We’re in the process of customizing a classic camper for a colleague. One of his first requests was for it to include a portable power station that could double as a home backup system so that when the grid goes down, he doesn’t lose his year’s stash of elk meat.So when we got the chance to test the new EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 power station, we were particularly excited to see if it would be a good fit for him, as well as for others wanting a versatile home backup system that’s relatively affordable.
Over the last two years, my partner and I have tested dozens of portable power stations from all of the major manufacturers. What we’ve learned through that process is that having access to portable power is a great way to give oneself peace of mind in an age of increasingly severe weather and aging electrical grids. When coupled with solar panels, it’s also a good way to reduce personal use of fossil fuels and make our camping excursions more luxuriousand we’re not alone in any of those thoughts.
“People like the idea of having backup power for independence and reliability, and that tech coupled with solar is just exploding right now,” says Aaron Nichols, part of the research and outreach team at Exact Solar. He cites a projection by SEIA that by 2027, 30% of new homes will include backup, up from just 10% in 2022. Sales of portable power are skyrocketing as well.
But that rise in popularity means that many companies are rushing to jump on the portable power and home backup bandwagon, so it’s easy to make a buying mistake. That’s one of the reasons we’ve taken a deep dive into portable power stations: to help people sort out what they need and what isn’t worth wasting money on.
So, if you’re considering a small home backup system, a quiet replacement for your rumbly RV gas camping generator or a solution for powering a mobile workshop, here’s our take on whether the new EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is the right fit for you.
What is the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3?
KARUNA EBERL FOR FAMILY HANDYMANWe Tried It
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3
A battery generator that powers almost all of your essential home appliances.
The Delta Pro 3 is EcoFlow’s newest high-capacity portable power station. It’s about the size of a suitcase and features 4,000 watt-hours (Wh). It is designed to work as a plug-and-play home backup system and a power source for off-grid play and work. It can run pretty much any power tool, keep Wi-Fi and medical devices going and even give a small boost to your EV range.
Two of the features EcoFlow touts about this model are that it runs quietly and has super-fast charging capabilities. Like other power stations, it can be recharged via a wall outlet, solar panels (portable or fixed), a gas-powered generator or a DC-DC converter installed in a vehicle. But the Delta Pro 3 can also be charged using a combination of methods to reach a combined charging speed of 7000W, which is exceptionally fast (though the practicalities for most of us actually having a setup to achieve that speed are a bit iffy).
This model particularly caught our eye because it includes a 240V outlet, which means we can use it with our portable welding workshop. There’s currently only one other model, the Ankers Solix F3800, with this capability. Couple that with its comprehensive energy management app, 4,000W output that can boost up to 6,000W (enough to run most home systems) and EcoFlow’s solid reputation in the US and worldwide, and we had pretty high expectations for it being a top-quality unit.
It arrived in a particularly sturdy box, with high-density, molded foam around the top and bottom. The packaging might not seem significant, but it could actually come in handy on the camper project. We could use it as a mount to keep it fixed in place and dampen vibrations.
Other bonuses for the camper project: It has a 30-amp RV-type outlet, a sturdy pull handle and built-in wheels, two solar charging ports and 90-degree expansion cable ends, which is a real space saver. And not that this matters for performance, but has a nice look, too. They call the color “liquid metal silver” and the shape a “sports car-inspired design.” To me, it more resembles a portable electric cooler you might find on the space station, but either way, it’s groovy enough to show off to the neighbors.
The battery is LiFePO4 (or LFP), which has become the standard for most portable power stations because of its increased safety and longevity over previously popular NMC battery technology. The power station is capable of running most household systems, including heat pumps, central AC units (under three tons, that have a soft starter), water pumps and refrigerators. If you want all of that to come online automatically during a power outage, you’ll also need to install their Smart Home Panel 2 system.
The Delta Pro 3’s upgrades over its predecessor, the Delta Pro 2, include a 240V outlet, a higher AC output, a faster UPS (uninterrupted power supply) switchover, more solar ports and faster charging capability through the 240V setup.
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 Features
- 4,096Wh, expandable to 12KWh (and even up to 36KWh, if you link three units together)
- 120V and 240V circuits
- 4,000W output, boosts to 6,000W for short periods
- 1800W charging via AC, 2600W via solar, 3200W via gas generator, 4000W via EV
- Max charging input: 7000W combined
- Dual-PV (photovoltaic/solar) charging, up to 2600W (1000W and 1600W ports)
- LiFePO4 (LFP) battery chemistry
- IP65 weather rated with UL9540/UL9540A Certification
- Operates between -4 F and 113 F
- 35 dB noise level or less, when running less than 2000W
- Strong unibody design, 44 protective measures in the battery management system (BMS)
- 90-degree expansion battery cord connectors, to minimize space
- Expansion batteries (4000Wh each) stack, to minimize footprint
- UPS (uninterrupted power supply) capability with 10ms switchover time
- Smart home integration, pairs with EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 and Smart Generator
- Mobile app control, with scheduled time-of-use and other customizable features
- Outlet sockets: 4 120V AC plugs, 1 240V, 1 30-amp (RV style), 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A
- Pull handle and built-in wheels
- Eligible for 30% Inflation Reduction Act tax rebate
- Weight: 114 pounds
- Dimensions: 27.4″ x 13.4″ x 16.2″
- 5-year warranty with dedicated online and phone support, 10-plus-year life expectancy
How We Tested It
We were pretty jazzed to test the Delta Pro 3 because it’s the first large-capacity EcoFlow we’ve gotten our mitts on. As such, we tried it out for a number of uses.
Camping
We didn’t waste any time popping it in the van for a camping excursion. Right off the bat, we were impressed with the stow-able pull handle, which is decently sturdy, and the wheels, which are large enough to make it possible to roll it across the dirt. Thanks to its advanced airflow and heat dissipation, it also delivered on its promise of running quietly.
It ran our 75-liter electric Dometic cooler all night, which wasn’t a surprise4000 is a lot of watt-hours. But, if you have a cooler and want to make sure you have enough juice to keep it running throughout a cloudy day or two with no solar input, or you have larger electrical needs, then you’ll probably want to couple this with an expansion battery. EcoFlow also makes an innovative 220W bifacial (two-sided) portable solar panel, which is pretty nifty for camping as well.
Side note to anyone who still uses a gas generator camping: Please consider ditching it! Portable power stations are nearly silent and maintenance-free, don’t require sloshing around dirty gas cans and don’t overrun the smell of the pines with fumes. In other words, they enable you and everyone around you to enjoy the benefits of being in the wilderness.
Mobile Workshop
The next test for the Delta Pro 3 was in the workshop. It had no problems running our Miller 180 aluminum welder for several minutes straight, which draws 240V and requires 21 amps. Based on that energy consumption, we calculate it could run continuously for at least 30 minutes or intermittently for much longer.
Predictably, it also worked fine with our electric lawnmower and various tools, such as the chop saw and reciprocating saw. It’s also strong enough to power our 60-gallon air compressor.
Home Appliances and Backup
While we didn’t have the opportunity to install the Smart Home Panel 2 to actually test it as an integrated home backup system, we did plug in our window AC unit and completed a load of laundry (wash and dry). No problems with any of those. But, keep in mind, if you’re getting this for home backup, you’ll need to calculate your watt-hour needs and get enough expansion batteries to fulfill that number. While 4000Wh is likely enough to run your fridge overnight or keep your Wi-Fi or CPAP machines going, it’s probably only enough to run your air conditioning for 15 to 30 minutes.
As for home backup, the Delta Pro 3 has a few other nice features. Because it has two PV (photovoltaic) ports, it can accept enough panels to recharge at 2600W, which means you can get it from empty to full with just a couple of hours of sunlight (or slightly less time than that if using a gas-powered generator). It also has a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) switchover rate of less than 10 ms, which means that when the power goes out, it won’t interrupt sensitive devices like security cameras, computers and servers.
Finally, it includes comprehensive smart energy management systems, so you can schedule it to charge at a specific time of day to maximize power bill savings, pre-set gas generator charging modes to save fuel, prioritize solar charging, and perform many other helpful and sophisticated tasks.
Pros
- Versatile and pro-worthy, with 240V for large tools and appliances
- Dual PV inputs, for fast solar charging up to 2600W
- Exceptionally quiet, when operating at less than 2000W
- Affordable for limited home backup scenarios
- Mobile for its size, with sturdy wheels and pull handle
- More watt-hour expandable than competitors
- IP65 weatherproof rating
Cons
- Its shape makes it a little wobbly/top-heavy when pulling it on uneven or rough ground
- Requires team lifting for most people, though it’s relatively light for its capacity
- Max watt output is slightly smaller than competitors (but ample for nearly any situation)
FAQ
How long will an EcoFlow Delta last?
The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3’s warranty is five years, but in general, LFP battery technology is rated for around 10 years (3,500 full charge cycles), and after that, it should still have around 80% of its capacity.
How long can an EcoFlow Delta run a refrigerator?
It depends on the number of watt-hours (Wh) your refrigerator uses, the set temperature, how efficient the fridge is and how many times you open the door. A typical household fridge uses between 300 to 400W when the compressor is running. Assuming the compressor runs 50% of the time, the Delta Pro 3’s 4000Wh would power it for 20 to 26 hours.
Practically speaking, power stations can only deliver about 80% of their advertised watt-hours because of power loss from the inverter. So, it might actually run a fridge for 16 to 20 hours. But there are a lot of variables involved, so it’s best to calculate it based on your particular circumstances and fridge model.
Is EcoFlow better than Jackery?
Both are reputable and popular companies, however EcoFlow has two notable advantages: They offer a five-year warranty vs. Jackery’s two-and-three-year warranties (which are expandable to five only if you buy it from them online); and all of EcoFlow’s models use LiFePO4 (aka LFP) battery technology, while some of Jackery’s models still use NMC technology, which is generally regarded as less desirable for longevity and safety reasons.
What Other Reviewers/Experts Had to Say
EcoFlow’s Delta Pro 3 portable power station is brand new, so there have not yet been other reviews of it. However, reviews of the previous model, the Delta Pro 2, were overwhelmingly positive. The main downside is the overall size and weight, which is unavoidable for any power station containing so many watt-hours.
One Amazon reviewer wrote: “This battery is a BEAST and surprised me with its design. This is coming from someone who has reviewed over a dozen battery brands, including Goal Zero, Jackery, BigBlue, Rockpals, Aimtom, and the like. Goal Zero and Jackery are two of my favorites, but this Ecoflow surprised me indeed and has skyrocketed to one of the top brands I have tested and used thus far.”
EcoFlow vs Jackery
There’s no Jackery model that compares to EcoFlow’s Delta Pro 3. Jackery’s largest model is 3000Wh, which is 25% smaller with a max watt output of just 3,000W (half of the Delta Pro 3’s when it’s in boost mode). Jackery’s top model also doesn’t have 240V and uses NMC battery technology, which will last for approximately 500 full charge cycles prior to degradation, or roughly 15-20% of the LFP technology used by EcoFlow.
Jackery also has solar and wall-charging speeds of less than half of the Delta Pro 3, and its home power panel is much less sophisticated. On the upside, Jackery’s model weighs 50 pounds less, although it should since it has 25% less capacity.
Final Verdict
EcoFlow’s new Delta Pro 3 is a formidable, versatile power station, and certainly among the best in its class. It’s ahead of the game on many technologies, including integrated safety, quiet running, quick charging and a weatherproof IP65 rating. It’s a fluid solution for someone who wants a battery that can do double duty, backing up key home appliances but also getting tossed into the RV or van when it’s time for camping and other off-grid fun. Just make sure to team lift it, to keep your back healthy!
It is overkill for some situations, such as camping without an electric cooler. You can get a much smaller and more portable model for that. But with 240V power, it’s great for mobile welders and off-grid workshops. If you want to use it for full home backup, and/or to reduce your use of fossil fuels, you’ll need to calculate your watt-hour needs, buy more expansion batteries and have an electrician install the Smart Home Panel 2 or manual transfer switch. But, if all you want is to just keep your food from spoiling and recharge your electronics during a power outage, then it’s all set right out of the box.
Where to Buy the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3
KARUNA EBERL FOR FAMILY HANDYMANWe Tried It
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3
A battery generator that powers almost all of your essential home appliances.
The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 retails for around $3700 but goes on sale occasionally for holidays like the Fourth of July, Christmas and Black Friday. You can buy it from the EcoFlow website and on Amazon.
Article source here: We Tried the All-New EcoFlow Delta Pro 3: The Battery Generator to Power Your Entire Home
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