Earlier this summer season, I detailed my travails fighting (and finally recovering from) buggy firmware updates I’d been “pushed” on my combo of EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 transportable energy station and its Sensible Further Battery supplemental capability companion:

Towards the tip of that earlier writeup, I discussed that I’d subsequently been provided an additional firmware replace, which (for, I feel, comprehensible causes) I used to be going to carry off on tackling for some time, till I noticed whether or not different, braver souls had encountered problems with their very own with it:

DELTA 2 firmware replace success(es)

In late August, I ultimately determined to take the improve plunge, after enduring the most recent in an occasional however enduring sequence of connectivity glitches. Though I may nonetheless talk with the system “stack” by way of Bluetooth, its Wi-Fi connection had dropped and wanted to be reinstated throughout the app. The firmware replace’s documentation indicated it’d cope with this problem:

The improve try was fortunately profitable this time, though candidly, I can’t say that the Wi-Fi connectivity is noticeably extra sturdy now than it had been beforehand:

I used to be then instantly provided one other firmware improve, which I’d heard on Fb’s “EcoFlow Official Membership“ group had simply been launched. Tempting destiny, I plunged forward once more:

Fortunately, this one accomplished uneventfully as effectively:

As did one other provided to me in early September (gotta love that descriptive “Fixes some recognized points” phrasing, eh? I’m being sarcastic, if it wasn’t already apparent…):

There have been no extra firmware upgrades within the subsequent ~1.5 months. Extra typically, for the reason that DELTA 2 line is mature and EcoFlow has moved on to the DELTA 3 sequence, I’m longing for ongoing software program stability (accompanied by no extra purposeful misbehavior) at this level.

Preliminary impressions of DELTA 3 gadgets

Talking of which, what concerning the DELTA 3 Plus and its accompanying Sensible Further Battery, talked about on the finish of my earlier write-up, which EcoFlow assist had despatched as replacements for the DELTA 2-generation predecessors previous to my profitable resurrection of them?

Right here once more is what the brand new DELTA 3 stack (left) seems like subsequent to its DELTA 2 precursors (proper):

The stored-charge capability of the DELTA 2 is 1024Wh, which matches that of the DELTA 3 Plus. I’d talked about in my earlier DELTA 2 protection that the DELTA 3 Plus was primarily based on newer,  denser (however nonetheless LiFePO₄ aka LFP) 40135 batteries. Why then do the 2 transportable energy stations have practically the identical sizes? The reply, in fact, is that there’s extra than simply batteries inside ‘em:

The (presumed) various battery generation-induced measurement differential is rather more evident with the 2 generations of Sensible Further Batteries…which are (basically) simply batteries.

Regardless of their 1,024-Wh capability commonality, the DELTA 3 model (once more on prime of the stack at left within the earlier photograph) has dimensions of 15.7 x 8 x 7.8 in (398 x 200 x 198 mm) and weighs 21.1 lbs. (9.6 kg).

Its DELTA 2-generation predecessor at prime proper weighs basically the identical (21 lbs./9.5 kg), and it’s practically 50% taller (15.7 × 8.3 × 11.1 in./40 × 21.1 × 28.1 cm).

By the best way, again once I was fearing that the bottom DELTA 2 unit was “toast” however hoping that its Sensible Further Battery may nonetheless be saved, I confirmed EcoFlow’s declare that the DELTA 3 Plus labored not solely with a number of capability variants of the DELTA 3-generation Sensible Further Battery, for capability enlargement as much as 5 KWh, but in addition with my prior-generation storage capability enlargement answer:

Charging (and different) enhancements

Except for the height-therefore-volume differential, probably the most visually apparent different distinction between the 2 transportable energy stations is the relocation of AC energy retailers to the entrance panel within the DELTA 3 Plus case. Different generational enhancements embody:

• Sooner sub-10-ms switchover from wall outlet-sourced to inverter-generated AC for extra sturdy (albeit not complete…no built-in surge safety assist, for instance) UPS purposeful emulation
• Improved airflow, resulting in claimed 30-dB noise ranges in regular operation
• A more recent-generation battery-induced boosted recharge cycle rely to 4,000
• Inverter-generated AC output energy as much as 3600 W (X-Enhance surge)
• Greater energy, albeit fewer, USB-A ports (two, every 36 W, in comparison with two 12 W and two 18 W)
• Greater energy USB-C ports (two, every 140 W, versus two 100 W)
• And quicker charging (sub-1-hour to 100%), enabled by components similar to:
  • AC enter energy as much as 1500 W
  • Photo voltaic enter energy as much as 1000 W (two 500-W-max XT60i connectors) with most energy level monitoring (MPPT) assist
  • And simultaneous multi-charging capabilities from photo voltaic and AC when each can be found, prioritizing the previous to save cash.

Talking of photo voltaic, I haven’t forgotten concerning the two 220W panels:

And a extra not too long ago acquired 400W one:

For which I’m admittedly belated in translating testing aspiration into actuality. The difficulty in the mean time isn’t snow on the deck, though that’ll be again quickly sufficient. It’s excessive winds:

That mentioned, my procrastination has had a minimum of one upside: a bigger variety of fascinating choices (and mixtures) to judge than earlier than. Now, I can tether both the 2 parallel-connected 220-W panels or the only 400-W one to the DELTA 2’s single XT60i enter.

And for the DELTA 3 Plus, because of the aforementioned twin XT60i inputs and 1000-W peak enter assist, I can hook up all three panels concurrently, though doing so will probably take up a notable chunk of my deck actual property within the course of. Please stay on standby for observations and outcomes to return!

Extra on charging and firmware upgrading

Two different feedback to notice, in closing:

Talking of the XT60i enter, how do I cost the DELTA 3 Plus (or the DELTA 2, for that matter) in-vehicle utilizing EcoFlow’s 800W Alternator Charger (which, sure, I already understand that I’m additionally overdue in putting in after which testing!):

Particularly, when the transportable energy station is concurrently related to its Sensible Prolonged Battery companion? Ordinarily, the Alternator Charger would tether to the transportable energy station over the XT150 connector-equipped cable that comes bundled with the previous:

However, on this explicit case, the transportable energy station’s XT150 interface is already in use (and for that matter, isn’t even an obtainable possibility for lower-end gadgets similar to my RIVER 2):

The trick is to as a substitute use one of many two orange-color XT60i connectors additionally proven on the backside left of the DELTA 3 stack setup photograph.

EcoFlow alternatively bundles an XT60 connector-equipped cable with the 500-W model of the Alternator Charger, meant to be used with smaller autos and/or extra modest transportable energy stations, however that very same cable can also be obtainable for standalone buy:

It’ll be decrease energy (subsequently slower) than the XT150 various, nevertheless it’s higher than nothing! And it’ll recharge each the transportable energy station and (by way of the separate XT150-to-XT150 cable) the tethered Sensible Prolonged Battery. Simply make sure to safe the stack so it doesn’t tip over!

Additionally, concerning firmware upgrades, I’d been pleasantly stunned to not obtain any DELTA 3 Plus replace notifications since late April when it and its Sensible Further Battery companion had come into my possession. Software program stability nirvana ended, in late August, alas, and for the reason that replace documentation particularly talked about a “Higher expertise when utilizing the system with an additional battery,” I made a decision to proceed. Sadly, my first a number of subsequent improve makes an attempt terminated prematurely, at random percentage-complete factors, after slower-than-usual progress, and with worrying failure standing messages:

Ultimately, I crossed my fingers and adopted the steerage to restart the system, a course of which, I ultimately realized after a number of irritating, unsuccessful preliminary makes an attempt, can solely be achieved with the transportable energy station disconnected from AC. The system was caught in {a partially} up to date state post-reboot, albeit fortunately nonetheless accessible over Bluetooth:

And doubly fortunately, this time the improve accomplished efficiently to each the DELTA 3 Plus:

And its tethered Sensible Further Battery:

Phew! As earlier than with the DELTA 2, I feel I’ll delay my subsequent replace (which hasn’t been provided but) till I wait an acceptable period of time after which test in with the person group first for suggestions on their experiences. And with that, I await your ideas within the feedback!

—Brian Dipert is the Editor-in-Chief of the Edge AI and Imaginative and prescient Alliance, and a Senior Analyst at BDTI and Editor-in-Chief of InsideDSP, the corporate’s on-line e-newsletter.

Associated Content material

• Firmware-upgrade purposeful defection and resurrection
• EcoFlow’s Delta 2: Ample Saved Vitality (and Charging Choices) for You
• Moveable energy station battery capability extension: Curious coordination
• EcoFlow’s RIVER 2: Svelte transportable energy with lithium iron phosphate gasoline

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