Jackery portable battery bank or inverter?

[MikekiM]

Looking for feedback on the smallest battery bank in the Jackery line.. the Explorer 240.

My camping trips are generally four days at the most, more often two or three. My need for portable power isn’t great but it’s more than the 10k mah battery bank I take when backpacking.

I need to charge small portable devices (cell, tablet, InReach Sat Communicator, headlamp and sometimes a regular laptop. No fridge to power.. I am still using ice in a cooler.

I have an inverter that uses the cig lighter port, but.. I have no cig lighter port. Ditched it when I last did the dash accessories over. I am redoing my center stack switch panel and can modify the inverter to fit in the new panel, but that still leaves me relying on my one battery (Optima Yellow Top /D34-78 Deep Cell).

I could add a second battery for piece of mind, but that’s a big undertaking for something there might be an easier solution to.

Portable battery banks are popular but silly expensive. The Explorer has a small footprint, charges in 5.5 hours from solar, 12v DC or AC power. Well under $500.

Do you have any experience with the Jackery Explorer 240? How would you manage backup power given my use case above?

 

[CreepinDeth]

Have you looked into a portable folding solar array?
Just need a 12V battery with it, can be a Lithium

Ive been using them for years
They stay at camp and charge everything

Inverters take 12V DC and convert it back to AC
However that isnt necessary since all portables should charge off DC. Try to find ways ro minimize the back n forth

They also sell solar backpacks for hikers

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I don't believe you need an inverter (12 volts DC to 110 volts AC) for those needs at all. I've camped many times many days like that and just used 12 volt chargers for everything, they are available for your laptop too. None of those are going to drain a good automotive battery over that short of a period.

 

[CreepinDeth]

I just rememebered my Brother in law needed an inverter to power a blower in his blow up bed for Rubicon he just did a few weeks ago. FWIW they had the WORST experience BTW and hes a trail maniac

Iirc his OEM 150W inverter (i laughed) in his 2020 JL Rubicon wasnt capable of powering the blower because it drew 180W (120v x 1.5amps) so it kept poppin the fuse or breaker. So he had to go aftermarket 500W with battery clamps which worked

If you have things like this do the proper math to assess what you may need in an inverter is the point Im making

 

[macleanflood]

I littered my TJ with USB and 12v outlets. Plenty of them in 1 1/8" round. Optima yellow top...not the best but it works. 400w inverter for my laptop because it's a gaming laptop and they don't make a 12v adapter. Ran two 12g lines to both back corners.

Nice thing about Jackery is you can use it elsewhere. Same with portable solar. The 240 means watts it can support...that might not be enough for a more powerful laptop...look at your adapter for it's listed wattage.

-Mac

 

[dbbd1]

Jackery is a good brand name but, most, if not all, "solar" power banks will only top-off from the sun and not fully charge. Though, I have not seen the info on the Jackery. I use a goal-zero (solar only, not a power bank) with a USB adapter on it. It depends upon your needs.

Edit: I was assuming that the OP was referring to a power bank with the built in style solar panels.

 

[MikekiM]

Have you looked into a portable folding solar array?
Just need a 12V battery with it, can be a Lithium

Ive been using them for years
They stay at camp and charge everything

Inverters take 12V DC and convert it back to AC
However that isnt necessary since all portables should charge off DC. Try to find ways ro minimize the back n forth

They also sell solar backpacks for hikers

I don’t know what I don’t know….
Would you please tell me more about the solar array and needed battery? I know most of the battery banks are compatible with solar panels. Tons of YouTube vids on the topic of battery banks and solar panels but it makes my head spin at this point in my research.

I have the inverter packed away in the tool kit and haven’t used it for years. They’re a lesson to be learned there. I would rather modify what I have to accommodate a larger storage need.

I don't believe you need an inverter (12 volts DC to 110 volts AC) for those needs at all. I've camped many times many days like that and just used 12 volt chargers for everything, they are available for your laptop too. None of those are going to drain a good automotive battery over that short of a period.

I agree with you. Likely why it has sat unused for years. I don’t need or want to run any AC accessories other than the laptops and both my Chromebook and HP laptop can charge via USB C, as can all of the mobile devices.

I have a digital voltage gauge installed so I can monitor the status of the battery. Not sure how much reserve I need for a cold start, but I have never drained the battery.. yet.

I know I need something with more juice than the small battery banks I backpack with which were all chosen primarily based on weight.

I littered my TJ with USB and 12v outlets. Plenty of them in 1 1/8" round. Optima yellow top...not the best but it works. 400w inverter for my laptop because it's a gaming laptop and they don't make a 12v adapter. Ran two 12g lines to both back corners.

Nice thing about Jackery is you can use it elsewhere. Same with portable solar. The 240 means watts it can support...that might not be enough for a more powerful laptop...look at your adapter for it's listed wattage.

-Mac

View attachment 447260

View attachment 447261

View attachment 447263

View attachment 447262

Doubt I need that many ports.. I have a dual USB in the center stack, adding back the 12v cig lighter port. Have another dual USB on the back of the armrest storage in the center console. Maybe one more dual USB and a 12v at the passenger rear.

However, I like the idea of the secondary battery and portable seems to make sense.

Jackery is a good brand name but, most, if not all, "solar" power banks will only top-off from the sun and not fully charge. Though, I have not seen the info on the Jackery. I use a goal-zero (solar only, not a power bank) with a USB adapter on it. It depends upon your needs.

Not sold on Jackery on any other brand for that matter. Just mentioned them as they are popular at the moment. Living and camping in the NE we are constantly under the green-tunnel of a foliage canopy. A full day of sunlight on a solar array is rare. Might be useful for topping up the stores, but as a solar charging only, it would likely fall far short of what I need.

Maybe a dual battery setup is something to look into. Or maybe I just need to learn better battery management skills.

 

[srimes]

I just rememebered my Brother in law needed an inverter to power a blower in his blow up bed for Rubicon he just did a few weeks ago. FWIW they had the WORST experience BTW and hes a trail maniac

Iirc his OEM 150W inverter (i laughed) in his 2020 JL Rubicon wasnt capable of powering the blower because it drew 180W (120v x 1.5amps) so it kept poppin the fuse or breaker. So he had to go aftermarket 500W with battery clamps which worked

If you have things like this do the proper math to assess what you may need in an inverter is the point Im making

If that's all he needed an inverter for he should have bought a 12v pump instead.


I already had inverters, so I just bought this jump box instead.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015TKSSB8/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I want to be able to give myself a jump in case I get a dead battery. Also, I'm thinking I may be able to hook it up in series with the car battery and weld with it. Haven't tried that yet. It will power my 3000w inverter and run power tools.

 

[B34C0N]

I have a goal zero 150w and love it. It charges my laptop over USB-C when working from anywhere I feel like.

I use it to power this soldering iron without the need to run an extension cord. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B089ZSG7XG?tag=wranglerorg-20

it's useful for more than camping. When the power is out at home and you either don't have or don't want to start the generator, it's enough to keep phones and laptops going.

Nowadays you can buy power tools battery powered pumps for air mattresses and such. I have a Ryobi one that does inflatables, bike tires and even car tires.

 

[CreepinDeth]

---

I don’t know what I don’t know….
Would you please tell me more about the solar array and needed battery? I know most of the battery banks are compatible with solar panels. Tons of YouTube vids on the topic of battery banks and solar panels but it makes my head spin at this point in my research

Jackery makes solar off grid portable systems
One of the higher rated ones

Amazon look for Jackery SolarSaga
You can get a portable power station with it



I got myself a Rockpals 100W setup myself
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FH85FW9/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[CreepinDeth]

If that's all he needed an inverter for he should have bought a 12v pump instead.

It was built into the bed, so that wouldnt be an option. He called me 24 hours before leaving amd checkin all his gear

 

[CMBD]

Looking for feedback on the smallest battery bank in the Jackery line.. the Explorer 240.

My camping trips are generally four days at the most, more often two or three. My need for portable power isn’t great but it’s more than the 10k mah battery bank I take when backpacking.

I need to charge small portable devices (cell, tablet, InReach Sat Communicator, headlamp and sometimes a regular laptop. No fridge to power.. I am still using ice in a cooler.

I have an inverter that uses the cig lighter port, but.. I have no cig lighter port. Ditched it when I last did the dash accessories over. I am redoing my center stack switch panel and can modify the inverter to fit in the new panel, but that still leaves me relying on my one battery (Optima Yellow Top /D34-78 Deep Cell).

I could add a second battery for piece of mind, but that’s a big undertaking for something there might be an easier solution to.

Portable battery banks are popular but silly expensive. The Explorer has a small footprint, charges in 5.5 hours from solar, 12v DC or AC power. Well under $500.

Do you have any experience with the Jackery Explorer 240? How would you manage backup power given my use case above?

I have the 240 and their 60w solar panel. Was going to be temporary because I had another plan for power needs, but this setup is simple and works really well for me.

Easily runs my fridge and takes care of all my charging needs when camping in one place for multiple days.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Actually OP

Consider the 500W Rockpals battery bank instead
It costs about the same as the Jackery 300 battery

 

[SoCalTJ]

I have the Jackery 300 w/solar panels and love it. It does fully charge with the panels. Charges and runs all my electronics.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Jackery may make great stuff that does what it's supposed to do very well. I have not used any of it or even heard of the brand before a couple weeks ago so I'm not taking a side but...

I'll never understand how they think "Jackery" is a good name. I would expect to hear the average father yelling something like this at his kids, "Stop all that damn Jackery or I'll pull this minivan over!" or a mother stating, "You better straighten up right now or I'll tell your father about this Jackery when he gets home!"

I guess modern families may have a slightly different version of events but don't hand me some Jackery claiming they couldn't use that name as a word.

 

[CreepinDeth]

I have the Jackery 300 w/solar panels and love it. It does fully charge with the panels. Charges and runs all my electronics.

Yep, plenty if reviews out there confirm it
im takin mine out again in a week

 

[JPHikr]

Jackery Brand is WAY over priced. For what you get.

Geared toward Millennials who can't figure anything out.
But Hey they have as cool website the crap they sell must be good said one Hipster to another on Twitter.
They want $700 for a 200watt solar panel.

On Amazon for $400
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9SP6BNH/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Get a AGM battery from Walmart more capacity less, cost plus back up to jump your jeep.

EverStart Platinum AGM Battery, Group Size H8
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...Size-H8-12-Volt-900-CCA/40647529?athbdg=L1103https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W5SGBO/?tag=wranglerorg-20
And a inverter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SR1KNL4/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The left over money will fill your tank for an adventure.

If you want your jeep to charge it get one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RSD1M5L/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[CMBD]

Jackery Brand is WAY over priced. For what you get.

Geared toward Millennials who can't figure anything out.
But Hey they have as cool website the crap they sell must be good said one Hipster to another on Twitter.
They want $700 for a 200watt solar panel.

On Amazon for $400
[URL]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9SP6BNH/?tag=wranglerorg-20[/URL]

Get a AGM battery from Walmart more capacity less, cost plus back up to jump your jeep.

EverStart Platinum AGM Battery, Group Size H8
[URL]https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eve...Size-H8-12-Volt-900-CCA/40647529?athbdg=L1103[/URL]
[URL]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W5SGBO/?tag=wranglerorg-20[/URL]

And a inverter
[URL]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SR1KNL4/?tag=wranglerorg-20[/URL]

The left over money will fill your tank for an adventure.

If you want your jeep to charge it get one of these.
[URL]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RSD1M5L/?tag=wranglerorg-20[/URL]

The OP doesn't need a nearly 60lb battery for his intended use. There are better smaller options if you are building a system.

And how do you charge your setup camped in one spot for several days?

 

[CreepinDeth]

Jackery Brand is WAY over priced. For what you get.

Geared toward Millennials who can't figure anything out.
But Hey they have as cool website the crap they sell must be good said one Hipster to another on Twitter.
They want $700 for a 200watt solar panel.

On Amazon for $400
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9SP6BNH/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Get a AGM battery from Walmart more capacity less, cost plus back up to jump your jeep.

EverStart Platinum AGM Battery, Group Size H8
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...Size-H8-12-Volt-900-CCA/40647529?athbdg=L1103https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W5SGBO/?tag=wranglerorg-20
And a inverter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SR1KNL4/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The left over money will fill your tank for an adventure.

If you want your jeep to charge it get one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RSD1M5L/?tag=wranglerorg-20

So how is it gonna be recharged??

I dont see a charge controller. Dont get me wrong, its a hoss setup but ya didnt “figure it better” without a complete recharging system.

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-charge-controllers/

 

[srimes]

So how is it gonna be recharged??

I dont see a charge controller. Dont get me wrong, its a hoss setup but ya didnt “figure it better” without a complete recharging system.

[URL]https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-charge-controllers/[/URL]

you plug it in and watch the battery real close like a potato in the microwave