Electric Log Splitter with EcoFlow Delta Pro

[zackboll]

Hi everyone,

I have a Boss 16 ton electric log splitter that I have used to split around 10 cords so far. I would like to be able to split wood at more locations on the property so I recently purchased an EcoFlow Delta Pro that I can place in the back of my UTV. I have been able to get the EcoFlow working with the log splitter, but it currently is not really a practical setup.

My working (unpractical) setup is as follows.
Feed wall power and EcoFlow power into automatic transfer switch. Power up the splitter using wall power, then switch over to EcoFlow power with the transfer switch. Doing this, I was able to split for around 3 hours today using EcoFlow power. Today's test was really to see if the EcoFlow is capable of handling the electric log splitter once the motor is started, which appears to be the case.

In order for this setup to be practical for me, I need to be able to start the AC motor without overloading the EcoFlow inverter. I have tried 2 products so far:

https://www.amazon.com/InnoRaymond-GS11-Soft-Starter-120V/dp/B07VQDMFZD/ref=sr_1_41?crid=2CU9VEYWH6M9G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.96XfMixd3A3A9lr0r0qAaFHNYs7yvv__9OA21ljVRGQ2GTI0n2L_l_pU1PZmL5ki3nzPrz6edcCUs4V3KIRwuflz_EekpVYYK-sRU62t25psnG-UVq_rnswiMDkUN57xb0azb52zcYTL7Ez-lZ57bd2uB9yfhMHHmd-mdeZp8adypMbXhBfcRP1ZneUEULcygTN125WpEGgn4YkbFlTa4WGPYyYERUjJOwicoNrjHbaC-uvBiBHoxfnSDwUzfMErBo8CDUdzLJVtSc9zOkda_zudhgaURKQYg8ajWVIxkdI.pvuJr-3dZqJGMRMv6-6lTuH-raeQcMNTAT6of0SfH0Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=soft+start&qid=1729473131&sprefix=soft+start%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-41

and

SoftStart 20 amp Inverter Model - ACS20PIM & ACS20PIM-S

20-amp soft start product from ActiveStart, is ideal for power pedestals, generators. Easy plug-in, app-customizable. Designed to respond faster for inverter setups and small generators. Perfect for RVs, glamping, tailgating - ensures smooth AC and appliance operation with 2100 joules

active-controls-llc.myshopify.com

I haven't been able to get either product to work for my application. I am still working with the owner of Active Start to see if we can come to a solution.

Another thought I had was adding a hard start kit to my electric log splitter to increase available in rush current available. Does anyone have any thoughts on this and whether it may work?

Thanks,
Zack

 

[dougstove]

Hi any progress on this issue? I am wondering about a similar setup.

 

[zackboll]

Unfortunately I was unable to get the log splitter to start with my EcoFlow Delta Pro. Once the log splitter was running, the delta pro could handle the load fine, but it looks like startup required over 42 amps which would overload the delta pro. I did end up trying the power tools model from Active Controls LLC, but did not have success getting the splitter started.

I eventually plan to replace my Kawasaki Mule with an electric UTV, I may try with a larger electric inverter at that point. For now, I am just going to haul the wood back to the house to split.

 

[burning VC]

i suck at electricity.

sounds like you need a start capacitor, similar to outdoor unit
eletric fan motor on a heat pump?

 

[dougstove]

I am puzzled; Ryobi has a battery powered kinetic splitter; so it is possible. The high current start requirements must be wired in to the battery powered units. But I would prefer a generic battery and standard electric tool.

 

[zackboll]

My Boss electric splitter has an AC induction electric motor. There are a couple Li-ion battery splitters available for sale, harbor freight sells one that likely uses a DC motor.

I did look at the wiring of the motor, there is a fairly large 80uF capacitor required for the motor operation. If I installed a bigger capacitor or another capacitor in parallel, it would change the run characteristics of the motor and potentially burn it out.

They do make hard start capacitor kits (typically used for old / failing AC units) that you can wire in parallel with the existing capacitor, and a relay takes the capacitor out of the circuit a few seconds after starting the motor. This extra capacitor increases available in rush current available to the motor at startup.

I couldn't get a definitive answer whether a hard start capacitor kit would help my situation so I ended up giving up on the idea for now. The way my splitter electrical box is wired, nothing gets power until I press the switch (including the existing run capacitor).

 

[dougstove]

Thanks for update; I remain interested in any progress. Also wondering about whether the vehicle to load from F150 Lightning or Silverado EV would be ok; they are made for worksites so I guess so. From reading LiFP batteries have a lower 'C' factor (A/Ah) for maximum discharge rate, compared to lead acid. Best regards for 2025.

 

[dougstove]

Hi;
I am not an electrician, but am interested in powering an ordinary electric log splitter from a general use battery.

There are all-in-one battery powered splitters, ex.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ryobi-40v-hp-kinetic-log-splitter-kit/1001830479

But lugging multiple battery systems for different tools is expensive and heavy.

My understanding is that:
-Electric motors have an 'in rush' current when starting, because the rotor is not moving relative to the stator, and resistance is low. The inrush current can be ~ 5-8X the running current
-Batteries have a 'C' factor which expresses the rate at which current can be delivered. For LiFeP batteries 'C' is 1; so a 100 amp h battery can deliver a maximum current of 100 A. I think some lead batteries have higher C factors, but many other disadvantages relative to LiFeP.

So an issue with running an electric splitter from a battery is if the inrush current exceeds the maximum current deliverable, as shown by the original poster whose battery can run the splitter if started from another source.
Will Prowse of DIYSolar built a home made battery/inverter/solar storage system:

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which I think could do the job for a moderate electric splitter; the DIYSolar system has a maximum current delivery of 40-50 A.
best regards from Nova Scotia where yellow birch is cooking away in the Pacific Energy Super27.