One of the best ways to keep your cell phone fully charged is through a portable charging brick. These lightweight and mobile power banks can save the day when you forget to charge your phone, or you use up the battery.
However, wouldn’t it be nice if you had a large enough power source for some of your essential electronics while camping or RVing? If you’ve been struggling to keep your electronics charged while adventuring, a Jackery may be something to consider. Let’s take a look!
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What Is a Jackery?
A Jackery is a mobile power source that has multiple outputs for charging and running electrical appliances. With models ranging from 160 to 2060 watt-hours, there are several options available. Whether you’re looking to charge your laptop, power a TV, or use a pressure cooker or coffee maker, there’s a model for your power needs.
How Does a Jackery Work?
A lithium-ion battery is at the heart of every Jackery. This battery stores a tremendous amount of power in a compact and lightweight structure to run appliances or charge your electronic devices.
A Jackery can’t power your electronics forever, as it will eventually require charging. You can use solar panels, an AC wall charger, or your vehicle’s 12-volt charger. Charging times will vary depending on the size, but as they use lithium-ion batteries, they’ll charge quickly.
Source: www.jackery.com
What Can You Power with a Jackery?
Depending on the size of the unit, you can run some pretty power-hungry electronics. All Jackery models can charge phones and laptops and power your lights. However, if you want it to power a CPAP, coffee maker, or pressure cooker, you’ll want one of the largest models.
The E2000, the largest unit currently available, can power an 1800-watt air conditioner for 106 minutes.
How Long Does the Jackery Last?
Jackery’s lithium-ion battery uses a BMS, or battery management system. This helps extend the life of the Jackery’s battery and ultimately keeps you in power for longer. Jackery states that their typical battery lasts 500 power cycles. This is typically two to three years for the average user.
Once it reaches 500 power cycles, the battery capacity will be approximately 80% of its initial capacity. It will slowly decline from then on, and the user will experience reduced performance.
500 cycles is quite low for a lithium battery but its because they use cost-effective prismatic cells. This is compared to a cylindrical that can last 5000 cycles like you find in Battle Born Batteries.
Source: www.jackery.com
Is a Jackery a Generator?
A Jackery is a portable power station but is not a generator. A generator creates energy, and this device stores power, so you’ll still need a power source to recharge the battery. A generator, solar panels, or a 12-volt car outlet are all great ways to recharge your Jackery’s battery.
Pro Tip: Considering a generator instead of a Jackery? We put together The Complete Guide To RV Generators.
Source: www.jackery.com
Who Jackery Power Stations Are Best For
A Jackery is for anyone who wants to power electronics or charge batteries when there’s not a convenient power source. Using it while camping in remote locations can greatly enhance your camping experience.
However, a Jackery isn’t just for camping. It can provide power for various occasions–a party, tailgating, or lost power during a storm. There are many uses for it, and you’ll constantly find new ways to use it.
How to Recharge a Jackery
When a Jackery needs recharging, you have a few options. You can use a standard 110-volt outlet to charge it. Whether you’re charging your unit using an inverter generator or a residential outlet, this is a quick way to fill your Jackery’s battery.
Another excellent option is solar panels. It’s much quieter than a generator but requires consistent sunlight. You’ll need several hours of direct light to get a full charge, but since you can usually move solar panels with the sun, you can gather significant power if it’s not an overcast day.
The final way to charge it is through your vehicle’s 12-volt power outlet (sometimes called the cigarette lighter port). Using this power outlet means you can charge your device while traveling to your next adventure. Depending on the distance you drive, it could be charged and ready to go when you get to your destination.
Types of Jackery Power Stations
If you want to add this useful power bank to your RVing equipment, there are a few options. Let’s look at which one might be right for you.
Jackery Explorer Power Stations
The Jackery Explorer Power Stations are a good option for a portable power solution without building an entire electrical system. These devices have AC outlets, DC carports, and USB charging ports. They can charge your electronics and even allow you to run high-powered appliances like CPAP machines, electric grills, and coffee makers.
They’re easy to use, quiet, create no pollution, and require no maintenance. Sizes range from 160 watts to 2000 watts.
- Clean and Unlimited Solar Energy: 100% green energy with smart...
- Easy to Use: The ergonomic shape of the handle grants an ease...
- Safe & Reliable for Outdoor Camping: Features industry-leading...
These power stations are convenient for off-grid camping with some electricity. They can enhance your camping experience and provide significant benefits for you and your fellow campers.
Source: www.jackery.com
Solar Generators
With a Jackery solar generator, you can use solar panels to collect and convert solar energy into electrical energy. A built-in MPPT controller will convert the power into usable energy that you can use for your appliances, electronics, and medical devices.
- EASY TO CARRY & KICKSTAND INCLUDED: Weighing at only 6.6 lb, this...
- HIGHER CONVERSION EFFICIENCY: The monocrystalline silicon solar...
- DURABLE & SPLASH-PROOF: The ETFE-laminated case is durable enough...
With this method, you have a completely green, quiet, and easy-to-use power solution. While you’ll have to purchase the Jackery initially, there’s no extra cost on fuel and maintenance as you continue to use it.
You can finally enjoy your electronics while boondocking and camping in remote areas without a noisy generator.
Source: www.jackery.com
Portable Solar Panels
The Jackery portable solar panels are portable and easy to use. You can fold them and strap them together to make setup and tear down as easy as possible. These panels have the highest efficiency in the industry at 23.7%, so you can take full advantage of sun power when charging your power station.
- EASY TO CARRY & KICKSTAND INCLUDED: Weighing at only 6.6 lb, this...
- HIGHER CONVERSION EFFICIENCY: The monocrystalline silicon solar...
- DURABLE & SPLASH-PROOF: The ETFE-laminated case is durable enough...
Panels range from 60W to 200W and $179 to $599 per panel. If you want a quiet and environmentally friendly way to charge your Jackery, it’s money well spent.
Pro Tip: Want to go solar? Picking the right panels can be complicated. Make it easy with Camping Solar Panels: An Overview of Your Best Options.
Are Jackery Power Stations Good?
Jackery power stations are a great addition to your off-grid camping gear. They provide many benefits and can significantly enhance your adventures. Simple things like making coffee, charging your cell phone, or even watching TV can be much easier with this handy tool.
We think it’s an excellent option for many who adventure in remote locations too. Everyone has their personal preferences, but if you’re looking for a device that’s easy to transport, fast to charge, and offers consistent power, this might be it.
How could a Jackery enhance your camping adventures? Drop a comment below!
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