Ecoflow Delta 2 and Solar Panels Advice

[NewbieNewbie]

Greetings to everyone

I was hoping to ask for some help and advice if I may please.

I have the Ecoflow Delta 2 and noted that the total solar voltage is 11-60 volts.

If I connect 3 Ecoflow 160 watt solar panels in series, with the open circuit voltage of each panel being 21.3 volts, then I am worried the total voltage input will exceed 60 volts into the Ecoflow Delta 2.

Is there anything I can add to prevent the voltage reaching beyond the 60 volt max? Maybe a solar charge contoller ? But I noted that I could not find one with a maximum cut off voltage of 60 volts when I did an online search.

Or will the extent of the sun shine mean that 60 volts from the solar panels will never be reached in reality? Or must I use a long cable to reduce the voltage?

I would highly appreciate any help or advice because I don't want to damage this new Ecoflow Delta 2.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and offer any advice or suggestions.

Highly appreciated

James

 

[Michael's Turtles]

With those panels you are going to be limited to using two of them in series with a direct hook up to the Delta 2. There's not really a way around it.

In theory you could run three panels through a different solar charge controller to then charge another battery that is connected to a different inverter which is then plugged into the AC input (wall input), but that's building an entirely different system just to get one extra 160-watt panel into your Delta 2, which would make no sense at all.

Many of the all-in-one portable power stations have a problem of being able to max out the solar input due to the voltage limits.

 

[NewbieNewbie]

Hi Michael

Thank you, I am most grateful to you for stopping me in time. I was just about to order 3 Ecoflow 160 watt solar panels after I searched this site and someone wrote that if the solar voltage input exceeds the maximum allowable 60 volts of the Ecoflow Delta 2, then it will simply cut off and must be reset (as opposed to getting "fried").

Then I also had the false impression that one will almost never reach the maximum voltage and watts etc due to never having perfect sunshine. Therefore I must sincerely thank you for taking the time to tell me that I was wrong, and that I must never ever even slightly exceed the maximum allowable solar voltage input of 60 volts with regard to the Ecoflow Delta 2.

Now I am left with the only option of rather buying 2 Bluetti PV200 solar panels, which I initially was going to avoid because it is not as water proof / rain resistant as the Ecoflow solar panels with IP68 rating. Apparently Bluetti panels are only splash proof, and should not be left in the rain. On a positive note, one article stated the Bluetti PV200 solar panels can last as long as 25 years with proper care (not sure if this is true, but it seems nobody can beat the water resistance of the Ecoflow solar panels. I could not find a single youtube video testing the water resistance of Bluetti solar panels, but saw Prof Hobo on youtube testing the water resistance of Bluetti portable power stations LOL).

I must thank you sincerely Michael and who ever else reads and makes a contribution with regard to their experience and wisdom in this vast field (I mean I would potentially have had a great loss if I had to hook up 3 Ecoflow 160 watt solar panels to the Ecoflow Delta 2, were it not for Micheal warning me not to proceed with it, thank you again).

Regards
James

 

[mikefitz]

solar voltage input of 60 volts with regard to the Ecoflow Delta 2.

You can use any solar type with the Ecoflow, in a series or series parallel array, providing you don't exceed the 60 volt limit.
For example you could use Ecoworthy flexible panels,

130W Flexible Mono Solar Panel | High Efficiency | Portable

Unlock Endless Energy with our lightweight 130W 12V Flexible Mono Solar Panel. *Ideal for RVs, boats, and off-grid living.* High efficiency, easy install.

uk.eco-worthy.com

Two in series gives a open circuit unit voltage of 49 volts. It's possible to add a further two series panels in parallel, for a total panel array power of 520 watts. This is just one example with portable flexible panels.
If your application is non portable and you could use a fixed solar array, then consider a rigid glass faced solar panel. These are more efficient than flexible panels and have a long service life.

 

[Drunkin Solar]

I use a single 400 watt panel to my Delta 2 and the panel pairs very nicely with a 48v maximum output. Charges the unit from dead in about three hours.

 

[NewbieNewbie]

Hi

I wanted to thank all the kind people here for their excellent advice (Michael, Mikefitz and Drunkin Solar and everyone else).

Just when I thought I found the correct solar panels (Gizzu 220 watt, Open-Circuit Voltage: 21.8V, Short-Circuit Current: 12.6A, Work Current: 11.9A and Work Voltage: 18.4V) I noted it might not work with my second power generator which is the Luce HS1000.

I was hoping to use both panels in series to connect to the Ecoflow Delta 2 (which I can still do), but it looks like I can't even use one 220 Watt panel to connect to the Luce HS1000 because it has figures of a maximum current input of 10 amps. The max voltage solar input is 30 volts and maximum solar watts input is 300 watts (a lot less than the Ecoflow Delta 2).

May I ask all the experienced people here. Am I correct that, because this 220 watt solar panel provides a current of 11.9 amps, therefore I can't use one solar panel to connect to the Luce HS1000 because it's maximum current input is 10 amps OR will I never really reach the 11.9 amps in reality due to variable sunshine?

I will highly appreciate any advice please because I don't want to sit stuck with 2 expensive 220 Watt solar panels that can only be used with the Ecoflow Delta 2, but not with my Luce HS 1000 portable power station.

Sorry I am not sure if I should place this as a separate thread?

Many thanks again to everyone for your help and advice re this problem.

Regards

James

 

[HarryN]

It might help if you provide a link to your exact power station and upload the manual.

There are a ton of them and they change over time.

 

[Skid]

A Delta 2 has had the same spec. I have one and EB used by a family and 4 200w panels connected 2s2p for total 52v. While limited to 500w input, during navy Central American tropical rainfall never fails to charge at the very least what was used overnight. With 800w of panels the lowest input I’ve seen is 80w, but typically not for long.

Generic solar panels of the same capacity as Ecoflow’s can be found for 1/4 ton1/2 the price, only needing a simple MC4 to X60i cable adapter. Other than that there is no advantage to buying Ecoflow’s overpriced ones.

There is no downside to overpaneling.

 

[Skid]

Oops.

 

[adirondack_wanderer]

There is no downside to overpaneling.

If you add additional arrays in parallel does that not create a larger volume of current which would exceed the rated current?

 

[Skid]

The concerns are overvoltage. The current is limited to what the Delta 2 can use. The Delta 2 is limited to 500w/60v. If you run 1500w at 50v, on sunny days nothing happens, simply charge at 500w. On a rainy day you can still get 150-200w or so, compared to 50w if you stick with rated input. I've yet to hear of any damages to a Delta from over paneling.

 

[Supervstech]

If you add additional arrays in parallel does that not create a larger volume of current which would exceed the rated current?

"Exceeding the current" isnt a thing with solar.

The controller will pull what it is rated for... doesnt matter if you have 100,000A of available current, the controller will only pull what it is rated for.

 

[MrNatural22]

Greetings to everyone

I was hoping to ask for some help and advice if I may please.

I have the Ecoflow Delta 2 and noted that the total solar voltage is 11-60 volts.

If I connect 3 Ecoflow 160 watt solar panels in series, with the open circuit voltage of each panel being 21.3 volts, then I am worried the total voltage input will exceed 60 volts into the Ecoflow Delta 2.

Is there anything I can add to prevent the voltage reaching beyond the 60 volt max? Maybe a solar charge contoller ? But I noted that I could not find one with a maximum cut off voltage of 60 volts when I did an online search.

Or will the extent of the sun shine mean that 60 volts from the solar panels will never be reached in reality? Or must I use a long cable to reduce the voltage?

I would highly appreciate any help or advice because I don't want to damage this new Ecoflow Delta 2.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and offer any advice or suggestions.

Highly appreciated

James

Simply run the three panels in parallel. That's how I have three 200w ecoworthy bifacial panels connected to my delta2
They have no problem providing the 15a max to my unit on sunny days. If you connect in series you will cause major damage to the Ecoflows MPPT.