EcoFlow Energy Equipment evaluation: off-grid residing made straightforward

There’s by no means been a greater time to change into a digital nomad.

Many employers not named Elon Musk now supply versatile work-from-home preparations, enacted through the pandemic and made everlasting in 2022. Satirically, Musk’s little Starlink RV service has been a boon to distant working by bringing comparatively quick web to nice swaths of digital wilderness, even whereas driving. And for these seeking to go actually distant, dozens of nations, like Spain, Barbados, Namibia, and Malaysia, now supply momentary residency permits to digital employees of foreign-based employers. 

You too can take your nomadic existence off the grid because of advances in photo voltaic panels and batteries. Excessive-capacity batteries now cost quicker, last more, weigh much less, and supply improved security because of the adoption of lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4) chemistry. That’s good since you’ll be needing a number of energy if you wish to dwell and work from the seashore, forest, or mountain high comfortably.

However you may’t depend on the solar’s energy alone. For prolonged off-grid stays, you’ll want the power to replenish these batteries with no matter sources you’ve gotten at your disposal, be it AC retailers at an RV park (aka, “shore energy”), your van’s alternator, and even a diesel generator or wind turbine in a pinch. That’s the place the brand new EcoFlow Energy Kits are available in. 

EcoFlow introduced its expandable Energy Equipment sequence again in June as an all-in-one turnkey resolution to simply deliver energy to distant cabins and RVs. It’s meant to enhance and simplify every thing from planning and set up to operation in comparison with bespoke electrical programs bought right now by business stalwarts like Victron Power. 

Specifically, EcoFlow claims that its Energy Kits can match “any van measurement” and be arrange “5 occasions quicker” than conventional programs. So I put these claims to the check with the assistance of each novice {and professional} installers.

The novice set up was achieved in an previous Ford Transit Westfalia Nugget — the van you rebuild as a result of your dad and mom bought it to you low cost — by Roel, an everyday man able to putting in a lightweight change or two. The skilled set up was achieved in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — the gold customary for vanlifers — by Fabian van Doeselaar, the proprietor of Origin Travelvans.

Fabian got here away so impressed that he’s redesigning the Victron-based interiors of his customized journey vans to accommodate the EcoFlow Energy Equipment. It’s not an ideal system, particularly for Roel’s smaller van, however EcoFlow’s resolution has much more pluses than minuses.

Simply be certain that the employer that helps your goals of escapism additionally pays nicely. EcoFlow Energy Kits aren’t low cost, with costs beginning round $4,000. And that’s earlier than you add any photo voltaic panels.

EcoFlow sells its Energy Kits with a variety of configurations that may scale for various wants. The bottom configuration comes with the Energy Hub, cables, and selection of batteries for a complete capability between 2kWh and 15kWh. 

The Energy Hub is the brains of the system and offers a central level of connectivity for the batteries and the entire inputs and outputs. It combines a number of capabilities that may sometimes require their very own containers and exterior wiring. Contained in the Energy Hub, you’ll discover three MPPT photo voltaic cost controllers, an inverter charger, a DC-DC step-down converter, and a DC-DC battery charger. For a lot of installations, this all-in-one method is a bonus, however when area is severely restricted, it may be advantageous to have a number of smaller gadgets that may be tucked into any out there nook (extra on that later).

Optionally, you may add each a $499 AC/DC Good Distribution Panel and a $349 robotechcompany.com seven-inch touchscreen console show for extra granular management over your car’s electrical gadgets. The console may be redundant for some because it simply mimics performance already included within the wonderful EcoFlow app, however others will gladly pay to have a devoted show mounted inside their van or tiny house.

As much as three batteries may be plugged into the Energy Hub, however you may’t combine 2kWh batteries with 5kWh batteries. The batteries are heated, permitting them to each discharge and cost when the temperature drops beneath freezing outdoors with out affecting their efficiency or lifespan. Cost heating activates routinely when temperatures fall beneath 32 levels F (0 levels C) and consumes energy from the exterior charging supply (similar to photo voltaic panels), whereas the battery powers discharge heating, which is why it should be enabled manually to keep away from surprising battery depletion.

Energy Equipment bundles don’t embody any photo voltaic panels. The Energy Hub is designed to simply connect with any of EcoFlow’s personal inflexible, versatile, or moveable photo voltaic panels, nevertheless it additionally works with third-party panels (utilizing customary MC4 connectors or adapters) as long as their most open circuit voltage doesn’t exceed 150V. It helps as much as 4800W of whole photo voltaic enter unfold throughout three 1600W ports.

The Energy Hub is a 48-volt system that makes use of a step-down DC-DC module to make it appropriate with campers constructed round widespread 12V and even 24V programs. 48V has a number of benefits together with decrease present for a similar energy output, permitting for a lot thinner (and lighter) cables for use all through the car. 

The Energy Hub inverter is able to producing as much as 3600W (7200W peak), which is sufficient to simply energy nearly any AC equipment you’d need to set up contained in the van, together with induction cooktops and air conditioners. (Sure, EcoFlow makes a kind of, too.) The Energy Hub may even energy AC gadgets drawing as much as 5000W because of EcoFlow’s X-Enhance tech, which lowers the output voltage, thereby lowering the efficiency of high-wattage gadgets. It’s greatest to think about X-Enhance as a security internet that would often get you out of a jam.

The picture above reveals the entire EcoFlow Energy Equipment parts laid out like a mirror with a comparable system (with a lot smaller battery capability) from Victron Power utilized in Fabian’s vans. Victron’s little blue containers are fantastically succesful and scalable, which has made them the go-to model for van builders all over the world. However they require data approaching that of an skilled electrician with a purpose to select the proper parts after which mount and wire them collectively appropriately. Alternatively, professionals like Fabian can fine-tune Victron configurations to the precise wants of a selected construct, which may lower your expenses and perhaps even just a little area.

Another notable options:

• Automated Bypass mode sends externally related AC energy on to AC home equipment within the van whereas the batteries cost.
• The Energy Hub’s alternator port is robotechcompany.com on to the van’s starter battery (which is related to the car’s alternator). The Energy Hub stops drawing present when the car is idle by default, though that may be overridden within the app.
• EcoFlow’s iOS and Android app works over Bluetooth or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to handle inputs and outputs with spectacular granularity.
• An built-in Battery Administration System (BMS) displays temperature, voltage, and present to maintain every thing working safely.
• EcoFlow tells me that Energy Kits work with some wind generators within the 12-60V, 30A vary to cost with DC. EcoFlow is exploring a transportable wind turbine product for doable launch someday in 2023.
• EcoFlow sells a $1,399 dual-fuel Good Generator that may plug into the Energy Hub for emergency AC or DC charging energy. It’ll proceed to run for so long as you’ve gotten both propane or diesel to gas it.

Each Roel and Fabian had the identical remark upon receipt of their evaluation items: “It’s all very Apple-like.” The expertise begins with a gee-whiz unboxing that reveals nice wanting {hardware} and an app expertise that overdelivers — all extremely uncommon on this planet of van builders.

The set up advantages from straightforward to grasp directions out there in lots of languages, fast and informative assist movies on EcoFlow’s YouTube channel, and a 1:1 scale paper template to assist optimize placement and keep away from any time-consuming errors.

“By comparability, Victron’s manuals comprise giant quantities of data that elaborate on the entire system. That may get complicated, typically,” says Fabian. “EcoFlow’s manuals are small however clarify sufficient to know easy methods to set up it. For many individuals I feel it’s higher.”

EcoFlow’s cables are additionally nicely constructed and labeled to keep away from any confusion. Screws and different small components are bagged individually to maintain issues organized, and lock washers come fitted to bolts in a approach that stops them from coming free and being misplaced. Such consideration to element was appreciated by each installers. “It’s very onerous to make a mistake,” says Roel.

The extent of match and end on every Energy Equipment element can be uncommon for programs that sometimes get put in inside cupboards or beneath seats. Even the monochromatic cables look good in comparison with the mess of wiring spaghetti wanted for different energy programs. Each Roel and Fabian would haven’t any drawback leaving some, or all, of the parts uncovered of their builds. Mounting the Energy Hub out within the open permits you to see the standing lights for charging and output whereas additionally offering fast entry to buttons that activate and off the AC and DC outputs. Which may turn out to be useful when you don’t really feel like firing up the app or strolling over to the Energy Equipment console show. 

EcoFlow actually nailed the rugged but refined journey van aesthetic, one thing Fabian had already adopted for his customized van builds.

Fabian is the proprietor of Origin Travelvans, a Netherlands-based builder of customized VW Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans for “true adventurers and digital nomads.” His adventurous spirit and mechanical know-how are shared by his brother Mathieu, who makes rugged equipment for journey vans in Europe and the US via his firm Dutch Van Elements. The brothers are consultants in van customizations, each inside and outside.

Fabian acquired the biggest (and costliest at $15,000) 15kWh Energy Equipment system for set up in his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter L2H2, the workhorse panel van used all through Europe. This tradition six-meter (virtually 20-foot) van is Fabian’s private check car, the place he can dwell with new applied sciences, parts, and layouts earlier than providing them to clients for costs that may exceed $150,000.

His Sprinter van was already fitted with an influence system from Victron Power, which needed to be eliminated previous to putting in the EcoFlow Energy Hub, Good AC/DC Distribution Panel, and batteries within the reclaimed area. What you see pictured, together with the entire leftover purple cabling, will not be Fabian’s closing meeting, nevertheless it’s an affordable approximation to check EcoFlow’s declare that the Energy Equipment may be arrange and put in “5 occasions quicker” than competing programs.

Earlier than making the Energy Equipment set up everlasting, Fabian first wants to revamp his customized aluminum cupboards to optimize the match of every EcoFlow element for simple entry and air flow. See, after spending a number of weeks with the Energy Equipment, Fabian is assured that his future Origin Travelvans might be constructed round EcoFlow programs, regardless of experiencing a number of hiccups alongside the way in which (extra on that later).

The AC/DC Good Distribution Panel may be Fabian’s favourite a part of the Energy Equipment. First, it simplifies the set up and makes it safer by terminating all of the wiring inside a central field utilizing quick-connect wire snaps, whereas isolating the entire DC and AC cable runs from one another. It has six AC positions and 12 fused DC positions, six of which you can management and monitor independently from both the EcoFlow app or Energy Equipment console show. Different programs (like Victron) can do that, nevertheless it’s extra time-consuming and complicated to arrange because it requires a number of modules that need to be linked along with software program and wiring.

Fabian presently standardizes his builds round a few Victron system configurations — one for medium energy wants and one for top — to simplify his set up course of. “However now the Energy Equipment system permits me to actually rapidly have new setups and new prospects with out having to utterly redesign the distribution,” says Fabian. “And for me as a builder, it’s completely nice. It simplifies every thing. It’s an enormous distinction from Victron.”

The Good Distribution Panel can be helpful to the van proprietor. Seeing each historic and real-time energy consumption for particular AC gadgets like air conditioners and induction cooktops and DC gadgets like fridges and lights can assist customers dwell extra effectively with a purpose to maximize the time spent off-grid.  It additionally brings many smart-home conveniences to vanlife.

The Energy Equipment will not be an ideal system, nonetheless.

To begin with, Energy Hub placement is restricted by the size of the LFP battery cables, which measure simply 1.5m (4 ft, 11 inches). That’s not an issue for programs with much less battery capability, however Fabian’s 15kWh config has three big 5kWh LFP batteries to cable again to the Energy Hub, every measuring 19.7in (50cm) extensive. As such, the battery that’s furthest away goes to find out the placement of the Energy Hub and vice versa. That’s in all probability why EcoFlow is so keen on exhibiting its three-battery programs stacked vertically inside vans. However that doesn’t make a lot sense for Fabian’s 4×4 vans that carry out higher with the inside weight evenly distributed low to the bottom. 

In reality, Fabian says his 15kWh configuration is overkill for a typical van and is best fitted to tiny off-grid properties fitted with heavy-duty home equipment. “I feel if you’re residing and dealing off-grid, three batteries is certainly a bonus. However for a basic system put in in a van, I feel you have to be okay with one 5kWh battery.” However, Fabian plans to faucet into all of that capability to construct a propane-free showcase van loaded with power-hungry kitchen, environmental, and leisure tech.

Set up can be constrained by EcoFlow’s comparatively giant air flow necessities that whittle away at valuable area. The Energy Hub requires at the least 10cm (about 4 inches) on three sides (5cm / 2in on the left aspect) to make sure correct air flow. “The Energy Hub is a pleasant compact unit. Alternatively, it does want loads of room for air flow in line with the guide,” says Fabian. “The Victron components are smaller and separate, so you’ll find higher methods to make use of out there area.” 

The Energy Hub’s high-speed followers can get actually loud as nicely. They spin up rapidly after plugging the Energy Hub into shore energy for charging. EcoFlow has a fame for its loud followers, however that’s unavoidable with the present state of fast-charging tech. Fortuitously, you may scale back the charging amperage within the app to decrease the fan speeds, which might be a lifesaver if you could cost in a single day at an RV park whereas attempting to sleep.

There’s additionally the difficulty of bugs. After set up, Fabian found that the batteries have been draining regardless of all of his AC and DC gadgets being shut off, with two of his batteries discharging quicker than the third. These points have been resolved via a sequence of firmware updates over a interval of about 4 weeks. EcoFlow has a fame for being fast to squash bugs. That’s good, however it’s a must to marvel how such apparent points allowed the product to ship within the first place and what new issues might be found over long-term testing.

Fabian’s closing challenge is a minor one. In contrast to the LFP battery cables, a lot of the cables that ship with the package are just too lengthy. Fabian makes a speciality of constructing light-weight journey vans with a purpose to keep away from European restrictions that kick in above 3.5 metric tons — so each gram counts. As such, he finally plans to shorten the cables that run from the Energy Hub to the starter battery and Good Distribution Panel. That’s no drawback, although, because the connectors are designed to be opened with a purpose to minimize and reconnect the inner wires. And that work pales compared to the entire cables Fabian needed to create from scratch for the Victron programs he’s been utilizing.

With regard to EcoFlow’s declare that the Energy Equipment may be put in “5 occasions quicker” than competing programs, that’s true, in line with Fabian. His set up took lower than 5 hours and included a deep dive into the manuals. Fabian notes, nonetheless, that the velocity declare is simply true for absolutely specced programs just like the one he put in. In case your wants are easy and due to this fact don’t require loads of cabling and configuration, then the Energy Equipment gained’t save a ton of time, he says.

Roel is assured sufficient round house electrical energy to wire up a lightweight change and set up his personal photo voltaic panels. He has little interest in changing into fodder for the web’s promoting engines, although, which is why I agreed to withhold his final identify.

Roel acquired the smallest 2kWh Energy Equipment ($4,000) to put in in his 16-year-old Ford Westfalia Nugget. When EcoFlow says its Energy Equipment can match “any van measurement,” nicely, that is the campervan to show it. 

To suit the Energy Hub and single 2kWh battery, he needed to first make room by eradicating his grey water assortment tank, which shops runoff from the sink. He wasn’t utilizing the tank, so it wasn’t a lot of a sacrifice — however not each small van proprietor could have that type of flexibility.

The cupboard the place every thing is put in doubles as storage through the day and helps a part of the mattress at evening. Meaning the area might be lined by a strong shelf or mattress for lengthy durations of time. The tight area required Roel to get inventive with the mounting brackets since there wasn’t sufficient room to observe EcoFlow’s actual mounting directions. Fortuitously, that work solely required drilling a number of holes and attaching some bolts.

House for the EcoFlow parts was additional infringed upon by the spools of lengthy cable that needed to be tucked into the realm between the battery and Energy Hub. Roel plans to shorten the cables to liberate extra space for air flow. He did minimize some air flow holes into the encircling cabinetry, however he’s not inside the 10cm tolerances EcoFlow recommends for correct air flow. 

Fortuitously, Roel lives within the Netherlands, which has a really delicate local weather. However it stays to be seen how nicely the Energy Hub holds up over time, particularly on lengthy household journeys to southern Europe through the summers.

To his dismay, Roel didn’t have sufficient room to put in the optionally available AC/DC Good Distribution Panel. As an alternative, he tapped into his Nugget’s present distribution level. He hopes to finally discover some further area for it as a result of he actually desires the per-device administration that Fabian is having fun with.

Like Fabian, Roel additionally found a number of bugs with the system. He suffered from the identical battery drain points but additionally found a chilly climate charging challenge that was patched throughout testing. A noncritical bug whereby Roel’s system confirmed 600W always flowing from his alternator to the battery caught at 99 p.c full was unresolved by the point this evaluation was revealed. 

In whole, Roel’s novice set up took a bit greater than 13 hours: one-and-a-half hours to unpack and skim the manuals, six hours to determine his van’s wiring, 4 hours to determine easy methods to take away the grey water tank and vogue a Energy Hub mount, and about two hours to put in the Energy Equipment and troubleshoot.

Roel made some worth calculations on the Energy Equipment versus a comparable Victron Power system that may have made higher use of his van’s restricted area. EcoFlow’s system is roughly twice the value.

Nonetheless, Roel is having fun with the EcoFlow app and what it’s educating him about his power-hungry home equipment and lights. “Usually, I do not know how lengthy I can keep off the grid,” he mentioned after every thing was related. “I’ve AC energy now. It’s nice. Total, if I’d begin with a brand new van, then I’d rating it a 9 plus. However for a retrofit, it’s simpler to make use of separate components which you can scatter across the van in several areas. So for retrofits in a small van like mine, perhaps 7.5 out of 10.”

With regard to EcoFlow’s declare that the Energy Equipment can “match any van measurement,” Roel had this to say: “It’s large. I’d say it might be a bit smaller, however that’s additionally as a result of it has practically 5,000 watts of solar energy that may be related, and you may put as much as 15kWh of battery and I’m utilizing solely 2kWh. So it’s made for larger installations. However it does match.”

EcoFlow’s Energy Kits dwell as much as the corporate’s claims. The most costly choice actually may be put in about 5 occasions quicker than present options by an expert installer. And novices can match the entry-level Energy Equipment inside a small campervan in the event that they’re keen to make a number of compromises. It’s additionally competitively priced on the excessive finish, particularly when factoring within the previous adage that point is cash.

Furthermore, the all-in-one Energy Equipment has confirmed itself to be a turnkey resolution that takes a lot of the guesswork and complexity out of putting in and utilizing a battery-based energy system inside an RV — or an off-grid cabin within the woods, if that’s your choice.

The time period “game-changer” is tossed round fairly loosely as of late. However EcoFlow’s Energy Kits actually have modified the sport for anybody who can afford to change into a digital nomad. Costs begin at $4,000 and might exceed $15,000, however proudly owning one might be step one in beginning a complete new life — and that’s priceless.

Images by Thomas Ricker / The Verge