Has anyone installed one of these EcoFlow 500W/800W Alternator Chargers?

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You pretty much have it figured. The cable sucks to run under the door trim. If you ran it under the carpet around the center console it might be better but I didn't want to do that much work. I was able to get it under the door trim and get the trim back on but it is a struggle. The plugs only plug in way so test fit it before moutning it permenantly. It is surprisingly heavy. You will want to have fairly easy access to it because when it turned completely off, you have to push a button on it to allow the app to see it and let you turn it in. The way it works is once it is on and you are using it, you can shut down the truck and when you start it will still be "on" in the last mode you set but after some time (maybe a day or so) it completely shuts down. When that happens, you have to push the button on the charger to "wake it up".

I don't recall it getting super hot but I would want some airflow around it. I originally mounted it to the trim on my DS next to my fridge but it was a hassle to remove the cables (they have a security clip) so I just kind of let it sit in a gap next to my refrigerator and it never caused any problems. I am in Austin so it's pretty hot here too and I never had issues with it.

Functionality is good but there are a few glitches that can be a little annoying but wouldn't stop me from buying it again.

The main issue I have had is switching modes with the app. Sometimes, when you switch charging on or to reverse charging, it may take a few tries. Most of the time it is fine but sometimes it takes a few tries. I needed reverse charging because of an old battery and it didn't turn on immediately. I restarted the app and it started working. A little annoying but I imagine software updates have made that better.

The other issue, I had was it not starting to charge because of the low voltage setting even though my voltage is higher than the limit. For example, I set my low voltage cut off to around 12v. I start the truck, see 13v and the charger won't start. Again, had to restart the app and it worked.

I am sure you're sensing a theme. All the issues I have had are app related so can be fixed with updates. I can't say if they are fixed because I've mostly been driving my 80 and haven't needed the charger in the GX for a few months.

Once you get past the few app issues, the charger is great. It's super fast. I have run a 800w to test but don't do it over extended periods to be nice to my alternator. I have a Delta 3 Plus so same capacity as yours. Charging at like 400w is plenty fast for this small battery. 800w would only be for an emergency for me. I think I never had much more than an 1-2 hours to be fully charged. It was always pretty easy to get it all charged back up for the night so it can keep my fridge running.

The super positive, is when I went to Big Bend earlier this year, my old battery finally gave out and I was able to use reverse charging from my Delta 3 several times to get the truck started. It was a real life saver! I finished a few days on the trip this way and it was totally fine.

I think you are limited to 500w solar input on the D3 Classic so you could use some other charger and just charge with the solar port if you don't want an ecoflow charger. You wouldn't have reverse charging though.

Hope this helps!
 
You pretty much have it figured. The cable sucks to run under the door trim. If you ran it under the carpet around the center console it might be better but I didn't want to do that much work. I was able to get it under the door trim and get the trim back on but it is a struggle. The plugs only plug in way so test fit it before moutning it permenantly. It is surprisingly heavy. You will want to have fairly easy access to it because when it turned completely off, you have to push a button on it to allow the app to see it and let you turn it in. The way it works is once it is on and you are using it, you can shut down the truck and when you start it will still be "on" in the last mode you set but after some time (maybe a day or so) it completely shuts down. When that happens, you have to push the button on the charger to "wake it up".

I don't recall it getting super hot but I would want some airflow around it. I originally mounted it to the trim on my DS next to my fridge but it was a hassle to remove the cables (they have a security clip) so I just kind of let it sit in a gap next to my refrigerator and it never caused any problems. I am in Austin so it's pretty hot here too and I never had issues with it.

Functionality is good but there are a few glitches that can be a little annoying but wouldn't stop me from buying it again.

The main issue I have had is switching modes with the app. Sometimes, when you switch charging on or to reverse charging, it may take a few tries. Most of the time it is fine but sometimes it takes a few tries. I needed reverse charging because of an old battery and it didn't turn on immediately. I restarted the app and it started working. A little annoying but I imagine software updates have made that better.

The other issue, I had was it not starting to charge because of the low voltage setting even though my voltage is higher than the limit. For example, I set my low voltage cut off to around 12v. I start the truck, see 13v and the charger won't start. Again, had to restart the app and it worked.

I am sure you're sensing a theme. All the issues I have had are app related so can be fixed with updates. I can't say if they are fixed because I've mostly been driving my 80 and haven't needed the charger in the GX for a few months.

Once you get past the few app issues, the charger is great. It's super fast. I have run a 800w to test but don't do it over extended periods to be nice to my alternator. I have a Delta 3 Plus so same capacity as yours. Charging at like 400w is plenty fast for this small battery. 800w would only be for an emergency for me. I think I never had much more than an 1-2 hours to be fully charged. It was always pretty easy to get it all charged back up for the night so it can keep my fridge running.

The super positive, is when I went to Big Bend earlier this year, my old battery finally gave out and I was able to use reverse charging from my Delta 3 several times to get the truck started. It was a real life saver! I finished a few days on the trip this way and it was totally fine.

I think you are limited to 500w solar input on the D3 Classic so you could use some other charger and just charge with the solar port if you don't want an ecoflow charger. You wouldn't have reverse charging though.

Hope this helps!
Jeremy this is great! I really appreciate the in-depth answer. I think you covered everything I was curious about, and then some. I kind of feel like I don't have much of a reply haha. App issues and wiring withstanding, it still sounds like a solid option, and they're on sale, so I'm going to go ahead and snag one. I'll make note of the issues you had so I can keep an eye out too, that's good info to have, even if its just a little peace of mind knowing I'm not the only one having issues in case they pop up. The reverse charging does sound like a real bonus too, and was another reason I thought the 800W would be a good call, along with the other noted benefits.

Actually after reading your reply and before I left for the day, I grabbed some corrugated cardboard from my throwaway pile and knocked out a quick and dirty analog for the charger from the site measurements so I could mess with ideas over the weekend. I want to make sure it's somewhere I can easily access the buttons like you mentioned. Luckily I haven't built anything into the cargo area yet so I have a clean slate to work with.

Again, thanks for taking the time to report your experience with this.

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Really glad it helped! It really is a good piece of hardware and the app stuff has never left me without power so worst case it's an annoyance. I think you'll really enjoy it.
 
Here’s a video install on a GX460

Thanks! Bookmarked. The visuals certainly help. I'd been back and forth on an attic rack and the side panels, not usually a big molle guy, but it would definitely make mounting the unit a no brainer and easy to access.
Ordered the 800 last night and grabbed a Delta 2 to try.
 
Thanks! Bookmarked. The visuals certainly help. I'd been back and forth on an attic rack and the side panels, not usually a big molle guy, but it would definitely make mounting the unit a no brainer and easy to access.
Ordered the 800 last night and grabbed a Delta 2 to try.
Nice, I’ll be going the ecoflow route at some point.
 
I still haven't installed the thing lol. I have a Delta 2, and with it only running the fridge with my use case (long drives between my parents house and mine, from Reno to Los Angeles) I can keep it topped off with a DC-DC cigarette to XT60 cable that feeds it at 100W. I know this doesn't work if you have additional power needs or only have short drives between destinations, but I'll install the alternator charger soon. I think a solar panel, either rigidly mounted or flexible for when you're not moving at camp is better depending on your use.
 
I just got back from a 6-week trip and the Jackery alternator charger plus Jackery 1000 v2 combo worked seamlessly. In fact I didn't think about it after the first couple nights. The Jackery charger theoretically maxes at 600w but the 1000 v2 only takes up to 400w. regardless, I don't think it ever went below 70% charge the whole trip. powering a Dometic 75 liter fridge and charging various devices and occasionally starlink. granted, we're always moving, not setting up a multi-day base camp.
 
Told ya! I really think they went overkill on those cables. Don't accidentally put it through the firewall backwards. :)
Also glad I went for the Delta 2 in the end. Not the fanciest but enough I/O and power for what I need right now and decent price.
Just need to settle on a fridge before my next trip. Eyeing some of the Alpicool, Bouge, possibly Iceco.

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*Apologies for the partial thread hijack. I'll get a build diary up soon now that I'm active again. 😂
 
I have a no name amazon brand fridge that last less than a year, and it was on for only maybe 20% of the time. I also have an iceco apl55, which has been on 24/7 for a couple years, no issue.
 
I have an Iceco VL35 ProS running off a Delta 2. Runs for about a day if it's not completely packed. It feels a bit small? But you can fit it in the back with the Delta 2 behind it and still have the rear seats up if you remove the rear seats.

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I have a no name amazon brand fridge that last less than a year, and it was on for only maybe 20% of the time. I also have an iceco apl55, which has been on 24/7 for a couple years, no issue.
Good to know, thanks. Hoping for some Memorial Day sales.
 
I have an Iceco VL35 ProS running off a Delta 2. Runs for about a day if it's not completely packed. It feels a bit small? But you can fit it in the back with the Delta 2 behind it and still have the rear seats up if you remove the rear seats.

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Looks like a nice fridge. And I was planning on smaller since I'm usually solo on longer trips, so I'll keep that one in mind. Been toying with doing a half second row delete and putting the fridge up there. Not fully sold on that though.
 
I ended up going with a Bluetti 100 and have their Charger 2 as well. I’ve had them for a few months now. I’m mostly very happy but there are some occasional glitches. I did upgrade the alternator from 130a-180a at the same time (but only because the original alt went out). Charger 2 is designed as a power distribution hub which makes future upgrades (solar, battery) super easy.
I’m jealous of the rigs that have a built in AC inverter. Charging off that would be 👌🏼

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