EcoFlow Alternator Charger - 8x Faster Charge!

[@Beekobah]

I recently got one for under 200 bucks, use it both both charge my ecoflow and recharge my multiple 12-volt batteries in parallel. I don't actually plan to put the alternator charger on a vehicle at all, I just use it in my home as a battery backup. I'm loving it so far

[@Thrillowatt]

Where did you find it so cheap?

[@Beekobah]

@Thrillowatt Ecoflow website. Search for alternator charger and it should have a $199 option.

[@bryanbryanmccoy7094]

This is brilliant! Next level use of a dc to dc

Can’t wait for the video. I’ve been wondering when someone would do this with Anderson plugs, so you can use in multiple vehicles. I always wondered if the power cord from the battery to the Ecoflo had more than just positive and negative. Thanks

[@BadBillyJack]

This is fantastic, verifies what I had thought and planned to use it for. Thank you!

[@mvemerson]

Great video and I am looking forward to the follow-up you mentioned. I am wondering if the device protects the alternator. This device will pull about 60 Amps, which may be too much for some alternators at idle. I wonder if it has some sort of algorithm built-in that will somehow limit the draw to avoid alternator damage.

[@touringandtrails]

Amazing cabin in the background. Great tech, Brother B.

[@daniellopezd]

Bluetti also came out with a charger like this, would love to see how they compare. I have an AC200L and being able to charge at more than 100w from my truck will be a game changer

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I’ve read about it, I’ll take another look.

[@toolman4816]

While the Ecoflow is 800w charging i believe the Bluetti's charger is 500w, which is still better than nothing at all.

[@Fingerprintguy]

So the downside of the Bluetti Charge1 is the lower wattage output. On the upside, the Bluetti can work with every single power station on the market because it outputs to MC4 cables and mimics a solar array. You just dial up the wattage you need or select a preset for any Bluetti power station.

[@Genjonez-o763]

What is the benefit of pouring the power back and forth between the battery and the power station?

[@THEJOKER2224]

It would be nice if we can AC charge those Ecoflow extra batteries with out the main unit.

[@neverwin2518]

9:46 literally LOL'd @ robbing Peter to pay Paul 🤣

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

lol 😂

[@1markymark1]

Great review

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you 👍

[@felixjaquez4391]

Looking forward to that DYI project and see if i can replicate it.

[@sbcplays]

Great explanation about the alternator charger. Thanks! Mine is still in the box and I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the best use scenario, which you clearly laid out at the end of your video. I don’t have the skills to cut off a cable and attach Anderson connectors. If only Ecoflow would sell the cable by itself, we wouldn’t need to do that. I asked them if they will sell just the cable, but right now it’s a hard “no’. I would encourage folk like you, with a little more influence, to give them a nudge. Hey, it’s another sale for Ecoflow. If you do make the Anderson cable video, can you show how to or suggest the kind of tradesperson one would go to have one made. Thanks again. Recently discovered your channel and have subscribed.

[@williambingham2459]

Serious ideas for future camping events with ecoflow and other equipment. We are all chasing portable power for our outdoor lifestyles.

[@jasonwar859]

You mentioned that it should be the Center of a wheel. It seems it can only be hooked up to one other source at a time. I have a motorhome so it has a chassis battery(2) and I also have 300AH of Lifepo4 for the house. It would be nice to take a charge from the alternator while driving but then be able to charge my lithium house batteries when boondocking for several days. The other issues I have are my MH is 50 amp and my Delta 2 Max does not have a 30amp plug outlet. Going from 50 down to 20 is quite the adapter mess. I would love a well rounded system that I could boondock for many days and even use 1 AC for a short time....but for now just be able to self sufficient for a many days(no AC) but with some microwave usuage

[@mynameis4294]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@Thom1973]

thank you doing this video you have answered alot of question but just got 1 more what if you want to go with a setup that you are your tow rig and can not start it up and run it to get a charge

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

That’s what I’m doing with the Anderson plug, best of both worlds

[@Thom1973]

@@DIYOutdoorLife kool

[@MarcMeltzer-e2c]

Love your channel. You are an excellent communicator. Curious if the Andersen power pole hack would work for the EcoFlow spare battery cable. I would want to charge both batteries (Delta Pro and it’s spare battery) but the cables available are too short. I am trying to spread out the considerable weight of the Pro and spare battery on my trailer. Would be great if I could add 4 more feet to the available 5 meter cable. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you.

[@jorgepineda7200]

Hey guys. anyone know where factory inverters tend to be placed in most midsize trucks?

[@dta97392]

Did I miss something? did you address the alternator issues if any this may have ? I never got this answered on previous reviews on youtube. Recommended alternator?

[@cherylbarrett3443]

Yes, I would like to be less dependent on solar, please. There is not much real estate on my camper roof for that, and in my part of the country, camping spots tend to be in the shade. Something I would like to know more about: people talk about low temperature and its impact on lithium batteries all the time, but no one talks about high temperatures. Do you have something about that?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Not as big of a deal with lifepo as with other lithium batteries. They have higher heat tolerance and all have high temp sensors. Where I live, and even traveling, I’ve never had high temp issues. I have met some folks that have had issues in black tongue boxes when they’re in the sun. I’ll put it in the notes for future videos.

[@cherylbarrett3443]

@@DIYOutdoorLife I have a black tongue box that holds my battery, so I worry about it.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@cherylbarrett3443 Tongue Box Cover - Reflective Overheat Protection for Tiny Campers kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnnWdayjp5eKgJo

[@curronhill2744]

Brian, isn’t that a lot to pull from my alternator?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

What kind of tow vehicle do you have? I’m gonna do a follow up video on this, there’s certain things that aren’t a big deal at all, others I would avoid

[@chrislincoln489]

My concern is will this shorten the life of my alternator. Will the extra power drag drop my gas millage.

[@richarddonovan4350]

Yes, I’m with you regarding the additional load on my alternator. If this is an 800 watt charger that means it is nearly an additional 70 amps load on the alternator for an extended period. I have a Delta 2 Max station and the only thing that keeps me from buying this device is the concern of placing my alternator and tow vehicle at risk with such a big load. EcoFlow tries to address this concern but I need more info before putting it in my shopping cart. P.S. I really like your idea of taking an additional battery vs buying an expensive EcoFlow battery bank.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

It is definitely a consideration. They address the most serious concern by eliminating transience by not doing hard stops. This is by far the biggest concern with alternator damage. It’s certainly something to pay attention to, especially when idling, much better to be driving when charging for longer periods (higher rpm and more passive cooling)

[@dta97392]

@@DIYOutdoorLifeI am not willing to try this yet/ and ruin a alternator

[@59sixstring94]

@@DIYOutdoorLifeYou can reduce the charge watts to say 400 or 500 and not tax the vehicle alternator as much with the app

[@travelingfool9096]

Hello, Been following your channel for a couple years, and other camping/Rv ones as well. I been planning for a decade that in retirement I would buy a small 'Bed on wheels' clamshell ( read small really small) camper. The bushwacher and T@G are at the top of my list. I want to buy used. Can you put together a video about the buying process, especially where to find them. I find it hard to believe there are only 10 used ones for sale at one time in the USA . I went to a RV business, and they treated my like a bum, the salesperson, wouldn't even come out to speak directly with me. It kinda bullshit, I guess they don't want my money cause I am looking for the cheap solutions at this time. I am looking for a used one and only seem to see the 1000 miles away? Even a list of dealers to deal with ( who are not total assholes). Thanks!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Will do. Join the Facebook groups, that’s where I see the best buying options. Have you looked into Hiker?

[@CC_Marauder]

#3👍🏻

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Nice 👍

[@michaelgeldert3638]

Ahhh, nah, still don't get it.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Haha… thanks Mike

[@funkmon]

While it's cheaper now it's still outrageously expensive for what it is

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

330? That amount of wiring and fuses costs a 3rd of that. Everything’s pricey these days.

[@funkmon]

@DIYOutdoorLife but, you can get a 1000 watt inverter for $100 which will charge it at the same rate, with a bit more loss.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@funkmon It’s about 40% more loss. Remember it has to be converted to DC after the inverter makes AC. It wastes on both sides . You would also need an addition battery charger (66 amps) to charge the stand alone battery. There’s certainly different strokes for different folks , but this is not some overpriced piece of junk. You can do a lot more with it faster and more efficiently for less - if and only if you need these features.

[@twloughlin]

I think Sam's solution of using the $180 Sportsman 800W generator from TSC is far better than this. KISS.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Hard to beat if you don’t mind the noise, gas storage, smell, carburetors… lol. I hate generators…. 🤣

[@twloughlin]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Watch Sam's video on the topic. None of the listed objections apply, or are fairly minimal. 55db @ 50% load. The thing only holds .50 gallons; 2 one litre backpacking gas bottles will refill it. Your car burns gas to run the charger anyway. I'll take the trade-off from additional strain on my alternator, wiring and installation, and proprietary hardware so I can charge whatever PPS I want to. Curmudgeonly old cuss, ain't I? 😉

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Haha- of course I’ve seen his vid, he’s even run his sportsman at my house before. They’re both great options to get the job done. The stand alone battery charger is the winner for me. I’d need a 66 amp charger (slightly bigger generator as well) to charge the battery at campsite. The ability to “move” capacity around is the bees knees! 😂 you’re not a curmudgeon, I like that there’s different strokes for different folks!