ecoflow to ehu fix

[Boris7]

I have an EcoFlow and extra battery and would like to intergrate it into the EHU but without the ecoflow being outside or running a cable through the window.

I'm assuming I can simply connect to the EHU under the front bench and stick a plug on to plug it into the ecoflow?

Any reason why not?

 

[Grappelli2]

I have an EcoFlow and extra battery and would like to intergrate it into the EHU but without the ecoflow being outside or running a cable through the window.

I'm assuming I can simply connect to the EHU under the front bench and stick a plug on to plug it into the ecoflow?

Any reason why not?

Hi Boris
I have done exactly that with my EcoFlow set up. All your 240v sockets will work. I have had no problem with tripping as long as you don’t exceed the recommended wattage. There is one thing I do, I knock out the trip on consumer unit for onboard battery charger as this will be ON while your power bank is up and running robbing some power. Don’t forget to reset it when you go back on site EHU though and isolate the Ecoflow. Or you be wondering why your hab batteries are not charging
Down load the EcoFlow app to your phone / tablet and you can set up the Ecoflow to your requirement's .
Wouldn’t recommend plugging in an Airfryer as very power hungry . EcoFlow will run the microwave for your quick warm ups and running your toaster Ok. I’ve have just purchased the EcoFlow 800w charger but can’t comment on that just yet

 

[Boris7]

Thanks,

I need to do 5 days stationary off grid soon and adding the EcoFlow to the leisure batteries should mean I can avoid using a generator.

 

[molly 2]

I connected my ecoflow to hook up socket no problem , but on my Sargent 328 , it Illuminated the polarity warning light which is normal .

 

[edina]

I have an EcoFlow and extra battery and would like to intergrate it into the EHU but without the ecoflow being outside or running a cable through the window.

I'm assuming I can simply connect to the EHU under the front bench and stick a plug on to plug it into the ecoflow?

Any reason why not?

Wouldn’t that make the pins on your external ehu live?

 

[Boris7]

Wouldn’t that make the pins on your external ehu live?

Guess it would, but does that matter? Unless I plug into EHU at the same time

 

[Moped]

I have an EcoFlow and extra battery and would like to intergrate it into the EHU but without the ecoflow being outside or running a cable through the window.

I'm assuming I can simply connect to the EHU under the front bench and stick a plug on to plug it into the ecoflow?

Any reason why not?

Where is this internal EHU?

I've always used the "feed cable through the window and connect to external EHU" method.

Is it a Sargent power box that you have or a fabricated set up?

 

[merl]

I have an EcoFlow and extra battery and would like to intergrate it into the EHU but without the ecoflow being outside or running a cable through the window.

I'm assuming I can simply connect to the EHU under the front bench and stick a plug on to plug it into the ecoflow?

Any reason why not?

If I understand you correctly Kev you're planning on adding a 13a plug to the EHU inlet cable inside the van and then plugging that new plug into your ecoflow?
As Chris said that means the pins on the EHU connector will be live but also the pins of the new 13A plug will be live if/ when you remove the ecoflow and revert back to a EHU connection, you're therefore going to have to remove the new plug for safety reasons when you've completed your trip. If you plan on doing the same in future you're going to have to re-fit the plug.....etc.
Better to make up a very short EHU lead plugged into the external van EHU port and bring it in through a window or door and plug the lead into the ecoflow. No risky exposed live parts and much easier to revert back and re-use in the future. You can always use your long EHU and stuff the excess under the van.

 

[edina]

Guess it would, but does that matter? Unless I plug into EHU at the same time

It would if someone touched them!

 

[edina]

Plug on each end, they used to be called suicide leads!

 

[merl]

Plug on each end, they used to be called suicide leads!

Still are Chris!

 

[merl]

You could cut the internal EHU feed between the EHU socket and the consumer unit and put a 13A plug and socket in line. ( Plug to consumer unit and socket to EHU inlet). Then swap the plug over between EHU inlet or short extension to ecoflow.

 

[Boris7]

I've always used the "feed cable through the window and connect to external EHU" method.

That’s what I would do, but not at Knockhill Racing Circuit for the BTCC as an example, because it would alert the local thieves to the fact there’s something else they can nick.

 

[Boris7]

So looked at wiring up the EcoFlow from inside the van today, obviously been thinking about doing so.

Then it dawned on me, what a waste of effort!!

It’s simple really, van has an inverter, inverter runs 240v, so just run 12v from EcoFlow to leisure batteries to charge them alongside solar, so put in a 12v socket wired to leisure batteries, made up a fag lighter cable to 12v plug and job done, EcoFlow has its own 120w solar panel, leisure batteries have 450w solar. Chucked a CTek conditioning charger under the bench incase I need to charge leisure batteries quicker from the EcoFlow, job done.

Went to pub.

 

[Moped]

Noting the above:-

Given that I have a Sargant power box and solar charging unit could you just connect the 12v outlet of the Ecoflow unit to the 12v lead acid leisure battery with crocodile clips without shorting anything with the Sargent 12v system and display panel turned on?

The 12v socket is out only.

Assuming of course off grid and no mains power and at the same time of course using the Ecoflow unit as an inverter.

Never dared to try this before to extend 12v off grid leisure battery life. Has anybody with a Sargant power box done this with their Ecoflow or similar power storage unit?

 

[Boris7]

That’s basically what I did yesterday, except I have lithium and wired a connection so I don’t have to go under the bench to connect crocodile clips

 

[Moped]

That’s basically what I did yesterday, except I have lithium and wired a connection so I don’t have to go under the bench to connect crocodile clips

The principle you have described looks interesting hence my question on behalf of Sargant box and lead acid leisure battery users. I am assuming you do not have a Sargant power box in your van but a purpose designed set up and don't really want to blow the Sargant box in ours.

 

[Boris7]

Why would it blow the Sargent? You’re simply inputting 12v into the battery, no different to solar input. Just be sure to turn the EcoFlow 12 outlet on (use the fag lighter socket) if you don’t turn it on, it works the other way and charges the EcoFlow from the battery.

If you turn on the mains sockets on the EcoFlow and use that to run an electrical item it will still only put 12v into the battery.

 

[Moped]

In theory why would it blow the Sargent box I totally agree with the theory!

The leisure battery fixed roof solar panel input goes via the Sargant box. If the Sargant box is turned off the vehicle battery is charged only.

We do have portable solar panels for the Ecoflow unit. The real question is if you connect a 12v input directly to the battery bypassing the Sargant box when the unit is turned on, how would the Sargent box and display panel react?

I have had issues with Sargant boxes in the past having had 2 replacements hence my caution and the request to learn if any other Sargant box user has done this successfully.