EcoFlow Battery Based Generators

 I've lived with EcoFlow generators for over a year now and I have thoughts. 

For me the hardware has been reliable, the real big issue is the software.  If your internet goes out, and your app session expires there's no way to use your phone to control the device, or monitor it.  You are out of luck until you get near an Internet connection. 

This kind of behavior is almost acceptable for printers but for a generator seems ridiculous.  

Honestly this is kind of ridiculous.  Many of us buy these units exactly because we need them in an emergency when both power and Internet service can be completely out.  Where I live we suffered a 2-day internet outage across multiple carriers due to a fiber cut. 

To me, requiring the Internet at all for a potentially life supporting product like a generator is absolute nonsense.  In practical terms the generators work without the Internet, but one big feature at least on my units:

• You cannot adjust the charging rate without the app

Why does this matter?  Imagine you have a vehicle inverter or gas generator which is 500W but your EcoFlow is set to charge at full speed, which is 1,800.   You are officially stuck with no way to charge the EcoFlow.  Attempting to charge them even for a short period will blow breakers. 

Compare this to a situation when you are safe at home and have an Internet connection.  You stop watching Netflix, go over to your EcoFlow app, sign in again, dial down the charging rate to 400 W or so and walk it outside to your gas generator. 

Of course, once you are aware of this you can prevent an issue by setting the charging rate ahead of time to something less than your maximum otherwise.  

I'm honestly not sure what the capability of other battery based generators is, but it is worth checking out how important an Internet connection is, and whether or not your app is going to work without it.