Although solar power can be a great way to generate off-grid power, sometimes you may want to turn to a fuel generator. It can power through storms or give your battery a quick boost. That’s where the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator can help out.
This smart inverter generator is an excellent choice for people with certain EcoFlow power stations, including the Delta Pro and Delta Max. It’s packed with features that make it one of the easiest fuel generators to work with.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator, including:
- Its specifications and what they really mean
- Step-by-step guide to using this dual fuel generator
- Potential concerns you should be aware of before buying it
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The Quick Summary: EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator
The EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel) uses either gasoline or propane (LPG) to fuel a combustion engine. It creates electricity you can use to power your devices directly or to quickly recharge a power station or battery.
The amount of power it provides depends on the fuel source:
- Gasoline: Runs at 1,800W from internal 1 gallon (4L) tank, creating 5.4kWh
- Propane: Runs at 1,600W from any external tank; one 20-lbs (9-kg) tank creates 20kWh
It is a sleek product with easy starting and a muffler to keep the noise down. But what sets this generator apart from the crowd are its smart capabilities. You can control it from an app, including an electric start function. Even better, if you have an EcoFlow Delta Pro or Delta Max power station, it can automatically cycle on and off to keep the battery charged. And it uses DC charging for maximum efficiency.
The downsides are that you pay quite a bit more for those convenience capabilities. It’s also worth pointing out that its best functions don’t work with the newest Delta Pro Ultra. The dual fuel generator can charge the DPU, but only through AC power and not with the automatic on/off cycling of the fuel generator.
Overall, the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator is a great choice for those with an EcoFlow Delta Pro or Delta Max that can use all of the smart functions.
Note: If you want a more powerful option, EcoFlow 4000W Dual Fuel Generator is in the works, alongside the new Delta Pro 3 solar generator.
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EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator |
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The Details: Everything You Should Know
Now that we’ve done a quick overview, let’s run through the details and specifications of the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator.
Four Ways to Start
Many fuel generators have one or maybe two ways to start. The EcoFlow Smart Generator has four. These include:
- Manual pull-string start: A physical line that turns the engine, standard equipment for any fuel generator
- Electric push-button start: A physical button on the generator that starts the engine with a starter motor
- Electric start through the EcoFlow app: Instead of pushing the button on the generator, you push a button on your phone or tablet
- Automatic start with battery level monitoring: With the Delta Pro or Delta Max power stations, this Dual Fuel Generator can automatically turn itself on and off as needed to keep the battery full
This flexibility is an amazing step forward for generator technology. No more hassling with the manual pull start. Sit back and use the app. The electric start and app functions will work no matter what you have it connected to.
The auto-start feature is very impressive. It works through a specialized DC connection to specific EcoFlow power stations, including the Delta Pro and Delta Max. Through this cable, the fuel generator can monitor the battery level and automatically start when needed. You can even set specific levels when you want the fuel generator to kick in. And it has an Eco mode to make quick adjustments. These innovative features are what make the EcoFlow Smart Generator attractive and worth its premium price.
Unfortunately, the Delta Pro Ultra can’t use that same DC connection. You can still use the Dual Fuel Generator to charge the DPU and other power stations from Bluetti or Anker And you can still use the app and electric start functions. But it will have to go through the AC connection of both devices, which means the auto-start can’t function properly.
Charging Power and Speed
This fuel generator will produce 1,800W when used with gasoline or 1,600W when used with propane. Even though both fuels use the same engine, the output is slightly less with propane because it has less energy density.
In other words, using gasoline will let this recharge your batteries at the fastest speed, including:
- Delta Pro: 2.7 hours to charge its 3.6kWh battery
- Delta Max: 1.5 hours to charge its 2kWh battery
Since these use a direct DC-DC charging and a specialized EcoFlow X-Stream recharge process, this is about 40% faster than other fuel generators. So if you have one of these two power stations, the EcoFlow Smart Generator is the way to go.
For other batteries or power stations, you can calculate the recharge time by dividing the battery size by the recharge rate (1,800 for gasoline or 1,600W for propane). Include a cushion for inefficiency and AC conversion, perhaps about 30%. For example, a 6kWh battery would recharge in about 4.3 hours (6,000 / 1,800 * 130%).
The EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator can be a great addition to any off-grid RV, but the charging system works best with the EcoFlow Delta Pro and Delta Max.
Which Fuel Is Best
You don’t have to choose between gasoline and propane with this device. That’s the beauty of dual fuel generators. But it’s still a good idea to know what might work best for your needs.
There’s a built-in gas tank in the EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel). This integrated one gallon (4 L) tank runs the generator for 3 hours and creates 5.4kWh. You can bring your own gas tank to keep it running longer and create more power.
Propane creates a little less energy per gallon, around 4.3kWh. But there’s no internal tank for propane. You just connect your own propane tank to the Dual Fuel Generator. It has a neat quick-connect fitting that requires no tools. A standard 20-pound (~9 kg) propane tank will run the generator for over 12 hours and create 20kWh in total.
What’s best for you? Propane is best for long-term storage, like for a home backup system. But gasoline provides the fastest recharge.
Propane is stable and a better choice for an emergency supply as it’s unlikely to go bad. It’s also usually pretty easy to keep a propane tank just about anywhere and bring it along for adventures. The only downside is the recharge rate is 1,600W instead of 1,800W.
Gasoline will give you the quickest recharge rate at 1,800W, but you can’t leave it sitting around for too long. A fuel stabilizer additive can keep it stable for about a year.
Noise Muffler and Safety Features
The days of fuel generator noise filling up campgrounds 100% of the time are thankfully in the past. EcoFlow made sure to avoid bringing them back with a built-in muffler. From 23 feet (7 m) away, it will only be at 63db. That’s like a refrigerator running. And as far as small combustion engines go, that’s about as good as it gets.
On top of that, the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator is packed with safety features. These include:
- Carbon monoxide detector: Shuts down if CO levels are too high, a critical safety feature
- Overload avoidance: It can sense when being overloaded and will shut down automatically to prevent harm
- Temperature protection: Prevents overheating and autostarts in cold temps when needed
- Engine oil and fuel level alerts: Lets you know when critical fluid levels are low
Most of these are a nice convenience. But the CO detector is essential. Sadly, fuel generators cause serious injury and death due to the toxic fumes. If you’re considering buying any fuel generator, make sure to always run it in a ventilated space (not a garage or any enclosed compartment) and use a CO detector. The EcoFlow Smart Generator incorporates this vital safety device into the generator.
Maintenance Concerns
As a combustion engine, there is some maintenance you’ll need to stay on top of. What’s pretty neat is that EcoFlow provides most of the tools you need, including a spark plug socket, screwdriver, breaker bar, and wrench.
The maintenance includes the standard items you’ll find with any fuel generator. The more you stay on top of it, the longer your system will last and the better it will run. You’ll need to change:
- Oil and air filter: Every 3 months or 50 hours of use
- Spark plug: Every 100 hours of use
It only takes 0.21 gallons (0.38 L) of oil. And the air filter is washable and reusable. The only complaint we found is that the oil fill tube is a little awkward. So you might want to get a longer funnel to make the job easy.
And for those at high elevation above 3,000 ft (914 m), carburetor adjustments will help to keep it running well and reduce soot. EcoFlow staff is prepared to help you tackle this one-time task.
For more details, see the EcoFlow Smart Generator User Manual.
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EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator |
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Step-By-Step Guide to Using EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator
When you’re ready to use the EcoFlow Smart Generator, follow these steps:
- Do not connect any AC sources before starting it
- Check the oil level: Unscrew the dipstick lid, pull it out and wipe clean, then dip it in to check the level. Make sure it’s on a level surface. Add oil if needed using 10W-40.
- Check battery connections: Turn the maintenance panel knob to unlock, remove the panel, make sure both negative and positive cables are connected to the battery.
- Check fuel level or connect propane tank: Be sure to tightly close the gas tank cap after checking it, then turn the breather valve knob to “ON”.
- Turn the engine switch to “ON”
- Start with manual pull string, electric push button, or through the EcoFlow app
- If any equipment needs to be grounded, make sure to use the Smart Generator’s ground plug to provide a ground connection for it too.
- Connect the AC outlet to the device you want to power/charge.
At this point, your generator will be running and ready to power whatever device you need. This will use the AC output, which is the standard way that inverter generators function.
With Delta Pro or Delta Max
If using an EcoFlow Delta Pro or EcoFlow Delta Max Power Station, you can use a slightly different process. Once you get it ready to start with the levels checked, fuel source ready, and the engine switched on, connect the DC-DC power cable to the extra battery port. The EcoFlow Delta Pro requires an adapter (sold separately).
Then the EcoFlow Smart Generator will work with the Delta Pro or Delta Max to start and recharge as needed. You can set the desired battery levels in the app or on the Smart Generator’s screen. The default setting is 100%, meaning the generator will run until the power station’s battery is full.
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EcoFlow DELTA Pro to Smart Generator Adapter |
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With Delta Pro Ultra
Unfortunately, the Delta Pro Ultra has a different DC connection and a battery with a much higher voltage. This means that it cannot use the same DC-DC connection that the Smart Generator has.
You can still use the EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel) to power and charge the Delta Pro Ultra. But it must go through the AC 110V connection. This also means it can’t auto-start and monitor the DPU’s battery like it can for the Delta Pro and Delta Max.
For this reason, the Smart Generator may not be worthwhile for some DPU users. It is still an excellent, reliable fuel generator. And you do have the benefit of starting it electronically through the app. And it still uses both gasoline and propane, staying within the EcoFlow lineup.
The other problem of using the EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator with the Delta Pro Ultra is that it’s slightly undersized. The DPU’s battery starts at 6kWh. With this maximum 1.8kW output of the Dual Fuel Generator, that’s going to take about 4 hours to charge. And if you have more battery packs with your DPU, even longer. It might make more sense to go with a more powerful 3kW or 4kW fuel generator to make sure you can change those large DPU batteries faster. A lot of the best whole home solar generators are just too big for this fuel generator.
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EcoFlow Dual Fuel Smart Generator |
DFSG on EcoFlow DFSG on Amazon |
Wrap Up
With four start modes, a full set of integrated safety features, and dual fuel capabilities, the EcoFlow Smart Generator is an attractive product. It’s electric start and app connectivity put it far ahead of most on the market.
For those with the Delta Pro or Delta Max power stations, this dual fuel generator can also automatically monitor and recharge the power stations as needed. This next-generation performance is a standout and worth getting. But this specific capability is limited to these two products.
Want to learn more about off-grid power generation? Check out our post on How to Generate Your Own Electricity.
