Summer Van Life & Keeping the Dogs Cool: A Review of the EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable Air Conditioner

[@cowboy3670]

This is the best function review of the eco flow. Thank you. I purchased one and it’s been saving my skin during the summer

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@cowboy3670 Thank you. I’m glad you found it useful. Also glad the Wave 2 is working for you.

[@maverick332]

What a great review, TY. I went the Zero Breeze route two years ago and have had no issues cooling the van and my daily driver for my two pups who are with me full time. I applaud your patience with EcoFlow products. I am a Goal Zero consumer, but picked up the Costco special EcoFlow River 600 Pro with extra battery two years ago to see what I might be missing. The unit was defective out of the box. The repair service said it needed a software update which could only be done by sending it to Texas. When it came back two weeks later it still didn't work. After returning the unit for the second time, EcoFlow offered me their pillow/blanket swag for my trouble. When the unit arrived after the second repair trip it didn't power up consistently. EcoFlow offered to replace it with a refurbished unit, but I declined. I still have the power bank but I don't travel with it because its performance is unreliable. Seeing your review has convinced me that I will likely never buy another EcoFlow product but will instead consider alternatives like Bluetti products for comparison. Safe travels to you and your pups :)

[@lovedogsontheloose]

Ugh. I'm sorry to hear about your experience with EcoFlow. I probably sound more patient in the video than I actually have been. The email exchanges with customer service were rough. I'm glad the Zero Breeze is working well for you. I actually filled out a form on their website to try to win one--so I could compare the two units--but I very VERY highly doubt I ever win one. 😂 I have the Bluetti AC180 power bank and love it. Switched from Goal Zero and don't regret it. Safe travels to you and your pups as well! Thanks for commenting!

[@allegrosotto2126]

Thanks for a comprehensive review 👍

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@allegrosotto2126 You’re very welcome. I hope it was helpful. I realized just a bit ago that I hadn’t yet published the written version that I link in the description, so I just did that. Sorry if you tried to click it and it wasn’t there!

[@allegrosotto2126]

@@lovedogsontheloose that’s fine. The unit is too large for my Toyota but I’m always interested in seeing what others use. In Australia summer is always a big deal, and this past summer my ageing dog and two cats needed motel aircon a few times. It helped me too😁

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@allegrosotto2126 I hear you. Being able to stay with my folks while I figured out what was wrong with the Wave 2 has been a life saver for the dogs and me.

[@deuce1606]

Good review, thank you i have been debating between something like this and a mini split. Everything is too expensive these days.

[@lovedogsontheloose]

A mini split is probably more efficient than this. But for spaces that are relatively small with little room to mount a unit, this is a workable alternative. I do think that if my next van (years from now, hopefully) is larger/taller, I'll go a different route for a/c.

[@NoZenith]

Cheap r v living had a nice review recently of a lady who has had what she called a backpack mini split on her van for a year and a half. They also did a video over a year ago, after she had first installed it. This was an update and she is still happy.

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@NoZenith I think I saw the followup interview with her.

[@NoZenith]

@lovedogsontheloose It was neat and definitely looks like a great long-term solution. But I'm doing a little cargo trailer no- build that I want entirely convertible and very stealth. So that doesn't work for me. I think I would want a heat pump version so it could have heat too instead of just air conditioning though.

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@NoZenith Awesome! That sounds like a fun build. I'll definitely be looking into other options on the next iteration of "home," but for now this works fine. I'd really wanted to just follow the cooler temps in the summer, but that didn't pan out this year.

[@emitissimo7618]

I have a upright air conditioner for bedroom in my parents house, and I was disappointed that the lowest it can be set for is 60° F. It will never cool the room to below 75 if it's like over 90° outside. 5,000 btu 120 voltwindow units work way better than an 8000 btu upright air conditioner for home use.

[@lovedogsontheloose]

Yeah, I was pretty disappointed that the lowest this would go is 60º. If I was willing to lose a window, I'd probably go with a mini split.

[@gandalfthemead3121]

This is a really good review. I have a tear drop type trailer and there is not a lot of room inside for this. I worry that I cant drain it. I am thinking of getting this without the battery, it would sit on the floor, I snake out the hot air through one of the side ports. I would get the ecoflo wave 2, Delta max 2, at least one 220w renology solar panel. Its extremely hot here in california and I want to camp in a 100 + temp. Yea I don't know if this would work. And I don't know how to drain it out. I would have to drill a hole through the floor and I dont want to do that. More research.

[@lovedogsontheloose]

Glad you found the video useful. The Wave 2 definitely struggles to keep things cool in my van in 100º heat, but with a smaller teardrop, it would likely do pretty well. The 2-liter bottle is working pretty well for me to collect the water that drains, but I'm able to hide it down in my step well where it's out of the way and secure. I'm actually thinking about re-using that water somehow.

[@NoZenith]

The water will technically be distilled even though it will have contaminants from the environment in it like dust. But it would be great for watering plants. Because it would be, for the most part, essentially rainwater.​@lovedogsontheloose

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@NoZenith That’s exactly what I was thinking (plant watering), or even maybe washing the van.

[@NoZenith]

@lovedogsontheloose anything! Great for laundry too. The less minerals in the water used= less detergent needed

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@NoZenith Didn't even think about laundry. Great idea!

[@RescueDogTreats]

Did you make the vent template for the maxair fan? Thanks!

[@lovedogsontheloose]

A friend of mine made it. The Wave 2 actually comes with a foam hose template. He used that to create a wooden one that perfectly fits over the vent in the roof.

[@Chasingsing]

What’s the link to fix the drain issue

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@ChasingsingIt should be in the description.

[@knowledgeablelandon9960]

Dont buy the wave 2. Thing couldnt even cool down my tiny ass doghouse! Just buy a window unit for christs sake dont give this company any money.

[@egochecker]

Ecoflow customer service is no service at all! They also do not like to warrant their products. I had to treat them with a lawsuit to get anything done! They want your $1000s but the after you buy they don't care!

[@lovedogsontheloose]

I’m really sorry that happened to you. I’ve been trying really hard to remain optimistic. Since I made this video the unit has stopped working again. This time it’s power related. It’s not taking power from either the AC or the DC cable I have for it. They sent me a label and I’ve finally shipped it back to them for replacement. Will update when I know more. Frustrating to say the least.

[@egochecker]

@lovedogsontheloose I have the delta pro and it went into a overload code while I was charging it. I had to get rude to the people that work there to get anything done and it shouldn't have to be that way! I hope they can get their shi...stuff together and start doing the right thing.

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@egochecker Me too. Did they replace yours or refund?

[@egochecker]

They said they would send me a refurbished one. The one I have is almost brand new I told them no way that I don't know what I would be getting back with a used battery. Told them to fix it or send me a new one. After a couple of weeks they sent me a return label and are repairing it. What a hassle and headache I van life 100% and I'm in Texas and now without a power bank! Yesterday was 103° with a feel like 117° and they could careless

[@lovedogsontheloose]

@@egochecker My home base is West Texas, so I feel you. The dogs and I are in the Midwest right now waiting out that heat. EcoFlow told me they would replace my a/c unit with a refurb, too. I wasn't thrilled about that at first (mine was a brand new purchase this year), but then I figured maybe I'd get one that actually works if it's been repaired and restored to new condition. I don't know. Not ideal any way you look at it, given the price, but if I get a working unit back (that is also warrantied), I'll be happy.