When we are on our research trips for our KITE travel guides, we rely on mobile power and its storage. In our other article: Powerstation with mobile power supply in camping test we have already reported about a good offer of power stations from Plug-in Festivals. Now they have expanded their range with the EcoFlow RIVER and the EcoFlow DELTA power stations, and we would like to introduce you to the EcoFlow RIVER in more detail.
Mobile power is very important to us when we are on the road with our old man, a Fiat Ducato motorhome built in 1986, to discover new kite spots. We can not always stand on a campsite, often we have to be self-sufficient, because the spots are rarely located directly in front of campsites. Therefore, we need a mobile solution for our power supply that also works well on the beach and is flexible.
As already mentioned in another article: Powerstation with mobile power supply in the camping test, the Powerstation Travelbox 500 and the foldable solar module with 120 watts from Plug-in Festivals is the perfect solution. But if you want even more power because you have more things to charge, or don’t have too much time to put your solar panel in the sun, then today we’re going to show you a very good alternative, the EcoFlow series power stations from Plug-in Festivals. They are more expensive, but offer more power and are for those who need even more power on the way.
Even more power through solar energy
In the summer of 2020, we discovered a cool company, Plug-in Festivals. Their products are ideally suited to the mobile kitesurfer and you’ll have power even at the most beautiful, remote kitespots. So you can work, live and do your favorite sports anywhere.
Like every year we are exploring new countries and kitespots for our KITEtravelguides and this time we have the EcoFlow RIVER Max and the foldable solar panel with 220 Watt from Plug-in Festivals with us. This way we have even more power and can charge everything even faster. Even as I write this post, the EcoFlow RIVER Max next to me and charges my laptop and cell phone. This way we remain flexible with our power supply and can use both very flexibly and always point them in the direction of the sun.
The EcoFlow series also has a pure sine wave, which is especially important for your electric toothbrush because you can’t charge it with a simple inverter that only has a modified sine wave.
The Powerstation EcoFlow RIVER Max
The small mobile energy storage can be carried around super on its handle, is very compact and so perfect for travel. In addition, you can charge anything you want on the small mobile power battery. On the small display you can see exactly how much percent the powerstation is filled with, how many watts are going in and how many watts are going out. Additionally, it shows you how long you have until the battery is empty.
You can charge the EcoFlow RIVER Max Powerstation with a power outlet, cigarette lighter or solar panel. You can also plug in and charge your devices at the same time. You can choose between two Schuko sockets, two USB 2.0, one USB 3.0 plug, one USB C plug with 100W, two 12V round plugs and one 12V universal plug. In total, you can attach consumers with 600 watts, peak power 1200W, which are supplied with a pure sine wave.
A good combination offers the 220W solar panel, which is simply set up. Either next to the camper, on the windshield or on the roof. Depending on where you stand, how much space you have and how safe it is. When we are not at a spot, we charge the power station with our car battery. Either via the inverter, or via the cigarette lighter.
Technical data RIVER Max
| Dimensions | 288 x 185 x 235 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | approx. 7.7 kg |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery |
| Energycontent | 576 Wh |
| Charge | AC 220V-240V ; 100min | DC 12V/24V ; 10A max. ; 6,5h | Solar 200W max. ; 3-6h |
| constant output power | 600W |
|---|---|
| Voltage transformer integrated | pure sine wave |
| 2 x socket | 230V 600W |
| USB connector | 2xUSB2.0 12W + 1xUSB3.0 18W + 1xUSBC 100W |
| DC output | 13.6V 10A |
Technical data RIVER mini
| Dimensions | 248 x 139 x 132mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | approx. 2,85 kg |
| Battery | Cell chemistry NCM |
| Energy content | 210 Wh |
| Loading | AC 220V-240V ; 80%/1h | DC 11-39V/100W ; 8A max. ; 3,5h | Solar 100W ; 3-6h |
| constant output power | 300W |
|---|---|
| Voltage transformer integrated | pure sine wave |
| 2 x socket | 230V 300W |
| USB Connector | 1xUSB2.0 5V 2.4A + 1xUSBC 100W; 5A max. (River mini Wireless) |
| Wireless output | 15W max. |
| DC output | 12.6V 10A |
Technical data RIVER
| Dimensions | 288 x 185 x 194 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | approx. 5 kg |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery |
| Energy content | 288 Wh |
| Loading | AC 220V-240V ; 100min | DC 12V/24V ; 10A max. ; 3,5h | Solar 200W max. ; 1,6-3h |
| constant output power | 600W |
|---|---|
| Voltage transformer integrated | pure sine wave |
| 2 x socket | 230V 600W |
| USB connector | 2xUSB2.0 12W + 1xUSB3.0 18W + 1xUSBC 100W |
| DC output | 13.6V 10A |
Technical data RIVER Pro
| Dimensions | 289 x 180 x 235 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | approx. 7.6 kg |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery |
| Energy content | 720 Wh |
| Loading | AC 220V-240V ; 100min | DC 12V/24V ; 10A max. ; 8h | Solar 200W max. ; 3h |
| constant output power | 600W |
|---|---|
| Voltage transformer integrated | pure sine wave |
| 2 x socket | 230V 600W |
| USB connector | 2xUSB2.0 12W + 1xUSB3.0 18W + 1xUSBC 100W |
| DC output | 13.6V 10A |
Scope of delivery
- 1 x EcoFlow RIVER Max
- 1 x instruction manual
- 1 x AC 230 V mains charging cable
- 1 x 12 V car charger cable
- 1 x Solar charging cable XT60 to MC4
Best Combined
For the EcoFlow RIVER Max you don’t need any other accessories and you can simply charge it at home or while driving your car and have power wherever you go. Alternatively, you can use it with a mobile or fixed solar panel and let the sun charge it. For this we use the foldable 220W solar panel from Plug-in Festivals. In good sunlight, the power station is fully charged in about 2 – 3 hours, but you can also see this well in the display and choose the location better in case of doubt.
Why a power station as a mobile power supply
Since we usually need to be free standing or flexible when researching kitespots, it is most ideal for us to be able to use solar power for our electrical devices. The small mobile power battery, the EcoFlow RIVER Max stores solar energy for us and lets us use it flexibly. For us, the combination with the foldable solar panel is the most practical. This way we can charge our devices and at the same time the battery of the power station is refilled. On the display you can see exactly how much you are loading and how much your devices are consuming.
The EcoFlow RIVER Max is a super power provider if you are looking for a simple, powerful solution to have power at any place. And a little treat is the pure sine wave, which is better for your electrical devices. We are currently testing the Powerstation on our trip through Sicily and are just thrilled. Especially the display about the current power input and consumption is so helpful. We can recommend the EcoFlow RIVER Max one hundred percent, even if the purchase price is higher than the Travelbox. In return, however, it offers more power, has a firm grip and a top display.
TIP: To help you compare the power stations, you can find a clear power station comparison on the Plug-in Festivals page. So you can decide for yourself which energy storage is best for you and your needs. To the power stations comparison »
Foldable solar panel
An ideal combination to the above described powerstation is the foldable solarpanel from Plug-in Festivals. We have just tested the foldable solarpanel with 220W and are very enthusiastic. If you do not need it, it is space-saving foldable. Note, that the 220W module is quite a bit heavier than the 120W, making it a bit more unwieldy. But it is super in terms of performance.
But no matter which module you choose, with a foldable solar panel you can make ideal use of solar energy and charge your devices and batteries anywhere. You can use it for a fixed battery in your camper, or to charge a power station.
The practical thing about a foldable, mobile solarpanel is that you don’t have to stand in the sun with your camper. So you can find a nice shady spot and just put or put the foldable solar panel in the sun. Or if there is not enough space e.g. on a parking lot, then you just put it on the roof of your camper.
Technical data
| Power | 4×55Wp (220 Wp) |
|---|---|
| Cell make | SunPower Mono cells with 24% efficiency |
| Maximum voltage | (Vmp) 18.6V |
| Maximum current output | (Imp) 11.8A |
| Cable length | 5.0 meters |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6,2kg |
| Dimensions closed | 450mm x 680mm x 25mm |
| Dimensions unfolded | 1980mm x 680mm x 4mm |
| Daily yield in summer | approx. 915 Wh |
Scope of delivery
- 1 x Solar Panel 220 Wp incl. 5 meter solar cable with MC4 connector
- Instruction manual
Why a foldable solar panel?
Not everyone wants or is able to install a solar panel on their roof or car. This foldable solar module offers the ideal alternative to fixed solar solutions. It can be used individually, is super fast to assemble and disassemble and takes up little space when not in use. The perfect solution for anyone who likes to use solar energy for themselves, without major remodeling.
The Perfect Power Station Set
If you’re looking for an easy, portable way to use solar power from the sun without making major modifications to your vehicle, Plug-in Festivals products are for you. If you’re looking for an easy, portable way to use solar power from the sun without making major modifications to your vehicle, Plug-in Festivals products are for you.
Plug-in Festivals has now also put together cool bundles where you can save money and choose between multiple options. The best thing to do is to find the right power station for you in the powerstation comparison and then go to the bundles. There you select your powerstation and get all packages displayed that are available with this powerstation. After you choose the right bundle you are independent of electricity so you and can kite, work or simply live at the most beautiful Destination.
Our impression
On our road trip this year, we have the EcoFlow RIVER Max and the 220W foldable solar panel with us. They are in use every day and we can’t imagine being on the road without them. Even if our gel battery in the camper or the solarpanel on the roof is sometimes not working right, we always have safe power from the EcoFlow RIVER Max.
During the day we charge the power station with the help of the foldable solar panel, either lying or set up next to the camper or it goes on the roof. When the EcoFlow RIVER Max displays 100%, then we have installed extra plugs to connect the foldable solar panel directly to our indoor battery. So we are perfectly equipped for the sunless times.
Therefore we can offer you the combination between the EcoFlow RIVER Max and the 220W solarpanel. Here, of course, it depends on what you want to spend and what you need. The easiest way is to go to the powerstation comparison and choose your powerstation based on the data. Then you add one of the two solar modules so you have the maximum power flexibility in the future. On all EcoFlow Powerstations you have matching bundles where you can save money.
Use the solar energy during your kite trips and have the necessary power for your needs everywhere. Super flexible and simple.
You still have questions about the individual products? Feel free to comment or email us at hannes@einfachkiten.de.
Purchase recommendation and transparency
We have looked at the EcoFlow RIVER Max and the foldable solar panel with 220W from Plug-in Festivals chosen for testing. We are testing them intensively on our road trip through Sicily, where we are researching for our KITEtravelguide. We can already give a positive purchase recommendation and the products are both in daily use. We are especially excited about the great display of the EcoFlow, which shows you exactly what is happening and how long it still has to be charged.
Plus, with the 220W solar panel, it’s super fast and despite the heavier weight, the module is quick to set up and take down. After our test, we will resell the products and receive a commission. But most of all I would not like to give them away.
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Thank you very much for this.
Enjoy your life and work on the road.
From now on our KITE travel guides: Kitesurfing in Croatia, Kitesurfing in Greece,Mainland and Kitesurfing in Sardinia, are available in our store.
