Thou Shalt Not...

It makes some sense, internet connectivity is important, so people naturally want to plug their internet routers, wifi, Starlinks, etc. into a DELTA or RIVER so surfing and streaming can continue during a power outage. But performing a firmware update while powering your internet connectivity will be catastrophic to your solar generator. Prior to the update, the app tells you to unplug EVERYTHING. Yet every few days someone asks why their solar generator stopped part way during a firmware update.

Here is why. During the software update, if your EcoFlow device is configured for Wi-Fi, it will start downloading the software from the internet. The solar generator will also power off the AC outputs to perform the update. If your internet is powered by the solar generator you have just interrupted the software update in a crucial state where it has lost its brains and is transplanting new firmware in its place. Powering off the internet just left your brainless solar generator stuck with no way to recover other than sending your portable power station back to EcoFlow to have them update the firmware.

Just do not do this - you will brick your solar generator.

Applies to: RIVER series, DELTA series, and Power Kits

Ramifications: Fatal hardware failure

Best practices:

• Wait until you have access to reliable AC power before performing a firmware update
• Move your router/Wi-Fi/Starlink to another AC power source
• Consider using a second solar generator or a UPS if you do not have access to grid power (even this one is risky if you end up draining the alternate power source while updating

Not fully understanding how solar works causes the bulk of hardware issues with EcoFlow devices. Many people blindly look at the marketing hype, see that a Delta Pro can handle 1600w or a Delta 2 can handle 500w, then shop for panels that fits that criteria, but ignoring that voltage and the lowest temperatures in your region can affect solar production. In a nutshell, as temperatures go down, the voltage of a solar array increases. So if you live in a region where winters get cold you must take the voltage increases into account or else you might find black magic smoke spewing out of your EcoFlow device. Adding too many solar panels in series can also destroy the solar controller in your EcoFlow device.

Applies to: RIVER series, DELTA series, Power Kits, GLACIER, WAVE series

Ramifications: Fatal hardware failure

Best practices:

• Understand your solar generator and solar panel specifications
• Learn about Ecoholic's Solar Rules and how cold temperatures increase solar panel voltage
• Use the Temperature Corrected Voc Calculator to figure out how many panels you can safely add in series
• Understand how to Maximize your solar production using parallel strands

What is a suicide cord? It is a power extension cable with two male plug on it which some people use to backfeed their home circuits with a solar generator. You should NEVER use a suicide cord because:

• It is a shock hazard to you
• It is a shock hazard to utility company employees repairing downed power lines
• It is illegal
• You can destroy your portable power generator
• You can start a fire
• You you can become a contestant for the Darwin Awards (external link).

True story, a personal friend of mine had (key word, had) a DELTA Mini and used a suicide cord to power the rest of his RV. One day he forgot that it was still plugged in when he plugged his camper into shore power and got black magic smoke. His Delta Mini was destroyed as this type of action is not covered by the EcoFlow warranty. Good thing it did not destroy his campervan.

Applies to: RIVER series, DELTA series, Power Kits

Ramifications: Fatal hardware failure, shock hazard, fire, and more

Best practices: Use a properly wired inlet, source selector switch, transfer switch, or plug items directly into the portable power generator

People can buy this cord online, it is designed to take two different 120v outlets on opposite phases and achieve a 240v split phase output. The problem with using this with a pair of solar generators is that you have no way to synchronize the phases to be exactly 180 degrees out of phase with each other.

Applies to: RIVER series, DELTA series

Ramifications: Fatal hardware failure, shock hazard, fire, and more

Best practices: Use a Double Voltage Hub (DELTA Pro only), Smart Home Panel (DELTA Pro or PowerKits), Smart Home Panel 2 (DELTA Pro Ultra, DELTA Pro with new Double Voltage Hub), or just use a standalone DELTA Pro Ultra to achieve 240v split phase

Some RV surge protectors, EV charging cords, furnaces, and other devices require a neutral ground bond in order to run. Dumb neutral-ground bonding devices are very inexpensive, because it is just a plug where they simply connected the neutral to ground. The problem is that if you plug this into a solar generator, then subsequently plug the solar generator into 120v AC outlet connected to the grid, your home already has a neutral-ground bond at the main breaker panel. This double bond creates an issue where you can damage your solar generator

Applies to: RIVER series, DELTA series, PowerKits

Ramifications: Fatal hardware failure, melted wires, electronic device damage

Best practices:

• Use the EcoFlow Portable Power Station Grounding Adapter if you have a DELTA 2, DELTA Max, DELTA 2 Max, or DELTA Pro. This device is superior to a dumb neutral-ground bonding plug because it has a relay to prevent the neutral grounding bond if it does not communicate with your solar generator via the USB-C or ethernet like cable, and when the neutral-ground bond is engaged, it will not allow the 120v AC input relay to engage and start charging your solar generator batteries.
  
• If you have another solar generator, you are sort of forced to use a dumb neutral-ground bonding adapter. In this case you must always remember to unplug a dumb neutral-ground bonding adapter before plugging your solar generator into 120v AC. I personally would go a few steps further, maybe using red electrical tape to tape the dumb neutral-ground bonding adapter to a PC cord, adding red and black stripes to that cord, and plugging the C13 end into the 120v AC input of your solar generator to occupy the inlet and make sure you don't accidentally make a double neutral-ground bond.