When you’ve been following me for some time, you’ll know I’m a giant fan of getting a dependable transportable energy station within the motorhome. Even if in case you have good leisure batteries, photo voltaic, and an honest charging setup, having a separate energy financial institution you may belief makes life a lot simpler — particularly for those who take pleasure in wild parking or working remotely on the street.
EcoFlow has lately launched their new RIVER 3 Sequence, and the one which’s caught my consideration is the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi).
On this publish, I’ll clarify what it’s, the way it works, and whether or not it’s an excellent match for motorhome and campervan journey.
Let’s dive in.
*We work laborious to make this one of the best motorhome journey weblog and street journey web site potential, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so for those who purchase by hyperlinks on this web site we could earn a commission- at no further value to you. All opinions stay our personal.
When you discover this publish helpful, you may additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)
What’s the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi)?
The RIVER 3 Sequence has two base items:
- RIVER 3 – the entry-level mannequin
- RIVER 3 Plus – the extra highly effective model with enlargement help
The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) is created by taking the RIVER 3 Plus (Wi-fi) and attaching the bigger EB600 further battery, giving a complete capability of 858Wh.
EcoFlow then add their new Fast wi-fi charging module on prime — a small 5000mAh magnetic energy financial institution that doubles as a wi-fi charging pad on your phone- it’s actually intelligent!
So technically, the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) is:
RIVER 3 Plus (Wi-fi) + EB600 Battery
It’s a modular system, however the result’s one full unit with far more usable energy for street journeys while you’re not hooking into the mains.
Key Specs
Right here’s what issues for van life & motorhome use:
- Capability: 858Wh (that’s so much)
- AC Output: 600W steady (as much as 1200W with X-Increase) = can energy many home equipment, together with an air fryer.
- Ports: 3 AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C (100W), USB-C 140W, 12V automobile socket
- Wi-fi charging: 15W pad + 30W wired output
- UPS: <10ms switching
- Weight: 10.3kg
- Charging choices:
- Mains charging: 650W (0–80% in round 2 hours)
- Photo voltaic: as much as 220W
- Charging whereas driving
Why motorhomers would possibly need it
1. A superb dimension for short-to-medium off-grid stays
858Wh is sufficient to cowl:
- laptop computer charging
- telephones, cameras, drone batteries
- powering a router or Starlink
- operating a 12V coolbox or compressor fridge for a number of hours, or a 900W air fryer for some time
- low-draw home equipment like followers or LED lights
It gained’t run a high-power hairdryer or microwave, however that’s true for many transportable energy stations except you go for one of many massive Delta items.
For typical wild parking or a weekend off-grid, the Max Plus model is a superb center floor. It delivers far more than the smaller items and is lighter than the massive “dwelling backup” items that weigh 15–20kg+.
2. Works nicely alongside your present motorhome electrics
A transportable energy station isn’t nearly “further energy”. It’s about taking strain off your leisure batteries.
For instance, I all the time
- Cost my laptops and digicam gear from the EcoFlow, not my most important battery financial institution
- Use the Ecoflow to run my Starlink and electrical blanket.
This protects my leisure battery for operating the fridge, heating, lights and the rest key to the motorhome hab space.
The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) integrates simply as a result of it has commonplace AC retailers, USB-C, and a 12V socket. It’s also possible to cost it from the car’s alternator whereas driving, which is a giant win for those who transfer round often, like I do. (I not often keep in a single parkup for longer than two nights.
3. Quick charging — very helpful on the street
One of many largest frustrations with some transportable energy stations is how lengthy they take to recharge. The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) can go from empty to full from mains in round 2.3 hours, which may be very fast given its capability.
When you drive so much between stops, you may also use:
- Car charging – I cost mine up utilizing my inverter while I’m driving.
- Moveable photo voltaic panels, particularly helpful in summer season
4. UPS for shielding delicate tech
UPS (Uninterruptible Energy Provide) switching on the RIVER 3 Plus/Max fashions is underneath 10 milliseconds, which suggests for those who’re plugged right into a campsite hookup and the provision dips or cuts out (which does occur often), your units gained’t out of the blue energy off.
This issues for issues like:
- Router / wi-fi setup
- Starlink
- A gaming laptop computer
- A CPAP machine
- A desktop-style workstation
It’s not important for everybody, but it surely’s a genuinely helpful characteristic for distant employees or anybody who hates a dropped connection midway by a Netflix episode.
5. The wi-fi charging pad is surprisingly useful
The “Wi-fi” half comes as a result of Ecoflow have added a 5000mAh magnetic energy financial institution and a 15W charging pad on prime of the unit.
This implies which you could:
- Drop your cellphone on prime to cost wirelessly — no cable wanted
- Use the mini energy financial institution individually while you’re out exploring, with out taking the whole Ecoflow unit with you
- Cost one other system wirelessly whereas all of the sockets are in use
It’s not essential, however for somebody like me who has a LOT of issues she desires to energy without delay, it’s very handy.
6. Quiet operation — good for sleeping close by
The RIVER 3 Sequence is quiet. Very quiet. It’s listed as solely making 30dB. (roughly “library quiet”).
When you maintain your energy station on contained in the motorhome at evening, as I do, this makes a distinction.
Some cheaper items have noisy followers that kick on continuously, which isn’t preferrred while you’re making an attempt to sleep.
Downsides to contemplate (to maintain this assessment balanced)
No product is ideal, and there are some things to pay attention to.
1. 600W output limits heavy home equipment
It’s advantageous for laptops, routers, cameras, and lots of small units.
But it surely gained’t run some larger units, like
- massive hairdryers
- Giant capability air fryers
- induction hobs
That’s not a fault, simply the character of transportable energy stations at this dimension.
As a fast observe, for those who’re somebody who does need to energy heavier home equipment like kettles or giant air fryers, EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus is the following step up, with a 1024Wh LiFePO4 battery, 1800W output and is able to operating 99% of family home equipment. Nonetheless for on a regular basis motorhome use, the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) is way extra sensible when it comes to dimension & payload weight.
2. Weight and dimension
At 10.3kg, it’s not mild, particularly with the additional battery connected. It’s nonetheless compact sufficient for a motorhome, however you’ll must account for it in your motorhome payload, and in addition work out the place to retailer it.
When you solely want energy for telephones and laptops, the smaller RIVER 3 or RIVER 3 Plus may be higher.
3. Photo voltaic enter is nice, however not big
The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) takes as much as 220W of photo voltaic enter. That is completely advantageous for topping up in the course of the day, however for those who use quite a lot of energy (otherwise you’re touring in winter), you gained’t get full speedy recharges from photo voltaic alone except you have got exceptionally sunny situations and good panel placement.
4. You pay for the expandability
The Max Plus Wi-fi model isn’t the most cost effective possibility. If the additional battery and wi-fi pad don’t matter to you, the RIVER 3 Plus by itself is extra reasonably priced and nonetheless very succesful.
So… is the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) value it?
For a lot of motorhomers, sure.
It’s a sensible, versatile system that:
- covers on a regular basis 12V and AC wants
- expenses quick from a number of sources
- reduces pressure in your leisure batteries
- protects delicate tech with UPS
- works nicely for short-to-medium off-grid stays
- provides helpful wi-fi charging on prime
In order for you an influence station that’s sufficiently big for correct travelling, however not so massive that it’s awkward or costly, the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wi-fi) is a superb selection.
Clearly, it gained’t change your most important electrical system, however it is going to make vanlife simpler, particularly for those who work remotely or take pleasure in wild parking.
Score 8/10
Would Suggest? YES
