Last year my EcoFlow Delta2 shutdown because it got to cold. You can damage a lithium ion battery if you try to charge a it when it is frozen. It took about 3hrs to warm it up and get it working.
This is about the battery heater I got for the Delta2.
I will also post a link for a lithium battery heater for size (group 24) batteries that I use in my trailer.
I am in the process of testing the following battery heater.
Important : Never use a battery heater that does not have a built-in thermostat!!!
This is a flat heater and fits under the Delta2, inside the Delta2 protective cloth case, it has a 60 degree Fahrenheit thermostat, and it uses 110vac.
Using 110vac is great because it doesnāt load down the 10 amp - 12vdc output. When camping I only use 12vdc.
I bought it last year after the Delta2 shut down when I was camping. I am impressed after using the heater last winter, this spring, and now this fall. It draws 60watts (5 amps) when it is heating. The thermostat cycles it on and off at 60Ā°f. In the morning I still have 70% battery left. The Delta2 has an 85 amp hour battery.
110vac Flat Battery Heater I bought on Amazon.
Facon 8-1/2āā x 5-1/2āā Silicone Battery Heater Pad with Thermostatically Controlled, Automotive Electric Silicone Battery Warmer Pad, 120V, 60Watts Grey Amazon.com
12vdc Battery Heater that I use on my lithium ion group 24 size battery.
It is explained well in the Lion Energy 12vdc battery warmer link.
The lithium batteries performs better than lead acid batteries in most weather conditions. It can charge between temps of 32Ā° and 113Ā°F and can discharge between -4Ā° and 131Ā°F at 100% rate.
So below 32Ā°f watch out!
My EcoFlow Delta2 totally shut down around 27Ā°.
When I returned from camping I tested it in my driveway.
Update on the Delta2 using the battery warmer.
The temperature this morning was 18Ā°f at 7:30am.
I still had 59% battery life left. After the frost cleared off my solar panels it would be fully charged in 7 hrs. I have 200watt solar panel but they were only putting out 90 watts because I did not have the tent up and the panels directed to the sun. The panels were laying flat.
My concern with the EcoFlow Delta2 was charging it on a cloudy winter day. I no longer have that concern. EcoFlow came out with a DC to DC charger they call a Alternator Charger. It puts out 800 watts plus what you panels are putting out. I ran the engine for 25 min on the way to Samās club and we were fully charged.
BUT non of that matters if your batteries or system gets to cold!!!
interesting. where did you leave the Delta 2 that it got so cold? was it in the camper (thatās not insulated) or was it in the cab area (that is kind of insulated?)
This is the whole reason behind building my own power system as opposed to using an āall in oneā unit. However, BMS and āSmartā chargers can be just as frustrating. Renogy makes a great heated battery that is quite affordable vs. Battleborn.
If you are like me, and live in the north and your gear stays in the rig. Iāve seen my Renogy turn completely off at -35 when the āSmartā charger turned off because it too has a temperature sensor. So itās imperative you find a solution to keep your kit warm. Which it appears you have.
Different strokes for different folks; but I like to tinker, so building battery systems that suit the specific need of the rig I find is quite satisfying vs. Big box all in one purchases.
Consistent luck with this setup:
100aH Renogy Self Heated
Renogy 30A MPPT w/DC/DC charger
NOCO 10A charger
The battery blanket is a risky manoeuvre with Lithium batteries. Itās good to see Lithium specific pads. Most companies will void warranty if heating pads are used due to their inability to evenly heat the cells. This is why companies make heated units. Think of it like taking a loaf of bread out of the freezer; the outside warms up before the inside.
So if you trick the BMS to thinking the battery is actually warmer than it isā¦well you get the picture. Thatās just my technologist brain thinking through an Engineering solution in practicality. Theoretically a good idea, but has risk that could be catastrophic. I also had the same theory when my Self Heating function wouldnāt work because it needs 3A of consistent charge to trigger the heater. I asked Renogy support if I could use a battery blanket and they essentially explained this same thing to me. Which I completely understood so came up with a solution to keep a 10A charger on the system to stop the battery from freezing. This has worked on temperatures down to -50C ambient.
Since I didnāt see any posts on the GFC forum about keeping batteries warm I started this post because I wanted to get the word out about keeping your batteries warm.
More input and ideas are welcome.
Living in Tennessee I normally will not be camping in temperatures to cold for batteries. I was in the Ozarks and cought off guard when it shutdown. That is when I started searching for information on keeping a battery warm.
Dignon, your point about uneven heating the battery is something I pondered and needs to be considered. Using a smart battery with a heater is a real good way to go for built-in systems.
Because I use my RAM for every day use I made the decision to go with āall in oneā unit. I wanted something lightweight and easy to be removed. Plus I could use it for other than Overlanding.
Correction: I miss posted when I stated the Delta2 shutdown at 27Ā°. I found my notes and it was 17Ā° when the Delta2 shutdown.
I mount it in the bed of my RAM pickup. For this test it was in my driveway for two nights when the temperature was in the low 20s. One of the nights it got down to 18Ā°.
Important: I only use the heater when I need toā¦very rarely!
I do not leave my Delta2 in the vehicle all the time. I make sure to remove it when is real cold or hot.
Good point about if it was in the bed or in the cab.
Tonight we are supposed to get down to 15Ā°.
I will put a wireless outdoor thermometer in the cab and see how cold it gets. And compare it to my weather station.
