I Tested a $1,000 Solar Generator Setup

Let's test out two $1,000 solar setups and see how they compare head-to-head!

🛒 PARTS LIST - $1,000 Bluetti Setup

🛒 PARTS LIST - $1,000 EcoFlow Setup

🛒 OTHER PARTS MENTIONED

*I used XT60 adapter cables in the video because that's what I already had (and they worked just fine), but technically the product manual calls for XT60i connectors.

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Correction: The Delta 3 Plus's X-Boost power rating at 120V is 2600W, not 2700W.

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SOURCES

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Editor: Javan Khabi

Music from Epidemic Sound

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DISCLAIMERS

Some of the links in this video description and in the comments below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission which will help fund more videos like this one. Thank you! 🙏

For general informational purposes only. Nothing in this video is intended to be professional solar or electrical advice. Please consult with a licensed professional in their field of expertise in your jurisdiction.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[footprinthero]

Hope you liked this little 'mini-series' of me testing solar generator setups. 😄 Go watch the other 2 videos if you haven't already!

Thanks for a great 2024 y'all 🙏. Got lots of fun stuff planned for next year!

[chrischoin]

Bought the BLUETTI AC200MAX last spring- came with 200 watt folding solar panel. It's a fantastic solution the our camper. Just plug it in and lights, heat, microwave... love it. It will not run the large camper air conditioner, but that has a massive 5, 000 watt surge. During the summer we were pulling in 160-190 watts. The entire summer I didn't have to charge using city power. All power used was sun energy.

[MarkMatthewsNJ]

Thanks! Ive never "tipped" for a video.. this was so informative. honestly i had no idea solar panels were standard connectors and now looking at some off-brand models. and i think you saved me money on overbuying. EDIT: DUDE i never considered a "time of day" charging feature.

[Ulbre]

My choice would be the Eco Flow because it can handle up to 1000w of solar input as opposed to only 500w for the Bluetti. Which means that you have double the chance of getting it fully charged on a less sunny day. You'll be grateful for spending the extra coin if those less sunny days are at the same time as an extended power outage.

[istp]

As long as I can run my fridge and my computer, that's all the power I need 🤔 Mainly because I have a gas stove 😏 Great review; a clear demonstration of what you can or can't do -- Thankyou 👍😊

[deanharris]

What would be really cool? A video showcasing equipment optimized for grid down time. Such as, if your power is out for 2 days how big and what equipment? How about for 3 weeks? Meaning if for 3 weeks you’ll transfer the important food to a small chest freezer instead of continuously powering your fridge. Which of these products are most efficient? And so forth.

[darekmistrz]

6:00 I think you should NOT connect same panels in series with series-parallel configuration. This is because smaller panels will not reach the voltage that big panels make. You should connect big and small in series, and only then connect combinations like that into parallel. This will allow for similar voltage between parallel combinations.

[montyjones]

Awesome video! I'd like to see a DIY unit with a $1000 build compared with the factory ones.

[DustySeven]

One feature you did not talk about on the echo flow but was visable is the expansion port. The echo flow can have expansion battery modules plugged in to expand the run time. That is a nice feature to have

[simondawes]

For a simple campervan setup, having the input at the back is a bonus

[CherrieMcKenzie]

I have a smaller Bluetti EB3A and an Ecoflow Delta 2 and Delta Max along with two 100 watt panels and I have to say I swear by the Ecoflows. I also came in around $700 with the Delta 2 and solar panels that I got on sale. Prices have come down dramatically so your experiment really points to what you can do!! I'm now looking into getting a couple of deep cycle batteries to add to the mix.

[jake-mvoi]

I ordered a bluetti 200 v2 on cyber Monday. Been playing around with it the last few days. It'll run my house fridge for about a full day with no panels. If I turn down the settings on my stick welder, I can weld with it at 90A. It has a lot of power for its size.

[shayne]

I'm Team Ecoflow! They had a killer Prime Day deal that got me to venture into this fun rabbit hole lol. I went from wanting something to keep me lit and informed for a few hours during a power outage, to having a setup that can do that plus keep my food cold, keep me connected and entertained and caffeinated at a relatively comfortable level almost indefinitely.

[toi_techno]

Using these systems in the home as well as for trips is what everyone should be doing

[GREATDANE]

Eco Flow hands down, 5 year warranty, Customer Service, App and offered accessories and Design caught My Money 💵 2 Delta EF3 Pro 1300's and 1 Delta 2 and Xtra Battery and 1 River 2 Pro and 2 160 watt portable solar panels and a 110 watt that came with The River 2 Pro Bundle - over a years worth of use and Not 1 Cliche in the Matrix in All Departments = 110 Charging, DC and Solar and a 24 Volt 100ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with XT60i Cables is a Gem of an Add on

[miketrav]

The problem with those all in one set ups is, they’re extremely unreliable. They rarely last more than a year or two before the computer blows up inside them, especially on the Ecoflo. They’re not bad to have for a back up situation or camping but for an actual house off grid situation you’re better off getting batteries with an inverter professional system. It’s also easier to fix when something breaks.

[gordonreeder]

$1000.00 ?! I bought the older Ecoflow Delta 2 for less than half that on Cyber Monday. And now I'm shopping for a good deal on solar panels. i want to try and get 400Watts of panels. My goal is to try and run the window AC off solar this summer. See if I can reduce my summer electric bill. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[MasconometUltimate-unofficial]

The way you explain how to set up the in series or parallel and why is excellent. I'm no electrician, so it's much appreciated.

[ClaudeBohls]

Battery charge/discharge issues increase with use and battery life is also a critical factor. For short term maybe.

[cruikshank]

Thank you for this video. I think you hit a true sweet spot between affordable & usability. I have to look to see how the warranty compares to each unit and expandable with ext batteries. I thought the Delta 2 which sold for $399 a few weeks ago was the comparable unit. I’d be interested to see if it’s worth it to try to build your own at these price points. I do think I’d go with used panels. I see 230W every day for $35-40 each and $65 for 330-370W panels. Some even new. Either of those setups could be a life saver in a blackout. Thanks again. Dave in PA.