XT60, XT60i and MC4 Explained: Which Cable Each EcoFlow Solar Panel Needs

EcoFlow RIVER 2, RIVER 3 and most DELTA 3 power stations take solar through an XT60i port. Panels with an XT60 lead (the 400W Lightweight) plug straight in. Panels with MC4 leads need a Solar (MC4) to XT60i cable, which EcoFlow includes with its 160W and 220W single-face panels but not with the 400W rigid panels.

The connectors, in plain words

• XT60i: the solar input on RIVER 2 and RIVER 3 models and on the DELTA 3, DELTA 3 Plus, Classic, 1500, Max, Max Plus and Air models (one port on most, two on the DELTA 3 Plus and DELTA 3 2000 Air).
• XT60: the same plug family. EcoFlow PH says panels with an XT60 lead connect to EcoFlow XT60i ports directly, without an adapter. Some stations, like the DELTA Pro and the DELTA Pro 3’s High-PV input, use XT60 ports.
• XT60W: a waterproof (IP68) XT60 used on the 125W bifacial panel’s short lead.
• MC4: the standard round solar-panel connector, sold as a male and female pair. EcoFlow calls it the “solar connector”. Two MC4 panels join in series male to female.
• DC5521: a small round barrel plug, used on the 45W panel’s power-station output.

EcoFlow PH sells its Solar to XT60/XT60i charging cable in three versions: XT60 3.5 m, XT60i 3.5 m and XT60 5 m. Choose the one that matches your station’s port.

Which cable each EcoFlow panel needs

This is from EcoFlow’s manuals and box lists.

Two notes. The 60W listing’s electrical specs differ between EcoFlow’s own pages, so check the panel’s label. And the 160W and 220W panels we link are EcoFlow’s NextGen single-face panels with MC4 leads, not the Lightweight versions sold on the EcoFlow PH store, which have built-in XT60 cables.

Common mix-ups

“My 400W Lightweight cable is too short.” EcoFlow PH says no available extension cable works with its Lightweight panels. Move the station closer to the panel instead.

“I bought the 400W rigid pack and can’t plug it in.” The pack is two 400W panels and a manual; EcoFlow’s US store notes that the solar-to-XT60 cable is included with its portable panels, not these rigid ones. Get EcoFlow’s Solar to XT60i Charging Cable from the EcoFlow PH store. A third-party option is this MC4 to XT60i adapter cable on Shopee from Ranyag Solars. It isn’t an EcoFlow product and we haven’t verified its current rating, so confirm it’s rated above the panel’s 13.79A before using it.

“I want to join two 125W panels in series.” That needs XT60W-to-solar-connector (MC4) cables, which only come in the 500W (4 × 125W) set. On DELTA 3 models you don’t want series anyway: two make 100V, over the 60V limit. Link them in parallel with their own leads.

Big stations. The DELTA Pro 3’s High-PV input uses an EcoFlow “Solar to XT60” cable per its manual; whether a panel’s XT60i-ended cable fits it isn’t stated by EcoFlow. The DELTA Pro Ultra’s High-PV input takes MC4 leads directly. Check your station’s guide before buying.

For when to wire panels in series or parallel, read our series vs parallel guide.

Plug-in portable panels can be set up by the owner following the manual. Running cables into the house, onto the roof, into a breaker panel or to the grid needs a licensed electrician (PEE) and an LGU electrical permit.

What to buy

• EcoFlow 400W Lightweight on Lazada (no adapter needed)
• EcoFlow 220W single-face on Lazada (MC4 to XT60i cable included)
• EcoFlow 125W bifacial on Lazada or on Shopee (XT60W to XT60i cable included)
• For the 400W rigid pack: a Solar to XT60i cable per panel

Check today’s price. To pick the station first, try the which EcoFlow quiz.

Bottom line

On RIVER 2, RIVER 3 and most DELTA 3 stations, XT60 and XT60i plugs go straight in, MC4 panels need a Solar to XT60i cable, and only the 400W rigid pack leaves you to buy that cable yourself.