Portable power stations have become incredibly popular for off-grid living and emergency power needs. They allow you to take AC and DC power on the go. The Ecoflow brand offers high-quality lithium battery power stations with advanced features.
I recently received the Ecoflow Delta 2 Max Plus expansion battery to test and review. This additional battery connects to the main Delta 2 Max unit, doubling the power capacity. The Delta 2 Max Plus is a beefy 2000Wh lithium battery designed for heavy loads.
In this review, I put the Delta 2 Max Plus expansion battery through a series of tests. I wanted to see how it performs powering high-wattage appliances like an air conditioner, microwave, and more. My goal is to provide a comprehensive look at the real-world capabilities of this backup power system. Read on for the full testing and review of the Ecoflow Delta 2 Max Plus expansion battery.
Unboxing the Delta 2 Max Expansion Battery
Unpacking the Delta 2 Max reveals how well this battery is packaged for shipping. The box contains the expansion battery, a quick start guide, and a cable to connect the two batteries together for stacking.
The expansion battery has a small compartment that neatly stores the connection cable when not in use. This keeps all the components together for quick setup.
A key benefit of the Delta 2 Max system is that the batteries are stackable. Multiple expansion batteries can be connected to the main unit, providing increased capacity and power.
Examining the back of the Delta 2 Max shows the power options. There are 6 AC outlets for plugging in appliances and devices. It also has 2 PV ports for connecting solar panels or other DC input sources. This allows for versatile recharging capabilities.
The unboxing demonstrates the thoughtful design that went into the Delta 2 Max. The high-quality construction and inclusion of manuals and connection cables make these batteries ready for real off-grid use right out of the box.
Powering Up the Battery
The Delta 2 Max arrived with a 30% charge right out of the box, ready for initial testing. The battery has a bright, highly readable digital display that shows key information like current charge level, power draw, and input/output wattage.
One great feature of the Delta 2 Max is the ability to remotely monitor and control the battery through the EcoFlow smartphone app. I downloaded the app and easily connected to the battery via Bluetooth. The app provides real-time data on charge level, power usage, and allows you to configure charging speed and other settings. It’s really convenient to have full visibility into battery status and control right from your phone.
Overall, the initial power up process was quick and smooth. The battery came part-charged, the display gives clear system info, and the app integration adds an extra layer of convenience for managing your power off-grid.
Comparison of Construction to Competitors
The Ecoflow Delta 2 Max has noticeably higher quality construction compared to competitors like the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Power Station. The Jackery has a plastic orange-looking case that feels cheap and bulky, whereas the Ecoflow battery is enclosed in a sturdy metal casing.
The Ecoflow also offers more AC outlets – 6 plugs compared to only 3 on the Jackery. It also has heavier duty XT60 plugs for inputs versus the low quality 8mm plugs on the Jackery which require an adapter.
With its dual expansion batteries, the Delta 2 Max provides over double the watt hours capacity of the single Jackery unit. So you get much more power capacity in a better constructed package with the Ecoflow Delta 2 Max.
Charging Options
The Delta 2 Max offers flexible and fast charging capabilities. You can charge the battery via AC power, solar panels, or even a 12V car outlet.
For AC charging, the Delta 2 Max supports up to 1800W input for incredibly fast charging. You can fully recharge the battery from 0 to 100% in just a couple of hours when using the maximum AC input rate. This makes it easy to top up your battery quickly if you have access to shore power.
The Delta 2 Max also has dual PV inputs, allowing you to connect up to two solar panels. This provides an efficient way to harness the power of the sun to charge your battery. With a couple high-quality solar panels, you can keep your Delta 2 Max topped up through solar energy alone.
Finally, the included 12V car adapter allows you to charge from your vehicle’s 12V power outlet while driving. This comes in handy for maintaining charge levels during road trips or weekend adventures away from shore power access.
With these flexible charging options – AC, solar, and 12V car outlet – the Delta 2 Max provides reliable power access on the go or off-grid. And the fast 1800W AC charging capability helps get you up and running quickly when you need to max out the charge level.
Detailed Manuals Provide Important Information
The quick start guide that comes with the Delta 2 Max battery is very detailed and provides a wealth of important information for getting started. It clearly explains all of the displays and icons shown on the unit so you understand exactly what the battery is communicating.
Diagrams showcase the different types of connectors for solar panels, additional batteries, and other inputs. This makes it easy to hook up your specific configuration properly. Wiring solar panels or adding extra batteries is a breeze with the instructions provided.
The guide walks through recommended settings for different uses like powering appliances in a van versus using the battery as a computer UPS. You can adjust charging speed and other parameters as needed for your particular situation.
Overall the included manuals allow you to fully control and customize the Delta 2 Max system. You’ll be up and running smoothly in no time thanks to the easy to follow instructions and diagrams. The quick start guide has everything you need to take full advantage of this versatile power station.
App Features Provide Additional Control
The EcoFlow app provides additional ways to monitor and control your Delta 2 Max battery.
With the app, you can:
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Check current charge levels and usage info for connected batteries. This allows you to easily see how much power is left or track energy use over time.
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Adjust the AC charging speed as needed. For example, when charging the battery in a van you may want to limit the input wattage to slowly charge over time. The app lets you customize the charging rate from 300W up to 1800W.
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Turn on X-Boost mode for powering high-draw appliances like air conditioners. This enables a surge capability up to 3400W briefly.
The app connects to the Delta 2 Max via Bluetooth. Having full remote monitoring and control through the app is really handy for understanding your power usage and customizing the charging setup.
Air Conditioner Test
The Delta 2 Max easily handled my Toshiba 6000 BTU window air conditioner, which is comparable to running a mini split AC unit. I had the AC set to 62°F on auto cool mode. The compressor kicked on after a few minutes once the temperature in the room started climbing.
The air conditioner topped out drawing around 500 watts, which is about what most 9,000-12,000 BTU inverter mini split units draw. So if you’re wondering if you can run an AC unit off a solar generator, the answer is yes! With the Delta 2 Max and expansion battery, you can run an AC no problem and really stay comfortable off-grid.
The great thing is the Delta 2 Max handled this substantial power draw without even getting warm. The built-in fans kicked on to keep it cool, but you could barely hear them running. So the Delta 2 Max provided cooled air efficiently and didn’t get overworked in the process.
Microwave Test
The Delta 2 Max Plus is powerful enough to run high wattage appliances simultaneously. To demonstrate, I ran a 1000W microwave while the 6000BTU air conditioner was running. The air conditioner pulls around 500W on its own. Together, these appliances drew over 2000W!
The Delta 2 Max Plus handled this heavy load without any issues. The batteries and fans stayed cool, and both appliances ran as expected. This really shows the capabilities of the Delta 2 Max Plus system. You can comfortably run appliances like a microwave, AC unit, coffee maker, and more off-grid without needing a generator.
Coffee Maker Test
Next I wanted to test if the Delta 2 Max could handle running a coffee maker while the air conditioner was on. I plugged in my Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffee maker and added water to brew some coffee. With the air conditioner running, I hit the brew button on the coffee maker. It smoothly began heating up the water and started brewing a fresh pot of coffee.
The Delta 2 Max didn’t even flinch with the added 1100 watt draw from the coffee maker, plus the 500+ watts from the air conditioner. The two batteries balanced themselves perfectly, with the expansion battery providing about 500 watts to the main unit. This test really shows how powerful the Delta 2 Max system is, being able to run high-draw appliances simultaneously with no issues. Whether you’re off-grid or just want backup power, the Delta 2 Max can handle making coffee while keeping things cool.
Temperature Test
Even with high powered appliances running for an extended period of time, the Delta 2 Max barely got warm. This is thanks to its efficient cooling system that keeps the battery operating at safe temperatures despite heavy loads.
While running appliances like the air conditioner, microwave, and hair dryer all at once, the Delta 2 Max fan did kick on to keep things cool inside. But it was very quiet, just a faint hum that could barely be heard unless you put your ear right next to the unit.
The exterior of the battery also stayed nice and cool, unlike some cheaper models that can get hot to the touch when taxed. Clearly the cooling system and battery management keeps everything operating well within safe ranges.
I was impressed that despite pulling so much power, the Delta 2 Max didn’t seem to break a sweat. This is a sign of an efficient, well-designed product that can handle real world use powering high draw appliances and tools. Even in an RV or off-grid application, it provides peace of mind knowing the battery won’t overheat.
Hair Dryer Test
It’s amazing how much power a hair dryer can draw. I tested the Delta 2 Max with a standard hair dryer on the high setting and it pulled almost 1700 watts! That’s over 3 times the power draw of the small window air conditioner.
The hair dryer created a huge power drain on the system, much more than any of the other appliances. But the Delta 2 Max handled it without any problems. The power draw on the display jumped up to 1680 watts when the hair dryer was on full blast.
Despite the massive power drain, the Delta 2 Max batteries and power management system were able to provide the peak power needed for the hair dryer. The fan kicked on briefly but then went quiet again after the initial surge.
This shows the true power and capabilities of the Delta 2 Max system. Lesser batteries may struggle with the huge peak power demands of a hair dryer. But the Delta 2 Max provided consistent, smooth power delivery even under heavy loads up to 1600+ watts. Just because it’s an off-grid battery system doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice performance or power.
Air Fryer Test
The delta max 2 handled an air fryer running at 1500 watts with no issues. Once the air fryer was set to 350 degrees F to preheat, it drew nearly 1600 watts. Even with this power draw, the delta 2 max provided steady power. The powerful lithium battery pack didn’t even get noticeably warm.
This test shows the versatility of the delta 2 max system. You can run high-powered appliances like an air fryer to cook meals, even in an off-grid situation without a generator. The advanced battery provides cleaner power than a gas generator too.
So if you want to be able to bake, air fry, or use other appliances while off-grid, the delta 2 max can handle it. You’ll have power to cook meals just like you’re used to at home.
UPS Capabilities
The Ecoflow Delta 2 Max is an excellent battery system that can also be used as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for sensitive electronics like computers. Having a UPS allows your computer and other devices to continue operating during a power outage.
The Delta 2 Max provides clean sine wave power, which is important for running electronics without damage. Standard modified sine wave inverters can potentially harm sensitive equipment over time. With the Delta 2 Max, you don’t have to worry about your computer shutting off unexpectedly or getting damaged during a power disruption.
To use it as a UPS, simply plug your computer, router, modem, or other electronics into the AC outlets on the Delta 2 Max. The built-in pure sine wave inverter will instantly take over powering your devices if the grid power fails. This makes the Delta 2 Max ideal for an off-grid power solution.
The Delta 2 Max has a large capacity of over 2000Wh, allowing it to power devices for many hours without recharging. For example, a typical 15″ laptop may only draw around 60-80 watts. With a full charge, the Delta 2 Max could potentially keep a laptop powered for over 24 hours.
Using the Delta 2 Max as a UPS gives you peace of mind, knowing your important electronics will stay on no matter what happens to the grid power around you. It’s reliable backup power ready when you need it.
DC Power Capabilities
In addition to AC power, the Delta 2 Max also provides useful DC power options. It has 4 USB-A ports and 2 USB-C ports for charging phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices.
The USB-A ports provide standard 5V 2.4A charging, while the USB-C ports offer upto 60W charging power. This allows you to quickly charge high-powered devices like laptops and even charge drone batteries.
Having versatile DC power onboard expands the usefulness of the Delta 2 Max. You can keep all your essential devices charged without needing additional chargers and power banks.
The USB ports are smartly located on the front panel for easy access. Whether you’re boondocking off-grid or dealing with a power outage, the Delta 2 Max has you covered for both AC and DC power needs.
Conclusion
The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is one of the best portable power stations I’ve tested for off-grid use. With its high capacity, fast charging capabilities, and versatile output options, this is a highly recommended product for anyone looking for reliable power on the go.
Despite putting it under heavy loads like air conditioning, microwaves, and high-wattage appliances, the Delta 2 Max handled it all with ease. The extra external battery provides even more flexibility to run multiple devices simultaneously. Whether you need to power a camper, RV, or just keep your essentials charged during a power outage, the Delta 2 Max has the performance to meet demanding needs.
With thoughtful design features like a bright digital display, robust construction, and handy app control, EcoFlow created a user-friendly and powerful portable power station. For versatile off-grid power, the Delta 2 Max is tough to beat. I would highly recommend this unit for anyone needing reliable portable energy.