Looked that up. I think we will look into one before winter gets here. IF we get snow, usually a loss of power comes with any significat accumulation.
@johnfcooley Looks as though the price I paid is still available if you order directly from Anker:
Switching time alone can be a bit deceptive though. I’m forgetting which one, but one of the server hardware websites did a comparison of different solar power generators, including eccoflow, for use as a UPS. What they found was not just that the switching times differed among most of them, but also the amount of time it took to resume the waveform of a normal sinewave. They gave the actual oscilloscope trace for a number of different units, so at least for those, you can see for yourself. However, short of buying one and testing it yourself, I don’t know where one could find that kind of detailed information for other models. Right now I don’t think anyone typically even talks about that aspect of it–possibly because no one is asking.
1 Like
Not that I’ve used it yet for a power outage but I am comfortable with the GoldenMate for the printer.
I was thinking of one of the Ankers to power the lights (led) and phones, tablets, computers when the power is out. We have way too many. I have a 12 year old that freaks if she can’t charge her phone or tab.
2 Likes
I tested EcoFlow when I first set it up by unplugging its AC plug from the outlet, simulating a total blackout. It did the job, two printers continued printing without any issue. It probably handles brownouts differently, this is a pure guess.
Anyway, for the sole purpose of saving long hours prints. This doesn’t work that good, kind of rolling the dice. For $500, I could get a computer UPS for each printer but with smaller capacity.
BTW a fully charged EcoFlow Delta 2, 1024Wh can power one P1P printing PLA in a enclosure tent with one USB light bar and one USB case fan for 8.25 hours. Those computer UPS probably less than a hour.
2 Likes
Gives me an idea: going forward I’ll try simulating a brownout using a variable AC transformer and see if I can generate a failure that way. Since I’m still in the return window, I’ll try this on the Anker Solix C300 before deciding whether or not it’s a keeper. Thanks @designrama for the insight!
2 Likes
Obviously it isn’t the same for everyone but there was a study of power outages and durations ten or so years ago that said most outages were just seconds long to as short as a few waveforms. Longer duration outages got progressively more rare. By that, transferring load cleanly to batteries or a unit that is always running from the batteries where the output doesn’t care about the power input fluctuations would be the best choice. And for most outages you may not need as big of a battery. More powerful storms are changing that up a little though.
I have had one time where I powered down the outlet feeding my Delta Pro during a print and glitched the printer which stopped the print. The transfer time on the A/C outlets is listed as 30ms (also seen 20ms quoted) which is 1-2 AC cycles so there can be a significant power drop. The Delta Pro runs its loads off line power and switches to battery when line power goes away.
Because of that I do little tricks if I need to kill power because of an approaching storm when I know I need to unplug. I just turn the bed heat down a few degrees and that cuts the load apparently enough that the printer can ride through a little easier and set the temperature back after the switchover. At least it’s worked so far. For a power glitch it’s just take it as it comes. I’ll unplug before starting a print if storms are around.
1 Like
Another way you can “cheat” a small built-in battery for 3D printing purposes is to have some just ordinary lifepo4 batteries laying around and plug one or more of them into the solar charging input on your solar power generator (by which I mean, your eccoflow or similar). Lifepo4 batteries have gotten almost insanely cheap as of late, and they hold a charge for a really long time, so charging them to top-off just once or twice a year is enough to make them a viable reserve option if you might need extra capacity. I happen to like this also because it’s easier to move a small power generator and one or more external batteries than it is to move one big unit, especially if you might be going up or down stairs.
Eventually I’d like to get one of those smart breaker panels, where I could have it all in my garage and just put the backup power into that and tell it where to send the power, but I’m not there yet.
1 Like
A friend of mine did that. He has 2 Delta Pros, two extra batteries, and an Ecoflow gas generator as well as solar panels up on a pergola. He loves it. He’s the one who told me about these units.
You mean he has the smart panel? I think that’s the future. Then instead of lots of little portable units you have one big stationary one and just send the power to where it’s needed, but selectively so. Like everything else now, they have ones that run off a phone app, so very convenient to switch things around as needed. The only reason I haven’t yet is that the installation setup is more involved, whereas with the portable units there’s virtually none.
1 Like
Yep. He set his up nice. It’s all set up in his garage.
Have you tried it yet? I’ve added 3 more P series printers and have been looking for a UPS for them.
This type of surge protector automatically cuts off the power from the wall outlet when it detects a brownout or other anomalies. In theory, adding it between the wall outlet and power stations. The power stations would only experience blackout, thus they should work as a UPS properly.
2024-10-22: the surge protector didn’t work, see Is Ecoflow Delta 2 worth the money? - #46 by designrama
1 Like
I haven’t tried it yet, but that does sound like an excellent solution and maybe worthwhile on its own merits. Thanks for posting!
Reporting back: In answer to your question, I just now tried subjecting the Anker Solic C300 to some simulated brownouts with my Bambulab X1C connected to it and running. No problem. It all seemed to work just fine without any issues. It cut-over when the simulated mains voltage dropped only a little below 110v.
Not sure whether such a seemingly small hysteresis might cause problems or not, or even whether that’s worth worrying about. Not my expertise.
I don’t like that it requires me to lave an account to connect with it over wifi. I wouldn’t want to have to remember an obscure password that needs to have a mix of uppercase, lowercase, and symbol characters during a power outage. That strikes me as rather heavy handed and unnecessary. However, aside from that unrequested slap in the face, it appears to deliver on what it promises.
1 Like
Does it tell how how long it can power your X1C? I’m debating between getting two C300 or one with larger capacity. IIRC, EcoFlow Delta 2 can powers three P series printers for a little over 2 hours.
I didn’t look, but I believe it can. However, that approach is sensitive to what part of the print cycle you look.
Instead, based on reported power consumption here:
and the specs, you can probably count on 2 to 3 hours of runtime before it runs out of juice, if your brownout/blackout were to last that long. At least where I live, that would be a pretty rare event to have a power outage last that long. Maybe once or twice over a 10 year timespan, and coinciding with really bad weather as the trigger, so, in some sense, with adequate warning that it might happen.
One of the higher end computer server blogs did a review of some of the higher capacity lifepo4 power sources, including eccoflow, and how well they performed as a UPS. One of them did quite well. Not 100% sure, but I think it might have been an eccoflow. You might try looking for that report and maybe consider the exact model they tested if you’re considering higher capacity. The one they tested performed even better than its advertised specs.
1 Like
Looks as though the new Eccoflow Delta 3 Plus is advertising itself as having a UPS capability with a <10ms switchover time:
for around $600.
They advertised it as UPS when Bambu Lab was selling the combo. My experience tells me it doesn’t work with brownout, at least not 100% of time with P series printers.
It could be that it doesn’t work with multiple printers connected to one Delta 2, and it would work fine with just one printer connected to it, I don’t know. I’m not getting a straight answer from EcoFlow support.
Just so we’re on the same page, Delta 3 Plus was only just announced last month, though it does appear to be shipping now. It’s more advanced than the Delta 2.
I meant EcoFlow advertised Delta 2 as an UPS when they partnered up with Bambu Lab to sell the combo. It’s not living up to advertised claim, at least in my case.
I’ve asked them specifically about how it handles brownout, they couldn’t tell me and kept on asking for video of the failure when I’ve told them there is none repeatedly. Either EcoFlow has brownout detection or it doesn’t, a very simple answer. It feels like they’re giving me the runaround. This is why I’m looking at other brands.
I wonder if there’s some kind of ASTM or IEEE standard which addresses the brownout issue. Certainly seems like there should be. Then it would be easier for you to pick out equipment, because it would either comply or not.
Well, a quick search shows that there are:
- ASTM D5729 - “Standard Guide for UPS Performance Testing.” This standard offers guidance on testing the performance of UPS systems under various power conditions, such as power outages, surges, and brownouts. It discusses how UPS should handle voltage sags and momentary power drops, which are typical characteristics of brownouts.
- IEEE 62040-3 - “Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS) - Part 3: Method of Specifying the Performance and Test Requirements.” This standard by the IEEE defines how UPS systems should behave during input voltage variations, including brownouts, to ensure continuous power to critical systems. It includes specifications for how a UPS should respond to voltage reductions and maintain steady output power to connected devices.
I’d say look for that. Otherwise we’d be reinventing the wheel. If you decide to recontact eccoflow, you could ask whether or not the delta 2, or whatever you’re currently considering, complies or not.
1 Like