EcoFlow Support frustrations and constant Smart Home Panel problems. NOT RECOMMENDED!

[@rongray4118]

Thank you, Nathan - it takes a lot of effort to do these videos and share your personal insight... dearly appreciated and received!

[@nathanwolfe]

I appreciate that, thanks!

[@TheRobSchmidt]

Hey Nathan, in your conversations with tech support has the topic of inrush current been discussed? On the nameplate of your pump there might be a rating called LRA which is locked rotor amps. This is the max current that will occur at startup. I'm wondering if Ecoflow has any smarts built in beyond just a dumb relay and if it is erroring out because of this high start current. If the motor doesn't show this you'll need to measure the inrush current at start up. The motor may be rated to run on a 20A circuit but if Ecoflow is monitoring the inrush current it could be 80A for a few milliseconds, and they are shutting down the circuit to protect the relay. Just a thought.

[@nathanwolfe]

Yes, and EcoFlow support suggested I install a soft starter, which I have done. But it’s still a problem, because even with the soft starter, the smart home panel is still shutting off when my water pump tries to run. All indications point to the smart home panel. Definitely not being able to handle the inrush current. Thanks for pointing out that the pump should have the LRA listed, but unfortunately it does not. It’s a 1 hp Drummond water pump from Harbor Freight. Works great. Just not with the smart home panel. I would like to measure the inrush current, but I don’t have test equipment, sensitive enough to catch the milliseconds of current spike.

[@dboucher26]

Off topic advice: Your Delta Pros are hardly getting proper ventilation, you need to create a little more space for the main units to getting more are circulation.

[@nathanwolfe]

Thanks for the observation and suggestion! Will do!

[@tonyhernandez586]

Thanks for this video Nate, and I'm sorry what you're going through. I was thinking about getting an Ecoflow system this year, but I'm gonna stick to Anker from now on.

[@clarkclawson]

My experience with EcoFlow customer service has been very similar to yours. My issue occurred about a year ago with the Delta Pro. Got the same excuses from them then that they are giving you now. I was as frustrated as you are. Good luck.

[@nathanwolfe]

Sorry to hear that, thank you!

[@zeeugegmailcom]

I had somewhat ok experience in getting information about issues. But once I saw delta pro not holding charge for a reasonable time, I came to conclusion I will suspend my investments into this company and just just the batteries as is and will not install smart home panel :(

[@jerrypierson5564]

I use a Reliance 10 circuit manual transfer switch with standard circuit breakers that you can buy from any home depot store. In you situation I would replace the Smart Home Panel with manual transfer switch. Because of your water pump being located in same room as your back up batteries, I would put Delta Pros on a raised platform for protection from water leaking from the pump.

[@nathanwolfe]

Thanks for the suggestions! I am considering installing a manual transfer switch and will definitely put the Delta Pros and extra batteries up on a raised shelf.

[@stevenfrazier8939]

We bought a Harbor Freight Shallow well pump like you have. I replaced it with a SeaFlo 12 volt model 55 pump. It provides 5.5 gallons per minute @60 PSI and it does not need a pressure tank. It use a small amount of DC power, way less then the HF pump. We have four SeaFlo pumps and they work great.

[@rongray4118]

Good to know. My wife and I are headed off grid this year and we will have 1,000 storage tank for water and we were looking into the style pump you are talking about. We were looking at the same style Harbor Freight pump w/pressure bladder from Amazon.

[@nathanwolfe]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Trillville43]

I've had nothing but good things to say about the Delta Pro Ultra and all my Ecoflow products. I never got the smart panel because for my needs a transfer switch is fine but the new model of the smart panel seems to be a hit. I'm also in the Facebook groups and haven't heard a lot of issues with the first-generation model, but either some complaints or lack of knowledge by the users. It sucks that you're experiencing problems with support that definitely needs to be improved, but usually, I get a replacement with little effort. Also, they should've asked you to include a video demonstrating the problem before anything. I'm in Texas and will be selling my Delta Pros with extra batteries, then get an extra battery for the Ultra.

[@Noelshepherd]

I saw your video and understand what you’re experiencing. I went through the same nonsense with the Mega 5 and the expansion battery. I won’t get into all the details but in the end , the main unit was defective. It took me over 3 months of back and forth with them and their “apologies” that I was sick of. I would not get off of their helmet until I got a replacement. They obviously got stick of me and relented and sent a new main unit and what I discovered, the original unit was defective as I told them. Don’t give up. You’re going to have to STAY on them. Good luck!!

[@simon359]

I myself built my own system using Victron, it works wonderfully! The only problem I ever had was because I didn’t ground it properly. Even then it’s very forgiving. Hope things work out for you! 🙏

[@nathanwolfe]

Thank you! I’m definitely looking at Victron now.

[@ktms1188]

You should get a clamp multi meter and measure your surge and running amperage for your pump. You can see 100% what your sure amperage is and will know without any doubt. Just an idea and super cheap and easy.

[@nathanwolfe]

Tried that, but amp meter won’t pick up inrush current because it happens in microseconds.

[@ktms1188]

@@nathanwolfe you might want to try a different multimeter, Amazon‘s most popular one does AC and DC amperage. It’s only like 18 bucks and has instantaneous max amperage.

[@SetchiPaunda]

Should go with midnite solar. Their tech support is amazing. Kohler generators are awesome. Very efficient.

[@tkueny]

And Kohler customer support is excellent too.

[@greensavant2573]

It sucks that you are going through that. I did, but on two Deltas, and it was not a survival situation. On one of them, a panel with a reversed wired X60 took out the charge controller. I tried to get them to understand that they saved 20 cents by not putting a reverse polarity diode in, but they wanted $400 to fix it. The second one had the 12v cig port go out, and they wanted the same. However, all the DC outputs worked, so I could work around that. The thing is, all this TOOK YEARS! Heads up, I went through the same with ZeroBreeze. So, when they, and EcoFlowcan out with their 5000+ btu portable A/C units, I didn't buy either. I'm hoping that BLuetti will enter that market next, as they just launched a compressor fridge w/ice-maker, that blows the EF one out of the water. (It will keep making ice after the first batch, whereas the EF will stop until you empty the tray...each time!))

[@jimfields9491]

I was ready to pull the trigger on the Delta Pro and the more I hear about the shoddy support I don’t think so. Thanks

[@AmruteshPuranik]

Thanks for the video and sorry about your situation. Hope it resolves soon.

[@nathanwolfe]

Thank you!

[@jaydewitte2958]

Awesome! I was about to go with Ecoflow. I love real-world experiences. Stick with Victron.

[@nathanwolfe]

I’m definitely looking into Victron, thanks!

[@Revenants_Prophecy]

I almost bought their product. Ended up going with a eg4 18kpv hybrid inverter with powerpro battery. Works flawlessly. I’d look into the eg4 and get rid of eco flow

[@LeslieHarston-lm1dv]

I beta tested shp and that thing is very picky about how many watts are loaded on each side. I tested it on grid power and it limited power being pulled from each side. It was set up close to yours. I checked amps on it and it was well beyond the watt rating. I moved circuits to other side.

[@--_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_]

Buy a good relay and put it between the smart home panel and the pump. For any circuit that demands a lot of Amps make the panel activate another relay and that relay will then provide power

[@tlteal]

Nate, their ecoflow delta pro almost caught my home on fire. To rub salt in the wound, I reported it on their official forum and got censored and thrown off of it. They didn't even bother to apologize and I"m still fighting them for a replacement. WTF?! Same as you, they keep pushing me to a new department and person. I caution anyone and everyone to stay away from this company and their products. I've spent thousands there on the delta pro, extra batteries and the smart home panel.... what a mess!

[@TheValiantZero]

Wow. You need to leave a TrustPilot review.

[@nathanwolfe]

So sorry to hear that! I feel your pain!

[@ricksherman34]

Ecoflow products are great when they work. The customer support is terrible.... I fought them for a month to get a new River 2 Pro that was shipped to me with a dead battery.

[@tlteal]

@@ricksherman34 yeah my ecoflow delta pro almost burned my house down, literally. Smoke everywhere and had to remove and take to garage. Then to add insult to injury , they gave me a hard time about a replacement. I’m likely to move to a DIY setup and hate being bound to their support.

[@allen35315]

Had a Reliance 6 bay originally installed - then installed a SHP 1 - the fan was so loud it got me thinking it was really a potential fire hazard. I reinstalled the Reliance.

[@Robulite]

Yeah the older smart home panel has a few issues. You can update it and it's still a pain. I have the smart home panel 2 and they made it a lot more useful than the original panel and has handled my 40a water pump without any issues. The limitations of the 2nd generation of panel is 60a breakers and 100a for the main power breaker. It's a hefty upgrade they added wifi support and a lot of other things to improve the experience. It's really sad the first generation of products caused so many issues though. I'd suggest getting a coupon from them to change your system to the newer generation it's the least they could do for the hell they put your through.

[@SirJamez0]

I went through the same procedure with support as yourself. Repeating emails, from different staff which look automated, stating the same solutions. I have been going back and forward with support for nearly 6 months regarding an issue with my River 2 Pro. Even sent it back to be repaired. They finally admitted its an issue with all of them. So they had me send the unit back knowing that it is an issue with all of them. They told me to return it for a refund, which sent me crazy as this is an issue with their units which are under warranty. They offered to replace it with a Delta 2 but I have yet to receive it, I'm sceptical if I will ever see it.

[@peterking1134]

You may have to try using an inrush current limiter to start the pump.

[@nathanwolfe]

Yes, I have installed a soft starter, hoping it would help, but I’m still having issues with the smart whole panel, shutting off when the water pump runs.

[@brucey5585]

Ecoflow are portable toys not meant for whole house power system. If you want to power your house, start looking at server rack batteries and all in one inverters. You can get 1 5kwh battery and a 6kw inverter for $3000. Adding battery is easy, you dont need special cables, just regular battery 1/0 cables. Also the mppt on the inverter can go as high as 500v.

[@rccosplay3249]

I have 2 Power kits and want to parallel them with the smart home panel. It might be a Delta Pro issue/faulty home panel in the video? Anyways I'm gonna give it a try with my Power kits, as I do want the 7200w output. Thus far NO major complaints about Ecoflow, my setup has been working fine except for some firmware/update crap issues for 1 year now.

[@keevanabramson7126]

I have 2 Delta Pros connected by the hub and plugged into a generator outlet that supplies my home when needed during a power outage (on the grid). Could you bypass the control panel problem and select the circuits you want open on your original installation? That is what I do, closing unwanted and unneeded circuits manually.

[@nathanwolfe]

I originally did that before I received the smart home panel because it took a while to receive it. I could go back to that, but I manually doing things obviously takes up more time each day.

[@criticalhadlock886]

Do you have the smart home panel setup to run single phase or split phase? You know far more about this than I do, but I seem to remember there being a plug to keep inserted (or remove) if you plan on being single phase vs split phase. I bought one of these but ended up returning it (before installing anything) because I was weary of the use of the proprietary relays and such. I just wondered if your issues may have something to do with that.

[@nathanwolfe]

It is set up for single phase because everything in my home is 120 V.

[@129cjc]

Nathan, you frustration is palpable and warranted. I am building a house in Colorado and was going to DP and SMP 1 as a backup for home during power outages. The thing I liked most about it was, I could monitor and make adjustments remotely. I was taken back a bit today when I called Ecoflow and spoke to what seemed to be a call center rep that was reading off a que card. I was curious about pricing bc the site has a combo for 1DP and SHP1 for $5200.00 but if you put them in a a cart separately it only $3100. I thought I must be missing something, like something must not be included. Her response, no its the same and we recommend ppl by the parts separately to get the best discounts. WTF??? So my question, if you were going to do it again what would you buy that would allow you to run your home and monitor it remotely?

[@latymz]

Hysolis Apollo. It’s just on a another level. Outside of that, I absolutely love the Point Zero Energy Titan. Both of these companies make incredibly reliable units that simply work. Just check them out, you will be surprised. The Titan is more affordable and more to my liking but if you want something like the DP OR ULTRA the Apollo would be more similar. I am speaking in terms of joining two units and building out. The Titan is more of a stand alone that does 240 (they have the 120 version) but there is no option to join two units. Good luck.

[@nathanwolfe]

I definitely would not buy another smart home panel v1. The Delta Pros on their own have been reliable. If EcoFlow support was much better, I would consider buying the Delta Pro Ultra and Smart home panel v2.

[@kevinbedell8558]

Put a soft start on the water pump

[@nathanwolfe]

I did and it didn’t help.

[@tonywebb9909]

Nate, can't you just buy a heavy duty relay with an enclosure box for your pump and feed that from the smart panel. This will avoid the current sensing or in rush tripping.

[@highvibrational2007]

Okay, this is coming from a city person, now. All this rerouting he is doing makes my head spin. I am sure there is a way.... but he has soooooo many moving parts. I think two things can be true at the same time: Nathan thought hastily because it is winter, and Ecoflow should have told him to hire an electrician to come out to his homestead to check it out. Some things needs to solved "hands on." There must be an elegant way to connect EVERYthing. Now i see why people stay on grid... it just works seemlessly! I am frustrated of why this handsome man did not pay for an expert electrician to seemlessly prepare you for being off the grid. I get it was winter, but he should have rented or buy off brand lof the one that stopped working and invest in the upgrade . my advice, sell the delta pro and accessaries, and get the the pro ultra with the smart home panel which is really meant for off the grid living.

[@dbnoho]

I’m looking at the delta pro ultra. But I’m only getting it if I can get it through Costco. If it works. Awesome. Hiccup. Fine. Problems. I have a physical location to return to.

[@andredeketeleastutecomplex]

Yes, that's the trick, never buy any power station from the brand itself, shield yourself from bad customer service.

[@jaydewitte2958]

Use a gravity storage tank for water pressure. There is no need for pressure pump.

[@nathanwolfe]

Thanks, but that’s easier said than done. I have a 3000 gallon water cistern that weighs 400 lbs empty and 24,000 lbs full. It’s currently sitting on a gravel bed on about 2’ below grade in my shop that was built around it. I’d have to build a very beefy elevated support structure to put the cistern on to make my home water supply gravity fed.

[@donbrloks3959]

Why on earth did you buy portable power stations instead of batteries? What is your startup current on the water pump? Do you have a check valve at the water pump so it doesn’t have to start up against a load?

[@nathanwolfe]

Water pump specs don’t list inrush current. Just rated current of 12A. Got check valves on both sides of pump. I bought the EcoFlow because it was cheaper overall than new batteries to replace what I had.

[@DanimalTAnimal]

Portable power stations are batteries.

[@nathanwolfe]

The Delta Pros also include an inverter in them.

[@donbrloks3959]

Just saying, I would have invested in LIP batteries instead of Deltas and expensive extra batteries. You have an inverter and now 2 extras in the Delta. You have 2 charge controller and now 2 extras in the Delta.

[@markkoentjes9400]

Put a slowstart on your waterpump

[@nathanwolfe]

Already did and didn’t help.

[@clarencewiles963]

I’m thinking about your GFI being a problem? I’m not an electrician but.

[@nathanwolfe]

Yeah, I made sure to install a new GFCI receptacle just to make sure it’s not the issue.

[@clarencewiles963]

@@nathanwolfe No I’m saying that no GFCI should be in this situation based on other KZbin videos. I would ask EcoFlow for clarification. It I think has to do with the high amp startups.

[@83kaszas]

why that smart panel? why not just a standard analog,with the automatic breaker switches? This is the thing when i company trying to digitalize something and they are very bad at it...Look at Victron energy,everything they build is smart device,and they always work perfectly...like apple products.They are expensive,but they have excelent tech support and quality products..

[@allenjones3998]

install hard start on pump, problem soved.

[@nathanwolfe]

Hard start? EcoFlow said soft start, so I did that. Didn’t help.

[@MrButuz]

I am really sorry to say that you've been sold a pup here, despite the advertising pictures these types of units have been designed and engineered to let someone in their camper van cook some beans and make a coffee - nothing more! They are not designed to literally keep you and your family alive in the bleak winter. You would have been much better off expending your existing system the outback kit is totally bullet proof there must be some way of adding additional capacity to it even if you had to buy some second hand kit people are being duped by the new fangled amazon crap all the time but what you want is to wait for them to get duped and buy their flex 80s and more batteries etc. I havent watched any of your other vids yet so apologies if I am way off.

[@typxxilps]

at the end try to get a real solution like 15 kWh from the 16 EVE LF280K cells you can put into a battery case with bms. Cells were here in germany about 1900$ and battery case is a SEPLOS MASONS 280 LA which is an upright standing energy tower with a small footprint of 42 x 26 cm which fits perfectly under the growatt inverter. This battery comes with everything incl. a 200 A BMS which communicates with a tons of inverter. Delta Pros are dead here cause everyone knows that it is here called a fraud cause they reject to tell you in advance what kind of cells are inside their batteries, I mean brand and cell model number as I mentioned above EVE LF 280 K. Why ? ecoflow buys the cheapest surplus cells on chinese cell spot market and that means cheapest cells due to their flexibility. They do not tell you what cells are inside your battery and that saves them money, costs . We paid about 2500$ for a 15 kWh battery which you should usually get cheaper in the USA than here in Germany.

[@WWhitegoat]

Hi..get an "Anker Power Station" better. It's cheaper than an Ultra.

[@nathanwolfe]

I’ve looked at Anker products and have considered it.

[@dennissullivan4312]

Echoflow sucks i have nothing but problems with my delta pro and smart home panel had to get two replacement delta pros system never has worked tech support is beyond awful

[@SetchiPaunda]

Solar generators are not the way to go. All in one inverters with heated lithium batteries or inverters and separate charge controllers.

[@royamberg9177]

that's not a real inverter that's a Micky mouse affair get a magnum inverter

[@johndigiacomo6635]

Ecoflow support is terrible. I installed a Smart Home Panel 2 and it has bad relays. They won't even respond to my requests for a replacement. Also, the advertise the Dela Pros as compatible with the Smart Home Panel 2, yet they aren't. They might be compatible with SHP2 later, after a firmware update. They are a terrible company.

[@nathanwolfe]

Sorry to hear that! I’ve heard the same thing about the smart home panel v2.

[@user-fz7zu7no9o]

so you spent a lot of money without reading the reviews firstly

[@kevinwarn2057]

Ecoflow is the worst. I have had nothing but problems with them. Customer service is a joke. Their products are way to loud and do not live up to the specs they say. Staying for away from them.

[@timcat1004]

Ecoflow was never intended for OFF GRID. It's a back up source for emergencies or convenience while camping. Get over it. And why would you ever need the smart panel in an off-grid set up? What a waste.

[@kickgas7171]

Of course your having problems with your Ecoflow inverter products. Ecoflow uses low cost, (cheap) poorly designed, Chinese made, high frequency inverter tech in their design. High frequency, inverters offer the poorest, surge capacities on the market and they offer a much shorter life expectancy than modern, low frequency, transformer based inverter chargers. Ecoflow simply does not possess the engineering capability to design or build reliable inverter products.

[@switzerland3696]

Welcome to the world of inrush current. Look at your attitude.

[@ralf4k]

Hillary 2024