gas out of that, than constantly fetch propane somewhere in an emergency. On the other hand, my 7000 watt gen set at home is hooked up to a natural gas line.
I wouldn't touch a generator with computerized controllers - especially not a screen and Bluetooth and the like.
A generator is a last ditch device. It's like having a fire extinguisher with an OLED screen and a tactile switch for the trigger.
What I would totally buy is a smart add-on for a Honda generator.
I have the Hutchmountian propane kit for my Honda 2200i and it does work well, but I do have to pull it about 3 to 4 times for it to start on propane & 4 to 5 times for the natural gas to start but it runs nice.
Also customer service is incredible with them I kid you not.
Great video - discount code not working - straight $1299 when following link - please can you update code.
ECOFLOWAFF works perfectly fine
Here from Pinball Preparedness
Well Japanese manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha make better cheeper quieter units with higher outputs for less money , their not duel fuel...as a RV owner with a land Rover discovery not having a petrol bomb in the back of the vehicle is worth the extra money...being able to use the propane stored aboard the RV is the safest option!!!.
It would cheaper to make your own battery bank (2x 100ah in series) and power it with a portable generator
I wonder how long a 20lb tank would last at say….1000watts of charging a EcoFlow Pro.
I second this recommendation.
And since we are taking about HoBo’s Time and Dime 😂
It’s an even better idea.
I’ll watch the whole video too.
Another another comment, lithium starting batteries are just dumb. They don’t work when it’s winter cold, it’s stupidly difficult to find replacements, and they only last for a few years. Lead acid still has its place. Interesting how the only people to use custom lithium as a starting battery are Chinese companies that make lithium batteries…