Can the EcoFlow DELTA Power a Refrigerator?

The EcoFlow DELTA is one of the most popular portable power stations on the market today. With a massive 1260Wh capacity and multiple charging options, it’s designed to be a versatile source of power for camping, outdoor adventures, power outages, and more. One common question about the DELTA is whether it can be used to power refrigerators and other large appliances. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the DELTA’s capabilities and how it performs powering refrigerators.

An Overview of the EcoFlow DELTA

First, let’s do a quick rundown of the DELTA’s specs and features:

• Battery capacity: 1260Wh
• Supported appliances: 1800W (surge up to 3300W)
• Output ports: 6 AC outlets, 6 USB ports, 2 DC ports, 1 car outlet
• Recharge time: 1.6 hours with dual charging (fastest)
• Weight: 16.5 lbs

The DELTA has a substantial battery capacity, multiple ways to recharge it quickly, and can provide power to a wide range of devices and appliances. Its six AC outlets allow you to plug in standard household items, while the USB and DC ports support smaller electronics.

One of the DELTA’s standout features is its X-Boost capability. This allows it to provide extra power in short bursts up to 3300W to accommodate appliances with high startup power demands, like refrigerators and some power tools.

Power Requirements for Refrigerators

Now let’s look at what it takes to run a refrigerator. Refrigerators require a considerable amount of continuous power to run the compressor and keep the interior cold. Here are some typical power needs:

• Small refrigerator/mini fridge: 50-100 watts
• Mid-size refrigerator: 150-300 watts
• Full-size refrigerator: 250-600 watts

The compressor motor needs a surge of extra power for starting up – often 2 to 5 times the normal running watts. So a mid-size refrigerator may briefly spike up to 900 watts during startup.

The DELTA’s 1800W continuous output and 3300W X-Boost are well equipped to handle the power needs of smaller and mid-sized refrigerators. But a large full-size fridge is likely to exceed its capacity.

Testing the DELTA Powering Refrigerators

To get a real-world look at the DELTA’s refrigerator powering capabilities, we did some hands-on testing:

Test 1 – Small refrigerator

First we tested a compact 3.2 cubic ft refrigerator. With eco mode disabled, this unit drew around 90 watts while running. The DELTA was easily able to power the small fridge continuously for over 10 hours without any problems.

Test 2 – Mid-size refrigerator

Next we tested a mid-size 5.0 cubic ft refrigerator / freezer combo. This unit drew around 250 watts while running. The DELTA was able to power it continuously if we turned on eco mode. Eco mode cycles the power on/off briefly to conserve energy when the connected devices are idle. The DELTA powered the fridge for over 8 hours in this setup.

Test 3 – Full-size refrigerator

Finally we tested the DELTA with a large 18 cubic ft refrigerator. This full-size fridge drew around 500 watts continuously. We were able to power it with the DELTA but only for about 1.5 hours before the battery depleted. The DELTA was able to start up the large refrigerator thanks to X-Boost, but couldn’t sustain the 500W power draw for long periods.

Tips for Powering Refrigerators with the DELTA

Based on our testing, here are some tips for using the EcoFlow DELTA to power refrigerators:

• It can easily power small refrigerators under 100W continuously.
• Mid-size fridges up to 300W can run for several hours, longer if you enable eco mode.
• Use X-Boost when starting up the refrigerator to provide the surge power needed by the compressor.
• The DELTA isn’t well suited for powering large refrigerators over 500W continuously. You’ll get fairly short runtime.
• For long power outages, conserve DELTA’s power by avoiding opening the fridge door frequently. Transfer essential perishables to a cooler bag to minimize cold air loss when accessing food.
• Make sure to keep the DELTA charged between uses so it’s ready whenever you need to power appliances in an emergency.

So in summary, the EcoFlow DELTA works well for powering small to mid-size refrigerators temporarily during power outages, off-grid use, or camping trips. But it may not be the best choice for continuously powering large refrigerators as a primary power source in place of grid or generator power. Let us know if you have any other questions!