Ecoflow Alternator Charger connected to leisure battery. GC680

[bromleyxphil]

Well I got stuck in yesterday and connected the whole thing up. Ecoflow Delta Max2 along with the EDM2 extra battery connected to the battery under the bonnet through the EF alternator charger. It took about 4 hours but in truth there was only one hours work in there. The rest of the time was thinking, finding the best cable run and finding tools and bits. We are going away next week so the system will get a good test and I will report back on how it works. I have fitted the EDM under the rear shower and the extra battery in the cupboard. Stacked up and with the connecting wire connected they almost fit but when I closed the door the bar on the chair rack pushed the top over, just enough to destabilise the stack


I feel they are inherently more stable on the floor anyway. You can see the AC is in the rear cupboard and earthed to the strap down bolt behind the rear wheel arch. I used the cable that I cut off to extend the positive cable to the battery. Being now a single positive this was easy to feed through to the front of the van. It reached to just beyond the front seat where there was a little cut out, almost big enough for the fuse unit. A little judicious alteration and it fitted.

The cable now heading forward is the off cut of the earth sleeved up. It runs easily underneath the trim and then up behind the fuse box in the dash and through this unused grommet into the engine bay.

I passed around the wing side of the battery clipping to a similar cable and then connected to a spare terminal just below the pink fuse.

It’s difficult to test properly at the moment as all batteries are quite full. It’s currently set on the factory default 13v kick in I fired up the engine and nothing happened but I pressed the “boost” on the dash and it kicked in and started to charge the EF. Sat in the van today the solar boosts the leisure battery to 13.5 it then kicks in charges the EF for 20 seconds bringing it back to 13v and knocks off. Watch this space, my main aim in wiring it up this way is to enable the battery maintainer function to let the EF units support the AGM battery when we are off grid. Let’s see if it works

 

[Kevantlin1973]

Very interesting and on my to do list, did you manage to find a route through from the engine bay into the cab ok?

 

[Gareth Salton]

I have an almost identical set up the only difference being I wired the input to the EcoFlow charger into the vehicle battery under the passenger seat. I also re routed the hookup socket to charge the ecoflow and the output from the ecoflow to what was the hookup line to the va It all works fine with one minor niggle…

You end up with a situation where the EcoFlow is constantly charging the leisure battery which then goes on to power things like the fridge, et cetera. So effectively a battery charging a battery. This is rather inefficient. And it means that the 4 kWh EcoFlow will only run the van for a couple of days without a boost.

I’ve been out and bought myself a 3.5 kW gas generator inverter which charges the EcoFlow in about 40 minutes. Without it, I think things will get a bit sticky after two or three days.

 

[Grand Cali Pete]

I have an almost identical set up the only difference being I wired the input to the EcoFlow charger into the vehicle battery under the passenger seat. I also re routed the hookup socket to charge the ecoflow and the output from the ecoflow to what was the hookup line to the va It all works fine with one minor niggle…

You end up with a situation where the EcoFlow is constantly charging the leisure battery which then goes on to power things like the fridge, et cetera. So effectively a battery charging a battery. This is rather inefficient. And it means that the 4 kWh EcoFlow will only run the van for a couple of days without a boost.

I’ve been out and bought myself a 3.5 kW gas generator inverter which charges the EcoFlow in about 40 minutes. Without it, I think things will get a bit sticky after two or three days.

Hi Gareth, I have the Ecoflow delta 2 which I have fitted in the cupboard next to the kitchen. Under the water tank hatch ,I have intercepted the 240V feed to the kitchen area sockets and fed those from the Ecoflow, via a hole drilled through the cabinet wall(high enough up to miss the water tank). The feed to them now feeds the charge side of the Ecoflow. It means that on hook up the Ecoflow charges and when off grid the Ecoflow supplies the kitchen sockets for the coffee machine etc. Hence you are not feeding the battery charger under the passenger seat. Suits me and I’m sure you could do a similar thing in the Elec cupboard.

 

[bromleyxphil]

I have an almost identical set up the only difference being I wired the input to the EcoFlow charger into the vehicle battery under the passenger seat. I also re routed the hookup socket to charge the ecoflow and the output from the ecoflow to what was the hookup line to the va It all works fine with one minor niggle…

You end up with a situation where the EcoFlow is constantly charging the leisure battery which then goes on to power things like the fridge, et cetera. So effectively a battery charging a battery. This is rather inefficient. And it means that the 4 kWh EcoFlow will only run the van for a couple of days without a boost.

I’ve been out and bought myself a 3.5 kW gas generator inverter which charges the EcoFlow in about 40 minutes. Without it, I think things will get a bit sticky after two or three days.

Gareth, if I understand your set up you are charging the leisure battery using 240v from the Ecoflow through the VW 240v charger. I am support charging the leisure battery using the battery maintainer function in the alternator charger. I hope this will prove more efficient, as said I will report back once I have used it in a wide range of situations.

 

[bromleyxphil]

I have now used my set up whilst using the van so thought I would report back. It worksand so far it works well but it isn’t a fit and forget solution. For the moment I have left the Alternator charger on its kick in setting of 13v, this in reality waits until 13.3/ 13.4 to start charging so under normal driving doesn’t charge the Ecoflow much at all. If you press the “battery button” it then charges straight away and works well. I quite like this as I don’t push the button when first setting off just once cruising along if however I hit a traffic jam I can temporarily turn it off. In my mind protecting the alternator, this may however be all in my mind as these clever alternators may protect themselves? I don’t know. So charging good but labour intensive as you also need to use your phone to turn the alternator charger to charge mode before you set off. When it comes to the battery maintenance mode this works very well. I leave the vehicle leisure battery to do its work supporting the van systems, in the morning “when it reads 70 or more usually 80% I use my phone to switch on maintenance mode. This slowly but efficiently charges the leisure battery back to 100% then turns maintenance mode off automatically.

This is the screen with maintenance mode on.
The whole process seems to have no ill effects on the van systems at all.
So if you don’t use many AC appliances and want an easy to fit system that just supports the van 12v system without causing any errors the alternator charger and one Ecoflow Max would keep you going indefinitely. You do however have a few buttons to press every day.
We use quite a few AC appliances so I have a Max and the extra battery it keeps us going but after 4/5 days I need to drive. If I want to charge fully I need to drive a lot! From here I can see I need to reduce our AC appliance use and see if I can adjust the alternator charger settings to get it to charge without my input!
Hope my ramblings are helpful to someone, this is a work in progress.

 

[TTP-75]

I read your post with great interest. Today I received the Ecoflow Delte 2 Max and the alternator charger should arrive by the end of the week, and I will most likely build a similar system.

Do you have any tips on how to easily run the cable from the back of the car under the hood? Can you even provide pictures? And if I understand correctly, you grounded the alternator charger at the back of the car, do you have a picture of that too?

 

[bromleyxphil]

Running the cable to the front was quite straightforward. Through the back of the cupboards behind the toilet and around the back of the Truman ran it in conduit to the door pillar a small notch in the bottom trim then gives access to the underside of the cab mat. The rest is all documented in my write up.

As you can see I have now re located the units to the back cupboard. I earthed the A C unit to the tie down point behind the Delta max units. I have packed them off the back wall to maintain their ventilation.

I have fitted brackets through the wall to strap the top unit in place. I thought I may have to cut a vent hole as well but it all seems to work well without. There is a large hole at the top of the cupboard into the back of the external shower unit.

 

[TTP-75]

Thank you for instructions.

 

[GS O'brino]

I have now used my set up whilst using the van so thought I would report back. It worksand so far it works well but it isn’t a fit and forget solution. For the moment I have left the Alternator charger on its kick in setting of 13v, this in reality waits until 13.3/ 13.4 to start charging so under normal driving doesn’t charge the Ecoflow much at all. If you press the “battery button” it then charges straight away and works well. I quite like this as I don’t push the button when first setting off just once cruising along if however I hit a traffic jam I can temporarily turn it off. In my mind protecting the alternator, this may however be all in my mind as these clever alternators may protect themselves? I don’t know. So charging good but labour intensive as you also need to use your phone to turn the alternator charger to charge mode before you set off. When it comes to the battery maintenance mode this works very well. I leave the vehicle leisure battery to do its work supporting the van systems, in the morning “when it reads 70 or more usually 80% I use my phone to switch on maintenance mode. This slowly but efficiently charges the leisure battery back to 100% then turns maintenance mode off automatically.
View attachment 139510
This is the screen with maintenance mode on.
The whole process seems to have no ill effects on the van systems at all.
So if you don’t use many AC appliances and want an easy to fit system that just supports the van 12v system without causing any errors the alternator charger and one Ecoflow Max would keep you going indefinitely. You do however have a few buttons to press every day.
We use quite a few AC appliances so I have a Max and the extra battery it keeps us going but after 4/5 days I need to drive. If I want to charge fully I need to drive a lot! From here I can see I need to reduce our AC appliance use and see if I can adjust the alternator charger settings to get it to charge without my input!
Hope my ramblings are helpful to someone, this is a work in progress.

Hi Bromleyphil,I can see the big advantage of connecting the EcoFlow alternator charger directly to the vehicle's leisure battery under the bonnet (using that unused grommet—it looks straightforward to route the cables through). This would let me use the battery maintenance mode to keep the starter battery topped up.At the moment, my alternator charger is connected to the vehicle battery, and I've limited it to 600W in the EcoFlow app to avoid stressing the alternator too much.When you have the alternator charger set up for charging the EcoFlow from the leisure battery, what power level do you typically set it to in the app? I'm seriously thinking of doing the same setup as you.Thanks!

 

[bromleyxphil]

Hi Bromleyphil,I can see the big advantage of connecting the EcoFlow alternator charger directly to the vehicle's leisure battery under the bonnet (using that unused grommet—it looks straightforward to route the cables through). This would let me use the battery maintenance mode to keep the starter battery topped up.At the moment, my alternator charger is connected to the vehicle battery, and I've limited it to 600W in the EcoFlow app to avoid stressing the alternator too much.When you have the alternator charger set up for charging the EcoFlow from the leisure battery, what power level do you typically set it to in the app? I'm seriously thinking of doing the same setup as you.Thanks!

Hi
I had the AC set to a lower setting in the beginning but now have it on full charge with no ill effects.

 

[bromleyxphil]

As promised, I am now able to review the installation of my Delta 2 Max as we have used the system for at least 60 nights away in the van. As I previously said I have found it successful but not without its idiosyncrasies “how unusual with the Grand California”. I have moved the system forward into the furthest rear cupboard on the left-hand side. This is to shift the weight more over the rear axle and to move the electronics away from the rear water tap.

System Positives

The system gives us 4 to 5 days running all 12 V and 240 V without driving or without hook up.

The system doesn’t show any errors on the GC system.

It’s neat tidy and very straightforward system to fit.

It’s relatively inexpensive when compared to other systems available at around £1400

The system is completely removable.

How do I use it?

If we are going to Site with hook up? We arrive at the Site I ensure the change over switch is on hook up the alternator charger will already be on charge so once I plug in to mains hook up the 240v sockets will be live and the on board GC battery charger will not only charge the two batteries in the GC but also charge the Eco flows in the back.



If however we arrive and are not on hook up I ensure the changeover switch is on generator and then set the Delta2 through the Ecoflow app to battery maintenance mode. This just keeps everything topped up for the whole time we are on site and keeps the original leisure battery at 100%. The evening before we leave I switch the Ecoflow back to charge this is due to the system not easily charging D2M if the GC battery is reading 100%



Issues

The system is not fit and forget, but now I have a routine the interactions are no way onerous.

It’s not easy to use excess solar to charge the Ecoflow

If I drive off with the leisure battery at 100% The on board electronics from the GC seems to keep the alternator on minimal voltage so the alternator charger does not kick in. I suspect this unit to be the culprit.

 

[bromleyxphil]

Yet another update, I have changed the setting on the Alternator Charger to kick in at 12.7 volts. This seems to have made the system more willing to charge the Ecoflow without me having to resort to the battery boost button. Another bonus was that whilst sat in sunny Portsmouth today (waiting for the ferry) my Ecoflow was charging from the solar

This was the screen in the van

 

[GS O'brino]

Yet another update, I have changed the setting on the Alternator Charger to kick in at 12.7 volts. This seems to have made the system more willing to charge the Ecoflow without me having to resort to the battery boost button. Another bonus was that whilst sat in sunny Portsmouth today (waiting for the ferry) my Ecoflow was charging from the solar
View attachment 145221
This was the screen in the van
View attachment 145222

I just managed to replicate your setup yesterday and it works really well!
Charging the Delta 2 with solar today. My leisure battery is already full and I haven't tried the battery maintenance feature yet, but I'm pretty happy so far.

 

[Waldo]

what's the best place to put the alternator generator, keeping in mind my Powerstation is stored under the shower (thinks my Pro model is to buig for the cupboard) and Ecoflow cable lengths, connecting to the leisure battery?

 

[Waldo]

what's the best place to put the alternator generator, keeping in mind my Powerstation is stored under the shower (thinks my Pro model is to buig for the cupboard) and Ecoflow cable lengths, connecting to the leisure battery?

just after writing this, I read in another thread: "I believe some folks are wiring to the live side of the switch in the utility cupboard to attach to the leisure battery." That seems a lot easier than going al up to the front. Any cons for an 800 W alternator generator and how do I recognize the live side of the switch? I go to a local workshop who are used to work on campers but don't know the Grand California not the Ecoflow. I need it up and running next week, I have no time to go a more specialised place further away-unfortunately.

 

[GS O'brino]

what's the best place to put the alternator generator, keeping in mind my Powerstation is stored under the shower (thinks my Pro model is to buig for the cupboard) and Ecoflow cable lengths, connecting to the leisure battery?

Hi Waldo, I've installed the alternator charger underneath the shower tray . I use either the cabinet or the space under the shower to store my DELTA 2 and its extra battery. To extend the reach of the cable of the alternator charger, I added a longer EcoFlow fuse cable (purchased from the EcoFlow website, longer that the one provided with the alternator charger set). This brings the total positive cable length to about 7 meters (I have a GC600)— perfect for running from under the shower all the way to the leisure battery in the bonnet. For the negative/ground connection, I've attached it to a hearty screw on the B-pillar (see attached picture, marked as number 77).I'm charging at 600 W to stay a bit conservative and avoid overloading/pushing the alternator too hard.

 

[maxtorque]

just after writing this, I read in another thread: "I believe some folks are wiring to the live side of the switch in the utility cupboard to attach to the leisure battery." That seems a lot easier than going al up to the front. Any cons for an 800 W alternator generator and how do I recognize the live side of the switch? I go to a local workshop who are used to work on campers but don't know the Grand California not the Ecoflow. I need it up and running next week, I have no time to go a more specialised place further away-unfortunately.

The factory wiring to the leisure battery isolator rotary switch in the utility cupboard is roughly 16mm^2. I have a DCDC that pulls a maximum of 50A off this cable with about a 500mV drop. 50A @12v is 600w.

I suspect you would be ok pulling 800W ie 67A but you will see a significant voltage drop (i expect 700mV approx. This means your 'generator' will see 700mV less voltage than the voltage at the terminals of the lesiure battery. This might be a problem if the smart alternator system is currently not charging your leisure battery, because the battery will fall under load to around 12.5v even at a high state of charge, but your 'generator' will only see 11.8v. This may or may not be a problem for the 'generator' depending on the settings within it.


It's easy to see which side of the rotary isolator switch is the switched side, it is the side with the short red wire that heads towards the fuse/relay bank that also lives in the utility cupboard. The other terminal is the large red wire, a single cable, that comes into the utility cupboard from the battery up front.

 

[GS O'brino]

Hi Waldo, I've installed the alternator charger underneath the shower tray . I use either the cabinet or the space under the shower to store my DELTA 2 and its extra battery. To extend the reach of the cable of the alternator charger, I added a longer EcoFlow fuse cable (purchased from the EcoFlow website, longer that the one provided with the alternator charger set). This brings the total positive cable length to about 7 meters (I have a GC600)— perfect for running from under the shower all the way to the leisure battery in the bonnet. For the negative/ground connection, I've attached it to a hearty screw on the B-pillar (see attached picture, marked as number 77).I'm charging at 600 W to stay a bit conservative and avoid overloading/pushing the alternator too hard.

View attachment 145434

View attachment 145435

View attachment 145436

This is how it looks under the shower

 

[Waldo]

The factory wiring to the leisure battery isolator rotary switch in the utility cupboard is roughly 16mm^2. I have a DCDC that pulls a maximum of 50A off this cable with about a 500mV drop. 50A @12v is 600w.

I suspect you would be ok pulling 800W ie 67A but you will see a significant voltage drop (i expect 700mV approx. This means your 'generator' will see 700mV less voltage than the voltage at the terminals of the lesiure battery. This might be a problem if the smart alternator system is currently not charging your leisure battery, because the battery will fall under load to around 12.5v even at a high state of charge, but your 'generator' will only see 11.8v. This may or may not be a problem for the 'generator' depending on the settings within it.


It's easy to see which side of the rotary isolator switch is the switched side, it is the side with the short red wire that heads towards the fuse/relay bank that also lives in the utility cupboard. The other terminal is the large red wire, a single cable, that comes into the utility cupboard from the battery up front.

Hi Maxtorque, this red button is what you mean with rotary switch? Can I connect the positive wire of the Alternator Generator upstram of the switch? Do I have to cut the wire or can I open the switch easily and connect the laternator cable? Where can I connect the negative wire? I need a fast solution which I do myself before leaving on a trip next week, will ask for a proper installation with a wirre to the battery in the front by a VW dealer, but they don't have time right now. So I hope someone an give me fool proof instructions. Any better way in this cupboard?