EcoFlow Delta Pro - FIVE Units Down. Something's awry here...

watchdoc said:

The statistical chances of 5 units going bad in such a short period of time are incredibly small.

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schmism said:

at current prices you have $15,000 worth of ecoflow products...
What would I do after 5 failures? sell it all and build my own system. Use server rack batteries and AIO unit intergrated into some sort of cooler/handtruck setup for portability.

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Watchdoc,

I totally agree! I've attempted to troubleshoot anything I could have been doing here, on the FB group and with support. (You can see the summary of the conditions of the breakdown above.)

I banked on this company (was a statistically good shot, I thought) and as far as I've found, I'm the only one with this kind of bad luck, so to speak. MANY others have had error 105 issues. One suggestion above is that they have perhaps sent me reconditioned a/o early units, which I suspect could have been the case at least once, as one unit arrived scuffed up with scuff marks that did not match the damage to the packaging. (That box looked like it had be dropped out of any airplane... LOL)

The only solution they'd given me mostly was to keep the firmware updated, which I've always done. In my last exchange with Ecoflow, they suggested that the power supply distribution board needed replacing (which I'd never heard before). I'm not going that route, as I'm getting a return (see below).

Several exchanges with customer support tells me at some level they are not at all on the ball. A few examples:
• They managed to send a returned unit back to me (when I was waiting on a new unit), and in the mixup with shipping labels, another unit I was sent back is / was lost in the Fed Ex system.
• I was once sent two return labels and when I asked which should go with which machine, I was told to use a THIRD label tracking # for (for a label I didn't have) to return one of the units.
• One customer service person suggested that Ecoflow has consistently violated their return policy by sending me new units before receiving the old ones. This has happened only once (with the 4th unit). This same person also offered me a solution which suggested I had three delta pros in my possession, which I do not. (Only only bought two and have never had an "extra."). They don't seem to know which way is up just in terms of my basic issue, i.e., what's broken, what's working, what I have in my possession, etc.

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Schmism,

YES, that's exactly what I've done! I've already got anew system (from watts247) and will be installing that ASAP. It will be smaller, with less bells n' whistles and not portable, but I will be able to rely upon it. (And will have Ian at watts247 as support.)

They finally conceded with a return. The issue, as will the majority of my exchanges, is that they just can't get their sh¶& together.

I have packaged everything up and itemized what I have to return (what is in which box). (Even with this list in hand the customer service person couldn't count how many Delta Pros I have.)
I was sent 12 mailing labels with the wrong phone number for me and no indication of which label goes with which package (or if it didn't matter somehow - the boxes range from 100lb DP and extra batteries to boxes of extra covers that weigh a few pound with entirely different dimension. I don't think Fed Ex will pick up and ship packages with mis-matched weight / dimensions.)

They also haven't indicated what my refund will be given everything is in working order. (The good thing is that I barely was able to put anything to use, given the delta pro's would typically only last month or two. I don't think I ever actually had one under anything above a baseline load of a fridge and a couple lights for more than 24hr or so. Loads were never about ~1800-1900W with the 30A outlet.)

So, in a few days (I'm actually guessing more like weeks, to be honest) I should be able to ship everything back.

-S

P.S. This is a PITA reporting back here on this, but feel I should just do it for those who might have similar issues.

I would do a simple test on both sides of incoming and outgoing sine wave with an oscilloscope. Just connect your leads to your hub and turn on your power keeping the leads from touching each other. Verify your sine wave is 60 hz signal Like the attached. Next do the same test on one of your outlets and check for dirty power. You might need an line conditioner to smooth out your signal to make a pure sine wave. Good luck and message me I can assist if needed

Bubba Chump said:

I would do a simple test on both sides of incoming and outgoing sine wave with an oscilloscope. Just connect your leads to your hub and turn on your power keeping the leads from touching each other. Verify your sine wave is 60 hz signal Like the attached. Next do the same test on one of your outlets and check for dirty power. You might need an line conditioner to smooth out your signal to make a pure sine wave. Good luck and message me I can assist if needed

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Hey Bubba,
Thank you for that. I guess it's possible that my I had dirty power at both my house as well as at the campground. I should probably pick up an oscilloscope, though. (Model you recommend, as well as an inline conditioner?...)

Regardless, I've returned everything I bought, except for the portable solar panels, some accessories and one of the Delta Pro units (as a backup, and b/c I didn't have a box, given the box for one of my replacement units looked like it had been air dropped)...

(Long, concluding post coming when I get some time. The saga has been a long one.)

-S

I found this thread because my Delta Pro failed after 2 months and I think I have an idea what might have killed it that's worth sharing.
The inverter board in the Delta Pro is dual-function and both converts 48V DC Battery voltage to AC, and also converts AC to DC to charge the battery. It's a very clever design, but the way that this works means that whenever you're charging the battery the AC output is connected directly to the mains. When the mains fails, the inverter board is quickly started up to supply AC output within about 30ms.

I'm using my Delta Pro to do 'peak-shaving', charing it up overnight on cheap-rate electricity and then running my home office throughout the day. A few days into owning the unit I discovered that the fuse in my PC Speakers had blown and replaced it. By the time I replaced the third fuse I moved the PC-Speakers back to being powered from the mains instead. The fuses always seemed to blow at around the time that the cheap-rate electricity ended. This got me wondering if there was something curious happening when the Delta Pro switches from mains to inverter output.

Two weeks ago today, my Delta Pro died.. Magic smoke escaped. Error 107 when you turn the AC output on, or 105 when attempting to charge the unit.

At the time my unit died, I was running a heat-pump to warm my office up. The cheap-rate electricity ended, my Delta pro got disconnected from the mains, attempted to start delivering power and failed spectacularly.

I think the issue with the Delta Pro is around inductive loads. Specifically things with large wire-wound transformers, compressors, refrigeration, aircon, large motors etc. All of these inductive loads absorb electricity and convert it into magnetic flux. Inductors like to pull a constant current, so if the power to an inductor gets suddenly disconnected the inductor will increase the voltage in an attempt to keep the current flowing (just like the point/coil in an old fashioned car ignition system - the points openening and breaking the circuit cause the spark at the spark plugs).

In my case, the failure happened at exactly the time when mains was disconnected from the Delta Pro. My aircon would have stored up magnetic flux and in the 30ms before the AC board started up, the voltage will have started to rise. The Delta Pro then begins outputting AC power with no guarantee that it is in-phase with the mains supply. This will have caused a massive spike in the output which I'm guessing blew up the output transistors.

You mention that you were running refigeration with your systems, so I'm suspecting that this might be the same issue that youv'e been hitting too.

Seems like a design flaw to me... but now I have to work out whether to use my Delta Pro only for non-inductive loads, or let it blow up a few more times and then try to seek a refund.

I believe I had a similar issue with my Delta MAX, which fried itself with "50hz/overload" on the display the day after I got it (I'm in the US with 60hz grid).

My plan was to use the MAX as a battery/buffer during outages, running critical loads with it while charging via DC from solar and/or AC from either a small gas generator or my SMA grid tied inverter in SPS mode as available or needed. My generator will charge the MAX at 1100W, but won't start the fridge, and SPS output is going to be variable based on weather conditions. So, this seemed like a great idea where I could keep my critical loads running, and simultaneously charge from whatever source is available.

While testing, with just my standalone freezer plugged in to the MAX, I plugged the unit into the wall to see what EPS mode would do, and that was the end of the MAX.

I will say EcoFlow support was excellent and replaced my unit without any issue, but this does change my emergency backup plans, as I'm never going to charge the unit from AC while running AC loads after this experience. I will charge with DC solar, when I can, but if I need to charge with AC, my loads will be disconnected first.

Thanks for your posts and input, Fence and lscotte!!!

Feen, I suspect you are correct in diagnosing what was going on with your unit. That may have been the downfall of one or more of the Delta Pros I had. OTOH, (at least) two of my units went down (one with the magic smoke) without supporting any load whatsoever, so there might have been multiple issues in play for me.

The first was here at home in my office. The unit was long since fully charged, but popped a circuit breaker on my home panel, which I heard from the other side of the house. It was running no load and shouldn't have been even drawing anything substantially the 20Amp wall outlet.

Another unit was plugged in at an RV park, under otherwise identical circumstances like the unit above (was a nice cool day as well) and I smelled the magic smoke.

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I've been meaning to do a follow up post here on the current state of affairs.

FIRSTLY, HUGE KUDOS to Gloria Yang who can be found on Facebook in association with the EcoFlow FB group. Were it not for her, I might have been in a very different situation.

Customer service otherwise (via email) with EcoFlow was atrocious, I suspect very possibly b/c they have employed very young / incapable / incompetent, albeit VERY NICE individuals in this customer service role... (I got the impression I was interacting with a very young woman during the multiple exchanges. There was a bit of a language barrier, too, but mostly I think she just lacked life experience / knowledge of the logistics of what was actually going on. She was very thankful, for instance, when I explained to her that putting the country code "1" at the start of the phone number field for the Fed Ex labels was not only not necessary, but meant that my area code comes through as "152" (not even an an area code) and that any attempt to make a domestic call to my number would fall flat because the 1 was taking up space for the final (missing) digit of my phone number.

Anyhoo, as a final crescendo, after returning 11 boxes (600lb of stuff - 1 Delta Pro, 4 extra batteries, etc.) worth of goods (with return labels provided by EcoFlow after deciding upon an explicit refund amount), and being told it would take "5-7 business days" to refund my money, I was told when the refund didn't arrive that EcoFlow would need to evaluate my return to "know the specific reasons for the refund." Thank goodness for Gloria, as I did eventually get my refund in 16 business days and after I noted they had charged me, without advanced notice, a $400+ fee (via PayPal), she sent me a 400W portable panel as compensation.

I decided to keep on DP unit, for back-up and the utility of charging via and EV charging station (I have a Zero DSR electric motorcycle, so I have the accounts, etc. and it could make sense with my form factor), as well as the 400W portable panels (now I have 3). If / when this Delta Pro goes down, I at least know I have Gloria to help out. (I has a born on date of June 2022, and I've updated the firmware, so I'm thinking it's not a refurbished unit and hopefully is up to it's intended tasks.)

All in all, I placed my order on Kickstarter in Sept, 2021, started receiving various pieces Dec 2021 (I think) and finally received my refund (after 5 broken units) on Dec. 1, 2022. I'm very glad the whirlwind has subsided.

-Scott

Scott, thank you for sharing your experience I am nearly on the same boat! Just one replacement shy from your experience.
I really want this system to work out... but I don't believe it’s completely ready with all its quirks.
Patiently waiting for a reply from the help desk.

-Dan

trdstarlet said:

Scott, thank you for sharing your experience I am nearly on the same boat! Just one replacement shy from your experience.
I really want this system to work out... but I don't believe it’s completely ready with all its quirks.
Patiently waiting for a reply from the help desk.

-Dan

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Hey Dan,

You're welcome!

Wow - you're the first I've heard from who's had so many Delta Pro's go down. (I have an uncle in law who is a master electrician. We chatted at Thanksgiving and when I mentioned EcoFlow he immediately said, "Won't touch it..." meaning that his impression is that integrating anything from them into a home / business is a bad idea.)

I asked Gloria Yang (mentioned above) if I could refer folks to her and she said it would be OK. If you get the run around / can't find her, let me know.

I dealt mainly with Ashley and Cassie (and Roly among others). Those first two were very nice, but disturbingly unable to get things done.

I ended up just BCC'ing Gloria in on my emails with Ashley. When things were not accomplished as promised, I could turn to Gloria each time to get them done. This happened 4-5 times, I think and she was on it every time.

-Scott

Scott I appreciate that! I'll let you know where this goes.

-Dan

trdstarlet said:

Scott I appreciate that! I'll let you know where this goes.

-Dan

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Absolutely! Fingers crossed for you!

-Scott

scottwstevenson said:

I have a Zero DSR electric motorcycle

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Very nice

scottwstevenson said:

All in all, I placed my order on Kickstarter in Sept, 2021, started receiving various pieces Dec 2022 (I think) and finally received my refund (after 5 broken units) on Dec. 1, 2022.

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I'm sad to read how poorly these performed and glad you were able to get it straightened out. I think you might have the first highlighted date wrong

400bird said:

Very nice

I'm sad to read how poorly these performed and glad you were able to get it straightened out. I think you might have the first highlighted date wrong

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Yes, that was a typo! Thanks! (Changed it to 2021 in my original post.)

All in all just very happy to have gotten my money back!

-Scott

I'm still trying to work with the techs at EcoFlow. Replies from them are usually 24hr turnaround time (SMH).
Just an observation I made... The fault/error codes are almost non existent for Smart Home Panel and the Delta pro.
Does any one have a lead on these codes?

trdstarlet said:

I'm still trying to work with the techs at EcoFlow. Replies from them are usually 24hr turnaround time (SMH).
Just an observation I made... The fault/error codes are almost non existent for Smart Home Panel and the Delta pro.
Does any one have a lead on these codes?

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I would join the Facebook EcoFlow group. Lots of info. on codes there.

Error 105 is one that is not fixable, from everything I've learned. You'll have to got through a return.

I would just email them and provide all the info. they ask for right off the bat (first email), including a video of the error in action. Otherwise you waste an exchange or two with them asking for things.

Full Name:
Shipping Address:
City:
Zip Code:
Country:
Phone Number:
Serial Number:
Sales Channel:
Order Number:
Date of Purchase:

<ATTACH VIDEO> and include description.

-S

I am new here. Any help would be much appreciated. I have 4 EcoFlow Delta Pro"s having the same issue. EcoFlow has been very slow and not had much if any good responses. The latest firmaware update will not install in any of the units. Firmware upgrade 0.3.06. When I press the firmware button to upgrade it they connect but the upgrade sits at zero percent for hours and disconnects from the internet. I have unlinked all units, deleted the app and reinstalled it. I have used a different tablet and different phone and nothing seems to work. Sorry to jump into a different discussion. The people in this chat seem to know what they are talking about. Thanks

bob374 said:

I am new here. Any help would be much appreciated. I have 4 EcoFlow Delta Pro"s having the same issue. EcoFlow has been very slow and not had much if any good responses. The latest firmaware update will not install in any of the units. Firmware upgrade 0.3.06. When I press the firmware button to upgrade it they connect but the upgrade sits at zero percent for hours and disconnects from the internet. I have unlinked all units, deleted the app and reinstalled it. I have used a different tablet and different phone and nothing seems to work. Sorry to jump into a different discussion. The people in this chat seem to know what they are talking about. Thanks

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Hey Bob,
What issue are you having, exactly, other than the inability to upgrade the firmware?...

Have you tried using a different internet connection?... Are you trying to update all the units simultaneously?...

Without knowing details (which error code you're getting), it's hard to suggest much, but there are several situations where Ecoflow simply would want you to return the units.

They do suggest updating the firmware first and foremost, upon receiving the units. (It's strange that they seem to arrive with outdated firmware universally... I laugh thinking that they themselves can't get the firmware to update, as I too had some issues with that as well.)
I'd join the Ecoflow Delta Pro facebook group and search for help there with your particular error code as well as the newest on updating the firmware. (This has been problematic for a while. )


-Scott

P.S. I have one unit that seems to be working still. I've not used it extensively, but it's outlasted the previous units I have, so fingers crossed I finally got a good one.

scottwstevenson said:

I would join the Facebook EcoFlow group. Lots of info. on codes there.

Error 105 is one that is not fixable, from everything I've learned. You'll have to got through a return.

I would just email them and provide all the info. they ask for right off the bat (first email), including a video of the error in action. Otherwise you waste an exchange or two with them asking for things.

Full Name:
Shipping Address:
City:
Zip Code:
Country:
Phone Number:
Serial Number:
Sales Channel:
Order Number:
Date of Purchase:

<ATTACH VIDEO> and include description.

-S

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Hey Scott, sorry I have been super busy. Well, EcoFlow did eventually make things right for me. Currently, I am running with good results. However, I do have a small worrisome issue that just started happening and then went away, so I'm waiting to see if it manifests itself again. The SHP (Smart Home Power) starts clicking for some reason. I don't receive any error messages, and everything appears to be functioning properly. I'm unsure what the issue could be as it has only happened twice that I know of. It's as if one of the relays is continuously tripping, but there are no error indications and everything is working fine.

I just bought an EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter and Battery so I'm going to try and figure out how to marry them to the ECOFLOW SHP. That way make better use of my solar array via EG4 instead of the Delta Pros and also store the extra power on super sunny productive days!

best wishes,

-Dan

bugle said:

Only guess I've got: is it possible your AC power source is "dirty"? Overvoltage, not a good sine wave, something like that?

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As regards dirty power: I have a Honda inverter generator, EU2200i. I also have a 12 KW Honda generator that is NOT inverter. Nobody on these channels, forums seems to indicate the need to state categorically whether or not an inverter generator is necessary. Am I missing something? Is "inverter generator" something that's simply understood anymore?

As an aside, the GenVerter from EG4 seems to take in any power, clean it up, put out DC.

Browse said:

I was going to buy 2 Delta Pro units as an emergency house backup. I'm glad I didn't. Based on all of the complaints I have read and the amount of reconditioned units on the market, I decided they aren't ready for prime time. Their price also seems high for what you get. Good luck figuring out what your issues are.

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To one and all, there appear to be a lot of "moving parts" in any of these battery backup systems. The companies seem compelled to leverage any reputation by laying out new products ahead of the competition.

The danger in these "solar generators" appears to be that all of one's eggs are in the one basket. ... Compare that to the hand trunk system that Will put together. ... EG4 seems to be a good all-in-one, with problems isolated to the main parts.

scottwstevenson said:

Thanks for that, man. It's power coming from the city (not a generator), but I don't know how likely factors in a home might be to blame for something like that. (I would hope the Delta Pro could handle a "dirty" modified sine wave without problem.)

-S

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See my comment about the EG4 GENVERTER. They seem to be able to clean up dirty power to DC.

Mattb4 said:

Just out of curiosity I looked up EcoFlow Delta pro. It seems that this is one of those battery power packs. Rather shocking the price listed for the unit. $3,699! This is for a listed 3600wh battery device. As comparison a simple 300amp-hour 12 volt battery is 3,600wh. Or a 150ah 24v battery.

Add in their so called Smart panel to allow home hookup and you are really paying out a lot for a little.

Beware marketing hype.

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In addition to the marketing hype, I'm learning to keep my expectations low until these companies sort themselves out. Also, at the risk of overthinking, I think much of this is a reflection of Americans' desires to have it ALL, have it FAST, have it SEAMLESS. ... I spent my formative professional years in power production. I'll be happy if I have lights, refrigeration, maybe even a window unit. For heat I will back up with wood, propane.

Just came home to a house full of smoke... turns out my Ecoflow Delta Pro was blowing out all kinds of white smoke and holy smokes smells like electrical stuff burning. I've had mine connected to the same two renogy solar panels since I got it and it was working fine. i'm considering getting all of the Ecoflow out of my house now..... as I'm afraid of it burning down my house.

@Blown284 if you feel it's unsafe... then you should remove the items... just curious what panels do you have and what is the temps your experiencing. Voltage may have crept up to unsafe level (over 150vdc will do it). Just my two cents.

trdstarlet said:

@Blown284 if you feel it's unsafe... then you should remove the items... just curious what panels do you have and what is the temps your experiencing. Voltage may have crept up to unsafe level (over 150vdc will do it). Just my two cents.

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It's being removed. I had that unit connected to two Renogy 550w panels to which each are 49.7v/each ... 100v max for two temps have been anywhere from 20's to 50s farenheight . Well under the 150vdc limit of the DP.

Yeah thats good voltage... the mppt could have been faulty. I'm curious are you getting any fault codes? Any symptoms besides the magic smoke? I've been there too.