EcoFlow PowerStream and Delta 2 Max Review – Balcony power plant with buffer storage | Part 2 – Setup and software

1 - Setup and configuration 2 - EcoFlow App 3 - Additional features 4 - Summary and next conclusion

Summary and interim conclusion

First of all, let’s look at some of the criticisms, because of course there are some. First, there is the fact that EcoFlow does not send push notifications with advertisements frequently, but once every few weeks. It looks like this, for example:

I do not have to have. In addition, I would like to report two bugs. A while ago, the Delta 2 Max suddenly discharged with about 625 watts, even though the Smart Plugs were set to use only 50 watts:

The day after, an update came shortly after, which explicitly fixed this bug, but still annoying. The power has just been given away to the network operator. Another problem is that the memory is shown as offline in the device display, but it can be accessed normally in the system overview.

According to the technician, this display error is due to the cloud synchronization, because the whole system runs on it. So there is no real local component, which is not really my taste.

And here are a few more loose thoughts and hints that I came across or noticed while using it:

• When charging at 400 watts, the Delta 2 Max turns on active cooling after a while, which isn’t distracting with a loudness of 44.2 dB(A) at 40cm distance, though
• Thefirst full charge was accompanied by an “electric” smell, which didn’t occur afterwards
• If you set a discharge limit, the storage turns off completely when reached and is also no longer accessible in the app. As soon as it is charged again, it automatically switches on again
• Due to the port occupied by the PowerStream, only one expansion memory is possible
• Almost everything can be freely renamed, except for the solar cells. Due to the long word “solar energy” for the small field, there is a line break for a single letter in the overview

Other things, which I specifically asked for and may come in the future:

• Simultaneous charging via the PowerStream and the XT60 PV inputs on the back of the Delta 2 Max
• Integration for automatic charging for variable price electricity contracts (e.g. Tibber), currently not implemented due to legal ambiguities
• Open API and full integration via MQQT in Home Assistant

Of course, I would be especially happy about the last point, apparently this would not be a problem at all from a technical point of view. Given the current problems with the cloud, it’s probably not a bad idea to finish developing everything there first.

So far, I can only say that the operation of this system ran very smoothly. Here and there small problems arose, but so far they were always quickly eliminated. So my opinion is more a snapshot, with the frequent updates EcoFlow has earned a leap of faith to also work off the rest of the criticisms. The app is easy to use and all relevant information is displayed on one page at a glance. If you want more details, they are not withheld but presented in visually appealing submenus. For the premium price, EcoFlow was able to deliver high-quality hardware in the last part, but the software still has a few rough edges and is on a very good path. Perhaps a little more time would have done the Balcony Power Plant project good and given it the final polish. I’m probably not going too far out on a limb with the assumption that EcoFlow wanted to take advantage of the current hype around the topic.

As a little preview of the next part, here is this picture, with 2x TSM-435NEG9R.28 Vertex S modules the balcony power plant should be completed. Unfortunately, I just haven’t found the time yet to find the perfect alignment and to mount everything storm-proof on the roof. But the Delta 2 Max is not out of the woods yet either, the maximum values on paper still need to be tested in reality of course.

The test sample was provided by EcoFlow without obligation. There was and is no influence on the tests and results. There was also no compensation for expenses and no obligation to publish.