Some newby questions Delta 2

[charlesvk]

Hi,

Silly beginner questions maybe, but your help would be appreciated. I couldn´t find answers to my questions; sorry if those were posted before already though.

Situation:
We live in a rental house with added solar panels (so we cannot change/touch the system). Any energy surplus goes to the grid and so far we get paid for that, but that´s about to change. Besides that, the grid here is full and power outages are expected to happen more often in the near future (not even mentioning other possible scenario´s).

So we decided to buy an Ecoflow Delta 2 ("D2"), both as a small backup power station as well as to make better use of our solar energy.

Questions:
- As I´ve come to understand, you can (dis)charge a lifepo4 battery from 0 to 100% without any problems, but should we drain the D2 to 0% before recharging?
- Say I have the fridge connected to the AC outlets of the D2 and we charge the D2 via AC mains (during daytime using our solar energy; power running through the Delta 2 to the fridge). What do you do once the D2 is fully charged; leave it on and just keep the fridge running like that? Or best to run the fridge and charge the D2 separately during the day?
- Can I just pull out the D2 plug from the AC mains to switch to battery use? Or is that harmful to the D2 and is it best to turn the D2 off first - pull its plug - then turn the D2 back on?
- Since we cannot make use of the house´s solar panels during outages, part of the backup plan is to get just one 440W panel (JAM54D41-440/LB) of our own. We´re thinking that´s within the specs of the D2 and should keep us up and running with the basics of fridge, lights, laptop, phone. Any opinions would be welcome though.

English is not my first language - and I´m not an electrician - so if I make no sense, please let me know.

TIA, Charles

 

[Brucey]

Hi,

Silly beginner questions maybe, but your help would be appreciated. I couldn´t find answers to my questions; sorry if those were posted before already though.

Situation:
We live in a rental house with added solar panels (so we cannot change/touch the system). Any energy surplus goes to the grid and so far we get paid for that, but that´s about to change. Besides that, the grid here is full and power outages are expected to happen more often in the near future (not even mentioning other possible scenario´s).

So we decided to buy an Ecoflow Delta 2 ("D2"), both as a small backup power station as well as to make better use of our solar energy.

Questions:
- As I´ve come to understand, you can (dis)charge a lifepo4 battery from 0 to 100% without any problems, but should we drain the D2 to 0% before recharging?

No need to drain to 0%, it doesnt have nicad memory effect etc.

- Say I have the fridge connected to the AC outlets of the D2 and we charge the D2 via AC mains (during daytime using our solar energy; power running through the Delta 2 to the fridge). What do you do once the D2 is fully charged; leave it on and just keep the fridge running like that? Or best to run the fridge and charge the D2 separately during the day?

Delta 2 doesnt have solar pass thru so once fully charged with solar it will discharge battery to 98% then enable solar charger then repeat.

- Can I just pull out the D2 plug from the AC mains to switch to battery use? Or is that harmful to the D2 and is it best to turn the D2 off first - pull its plug - then turn the D2 back on?

I would pull the ac cord at the wall outlet. Save wear and tear on the delta 2 end. No need to turn d2 off.

- Since we cannot make use of the house´s solar panels during outages, part of the backup plan is to get just one 440W panel (JAM54D41-440/LB) of our own. We´re thinking that´s within the specs of the D2 and should keep us up and running with the basics of fridge, lights, laptop, phone. Any opinions would be welcome though.

Should be fine.

English is not my first language - and I´m not an electrician - so if I make no sense, please let me know.

TIA, Charles

I answered in the quote, I have a delta 2 max.

 

[Brucey]

Be aware the xt60i solar input port is pretty fragile I wouldn't suggest a lot of plugging cycles. And you can't turn it "off" if solar power is coming in.

 

[charlesvk]

Thanks for your replies, Brucey.

Regarding the solar input port: we actually hope that we never have to use our own solar panel; that´s just for long outages/emergency situations. So that port won´t be used much - hopefully.

It does make me aware of this point. How would you recommend to connect the panel to the D2? Connect panel MC4 plugs to Y-cable and then XT60i plug to solar input port on D2 - while D2 is turned on? And disconnect by pulling out XT60i plug and then disconnect MC4 plugs - while D2 is turned on?

You mention that there is no solar pass through. I suppose you mean when there´s a panel directly connected to the D2´s solar input port? I think I wasn´t very clear, sorry. I meant that normally, our house panels should power our AC mains, thus the D2 and through it the fridge. What you said is certainly good to know, appreciated!

 

[Brucey]

Ah ok so grid connected with ac pass through and switching to d2 battery in case of outage. In that case with very occasionaI use I would use the ecoflow xt60i to mc4 cable, and plug it in if needed. I was thinking you were unplugging daily etc.

 

[charlesvk]

And in addition and just to be sure: it is safe to touch an active panel, I suppose?

 

[charlesvk]

Ah ok so grid connected with ac pass through and switching to d2 battery in case of outage. In that case with very occasionaI use I would use the ecoflow xt60i to mc4 cable, and plug it in if needed. I was thinking you were unplugging daily etc.

Indeed. No, not unplugging solar daily, just wall outlet. Thanks.