EcoFlow are one of the world leading manufactures of portable power stations, so we purchased the EcoFlow River Max to determine how it performs. “Power wherever you go!”, as stated by EcoFlow, is the reason why we at Survival Aid need to use the increasingly popular portable power station.
With it’s modular design, EcoFlow state that you can “Hit the outdoors with River Max and keep all your devices powered at once”. This particular EcoFlow portable power station is of the smaller EcoFlow power stations, weighing in at 7.7 kilograms (17 pounds). With its 576Wh capacity, the River Max has the ability to power appliances up to 600 watts, with a surge draw of up to 1200 watts.
This truly portable power station would power and charge most appliances on any camping expedition, including 12 volt, USB and 240 volt (Australia) mains power, including portable fridges. It would certainly also be ideal for powering any small to medium electrical device where power is not available or temporarily unavailable.
The River Max would be ideal for a wide range of emergency situations. Natural disasters and power outages are forever an uncertainty and inevitable. All EcoFlow power stations can be recharged by mains power, 12 volt and solar panel.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE ECOFLOW RIVER MAX
Basically the River Max portable power station, as with the entire EcoFlow power station range, are indeed a complete power station. With a duel lithium-ion battery system, these power stations are pure sine wave inverters, safely able to power sensitive equipment including computers.
The front face of the River models have a light which can always by useful. The display screens of all the EcoFlow power stations are very easy to read and detail all the necessary data including remaining battery capacity, hours of usage available and recharging rates. All this can be monitored remotely via the EcoFlow app.
EcoFlow describe the River series as “ideal for lightweight, grab-and-go power”. The River Max, as all EcoFlow power stations, are very quiet when operating, and can power mains power, 12V vehicle type and USB appliances. The River series have included in the housing a superbly functionable carry handle.
The EcoFlow River Max retails for around $900 Australian and approximately USD $500.
THE RIVER MAX BATTERIES
The EcoFlow River Max’s modular design has one battery detachable which can reduce its weight if needed down to 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds), bringing the units capacity down to under 300Wh. A proprietary feature of EcoFlow’s portable power stations is its ‘X-Boost technology’, switching them to power high-wattage appliances up to an impressive 1800 watts. This would run a hair dryer for example.
It may not be recommended to use the X-Boost feature too often, as it could reduce the overall life of the battery. Though a great feature if needed. The EcoFlow River Pro or the Delta series, for example, would be more suitable for the larger electrical appliances.
Impressively, the EcoFlow River Max can be recharged to full capacity in 96 minutes using AC mains electricity, or from zero to 80% capacity in under an hour. The River Max can also be charged to full capacity with a 110 watt solar panel in under 3 hours, or in about 3.5 hours by plugging it into a vehicles DC adaptor.
The EcoFlow River Max battery management system includes Over Voltage Protection, Overload Protection, Over Temperature Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Low Temperature Protection, Low Voltage Protection and Over Current Protection.
SOLAR PANEL CHARGING
A great feature with all EcoFlow power stations is the ability to connect to any portable solar panel. Some competing portable power station brands will not allow this, and annoyingly require the purchase of only their branded solar panels.
EcoFlow do supply there own portable folding solar panels with IP68 waterproof rating, and either the 160 or 220 watt would be suitable for the River Max. A great feature of all EcoFlow power stations is they also incorporate a solar controller, negating the need to use solar panels with solar controllers for recharging these units.
We recommended using a solar panel extension cable, allowing the solar panels to be placed out in the sun, and the power station and you to stay cooler in the shade.
ECOFLOW RIVER MAX SPECIFICATIONS - Australian Model
- Weight: 7.7kg (17 pounds)
- Length x Width x Height: 11.4 x 7.3 x 9.3in / 289 x 184 x 235mm
- 576Wh Capacity – 28.8 volts
- Full Recharge in 96 minutes
- Life cycles: 500+ cycles to >80% capacity
- Power up to 9 devices simultaneously
OUTPUTS ON THE RIVER MAX
2 x AC Output: 600W (1200W Surge) total, 230Vac (50Hz/60Hz)
1 x 12V (cigurette socket) Output: 136W, 13.6V DC, 10A Max
2 x USB-A Output: 5V DC, 2.4A 12W per port
1 x USB-C Output: 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V DC, 5A 100W Max
1 x USB-A Fast Charge: 5V, 9V, 12V DC, 2.4A, 18W Max
2 x DC5521 Output: 13.6V DC, 3A Max per port
INPUTS ON THE RIVER MAX
- AC Input: 500 watts maximum 230Vac (50Hz/60Hz)
- DC Input: 12V 8A Max (car charger plug)
- Solar Input: 200 watts 10-25V DC 12A Max
WHATS IN THE BOX WITH THE ECOFLOW RIVER MAX
1 x 1.5 metre AC Charging Cable
1 x 1.5 Car Charging Cable
1 x DC to DC Cable
1 x Tools to remove second battery
1 x User Manuals
ECOFLOW RIVER MAX PORTABLE POWER STATION USES
This unit could be ideal as a power source for a small to medium camper van or off-road vehicle, which we are currently testing if for. Loading in the River Max would negate the need to otherwise install a battery bank, inverter, solar controller and DC to DC converter, not to mention all the wiring and installation costs.
When not using in such a vehicle, being portable, the River Max may then be used for other purposes such as mains power failures etc. The options are indeed numerous. We used the River Max for powering tools to convert a camper van and to power various camping appliances whilst using the van on camping trips, mainly a portable fridge.
The River Max powered our 60 litre fridge / freezer continuously for almost four days. We learnt that powering a fridge, for example, with DC 12 volt power was more efficient then using the 240 volt AC option. An additional fantastic feature of the River Max is that it can power any particular device while it is charging. Basically the River Max has completely negated the need to use a noisy and fume producing generator, though a petrol generator will charge any EcoFlow power station.
One critical use of the River Max would be to power medical devices vital for powering life supporting equipment. For example, this EcoFlow unit will power a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device of 40 watts for up to twenty hours. We use the River Max to power devices that provide protection against the ever increasing amount of electromagnetic radiation. For proof of the dangers of every day radiation exposure, visit emfequip.com.
The EcoFlow River Max can also function as an entry-level Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system. An appliance can be plugged into the power station and the power station plugged into the mains power. When the grid goes down, the EcoFlow will turn on automatically within 30 milliseconds. Be sure to check compatibility with data servers and workstations before using the River Max as an UPS.
And as a real test of the EcoFlow River Max, we used this portable power station to run a large family fridge/freezer during a 40 hour power outage. The EcoFlow Delta series would be more suitable for this type of operation, but the River Max kept the fridge running for four hours at a time (before recharging, used intermittently, using three charges), saving an entire fridge full of food. For more information on why portable power stations can be so invaluable, check out our article ‘Threats To The Mains Electricity Supply’.
ECOFLOW PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING USAGE GUIDELINES FOR THE RIVER MAX:
- Light 10W 50 Hours DC 17 Hours AC
- Refrigerator 150W 3 – 6 Hours AC
- Blender 300W 1.2 – 1.6 Hours AC
- Television 110W 4 – 6 Hours AC
- Projector 65W 6 Hours AC
- Hair Dryer 1200W 0.8 – 1.6 Hours AC
- Coffee Machine 1000W 20 – 24 Cups
- Electric Kettle 1200W 0.8 Hours AC
- Rice Cooker 1000W 0.8 Hours AC
- Electric Frying Pan 1200W 0.8 Hours AC
AND WILL CHARGE
- Mobile phone 11Wh 42 times
- Macbook Air 49.9Wh 10 times
- Gopro 7.7Wh 66 times
- Switch console 16Wh 30 times
- Drone 60Wh 6+ times
CONCLUSION
This is a purely personal statement and obviously subjective, but for us the EcoFlow River Max is a very effective and functional portable power station, and has done a superb job for what we have tested it and needed it for. As of writing this report, the EcoFlow River Max had sold out in both Australia and the US, which may provide an indication of its popularity.
Both the US EcoFlow website and Australian EcoFlow website have given the River Max a review of 4.9 stars from hundreds of reviews, with may customers providing positive written testimonials of their experiences with EcoFlow portable power stations.
Many reviews praise the after-sales service, and when customers also post pictures of their EcoFlow power stations, then one can conclude that owning an EcoFlow power station would be a very functionable and potentially critical piece of equipment.
