EcoFlow Energy Package evaluate: off-grid residing made straightforward

There’s by no means been a greater time to turn 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 while driving. And for these seeking to go actually distant, dozens of countries, like Spain, Barbados, Namibia, and Malaysia, now supply momentary residency permits to digital staff of foreign-based employers. 

You can too take your nomadic existence off the grid because of advances in photo voltaic panels and batteries. Excessive-capacity batteries now cost sooner, 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 reside and work from the seaside, forest, or mountain high comfortably.

However you possibly can’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 might have at your disposal, be it AC shops 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 Power Kits are available in. 

EcoFlow introduced its expandable Energy Package collection back in June as an all-in-one turnkey resolution to simply convey energy to distant cabins and RVs. It’s meant to enhance and simplify all the things from planning and set up to operation in comparison with bespoke electrical techniques bought right now by trade stalwarts like Victron Vitality. 

Specifically, EcoFlow claims that its Energy Kits can match “any van dimension” and be arrange “5 occasions sooner” than conventional techniques. So I put these claims to the take a look at with the assistance of each novice {and professional} installers.

The novice set up was finished in an outdated Ford Transit Westfalia Nugget — the van you rebuild as a result of your mother and father bought it to you low-cost — by Roel, an everyday man able to putting in a lightweight swap or two. The skilled set up was finished in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — the gold standard 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 Package. It’s not an ideal system, particularly for Roel’s smaller van, however EcoFlow’s resolution has way more pluses than minuses.

Simply make certain the employer that helps your goals of escapism additionally pays properly. 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 all the inputs and outputs. It combines a number of capabilities that may usually 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 house 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 possibly can add each a $499 AC/DC Smart Distribution Panel and a $349 wired seven-inch touchscreen console show for unbiased management over all your automobile’s electrical gadgets. The console may be redundant for some because it simply mimics performance already included within the glorious EcoFlow app, however others will gladly pay to have a devoted show mounted inside their van or tiny residence.

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

Energy Package bundles don’t embrace any photo voltaic panels. The Energy Hub is designed to simply hook up with any of EcoFlow’s personal inflexible, versatile, or transportable photo voltaic panels, however 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 suitable with campers constructed round frequent 12V and even 24V techniques. 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 automobile. 

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 wish to set up contained in the van, together with induction cooktops and air conditioners. (Sure, EcoFlow makes one of those, 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 decreasing the efficiency of high-wattage gadgets. It’s finest to think about X-Enhance as a security web that would often get you out of a jam.

The picture above exhibits all the EcoFlow Energy Package elements laid out like a mirror with a comparable system (with a lot smaller battery capability) from Victron Vitality 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 the intention to select the correct elements after which mount and wire them collectively appropriately. Alternatively, professionals like Fabian can fine-tune Victron configurations to the precise wants of a specific construct, which may lower your expenses and possibly even a bit of house.

Another notable options:

• Computerized Bypass mode sends externally linked AC energy on to AC home equipment within the van whereas the batteries cost.
• The Energy Hub’s alternator port is wired on to the van’s starter battery (which is linked to the automobile’s alternator). The Energy Hub stops drawing present when the automobile 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) screens temperature, voltage, and present to maintain all the things 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 conveyable wind turbine product for doable launch someday in 2023.
• EcoFlow sells a $1,399 dual-fuel Smart 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 might have both propane or diesel to gasoline it.

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

The set up advantages from straightforward to know directions out there in lots of languages, fast and informative help 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 include massive quantities of knowledge that elaborate on the entire system. That may get complicated, typically,” says Fabian. “EcoFlow’s manuals are small however clarify sufficient to know the way to set up it. For many individuals I believe it’s higher.”

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

The extent of match and end on every Energy Package part can be uncommon for techniques that usually 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 techniques. Each Roel and Fabian would don’t have any downside leaving some, or all, of the elements 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 for those who don’t really feel like firing up the app or strolling over to the Energy Package 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 Parts. The brothers are consultants in van customizations, each inside and outside.

Fabian acquired the biggest (and costliest at $15,000) 15kWh Energy Package 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 take a look at automobile, the place he can reside with new applied sciences, elements, and layouts earlier than providing them to prospects for costs that may exceed $150,000.

His Sprinter van was already fitted with an influence system from Victron Vitality, which needed to be eliminated previous to putting in the EcoFlow Energy Hub, Sensible AC/DC Distribution Panel, and batteries within the reclaimed house. What you see pictured, together with all the leftover crimson cabling, just isn’t Fabian’s remaining meeting, however it’s an affordable approximation to check EcoFlow’s declare that the Energy Package will be arrange and put in “5 occasions sooner” than competing techniques.

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

The AC/DC Sensible Distribution Panel may be Fabian’s favourite a part of the Energy Package. First, it simplifies the set up and makes it safer by terminating all of the wiring within a central field utilizing quick-connect wire snaps, whereas isolating all the 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 Package console show. Different techniques (like Victron) can do that, however it’s extra time-consuming and sophisticated 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 prime — to simplify his set up course of. “However now the Energy Package system permits me to essentially shortly have new setups and new potentialities with out having to fully redesign the distribution,” says Fabian. “And for me as a builder, it’s completely nice. It simplifies all the things. It’s an enormous distinction from Victron.”

The Sensible 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 may also help customers reside extra effectively with the intention to maximize the time spent off-grid.  It additionally brings many smart-home conveniences to vanlife.

The Energy Package just isn’t an ideal system, nevertheless.

To start out with, Energy Hub placement is restricted by the size of the LFP battery cables, which measure simply 1.5m (4 toes, 11 inches). That’s not an issue for techniques with much less battery capability, however Fabian’s 15kWh config has three large 5kWh LFP batteries to cable again to the Energy Hub, every measuring 19.7in (50cm) large. As such, the battery that’s furthest away goes to find out the placement of the Energy Hub and vice versa. That’s most likely why EcoFlow is so keen on exhibiting its three-battery techniques 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 truth, Fabian says his 15kWh configuration is overkill for a typical van and is healthier fitted to tiny off-grid properties fitted with heavy-duty home equipment. “I believe in case you are residing and dealing off-grid, three batteries is certainly a bonus. However for a basic system put in in a van, I believe you have to be okay with one 5kWh battery.” Nonetheless, 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 massive air flow necessities that whittle away at treasured house. The Energy Hub requires at the least 10cm (about 4 inches) on three sides (5cm / 2in on the left facet) to make sure correct air flow. “The Energy Hub is a pleasant compact unit. Alternatively, it does want numerous room for air flow in keeping with the handbook,” says Fabian. “The Victron components are smaller and separate, so yow will discover higher methods to make use of out there house.” 

The Energy Hub’s high-speed followers can get actually loud as properly. They spin up shortly after plugging the Energy Hub into shore energy for charging. EcoFlow has a repute for its loud followers, however that’s unavoidable with the present state of fast-charging tech. Fortuitously, you possibly can scale back the charging amperage within the app to decrease the fan speeds, which might be a lifesaver if it’s essential 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 sooner than the third. These points have been resolved via a collection of firmware updates over a interval of about 4 weeks. EcoFlow has a repute for being fast to squash bugs. That’s good, however it’s important to marvel how such apparent points allowed the product to ship within the first place and what new issues shall be found over long-term testing.

Fabian’s remaining situation is a minor one. Not like the LFP battery cables, a lot of the cables that ship with the package are just too lengthy. Fabian focuses on constructing light-weight journey vans with the intention 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 Sensible Distribution Panel. That’s no downside, although, because the connectors are designed to be opened with the intention to lower and reconnect the interior wires. And that work pales compared to all the cables Fabian needed to create from scratch for the Victron techniques he’s been utilizing.

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

Roel is assured sufficient round residence electrical energy to wire up a lightweight swap and set up his personal photo voltaic panels. He has no real interest in changing into fodder for the web’s promoting engines, although, which is why I agreed to withhold his final title.

Roel acquired the smallest 2kWh Energy Package ($4,000) to put in in his 16-year-old Ford Westfalia Nugget. When EcoFlow says its Energy Package can match “any van dimension,” properly, 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 may have that form of flexibility.

The cupboard the place all the things is put in doubles as storage through the day and helps a part of the mattress at night time. Which means the house shall be coated by a stable shelf or mattress for lengthy durations of time. The tight house required Roel to get inventive with the mounting brackets since there wasn’t sufficient room to comply with EcoFlow’s precise mounting directions. Fortuitously, that work solely required drilling a number of holes and attaching some bolts.

Area for the EcoFlow elements 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 lower some air flow holes into the encompassing 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 gentle local weather. However it stays to be seen how properly 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 non-compulsory AC/DC Sensible Distribution Panel. As a substitute, he tapped into his Nugget’s current distribution level. He hopes to finally discover some additional house for it as a result of he actually needs 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 situation that was patched throughout testing. A noncritical bug whereby Roel’s system confirmed 600W consistently flowing from his alternator to the battery caught at 99 p.c full was unresolved by the point this evaluate 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 the way to take away the grey water tank and vogue a Energy Hub mount, and about two hours to put in the Energy Package and troubleshoot.

Roel made some worth calculations on the Energy Package versus a comparable Victron Vitality system that may have made higher use of his van’s restricted house. 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 stated after all the things was linked. “I’ve AC energy now. It’s nice. General, if I might begin with a brand new van, then I might rating it a 9 plus. However for a retrofit, it’s simpler to make use of separate components that you may scatter across the van in several areas. So for retrofits in a small van like mine, possibly 7.5 out of 10.”

With regard to EcoFlow’s declare that the Energy Package can “match any van dimension,” Roel had this to say: “It’s large. I might 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 linked, and you’ll put as much as 15kWh of battery and I’m utilizing solely 2kWh. So it’s made for greater installations. However it does match.”

EcoFlow’s Energy Kits reside as much as the corporate’s claims. The costliest choice actually will be put in about 5 occasions sooner than current options by an expert installer. And novices can match the entry-level Energy Package inside a small campervan in the event that they’re prepared to make a number of compromises. It’s additionally competitively priced on the excessive finish, particularly when factoring within the outdated adage that point is cash.

Furthermore, the all-in-one Energy Package 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 in the woods, if that’s your desire.

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

Pictures by Thomas Ricker / The Verge