ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 3 Backup Powercell 8

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Mavgi

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Hi everyone,

I’m currently using the Viofo A329S 3-channel dashcam, but I'm experiencing issues with my PowerCell 8 battery not holding a charge (I have my battery backup mode set to LBR).
I would like to know if it’s possible to connect the PowerCell 8 battery to the EcoFlow River 3 as a backup.

Additionally, is there an option to charge the EcoFlow using a car cigarette lighter?



Thank you!
 
Yes--I have a fairly similar setup for when I need extended PM time, although I use Blackvue batteries. I get very deep into the weeds in the following linked comment, but essentially the River 3 can be charged from its included car charger into the XT60 port and then the R3 can charge the battery pack via the 12v cigarette socket output. There is a need to get switched power to the battery pack however so it can in turn "tell" the dashcam to enter parking mode.

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/parking-battery-power-station-3x-capacity-and-3x-cheaper-than-dedicated-options-extra-functionality.49972/post-652304

That whole thread is extremely useful to read over as there are variations on how to approach this, including just using a portable power station directly without any intermediary battery pack. But the battery pack meets my PM needs most of the time, so I wanted a quick and easy way to just insert my Ecoflow when needed.
 
For some reason, the link in @LeeShadow's post above doesn't work.
Try this one:

L

Post in thread 'Parking Battery-Power Station, 3X capacity and 3X cheaper than dedicated options + extra functionality'

Thought I'd follow up on my earlier posts here in case my final configuration inspires anyone else...it's a bit of an overkill situation (the story of my life) and it's a long post from a non-expert 😛
  • Front: Viofo A329TC with modified no LVC HK4 powered by Blackvue B130X battery mounted under passenger side dash. Battery is wired into the front switched accessory socket via a generic harness split-out adapter and uses the 5a-limited BV XT60 battery charging cable. I have the HK6 and may use it instead for the benefits of hybrid parking mode depending on long the BV battery lasts...
 
Thank you, @GPak !

And just yesterday afternoon I updated my setup to using the modified no LVC HK6 for the front A329TC and moved my modified HK4 to the rear VS1. Now I can use the full BV battery capacities when needed and also hybrid PM for the front. Everything continues to work as desired.
 
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Thanks guys


Could you please show me how you connected the HK6? I also plan to install the River 3 in the trunk. To ensure proper connectivity, I will need a long XT60 cable from the PowerCell 8 to the River 3
Xt60

Additionally, could you clarify exactly what is required to instruct the dash cam to enter parking mode, and if this is relevant to the HK6 (what I used)?
" ( There is a need to get switched power to the battery pack however so it can in turn "tell" the dashcam to enter parking mode.)"

Best
 
Mavgi said:
Thanks guys


Could you please show me how you connected the HK6? I also plan to install the River 3 in the trunk. To ensure proper connectivity, I will need a long XT60 cable from the PowerCell 8 to the River 3
Xt60

Additionally, could you clarify exactly what is required to instruct the dash cam to enter parking mode, and if this is relevant to the HK6 (what I used)?
" ( There is a need to get switched power to the battery pack however so it can in turn "tell" the dashcam to enter parking mode.)"

Best
Click to expand...

Apologies, how I wrote that was not accurate--there is a need to get switched power directly to the HK6 itself, not through the battery pack. Please see attached for more details around my own setup (and a big thanks to GPak for originally leading the way on this type of arrangement). Let me know if anything isn't clear.
 

Attachments

That 12v socket splitter wiring harness is a useful part to have! A little while ago, I melted the EcoFlow 12v utility port adapter when it worked itself loose and made only intermittent connection. The fuse was still intact despite the melted and distorted tip.

If you are planning to charge a parking battery, either be sure to limit the power draw to something less than HALF of the rated capacity for the utility outlet (the wires that connect to the outlet are not impressively thick).

Or, hardwire your parking battery directly to your car's battery and you (reasonably) can pull all of the power you want. This is the safest method of wiring a parking battery that will be charged when the engine runs:

E

Post in thread 'Is the 12V socket in the trunk of my SUV reliable for battery hookup?'

Just be careful with how much current you pull from the utility outlet. I would not attempt to pull more than about 70-80w (no more than half of its rated capacity) from that type of port. Although fused with a 15A fuse, those utility ports are often wired with pretty thin wire that is really not meant to carry that much juice for an extended period of time. I melted a utility port plug-in adapter by charging a parking battery at 8A. I don't know if it wiggled loose or not, but the tip melted due to excess heat. The fuse was still intact. This could have caused a fire...

EcoFlow Plug.webp
...
  • Like
 
EricSan said:
That 12v socket splitter wiring harness is a useful part to have! A little while ago, I melted the EcoFlow 12v utility port adapter when it worked itself loose and made only intermittent connection. The fuse was still intact despite the melted and distorted tip.

If you are planning to charge a parking battery, either be sure to limit the power draw to something less than HALF of the rated capacity for the utility outlet (the wires that connect to the outlet are not impressively thick).
Click to expand...

Yes, indeed, that's why I'm using the original BV battery socket charger cable (snipped off the 12v plug) for the connection from the 12v splitter harness--that limits charging to 5a for both my normal BV battery only setup as well as when the R3 is inserted ahead of the BV. I could probably get away with the 9a higher BV battery charging but didn't want to risk it since the front socket circuit has other things on it that might be in use at the same time.

What's interesting is that the wiring on the socket splitter is heavier gauge than the original vehicle wiring for the accessory socket (which as per the manual is rated for 120w...DC 12v/10a).

I've seem multiple reports of issues with the ECF 12v socket chargers melting and not just in this application. I bought some aftermarket ones with lower gauge cabling and replaced the 15a fuses with 10, just to be safe in this setup.
 
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Thank you all for your help.

I want to connect the charger to the back cigarette lighter in my car to avoid any issues or the risk of melting fuses when the vehicle is turned off. If I need to connect the yellow ACC wire directly to the car, I might choose to skip that option.
I'm concerned that any modifications could jeopardize the vehicle’s warranty, especially since it's an expensive car.
The reason I'm setting this up is that my Powercell only lasts about 6 hours with the A329S 3-channel camera, and I would like to have a backup that lasts around 24 hours.

Thank you again for your support.
Best
 
Mavgi said:
The reason I'm setting this up is that my Powercell only lasts about 6 hours with the A329S 3-channel camera, and I would like to have a backup that lasts around 24 hours.
Click to expand...

6 hours seems excessively low. What parking mode setting are you using? And which hardwire cable do you have--HK4 or HK6? Also what is your 3rd camera? I have my telephoto one turned off during PM, so it is then only the main unit and interior drawing power.
 
LeeShadow said:
What's interesting is that the wiring on the socket splitter is heavier gauge than the original vehicle wiring for the accessory socket (which as per the manual is rated for 120w...DC 12v/10a).
Click to expand...
I would not be surprised to see this was the case with nearly every car! When I was working on my son's Mustang, the wires to the utility outlet looked like 18g, maybe 16 at best. I didn't get a caliper on the bare wire, but I was most certainly NOT impressed with the overall wire thickness. The wires to the utility outlet in my Volvo are somewhat thicker, but again, not thick enough to impress me. When charging a parking battery, I'd like to see heavier wire than that as currents are likely in the 6-10A (or higher) range.

@Mavgi - if you are going to charge from the utility outlet, be sure to set some charging current limiters that hopefully exist in your battery settings.
 
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