I Test & Review the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger // Portable Power Station Supercharger
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ค. 2024
- In today's video I test and review the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger. I show you all the ports, inputs, outputs, and more!
00:00 Intro
01:14 Unboxing
04:30 Install
06:58 Testing
10:58 Considerations
13:05 How it Changes Everything
16:53 Final Thoughts
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EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger
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EcoFlow DELTA 2 w/ 800W Alternator Charger
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EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max w/ 800W Alternator Charger
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Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this video, no responsibility is taken for any error, omission, or misstatement. This video is for demonstration purposes only and should only be used as such by any prospective viewer. Reliance on such advice, information, or the content of this video is solely at your own risk, including without limitation any safety guidelines, resources, or precautions related to the setup, install, operation, maintenance, or repair of any equipment or any other information available in or through this video. All content contained in this video is not intended to form part of any guarantee or warranty and are offered on an as is, basis. I assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of this video. In no event shall I be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages such as injury, death, or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the information or the contents presented in this video. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Support the channel with these affiliate links below. As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Use coupon code 24EFRVAROCKS for additional 6% off where applicable and save up to 35% off plus get a free solar panel through June 24th:
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EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger
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EcoFlow DELTA 2 w/ 800W Alternator Charger
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EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max w/ 800W Alternator Charger
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EcoFlow DELTA Pro w/ 800W Alternator Charger
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As an old car audio installer, scratch the paint off the chassis for the ground or use the cars ground to chassis if you don’t like sanding your factory paint
Great tip, thank you
I just ordered mine! can’t wait to get it, great video👌
Thank you. It's really a nifty time saver.
SUPER!!!
Wish this worked with other power stations, or even the Delta Pro Ultra lol. Hopefully they release an XT60 output option soon.
I hear you. It's a really nice product. I wonder if it has something to do with the higher wattage and optimization to ensure the power is delivered in a safe way that the BMS on the power station can't do by itself? But, being devil's advocate I suppose the opposite side could argue EcoFlow is doing it on purpose to restrict customers to their ecosystem.
Any reason why you connected the ground to the cars chassis vs the negative battery terminal?
Yes, best practice is to connect ground to chassis similar to jumping a car. Technically the negative battery terminal has other leads going from battery to chassis, but best to have a direct path.
What was your voltage setting you set it to on the app to achieve the 800 watts
No voltage adjustment on mine that I can see, but in the EcoFlow app it allows me to pair down the charging watts (watts = voltage x amps) in the event my alternator doesn't support full 800W consistently. But typically battery voltage on lead acid such as on my Jeep will be in the 12-14V range.
Could it be connected to the leisure batteries that supply the 12v power to the motorhome?
It would need to be connected to a battery that has an alternator. Really the install is connecting to the alternator as one of the red leads in video goes directly to alternator.
Where are you putting the cables when driving, or do you have to take them off when you are not using it and are you running it into the cab to charge while driving?
Great question. So in my video I was testing it out first to make sure it worked with my vehicle's alternator before permanently installing. Once confirmed, then I can route the bundle (about 16') into my vehicle, which for most people I think will be the rear trunk area. I could see it being especially easy for a truck/jeep owner as the cable is protected and can run under the vehicle along frame/chassis.
Can you have solar charging as well without making any changes ?
@@TRUTHandANSWERS I believe all the Delta series have 2x XT150 so physically it is possible to connect solar simultaneously. I haven't tried it myself, but I have heard of at least one other user that did it successfully.
How did you route that big cable and fitting from the engine compartment into the Jeep?
Great question. Do the opposite side of cable with the eye-terminals/leads...they are much smaller and easier to snake.
So if you have a dc-dc charger that charges your house batteries p, can you also use this or is that too ouch pulling from one alternator?
Great question. There are different sizes of alternators on engines, some even have dual alternators. I think you could reach the limit of your engine's alternator and then need a larger or second one if running multiple appliances off it. The DC-DC charger you mentioned is very similar to the EcoFlow alternator/charger, so it could be too much depending on size of existing engine alternator.
Why not just hook the negative to the negative of the battery instead of to the chassis? The chassis is already grounded to the battery, and that way you would have a better connection to the battery without having to go through the frame for your ground.
Great question. For safety it's best to ground to chassis. Technically daisy-chaining to existing negative terminal at battery leads to same path, but some assumptions are made in that case that may not apply to every vehicle. EcoFlow recommends chassis ground for negative unless installing in an RV. Here a link to manual:
manuals.ecoflow.com/us/product/alternator-charger-800w?lang=en_US
Not the case here but on my EV it says to use frame because it better calculates load somehow so it knows when to use the big battery to charge the 12v. Doesnt make sense to me but that is what it said.
will it work with other power stations namely jackery?
No, it only works on EcoFlow
So in the video your set to 14V in the app but your using a 12v battery. I know when running the jeep it might get up to 14 plus volts like my van does but I get way better charging with no issues on 12v setting. Have you tried setting to 12v?
Great observation! Yes, after the video and doing more testing I found the same. I thought it was idling initially that was causing charging to reset, but it was voltage setting essentially. It's nice EcoFlow gives that parameter to adjust. Thank you.
@@AdventureRocks yes!
@@AdventureRocks how would this system be used in conjunction with a large house battery system along with the separate ecoflowdelta bank? Like? What would be the way to connect it all up such that the alternator charger can charge not only the ecoflow delta but also the larger house battery system
@@thepatternforms859 Great question...I am not entirely sure. EcoFlow could probably chime in more on that one, but I think they intended this unit more just for cars to speed up the charging on their portable stations. Maybe one could figure out a DIY way to capture that same output though via XT150 connector and feed it into house system? Might be better options overall though for that use case? Not as experienced personally on the residential house-battery world.
Have you tried/or will this charge your River Pro 2?
GREAT question. So I believe on all the River series they just have the XT60 port for input, but the alternator/charger uses the XT150 port more commonly found on the Delta series. I suppose in theory it's possible to get an adapter to convert XT60 to XT150, but then the challenge would be the EcoFlow firmware on the River series likely isn't setup to receive the charge from the 800W alternator. And, then the XT150 is a 150A (250A peak) rated, so it could potentially feed more current than is safe to run through the XT60 port given how powerful the 800W alternator/charger is. Hope that all makes sense. All that to say...not at this time, but maybe it could be a future feature with some mods/firmware?
Very cool. I don't like that its proprietary but you can daisy chain another branded power station to the ecoflow power station. I saw that pecron and some other brand has their own version. But this ecoflow looks superior .
Great point
I wonder if you could charge the Delta with the alternator AND solar at the same time.
Yes you can, I believe with the Delta 2 and Delta 2 Max
will it charge other power stations than EcoFlow?
I don't believe so. The reason I say that is, when I first set it up, the EcoFlow Alternator/Charger made me update the firmware of my Delta power station before it would work. So, I believe there is some data in addition to the current going between the two and that makes me think it is proprietary to EcoFlow units with the XT150 connector.
Any reason powerful enough to go with this at $600 instead of a pure sine wave inverter at less than half the price?
Great question. This one requires an EcoFlow power station (sold separately, which has a pure sine wave inverter built-in) in order to provide power for applicances and such. Really it's main function is just to provide a faster means to charge an EcoFlow powerstation.
@@AdventureRocks yeah my question was more like what if you get a renogy inverter for about $150 and charge the power station with it? Wouldn’t it be a cheaper option than getting this at $600 and still do the job?
@@CharlieO77 My apologies. So I wonder if you mean a Renogy Inverter/Charger combo perhaps? Renogy sells some basic inverters in the $150 range, but inverters only do the reverse...take your 12V DC power and convert it to 120V AC for powering small appliances (output 120V AC, but not the reverse). Renogy also makes some Inverter/Charger combos in the 2000-3000W range and those are intended to work off standard lithium 12V batteries to both invert power for 120V AC and then charge the connected battery bank with an external power source...but they are designed for standalone battery banks and not for Power Stations like the EcoFlow Delta series. Whereas this EcoFlow 800W Alternator/Charger is designed exclusively to supercharge EcoFlow power stations. It has unique software on the power station that accepts the charge from the Alternator/Charger in a safe and manageable way that gives it the fast charging capability. Otherwise Victron makes some DC-DC chargers that might work as a 3rd party alternative. Hope that makes sense.
@@AdventureRocks yeah it does. I guess I was just thinking as an inverter to plug regular devices like phone chargers or charge little 10,000mah usb power banks and the power station with the 110 plug. Maybe there’s a benefit to use directly dc. I think I understand what you say like there’s no need to convert DC to AC to charge the power station (which is dc) just better to charge it with DC directly. Thanks!
How much extra fuel does this use on your vehicle,
I'd estimate it's similar, or perhaps slightly higher, compared to running AC full blast vs no AC.
it can charges while idle? dont need to be in motion?
If the vehicle is running the alternator is running.
Only caveat is, depending on your vehicle, your alternator may run at higher capacity when engine RPMs are higher supporting a higher charge rate. Just depends on your specific car. But, I was idling in video for reference.
How much power does it pull
Great question. I did not have a meter on the car side to check. My Jeep is very basic kinda old school so it doesn't show digital voltage on battery through EVIC.
Can’t you just use the negative on the battery for grounding?
In theory difference between chassis ground and battery negative is minimal, assuming the battery negative is properly grounded. Some may argue, especially for higher powered applications, that it is better to ground via chassis. Kinda similar how one might jump a car's battery...better to ground via chassis than borrow the negative. Again, in theory small difference, but just better practice to ground on chassis.
How much gas and what toll on your engine??????????????????????
Great question. I haven't attempted to calculate impact on MPG, but I'd estimate it is insignificant for most. I think if anything more wear and tear on vehicle 12v starting battery and alternator... Meaning it may take a year or two off their life...marginal in end. That's all speculation though.
Are you going to want to set this up in the rain though?
After initial testing on your vehicle, it's designed to be permanently installed on the vehicle with the hardware in trunk or bed. The cables are shielded for install. Idea is to have a go-to charging source that will guarantee the rate 100% of time and make use of existing car engine/alternator compared to solar...slower and dependent on sun. It's a nice add-on for existing EcoFlow users with Delta series power stations.
@@AdventureRocks would it make me replace my car battery more frequently?
@@timothyyoon8771 it's possible one could argue additional wear and tear on your car's alternator and battery using it, but I don't think it would be a significant amount to the point you would be excessively replacing either component.
@@timothyyoon8771 Great question!
My understanding is you can set a minimum voltage for the starter battery to have to be at for the charger to take electricity from it. You had it set at 14 it looks like. This means the charger will not take your battery below 14 volts. So it was slowing down with charging as your battery voltage dropped. Your alternator was not involved, only your battery, since your alternator was not running. If you lowered it to 13.5 or lower it would take even more power from your battery before slowly stopping.
Once you start and your voltage is higher then the charger will take more if it is above what you have it set at for the battery.
I ordered one I will keep the setting quite high so I don’t run down the battery very far and I rely on the alternator. I may also not charge at 800 but I have not decided. It seems like this is a lot to ask of my alternator.
My apologies! I see now what you are referring to on the "starting voltage" in settings...great point. Thank you for pointing that out. I'm glad EcoFlow incorporated that feature as it is important.
@@AdventureRocks no problem. I have watched a lot of reviews. Collectively I have learned a lot. I am glad to see this product come out. I am waiting on mine as we speak. I camp in north Georgia and western North Carolina. Places where solar is almost pointless most of the time.
If you want to watch Casey 250 he did one of the better reviews, and explained the product very well. I think he had the best understanding for the product of anyone. I did also learn from other reviews however.
Doesn’t work with batteries that don’t have posts!!
Good point. You'd need a post adapter like this one:
amzn.to/4bPqpJK
Soooooo overpriced 😒
How set it and forget it is? Anybody compare this the Victron Orion XS50 DC-DC 50a? Cables will reach back of a Promaster 118WB with starter battery under drivers feet.
Great question. Once I set the parameters in settings via EcoFlow app it retains them indefinitely. I do not have experience with the Orion. But, maybe others can chime in comments here.