EcoFlow Delta PRO deep-dive review
_DeltaPRO Remote Control_
The DeltaPRO LCD remote is a nice bit of kit especially if you need to control your DeltaPRO from a distance as it is very simple to use and an exact replica of the DeltaPRO’s front LCD panel.
You can toggle the DeltaPRO ON/OFF, the AC inverter and the DC output and you can even power on the DeltaPRO when it has been turned off. It can be powered with 3xAAA batteries and/or USB-C and/or Ethernet cable connected to the DeltaPRO.
I applaud them for taking the time to implement a powered wired option via standard ethernet cable (bravo!!) that allows you to forgo wireless connectivity issues and how to power the unit (no need for USB or batteries).
There’s no need for any paring if you use the Ethernet cable; truly plug-n-play!
The remote has one fatal flaw where it will never ever stay lit for more than a minute no matter what wired power source you use. I’ve reported this to Ecoflow and did some troubleshooting with them but sadly they’ve recognized it as a bug and are working on a fix.
Until a fix can be worked, in my daily workflow, the remote does not achieve it’s full potential
The proper way to turn on the remote screen and not disturb the DeltaPRO is to push the sunken on/off button.
The button is designed like that to avoid accidental presses (that’s my guess…) but due to me having to press the button with my fingertip nail every minute I ended up doing a teardown to see if I could raise the button enough to not have to struggle with it. At least now it is very easy to press it with a satisfying “click” sound until Ecoflow fixes the (1 minute max screen on time) bug.
Here are some pictures of my teardown where you can observer the excellent build quality and craftsmanship of the remote:
_DeltaPRO Expandability_
One very nice thing about the DeltaPRO is it’s modular expandability with multiple options like an extra battery a generator and an electrical panel all of which are tightly integrated (hardware + software) to give a seamless experience.
I will focus on 3 items that I find interesting but you can check all the different options and use cases here.
DeltaPRO Smart Extra Battery
The clever folks at Ecoflow thought carefully how to increase the battery capacity fo the DeltaPRO and one way to achieve up to 10.8KW per DeltaPRO is via SEB’s
The Smart Extra Battery has the same form factor, dimensions and capacity (3.6KW) as a DeltaPRO. You can connect up to two SEB to the back of the DeltaPRO for a 10.8KW combined capacity.
Both SEB units will be controlled and managed by the DeltaPRO and the power will be transmitted via low voltage DC (48-52) but very high amps requiring a very thick (apparently unwieldy) power cable between them.
Evidently each SEB has it’s own BMS locally managing the cells and at the same time communicates via digital data paths to the controlling DeltaPRO.
On the negative side, you can’t charge/discharge a SEB without a DeltaPRO so if your DeltaPRO goes bad then your SEB will become a useless paperweight.
I’ve read differing reports of issues people are having with balancing/charging/discharging but, sadly, I don’t have a SEB to thoroughly test it out and see if it performs as expected in my 24/7, daily cycle, stressful environment. 🙁
Ecoflow Smart Generator
The SG connects to the DeltaPRO through one of the extra battery ports with a special adapter that is already included with the DeltaPRO.
What sets the SG apart from the competition is it’s smart and tight integration with the DeltaPRO where you can actually program the SG through the app to auto-start when the DeltaPRO’s battery drops to a certain level (say 30%) and then stop automatically when it reaches a specific capacity (like 80%) all by it’s own.
The SG is also very efficient as it feeds the DeltaPRO DC current instead of the usual AC that all the other generators usually have but it is also versatile on it’s own as it also can provide AC current without the need to be connected to a DeltaPRO.
It also has CO2 sensing & protection as well as the low gas warning.
Those who have it report that it is less noisy than comparable generators.
Ecoflow Smart Home Panel
The SHP is an ATS on steroids and the meta-brain that will intelligently control the Ecoflow ecosystem via clever programming but… it is so much more than that!
It’s big, it’s beefy, it’s modular and you can hook up to two fully loaded DeltaPRO (with 2 SEB’s per DeltaPRO or 1 SEB + 1 SG) .
It takes care of managing your Ecoflow power solution, powering all 10 circuits and charging/discharging all at the same time.
It has a beautiful app that allows you to configure multiple scenarios and monitor every single watt on 10 independent circuits to know how much you’re spending and even decide what non-essential circuits to turn off when there’s a power outage so you can conserve and direct battery power to those circuits that matter like the fridge, lights, etc…
It is so much more than that but currently it is still in beta testing in the hands of a few select people and I don’t know much more about it.
I for sure would put it through it’s paces in my 24/7 system if I ever get the chance to try a test unit.
Hi, very nice review I am interested.
When will you post the extra-battery review?
Hi Jo.
I currently don’t have the Ecoflow DeltaPRO Smart Extra Battery so I can’t test it 🙁 … but do keep an eye at this review for updates and maybe in the near future I’ll be able to test it.
Thank you for your time and comment.
I am interestet but I will wait when you post that device bugs are fixed.
Hi Locutus,
I’m sure Ecoflow will fix these issues fast!
I’ll update this post with all my findings and strike all bugs when they will be fixed.
Thank you for your time and comment.
Very nice review, thanks. I’m interested in how you wired the Ecoflow to the Transfer Switch and your electrical grid – will you write an article about that topic? I think a lot of European users would be interested in a detailed description with pictures. Looks really amazing so far! Best wishes
Hi Ralf,
This is part of a series of articles for the Spanish market where there’s a lot of interest for this kind of “easy” DIY solutions.
I will be writing about my detailed setup with the ATS and solar panels in an upcoming article.
Stay tuned! 🙂
Thank you for your time and comment.
Thanks, I’ll definitely stay tuned. In Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark the interest for diy solutions is also pretty high, even though we don’t have so much Sun as you guys in Spain. Looking forward to read more of your articles, best wishes!
Yeah we are spoiled here 🙂
Thanks for the wishes and likewise!
Thank you for such detailed review. Would you mind sharing the script you have to pull the data from the DeltaPRO ? Many thanks
Hi, you’re most welcome!
I’ll share it once I have the time to clean it up and put it on github with proper instructions.
Thank you for your time and comment.
This is super amazing. I’ve been dying to get data _out_ of my DP, but the best I’ve got is the puny REST API. Can you pull back the curtain on how you’re pulling these DP values into software?
Hi Scott; thank you for your time and comment and apologies for the delay in replying.
I’ve been asked by Ecoflow not to release my program or related information…
Maybe if we all keep asking Ecoflow to release a proper API and/or a service so we can automate everything around the DeltaPRO that is easy enough so anyone can make use of it they will end up hearing us and implementing it?
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I too have just suffered an exploding Delta Pro. It was in pass through mode and just went BANG with smoke issuing from the fan grilles. Firmware version was 0.3.6. I don’t know where version “85” or “89” went to!
Awaiting a response from Ecoflow.
Have you noticed MPPT charging stopping if you over power the input? was trying to maximize solar charging input and I am afraid I may have friend the MPPT. Is there a way to reset the MPPT? or does anyone have schematics so I can take it apart and fix it? thank you so much!
Ouch! Hopefully it turns out to be nothing!
First thing I can say is to NOT OPEN the DP yourself but to go to the FB forum and ask for help from an EF employees.
I never went above 147V (VOC) even with +5C in winter so I personally don’t know what would happen if you get above it and actually don’t want to find out…
Let’s go back to basics, step by step:
The easiest thing to do is to try to smell for burnt electronics (very pungent so for sure you would smell it).
Select only ONE PV panel, hook it to the MC4 cable that came with the DP (do not connect the cable to the DP) and user tester to see if you get a voltage reading from it.
If you get a voltage reading from the one panel, you can connect it to the DP and check if there’s a small voltage drop (example: unhooked 20V, hooked:18V).
If you have a voltage drop, try to connect and disconnect at least 4 times the panel from the DP (Nothing else connected to the DP, no input or output).
Also make sure you haven’t set any charging/discharging limits: it should be 0% to 100%.
In the most recent FW, from my testing it seems they’ve introduced a counter where the MPPT controller would not engage until the fourth connect/disconnect, especially when the DP is near full.
Also do not design your PV array to go above 125V when under full load or you would hit the internal limiter and stay at 1.285W (and your internal temps will shoot very high).
To reset the onboard ESP-M (computer) you have to disconnect everything from the DP, hold the power button (big gold round button) for 15 seconds. You should see “OFF” on the LCD for a brief moment but keep holding that button until you count 15 seconds.
Once done, hold the same button for one second and let go. If you don’t see the WIFI icon when the LCD lights up it means that you succeeded in resetting the computer. Among other things, it will reset the fuel-gauge.
Let us know how it goes and again, DO NOT OPEN THE DP! (and ask for help over FB)
Brilliant review! Thank you.
Can you share details of your improved cooling solution? I am afraid the noise from the stock version is a deal breaker for me.
Also, what made you choose the Ecoflow delta pro over the Bluetti ac300/B300?
Thank you and cheers from Denmark🙏
Hi Nikolaj & thank you for your comment.
If you check the comments section of the youtube video you will have a rough idea of what I did.
I chose EF because I managed to get a unit for 1.999$ (Super Early Bird) which was a great price and to me it looked nicer and more well rounded but of course I would have loved to check the Bluetti brand and compare them.
Have a great week!
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