I blew up my Ecoflow with 110 Volts

[Dokasrf]

I started my journey in the world of PV systems in 2021. At the moment I have 3 Ecoflow delta (a 1300, a Delta MAX and a PRO) and preparing another REAL PV system this time. With a Deye.

After we use Delta PRO on a power outage we charge it using an Ecoflow panel set 4*400w. That string brings down 110V.

Well…

Being stupid enough I listened to a friend who told me that the "Delta 1300" must have some kind of a security in the “DC inlet” so I could in theory plug my 110V panels on it and still be able to charge it.

Delta 1300 had a different opinion.

Upon plug I heard a spark sound, the screen went off and there was a smell of burned plastic. Weird enough delta max does NOT charge neither from AC or DC but STILL provides power (what has left of it) in the AC out. HOW?

The unit was sent to Germany to be fixed (outside warranty) and they said they won’t fix it. No explanations. After I requested to see what was wrong with the unit the reply was “your batteries are dead”. Thanks for the amazing info ecoflow!

I tried to find a service point that maybe they can go in and tell me what is wrong and how we can save it but no one touches them. I believe it could be saved but I don't know.

That's my "up in smoke" story.

ps: I have regrets about every single ECOFLOW.
Edit ps 2: It was Delta 1300 NOT Delta MAX as I wrote at first that got blown up. Delta MAX works fine at my office as a battery backup.

 

[fuzzmunky415]

Sorry about that...maybe your friend will help fix?

 

[Dokasrf]

So far he doesn't seem interested in helping me. I believe I will convince him in time.

 

[fuzzmunky415]

So far he doesn't seem interested in helping me. I believe I will convince him in time.

Manual suggests 150V max on that DC IN port.

https://manuals.ecoflow.com/us/product/delta-pro-portable-power-station?lang=en_US

I don't know what else could be troubleshot beyond an electric repair. Smell suggests more than a burnt fuse.

 

[Dokasrf]

Manual suggests 150V max on that DC IN port.

https://manuals.ecoflow.com/us/product/delta-pro-portable-power-station?lang=en_US

I don't know what else could be troubleshot beyond an electric repair. Smell suggests more than a burnt fuse.

I wasn't clear enough sorry. I blew up the Delta MAX not the PRO. Delta MAX has a DC IN of 100V.

 

[fuzzmunky415]

I wasn't clear enough sorry. I blew up the Delta MAX not the PRO. Delta MAX has a DC IN of 100V.

Sorry, I fixated on the third sentence for some reason, lack of coffee. Did you attempt to remove the cover at all?

 

[Dokasrf]

People say you shouldn't touch them if you don't know what you are doing. I've seen videos of deltas being opened on youtube and I have no plan of dying by an electric shock.

 

[Supervstech]

Ecoflow makes a decent enough product, but it has rotten support, and they have bits that fail with zero help from support.
I will never buy another ecoflow product, and it just sucks because their product overall is decent.

 

[fuzzmunky415]

Ecoflow makes a decent enough product, but it has rotten support, and they have bits that fail with zero help from support.
I will never buy another ecoflow product, and it just sucks because their product overall is decent.

Which also really sucks, because I would think they would stock parts that commonly fail and have simple repair procedures to get customers back up and running quickly. Basic support. Pipe dream.

 

[Dokasrf]

Ecoflow makes a decent enough product, but it has rotten support, and they have bits that fail with zero help from support.
I will never buy another ecoflow product, and it just sucks because their product overall is decent.

Same here. Not a single dollar / euro to them again!

Btw, fuzzmunky415

You said about lack of coffee when I wrote I blew my MAX. Nope! It was the Delta 1300 I blew up. 90V DC max if I remember correctly. My MAX is at my office and working well as a battery backup. There's my lack of coffee. I war reading my 1st post and was like "what the hell did I wrote?".

 

[OhYou_]

what exact panel did you plug into it? when looking up an ecoflow panel set 400w it is 48v voc
either way what tends to happen when you overvolt these is you exceed the power mosfets voltage tolerance and the voltage itself breaks down the silicon and shorts across.
the mosfets job is to switch on and off giga-fast and so on one side you will have 110v and the other side 51,2v and well if it's just shorted then the other side wants to become 110v, but it cant yet because your battery will begin regulating the direct panel output, which will pull as much amps as the panel can throw through it until something breaks. any good protection will disconnect the battery, which will instantly destroy everything connected to the 51,2 side as it raises up to 110v.

basically, there will be a ton of dead parts in it. even the bms itself might be kill if thats what did the battery disconnection. that the inverter still works is surprising.

if you want a fun project, maybe you can pull it to bits and salvage the battery pack for some diy fun.

 

[Dokasrf]

Sorry for the delay in my reply.

what exact panel did you plug into it?

I plunged it to an ecoflow set of 4*400 Watt panels in series bringing down 110V. It's the Ecoflow Delta PRO set. And I Paid too much for it also. What I've learned the hard way is that ecoflow is the "apple of solar" or something like that. A 580W panel in my area is about 100-120 Euros while I paid about 300 Euros for each 400W panel. (1.200 Euros it total). What a waste of money.

basically, there will be a ton of dead parts in it.

that the inverter still works is surprising.

It is. Isn't it? I wish someone that know what's going on could help.

if you want a fun project, maybe you can pull it to bits and salvage the battery pack for some diy fun.

I thought of that but can't find anyone to open it. I don't want to mess with it. Too scared of voltages and static electricity.

 

[robbob2112]

So, it is a portable battery bank if it can charge from wall power and the MPPT circuits are fried.

Otherwise you can try to sell it for parts and someone more adventurous person that will strip it for parts or repair it or another one.

 

[Supervstech]

Sorry for the delay in my reply.


I plunged it to an ecoflow set of 4*400 Watt panels in series bringing down 110V. It's the Ecoflow Delta PRO set. And I Paid too much for it also. What I've learned the hard way is that ecoflow is the "apple of solar" or something like that. A 580W panel in my area is about 100-120 Euros while I paid about 300 Euros for each 400W panel. (1.200 Euros it total). What a waste of money.





It is. Isn't it? I wish someone that know what's going on could help.


I thought of that but can't find anyone to open it. I don't want to mess with it. Too scared of voltages and static electricity.

I have reconditioned several types of these solar generators, too bad you arent close to N. Carolina.
I bet there are youtubers or electeonics shops in your area that could open this up, and at a minimum, provide a way to charge the bank, to keep it functional, if not able to repair it.

 

[Dokasrf]

I bet there are youtubers or electeonics shops in your area

I have called a few shops both in Athens and in Thessaloniki the second biggest city but no one touches them. I don't know why. I will go on a hunt for a shop again after I finish my new PV setup I am working on now.

at a minimum, provide a way to charge the bank, to keep it functional, if not able to repair it.

Yes that was the goal. At least make it work with a trick just to let it worth the money I had spend. It hasn't paid back yet if you know what I mean.

So, it is a portable battery bank if it can charge from wall power

It does not charge from either the wall or the solar input.

Otherwise you can try to sell it for parts

But how much? I bought it for like 1600 Euros. Now the prices are lower. The shipping will be 150 Euros or something. How much do I sell it for?

 

[robbob2112]

Well if all the electronics are fried in it then it is worth maybe 1/2 the cost of new cells the same size ---

Looks like a replacement battery pack here goes for $149USD --

So in reality your unit is only worth it to someone that has a failed battery pack and wants to use it to salvage the pack.

I would start with about 100 Euros and take anything someone offers or trade for something

 

[Supervstech]

I have called a few shops both in Athens and in Thessaloniki the second biggest city but no one touches them. I don't know why. I will go on a hunt for a shop again after I finish my new PV setup I am working on now.

Yes that was the goal. At least make it work with a trick just to let it worth the money I had spend. It hasn't paid back yet if you know what I mean.

But how much? I bought it for like 1600 Euros. Now the prices are lower. The shipping will be 150 Euros or something. How much do I sell it for?

Well, that is too bad.
It might not have paid for itself, but it did at least teach you about a pitfall of solar equipment, and voltage issues.

I wish you could send it to me, i would open it up, and test the bms, and the battery bank, check to see if anything obvious could be repaired, and get it back to you with at least a port to connect a charger to.
The lfp battery in there is decent size.

 

[Dokasrf]

Well, that is too bad.
It might not have paid for itself, but it did at least teach you about a pitfall of solar equipment, and voltage issues.

I wish you could send it to me, i would open it up, and test the bms, and the battery bank, check to see if anything obvious could be repaired, and get it back to you with at least a port to connect a charger to.
The lfp battery in there is decent size.

If I try to open it up and post an HD video or Photos, is here a change someone here could understand what is going on? I understand there should be some checkup with a multimeter or something. Just saying. I don't know.. Just putting ideas on the table.

 

[Supervstech]

If I try to open it up and post an HD video or Photos, is here a change someone here could understand what is going on? I understand there should be some checkup with a multimeter or something. Just saying. I don't know.. Just putting ideas on the table.

If you are the least bit concerned or afraid, i do not recommend you open it up without detailed instructions.

You have stated the inverter functions, so the potential to kill you is there.
Ac voltage is nothing to skoff at.

I doubt you will find a video detailing disassembly and testing of the unit.

 

[Supervstech]

Looks like the unit is now on sale...

 

[Dokasrf]

If you are the least bit concerned or afraid, i do not recommend you open it up without detailed instructions.

You have stated the inverter functions, so the potential to kill you is there.
Ac voltage is nothing to skoff at.

I doubt you will find a video detailing disassembly and testing of the unit.

Looks like the unit is now on sale...

I know. Ecoflow had me thinking I was cheated so hard. I bought my Ecoflow PRO for 3999 Euros. Now the local retail price is 2.230 Euros. I complained about the price drop to the local official importer but they just said they follow the company guidelines for msrp. I am never going to give them a single euro ever again.

 

[Supervstech]

I know. Ecoflow had me thinking I was cheated so hard. I bought my Ecoflow PRO for 3999 Euros. Now the local retail price is 2.230 Euros. I complained about the price drop to the local official importer but they just said they follow the company guidelines for msrp. I am never going to give them a single euro ever again.

They certainly irked me.

My fridge and delta max charging cords turned out to be junk, and support was less than helpful.

The company has reached out for product review testors, and they have chosen me to participate, so im giving them a chance to respond to issues.
If they can rally remedies, and improve their product with suggestions, i will purchase from them in the future.
My opinion is still out.

You really cannot fault the company for this failure, other than the low charge limit is just too low...

And pricing will always be lower on electronics after you have spent money on them. Thats just the way it is. Always has been. Heck, remember the speels with 90 day price matching aat stores back in the day? Im sure that led to the fall of all the consumer electronics stores.

I am sure there are plenty of reasons to hate on the company, but falling prices is not one of them.

 

[Dokasrf]

but falling prices is not one of them.

I wouldn't had complained if the price had dropped before I had spend that extra 2K

Anyway. I'll see what I can do with the dead ecoflow. Maybe I will give it a very very careful try and post some pictures here.