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The EcoFlow Delta 2 is the most popular plug-and-play power station for van life. 1,024Wh capacity, 1,800W output, $700-900. Zero wiring, zero electrical knowledge needed. Pull it out of the box, charge it, done. But is it actually a good deal?
On paper, the Delta 2 costs $0.78/Wh of capacity. A DIY 100Ah LiFePO4 setup (battery + MPPT + wiring) costs about $0.55/Wh and gives you 1,200Wh usable. The Delta 2 is 40% more expensive per watt-hour AND non-expandable. Once that 1kWh is gone, you're done until you recharge.
⚡ Expert tip
If you buy a Delta 2 for van life, charge it from your van's 12V system via the car charger cable while driving. This uses your alternator — free energy. Don't rely on solar charging the Delta 2 via its built-in MPPT — it's inefficient compared to a dedicated panel-to-battery setup.
Example calculation for your setup
Results based on a typical use case
| Appliance | Power | Usage/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression fridge | 45W | 24h | 1080 |
| LED lighting | 20W | 4h | 80 |
| Water pump | 30W | 0.5h | 15 |
| Phone charging | 15W | 2h | 30 |
| Daily consumption | 1205 Wh | ||
Recommended LiFePO4 battery
126 Ah
(80% depth of discharge)
Recommended AGM battery
201 Ah
(50% depth of discharge)
Recommended solar panels
302 Wc
4h average sun hours
Recommended inverter
No 220V appliances — no inverter needed
Adjust these values with the calculator below
VANPOWERCALC PROYOUR ENERGY PROFILE
YOUR ENERGY PROFILE.
This document contains the sizing of your future electrical installation, calculated based on your appliances.
Minimum Daily Consumption
0 WH / DAY
Inventory:
SYSTEM SIZINGPage 2
Battery
To guarantee 0WH without damaging your bank (80% max discharge):
0 AH
LiFePO4 12V
Solar
Minimum power required to recharge your consumption:
0 W
via MPPT
220V AC
Maximum power (with 25% safety margin).
0 W
No Need
Safety & CablingPage 3
12V Cable Sizing Guide
Use this professional reference table to select the correct gauge (mm²) for your cables. For 12V in a van, the maximum tolerated voltage drop is 3%. Always use multi-stranded flexible automotive wire.
| Current (A) | Round trip < 2m | Round trip 4m | Round trip 6m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5A (LEDs, USB) | 1.5 mm² | 2.5 mm² | 4 mm² |
| 10A (Fridge, Pump) | 2.5 mm² | 4 mm² | 6 mm² |
| 20A (Heater) | 4 mm² | 10 mm² | 10 mm² |
| 50A (DC/DC Booster) | 10 mm² | 16 mm² | 25 mm² |
| 100A (Inverter) | 25 mm² | 35 mm² | 50 mm² |
Fuse Sizing
The fuse protects the wire, not the appliance. Always place it as close to the power source as possible (battery or busbar).
- Wire 1.5 mm² → Max fuse 10A
- Wire 2.5 mm² → Max fuse 20A
- Wire 4 mm² → Max fuse 30A
- Wire 6 mm² → Max fuse 40A
- Wire 10 mm² → Max fuse 60A
SCHÉMA ÉLECTRIQUE
PANNEAUX SOLAIRES
0W
REGULATEUR MPPT
BATTERIE AUXILIAIRE
0 Ah
Lithium LiFePO4
FUSIBLE
FUSIBLE
BOÎTE À FUSIBLES 12V
Pompe, Leds, Frigo...
CONVERTISSEUR 220V
NON REQUI
PRO GEARPage 4
SHOPPING LIST
Where to find this equipment? Here is the community-approved selection.
12V 6-way Fuse Box
Mandatory protection
Digital Multimeter
Test your connections
Heavy Duty Crimping Tool
For perfect lugs
Heat Shrink Tubing
Insulation and safety
GENERATED BY VANPOWERCALC PRO - UNLIMITED.
About this tool
Where the Delta 2 actually makes sense: rental vans, short trips, people who don't want to (or can't) modify their vehicle. A weekend warrior who camps 10 nights a year doesn't need permanent wiring. Charge at home, throw it in the van, use it, bring it back. That convenience has real value. Where it falls apart: full-time van life. 1kWh covers a fridge for about 2 days, leaving nothing for lights, phones, or a laptop. The 1,800W output handles most appliances but the battery drains fast under heavy load — 30 minutes of induction cooking eats half the battery. You can't expand it meaningfully (the add-on battery costs another $600 for 1kWh). And when it eventually degrades after 3,000 cycles, you replace the whole unit — you can't swap cells like a DIY build. I keep a Delta 2 as an emergency backup in my Sprinter. It lives in a cabinet and comes out when I need portable power outside the van (campsite, job site) or if my main system fails. For that role, it's perfect.
Frequently asked questions
EcoFlow Delta 2 vs DIY LiFePO4 for a van?▼
DIY wins on cost ($0.55/Wh vs $0.78/Wh), expandability, and long-term value. Delta 2 wins on zero installation, portability, and simplicity. For full-time van life: DIY. For weekend trips and rental vans: Delta 2.
How long does a Delta 2 last in a van?▼
With a fridge (40-50W average): about 20-24 hours. Add phone charging and LED lights: 16-18 hours. Running a laptop full-time: 8-10 hours. It's a 1kWh battery — do the math for your specific loads.
Can I charge a Delta 2 from solar panels?▼
Yes, up to 500W input. But it uses its own internal MPPT which is less efficient than a dedicated controller. For van use, charging via the 12V car charger while driving is more practical — it pulls 8A (96W) from your alternator.
Is the Delta 2 expandable?▼
Sort of. The Delta 2 Extra Battery adds 1,024Wh for ~$600. But that's $1,400-1,500 total for 2kWh — you could build a 200Ah LiFePO4 system with solar for the same money and get 2.4kWh that's expandable to 400Ah later.
How many charge cycles does a Delta 2 last?▼
EcoFlow rates it at 3,000 cycles to 80% capacity — comparable to a mid-range LiFePO4 battery. At one cycle per day, that's 8+ years. The difference: when a DIY LiFePO4 degrades, you replace a $400 battery. When the Delta 2 degrades, you replace an $800 unit.