Charging an external power station question

[Jhmaurice]

Is anyone using a third party charger connected to their battery, for example Eco flow, Bluetti, Jackery etc….to charge their power stations and if so where there any issues you encountered? I have been trying to find some information on this but haven’t been able to find much related to the Etorque engines. I am wanting an alternate solution other than solar panels for Overlanding. Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Willwork4truck]

I forget the brands/prices and all however there are under hood mounted 500-800 watt chargers that have been marketed on Amazon for a year or so. That could be an option.

A dc-dc charger doesn't work for the portable batteries me thinks.

 

[Jhmaurice]

I forget the brands/prices and all however there are under hood mounted 500-800 watt chargers that have been marketed on Amazon for a year or so. That could be an option.

A dc-dc charger doesn't work for the portable batteries me thinks.

Definitely appreciate the response. But what you are talking about is an inverter. I am planning to use something like this for example.

Charge 8× faster while you drive with our EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger and recharge your power station in only 1.3 hours.
With the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger, charge 8 times faster than with traditional vehicle auxiliary power outlets simply by using excess energy generated by your vehicle. The charger uses its onboard DC-DC converter to restore your EcoFlow power station's energy while you drive.

Each make of power station has there own version but they basically call them alternator chargers. I understand Etorque engines do not a traditional alternator but was wondering if anyone on this group may have something similar configured.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Definitely appreciate the response. But what you are talking about is an inverter. I am planning to use something like this for example.

Charge 8× faster while you drive with our EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger and recharge your power station in only 1.3 hours.
With the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger, charge 8 times faster than with traditional vehicle auxiliary power outlets simply by using excess energy generated by your vehicle. The charger uses its onboard DC-DC converter to restore your EcoFlow power station's energy while you drive.

Each make of power station has there own version but they basically call them alternator chargers. I understand Etorque engines do not a traditional alternator but was wondering if anyone on this group may have something similar configured.

That's the type of device that I was referring to. It's fine since you know about them.

Some van life folks use an underhood mounted psw inverter but that's for charging their 100-200 amp dedicated lithium batteries.
Different issue.
What can be wired in due to the e torque, IDK.

 

[boogielander]

i see you want to do something similar to what I've done. you can find my write up here:

Boogielander Build – Part 10 – In-depth View of Electrical System for

Introduction Electrical systems are critical to a successful modern overlanding trip. Everything that we rely on for a good overlanding experience relies on various reliable electrical systems that are added aftermarket. In this article, I will be going over an in-depth view of the most current...

jollyrogueco.com

i have both Ecoflow Delta 2 AND a LiFEPO4 using TWO different DC-DC chargers.

DC-DC charger works just fine with these external power stations. All you need to do is cut off whatever plug is on the other side of the XT-60i (make sure you use XT-60i and not just XT-60 for maximum capability) and plug it into the output side of DC-DC charger and you're golden. For the input, you can direct wire it to the starting battery and call it a day. Make sure you use at least a 6AWG cable for power and ground. Body ground it instead of ground it to battery.

For the charger, if hard mounting solar is something you MAY do in the future, get a DC-DC charger with MPPT. Redarc and Renogy are two widely accepted manufactures that produce DC-DC charger with MPPT. If you are doing Renogy, make sure you get it from their site and not Amazon or any other reseller site, as their main site is where they have the most updated version that is capable of doing 50A in solar, whereas the one on amazon is old design and is only capable of 25A solar.

If you're sure you don't need solar, then go with Victron DC-DC charger. Get the 12/24 - 15A - Isolated. It has an ignition trigger so the unit knows when the engine's running and when it's not.

All three: Redarc, Victron, and Renogy have built in isolation switch, so the unit knows to cut output when engine's off or when the starter battery is not fully charged.

edit for additional information:
I ran this dual secondary/ add-on battery system for year and half already, including a 13k miles trip to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. Absolute zero problem with ET or starter battery. The 2x 200w panel on the roof of my camper that get hooked to the Renogy actually trickle charges the starter battery after LiFEPO4 is full as well.

 

[boogielander]

Here's a parts list I made for someone else for LiFEPO4.
For the power station, simply replace LiFEPO4 with the power station of your choice and the rest is the same.

 

[Jhmaurice]

i see you want to do something similar to what I've done. you can find my write up here:

Boogielander Build – Part 10 – In-depth View of Electrical System for

Introduction Electrical systems are critical to a successful modern overlanding trip. Everything that we rely on for a good overlanding experience relies on various reliable electrical systems that are added aftermarket. In this article, I will be going over an in-depth view of the most current...

jollyrogueco.com

i have both Ecoflow Delta 2 AND a LiFEPO4 using TWO different DC-DC chargers.

DC-DC charger works just fine with these external power stations. All you need to do is cut off whatever plug is on the other side of the XT-60i (make sure you use XT-60i and not just XT-60 for maximum capability) and plug it into the output side of DC-DC charger and you're golden. For the input, you can direct wire it to the starting battery and call it a day. Make sure you use at least a 6AWG cable for power and ground. Body ground it instead of ground it to battery.

For the charger, if hard mounting solar is something you MAY do in the future, get a DC-DC charger with MPPT. Redarc and Renogy are two widely accepted manufactures that produce DC-DC charger with MPPT. If you are doing Renogy, make sure you get it from their site and not Amazon or any other reseller site, as their main site is where they have the most updated version that is capable of doing 50A in solar, whereas the one on amazon is old design and is only capable of 25A solar.

If you're sure you don't need solar, then go with Victron DC-DC charger. Get the 12/24 - 15A - Isolated. It has an ignition trigger so the unit knows when the engine's running and when it's not.

All three: Redarc, Victron, and Renogy have built in isolation switch, so the unit knows to cut output when engine's off or when the starter battery is not fully charged.

edit for additional information:
I ran this dual secondary/ add-on battery system for year and half already, including a 13k miles trip to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. Absolute zero problem with ET or starter battery. The 2x 200w panel on the roof of my camper that get hooked to the Renogy actually trickle charges the starter battery after LiFEPO4 is full as well.

This is exactly what I needed, I will go over the indepth instructions later. I am going to need the option of Solar so this is extremely helpful, thanks again!

 

[boogielander]

This is exactly what I needed, I will go over the indepth instructions later. I am going to need the option of Solar so this is extremely helpful, thanks again!

if you're needing solar then just go with redarc or renogy.
ecoflow is nice but it's still new to the game with this DC-DC charging thing and I am quite skeptical about their software side... after a software update on my Delta 2 causing me issues with the unit. had to get support to send me the old software to revert it back.

edit:
if you're in socal area i can show you everything and give you a tour lol

 

[Jhmaurice]

if you're needing solar then just go with redarc or renogy.
ecoflow is nice but it's still new to the game with this DC-DC charging thing and I am quite skeptical about their software side... after a software update on my Delta 2 causing me issues with the unit. had to get support to send me the old software to revert it back.

edit:
if you're in socal area i can show you everything and give you a tour lol

That’s excellent information and again much appreciated, looking forward to reading your article. lol in Florida but heading to
Colorado in July to get a Tune M1 camper installed on my 2023 Rebel and spend the month in the mountains.

 

[boogielander]

That’s excellent information and again much appreciated, looking forward to reading your article. lol in Florida but heading to
Colorado in July to get a Tune M1 camper installed on my 2023 Rebel and spend the month in the mountains.

there's a slight chance I may be in CO this summer too.
im still trying to figure out the vacation plan for this year...

 

[Willwork4truck]

i see you want to do something similar to what I've done. you can find my write up here:

Boogielander Build – Part 10 – In-depth View of Electrical System for

Introduction Electrical systems are critical to a successful modern overlanding trip. Everything that we rely on for a good overlanding experience relies on various reliable electrical systems that are added aftermarket. In this article, I will be going over an in-depth view of the most current...

jollyrogueco.com

i have both Ecoflow Delta 2 AND a LiFEPO4 using TWO different DC-DC chargers.

DC-DC charger works just fine with these external power stations. All you need to do is cut off whatever plug is on the other side of the XT-60i (make sure you use XT-60i and not just XT-60 for maximum capability) and plug it into the output side of DC-DC charger and you're golden. For the input, you can direct wire it to the starting battery and call it a day. Make sure you use at least a 6AWG cable for power and ground. Body ground it instead of ground it to battery.

For the charger, if hard mounting solar is something you MAY do in the future, get a DC-DC charger with MPPT. Redarc and Renogy are two widely accepted manufactures that produce DC-DC charger with MPPT. If you are doing Renogy, make sure you get it from their site and not Amazon or any other reseller site, as their main site is where they have the most updated version that is capable of doing 50A in solar, whereas the one on amazon is old design and is only capable of 25A solar.

If you're sure you don't need solar, then go with Victron DC-DC charger. Get the 12/24 - 15A - Isolated. It has an ignition trigger so the unit knows when the engine's running and when it's not.

All three: Redarc, Victron, and Renogy have built in isolation switch, so the unit knows to cut output when engine's off or when the starter battery is not fully charged.

edit for additional information:
I ran this dual secondary/ add-on battery system for year and half already, including a 13k miles trip to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. Absolute zero problem with ET or starter battery. The 2x 200w panel on the roof of my camper that get hooked to the Renogy actually trickle charges the starter battery after LiFEPO4 is full as well.

Excellent write up and information for the OP.

 

[boogielander]

Excellent write up and information for the OP.

thanks haha
i haven't updated my own site in a while... lacking motivation lol

 

[Jhmaurice]

there's a slight chance I may be in CO this summer too.
im still trying to figure out the vacation plan for this year...

Thanks for the excellent advice I got an amazing deal on market place for an Ecoflow delta max2 and extra battery plus solar panel, I went ahead and purchased an

RENOGY 12V/24V IP67 50A DC-DC Battery Charger with MPPT.​

 

[boogielander]

Thanks for the excellent advice I got an amazing deal on market place for an Ecoflow delta max2 and extra battery plus solar panel, I went ahead and purchased an

RENOGY 12V/24V IP67 50A DC-DC Battery Charger with MPPT.​

great choices
the price you paid for the delta 2 max is what i paid for the delta 2 lol

 

[Jhmaurice]

i see you want to do something similar to what I've done. you can find my write up here:

Boogielander Build – Part 10 – In-depth View of Electrical System for

Introduction Electrical systems are critical to a successful modern overlanding trip. Everything that we rely on for a good overlanding experience relies on various reliable electrical systems that are added aftermarket. In this article, I will be going over an in-depth view of the most current...

jollyrogueco.com

i have both Ecoflow Delta 2 AND a LiFEPO4 using TWO different DC-DC chargers.

DC-DC charger works just fine with these external power stations. All you need to do is cut off whatever plug is on the other side of the XT-60i (make sure you use XT-60i and not just XT-60 for maximum capability) and plug it into the output side of DC-DC charger and you're golden. For the input, you can direct wire it to the starting battery and call it a day. Make sure you use at least a 6AWG cable for power and ground. Body ground it instead of ground it to battery.

For the charger, if hard mounting solar is something you MAY do in the future, get a DC-DC charger with MPPT. Redarc and Renogy are two widely accepted manufactures that produce DC-DC charger with MPPT. If you are doing Renogy, make sure you get it from their site and not Amazon or any other reseller site, as their main site is where they have the most updated version that is capable of doing 50A in solar, whereas the one on amazon is old design and is only capable of 25A solar.

If you're sure you don't need solar, then go with Victron DC-DC charger. Get the 12/24 - 15A - Isolated. It has an ignition trigger so the unit knows when the engine's running and when it's not.

All three: Redarc, Victron, and Renogy have built in isolation switch, so the unit knows to cut output when engine's off or when the starter battery is not fully charged.

edit for additional information:
I ran this dual secondary/ add-on battery system for year and half already, including a 13k miles trip to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. Absolute zero problem with ET or starter battery. The 2x 200w panel on the roof of my camper that get hooked to the Renogy actually trickle charges the starter battery after LiFEPO4 is full as well.

 

[Jhmaurice]

Probably a really stupid question but here goes anyway. I have the 6AWG wire and will be running it from my truck battery to my renogy charger that will be mounted in the truck bed just behind the cab. You said not to connect the negative to the truck battery, can I just find a good chassis ground nearer the truck bed for the negative instead of running another cable to the engine compartment?

 

[boogielander]

Probably a really stupid question but here goes anyway. I have the 6AWG wire and will be running it from my truck battery to my renogy charger that will be mounted in the truck bed just behind the cab. You said not to connect the negative to the truck battery, can I just find a good chassis ground nearer the truck bed for the negative instead of running another cable to the engine compartment?

yes you can do that but not 100% recommended. chassis ground is shared anyways.
i ran mine to the front because i have SDHQ Terminal kit and the ground block is on the body, with one thick cable grounding it to the negative post on top of the battery sensor.

relying 100% on the chassis ground may be insufficient grounding to the battery, and additional grounding may be needed. you can always add additional grounding from chassis/ frame to the battery in the engine bay.

 

[Jhmaurice]

yes you can do that but not 100% recommended. chassis ground is shared anyways.
i ran mine to the front because i have SDHQ Terminal kit and the ground block is on the body, with one thick cable grounding it to the negative post on top of the battery sensor.

relying 100% on the chassis ground may be insufficient grounding to the battery, and additional grounding may be needed. you can always add additional grounding from chassis/ frame to the battery in the engine bay.

Once again I appreciate the advice, glad I asked. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Bl is a wealth on the extra wiring/battery/charging side of things. I also much appreciate his and others contributions.

My knowledge is limited to using a msw 110v inverter plugged into the 12v power outlet.

 

[boogielander]

Once again I appreciate the advice, glad I asked. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

you're welcome hahaha
glad to help
feel free to hit me up anytime you got questions.