Portable Lithium Power Reserve

PNWTX

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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
RT R-25 OB
Has anyone had any experience with an EcoFlow Delta portable power station or something similar? Output is listed at up to 1800W (3300W surge).

https://ecoflow.com/collections/delta-1 ... er-station

Looking at options other than a portable generator (fumes and noise are a turn-off) to add additional power at anchor and power the electric grill on occasion. Thinking it might work plugging it directly into shore power.

Thanks!
 
Very interesting. I wonder how much it weighs.


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There are quite a few players in this space. Personally I would pick someone more established, like GoalZero or Jackery. Anker has smaller options available, too. The quality differences between the more established players and the complete commodity spec builds will be apparent.

I've used both the smaller Anker and GoalZero options (on land, not on a boat) and have friends with the Jackery for camping who love it.
 
daveme said:
Very interesting. I wonder how much it weighs.


They all seem to be fairly light, especially when compared to a generator. The one I linked to is only 30lb.

The the pros to me are:
-no maintenance
-no gas to refill (also a con when you run out of power)
-no fumes
-silent operation

Was just curious is anyone has used one of these to recharge house batteries and/or power something like the electric grill.

The only downside I can see is the obvious fact that when it's out of power there's no refilling it until you're back on shore power (unless you also purchase the available solar panels). But we're never off shore power more than 3 days at a time.
 
While slightly off topic, lithium power is a great addition to power boating. I purchased a small jump start style battery and use it for emergency light, charging iphone while away from boat, jump start engine (it turned over the diesel in my dodge truck to start) and powering the boats electric winch to pull the boat out of the water. Might weigh two pounds and costs about $70.00.
 
PNWTX":1xhhw3br said:
Has anyone had any experience with an EcoFlow Delta portable power station or something similar? Output is listed at up to 1800W (3300W surge).

https://ecoflow.com/collections/delta-1 ... er-station

Looking at options other than a portable generator (fumes and noise are a turn-off) to add additional power at anchor and power the electric grill on occasion. Thinking it might work plugging it directly into shore power.

Thanks!

They make a "Pro" version now which you can get at Costco. It had a 30a shore power style plug. I'm very curious about it... I think it could plug directly into the shore power inlet and power the whole boat. It is quite heavy / large though, at 99lbs, not to mention $2850...
 
Could you recharge off your inverter while underway? The d3 alternator has an output of 150A or thereabouts.
 
Chimo":2g0k3r55 said:
Could you recharge off your inverter while underway? The d3 alternator has an output of 150A or thereabouts.

That’s a great idea!
 
PNWTX":15qau4ty said:
Has anyone had any experience with an EcoFlow Delta portable power station or something similar? Output is listed at up to 1800W (3300W surge).

https://ecoflow.com/collections/delta-1 ... er-station

Looking at options other than a portable generator (fumes and noise are a turn-off) to add additional power at anchor and power the electric grill on occasion. Thinking it might work plugging it directly into shore power.

Thanks!
I bought an Ecoflow Delta Max (2400 W) and am very impressed with it. It will replace the portable generator which we have carried with our travel trailer. After testing it thoroughly, such as powering a microwave and coffeemaker simultaneously, I bought the matching smart extra battery and two of their 160W folding solar panels to make a very competent integrated power system. All components are top quality. Being very portable, it will serve as emergency household power, support our boondocking in the Airstream, and may even find a place on our new R31 to supplement the generator.

And yes, I use an adapter to plug it directly into the 50 amp shore power connection on our Airstream.
 
Chimo":2bjqgcps said:
Could you recharge off your inverter while underway? The d3 alternator has an output of 150A or thereabouts.

Yes, provided that it is a pure sine wave inverter. You can set the charging wattage to match your inverter output.
 
Joseph":1h5ddqjn said:
PNWTX":1h5ddqjn said:
Has anyone had any experience with an EcoFlow Delta portable power station or something similar? Output is listed at up to 1800W (3300W surge).

https://ecoflow.com/collections/delta-1 ... er-station

Looking at options other than a portable generator (fumes and noise are a turn-off) to add additional power at anchor and power the electric grill on occasion. Thinking it might work plugging it directly into shore power.

Thanks!
I bought an Ecoflow Delta Max (2400 W) and am very impressed with it. It will replace the portable generator which we have carried with our travel trailer. After testing it thoroughly, such as powering a microwave and coffeemaker simultaneously, I bought the matching smart extra battery and two of their 160W folding solar panels to make a very competent integrated power system. All components are top quality. Being very portable, it will serve as emergency household power, support our boondocking in the Airstream, and may even find a place on our new R31 to supplement the generator.

And yes, I use an adapter to plug it directly into the 50 amp shore power connection on our Airstream.

Care to elaborate on why you chose the max vs pro?
 
Dave, At 99 lbs, the PRO was more than I care to handle into and out of my truck and travel trailer. The Max meets my power needs at a more manageable 48 lbs.
 
Thanks Joe. If you run the math on a watt hour per pound efficiency, the max is actually better. I was concerned about the weight as well, throwing the balance off whack in my c30. The max will fit in either of my cockpit lazarettes too!
 
Another option could be to get EFOY fuel cell and a cartridge. It's about 5 boat bucks at fisheries but solves most of the problems esp. for extended stays on the hook.
 
I don’t understand the use case on the boat for this. Why not just install more batteries and upgrade your existing solar?

If my math is right the 2kwh unit is the same as a 138Ah lithium battery. Which is cheaper to buy as a battery. Especially if you already have the lithium battery option installed.
 
Cutwater28GG":3vjfbon7 said:
I don’t understand the use case on the boat for this. Why not just install more batteries and upgrade your existing solar?

If my math is right the 2kwh unit is the same as a 138Ah lithium battery. Which is cheaper to buy as a battery. Especially if you already have the lithium battery option installed.

Your point is valid in some scenarios as you mentioned. However My C30-CB uses AGM group 31 batteries, which are all new, and which weigh about 68-70lbs each, and at 110ah, with only ~55% usable capacity. The ecoflow max only weighs 48lbs, and has much more usable capacity (~80%). It would be quite a project to augment the solar on a command bridge boat, and there’s weight distribution among other things to consider with additional batteries. Definitely something to wallow in more. I haven’t made my decision yet…
 
I like 'Fire and Forget' solutions and if money was not a problem, I'd consider getting an EFOY fuel cell. It is always on standby and if (e.g. in a situation like this PNW cold snap) a power goes down at the marina, EFOY will kick in and keep the batteries topped off allowing heaters to run and keep the boat warm. Also, on overcast days, when solar is not available, it will do its job just fine letting you to stay on the hook for extended time. The weight is a fraction of an AGM battery and it does not take much space. But the price is steep.
 
srhawk454":kcoqd4mi said:
I like 'Fire and Forget' solutions and if money was not a problem, I'd consider getting an EFOY fuel cell. It is always on standby and if (e.g. in a situation like this PNW cold snap) a power goes down at the marina, EFOY will kick in and keep the batteries topped off allowing heaters to run and keep the boat warm. Also, on overcast days, when solar is not available, it will do its job just fine letting you to stay on the hook for extended time. The weight is a fraction of an AGM battery and it does not take much space. But the price is steep.

You’re right about expensive and I wonder about the ability to keep batteries topped up enough for heaters. Could I suggest that, if you’re worried about a power failure in a cold snap, you use the electric heat as primary and your Webasto diesel heater set close to minimum as a backup? You have a lot of litres in that diesel tank and they’re a lot cheaper than EFOY fuel.
 
Heat not a concern, more worried about extended on the hook stays without a generator.
 
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