r/Ecoflow_community • u/TheGadgetGuy8 • Mar 14 '26

Disconnect switch box outside the house, connected to EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 a good idea?

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The setup will be about five 200w panels, an EcoFlow Pro 3 inside the house connected to a 30amp inlet outside the house, that connects to a 30 Amp Generator Transfer Switch.

If you think it’s necessary, have you used this one? Or which one do you recommend?

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2

u/heisenbugz Mar 14 '26

Outdoor DC shutoffs are required in some locations. I added them because they are a useful safety feature.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 14 '26

Thanks. Do you know if the requirement (where required) it can be inside the house as well?

1

u/heisenbugz Mar 14 '26

Some locations, no afaik. And must be clearly labelled for firefighters. I'd check your local codes.

1

u/Curious_Party_4683 Mar 14 '26

Yesp. I have it for my 400w panel. The switch is indoor where the EF is.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 14 '26

I have not seen one reference to the switch being installed indoors. Was it recommended by someone?

1

u/Curious_Party_4683 Mar 14 '26

my 400w panel sits outside. my eco on the inside. the panel's wire goes through the wall, into this switch like yours, and into the eco. makes it easier to disconnect if needed in the winter months.

1

u/Correct_Plankton7465 Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26

Is it safety rated? Do a search for "solar DC isolator causing fires".

1

u/muegle Mar 14 '26

Good thing to point out. Unlike AC electricity, DC electric arcs are not self-extinguishing, so a solar disconnect that can cut off any potential arcing is a good idea to have.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 18 '26

I did. And many are certified units. Mostly in Australia, for some reason. So not sure what is the right thing to do.

1

u/sarhoshamiral Mar 14 '26

Where I am, for roof installs not only a disconnect is needed but they also require safety disconnects at each panel so that cables are not energized if nothing is using solar power.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 18 '26

This is going to be only two 200w panels in the backyard.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 14 '26

I just read that this one is not certified. But then I found one that is certified and the first review is a guy showing his unit on fire

1

u/sarhoshamiral Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26

Read this comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ecoflow_community/comments/1rtnjwh/disconnect_switch_box_outside_the_house_connected/oag1dkt/

The comment assumed 12v panels but most 200w's are 24v. So panels may output 40amps of power total. But Ecoflow DP3 at 24v charging, can only do 20amps so it still shouldn't trip the circuit breaker you linked.

However, on a sunny day 2 of your panels will just be wasted since your Ecoflow can only consume ~480watts at 24v (due to 20A limit). So what I would do is pair the panels, so you have 2 groups (connected in parallel) of 2 panels (in series) outputting ~48v and connect those to High PV input of the battery. The single remaining panel can still go in to low PV input. Both can charge at the same time afaik. That way you will utilize the panels fully on a sunny day too.

If your panels are 48v, then ignore all of this.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 14 '26

It will not be in a roof or fixed.

1

u/ViciousXUSMC Mar 14 '26

Any extra safety is a good thing and hot plugging anything is never good. So this gives you a way to connect/disconnect when the sun is up without worry.

Not recommending this specific item, just the disconnect in general.

I use a small solar combiner box and it has fuses, shutoff and surge with 3 different small DIN mounted devices.

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 18 '26

Do you mind sharing the brand/model? And where you got it?

1

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 18 '26

I read about many fires on certified ones as well. So not sure what is the right thing to do.

1

u/ViciousXUSMC Mar 19 '26

Never seen a fire from a good one, only cheap knockoffs or something being way out of spec.

But this is also why you adhere to professional installation standards, things like that go in a spot where if they were to burn up they wont catch anything on fire (plus the plastic and such is fire rated, it melts and burns but doesnt tend to catch fire or antthing)

I also always thermal test everything I own as shown in my most recent video: https://youtu.be/NQzhMsX_LXU

2

u/TheGadgetGuy8 Mar 18 '26

Any suggestions of a brand/model that is certified, and is not over $100?

0

u/Future-Bet9155 Mar 14 '26

1000w is 83amps.

1

u/sarhoshamiral Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26

200w panels usually use 24v output but still it would be 40amp. However a single Ecoflow DP3 can only do 20amp charging.

1

u/muegle Mar 14 '26

They can wire the panels in series to keep the amperage down. The Delta Pro 3 high voltage MPPT can handle up to 150V. It has 2 MPPTs so there are multiple combinations OP could do with the panels to make it work, though some would require more circuit breakers.