Do You Want a Solar Powered Power Station? Here’s a Time-Tested Guide
Admittedly, most of us deeply love the traditional gas-powered generator, isn’t it so? Certainly, we were not always used to the advantages that come with the portable power stations.
After all, gas-powered generators have been around with us for years. And when we lose power suddenly, we know that these machines can do wonders; they can help us get things back to normal. That’s wonderful!
But here’s a problem:
Many gas-powered generators are excessively noisy; at the same time, they often emit smelly fumes. What is more- you usually have to set aside a special place to keep them safe. And you know that gas-powered generators can cause extensive damage to the environment.
As such, in recent days, many have resorted to using portable indoor solar generators. The machines come with plenty of advantages. Besides being clean, solar generators are generally easy to use and don’t need a fossil fuel input.
Further, as modern technology improves, solar generators have become more affordable; they’re now accessible even to those who could not afford them in the past.
So, what type of portable power station is suitable for your apartment?
In this post, we’ll get some powerful, practical tips.
Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
Power Capacity 293Wh
2.5 Hours to Full Recharge: Charging by a 90W wall charger and 60W USB-C PD charger simultaneously, the Explorer 300 can be charged to 80% in only 2 hours. You can also recharge the Explorer 300 via a solar panel, car, or generator
EcoFlow DELTA Max Portable Power Station
Power Capacity 2016Wh
- Home emergency power DELTA Max expands up to 6kWh with Smart extra batteries, keeping your home powered on in any emergency.
- Best solar powered generator Stay powered on no matter what. DELTA Max connects with up to 2x 400W EcoFlow solar panels to deliver 800W Max solar charging speeds
BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station
⚪ Power Capacity 2,048Wh
- 2,200W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter (4,800W Surge)
- Expandable Up To 6,144Wh with 2×B230, or 8,192Wh with 2×B300
Rockpals 1300W Portable Power Station
Power Capacity 1254.4Wh
Capable for powering refrigerators, electric blankets, blenders, power tools, electric grills, and any general-purpose appliance, the Rockpals 1300W is your first choice for the outing in all seasons. It includes AC/DC/PD/USB/Car Charge output: 3AC outputs (Peak 2000W), 2DC outputs, 2QC 3.0 fast-charging USB ports and 1 USB port, 1 Carport, 1PD output(PD can also have input function).
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What Does the Terms “Indoor Generator” and “Portable Power Station” Mean?
Yes, what does the term “indoor generator” mean? Some might wonder about this. Well, an indoor generator is an electricity storage device that you can use again and again to power your electronics indoors. This type of generator is otherwise known as a “portable battery power station.”
Nowadays, many people use the indoor generator as a viable alternative to the traditional gas generator. We know that the latter can be costly to operate, loud, and unsuitable for indoor activities. Why? To be safe for use indoors, a power generator must have the following characteristics:
How Will You Benefit From Using these Generators?
Do you live in a small property or an apartment? Of course, this means you cannot usually use an outdoor generator. Your best option is the portable indoor generator. This can provide emergency or backup power.
Here’re a few more benefits of a portable indoor generator:
You can easily store the generator in a cabinet or closet and keep it for emergency use. They are also easy to lift, move around or carry when traveling.
Eco-Friendly
You don’t need gas to run this generator. This means you can avoid harmful carbon emissions since most are designed for solar recharging. You don’t have to depend on the car battery or a wall outlet either.
Suitable for Outdoor or Indoor Use
Portable generators are versatile- they’re designed for indoor and outdoor use. This is unlike the traditional gas generator.
Without a doubt, an indoor generator comes with plenty of benefits. Here are other reasons why many are avoiding the traditional gas-powered machine and turning to indoor generators:
- You can safely use indoor generators to access power during storms and power outages
- They can run your medical devices (like the CPAP machine) at night
- They are suitable for indoor emergency power backup
- You can use them for boon-docking or inside the camp or tent when the regular power grid is inaccessible
How Portable Power Station Work
The battery is an indoor generator’s most crucial part. Generally, a portable power station (or indoor generator) can run your appliances and electronic devices, utilizing its pre-charged battery capabilities.
Indoor generators can power devices with a set of built-in output options. The generators also use a combination of DC (carport plugs), USB (type A or C) ports, and AC wall plugs.
There are three primary methods of recharging an indoor generator:
- You may recharge it from a standard AC wall outlet
- From your car’s DC power port
- You can use a suitable solar panel
Pick an Efficient Generator
Certainly, indoor portable generators can be crucial during emergencies when people cannot access other fuel sources. As we know, solar generators use portable or stationary panels to absorb energy from the sun. They subsequently convert this into electrical power, which is safely stored in a battery.
Ultimately, which generator is best?
First, think of it: How much power do you actually need? What amount do you require to run everyday household appliances like TVs, laptops, and other gadgets? If you go out on camping expeditions, how much power do you need for your RV?
All these factors are important.
As a rule, the household refrigerator usually uses between 100 to 400 watts. Hence, calculate your wattage needs. Once you do this, you can purchase a generator that doesn’t cost too much yet can power your crucial equipment. Don’t pick the most expensive generator- choose the most efficient.
We recently did in-depth research into the subject; as a result, we can confidently recommend our pick of the best portable solar indoor generators one can find on the market in 2022 and beyond.
The Research
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium Portable Power Station
Like many others, do you love nature? Do you enjoy the adventures and thrills of a pleasant road trip? In any case, why not try the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium portable power station?
While some might consider it expensive (it costs about 1,200), something else usually attracts others- the device comes with a 3000w surge power Pure Sine Wave inverter. This unique feature has aroused the interest of many. Undoubtedly, the device has fantastic capabilities for charging solar panels.
What kind of device is the Goal Zero Yeti 1000? Essentially, the Goal Zero Yeti is an impressively sizeable portable power station. You can use the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 to provide backup power at home. You may use it whenever you go out on an outdoor camping trip.
Many find that the Goal Zero Yeti 1000’s 40 lb weight makes it especially suitable for home backup power. Such weight is undoubtedly unsuitable for a muddy campsite. You can use the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium portable power station to power refrigerators and power tools.
Essential Features of the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium Portable Power Station
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 is suitable for running multiple devices while on a camping trip. It can power most home appliances like TVs, laptops, and refrigerators; these can continue running for a few hours during a power outage. What essential features will you get with the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium?
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium offers 1,084 watt-hours. The devices’ lithium-ion battery can provide 500 charging cycles to a maximum 80% capacity. This means it can last long if used sparingly. The device can be charged using AC outlets (or wall outlets). You can also charge it with solar panels. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to charge the device from a DC 12 v car charger.
Here’s a quick roundup of some of the generator’s essential features:
- The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium comes with a 10.8 v, 96.8Ah 1,084wh lithium-ion battery
- It provides 500 charge cycles (80% capacity)
- It has a 3000w surge inverter
- Features a Light-Up Digital Screen (the screen provides all the important information)
- Offers 1500w pure sine wave inverter
- Has 2x AC outlets
- 4X USB outlets (max 12w)
- 1 x DC (12V) outlet
- 200W solar panel charging (Anderson Pole or 8mm Anderson Pole input)
Interestingly, someone recently took the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium portable power station on a camping trip and used its “Hot Logic Mini” oven to make a quick pizza right in the middle of the forest! You sure want to try that.
The Jackery Explorer 240
The Jackery Explorer 240 is considerably larger than most of the other reviewed generators. Nevertheless, the Jackery Explorer 240 is generally portable- you can carry it by hand. So, we can appropriately describe the Jackery Explorer 240 as semi-portable. Why would you need a device like the Jackery Explorer 240?
Well, powers stations of this range- weighing around 6.6 pounds- are popularly considered excellent preps. The power station is small enough to recharge off your portable solar panel; it’s big enough to provide many small power appliances with much-needed power.
You may even power medical devices that use the AC wall plug. And you can use the Jackery Explorer 240 to top off smaller “packable” packs. Thus, you may leave the larger bank at the base camp and pack the smaller banks out there- in the bush.
The Jackery Explorer’s General Specs
- Weight: 6.6lbs
- Capacity: 240Wh, (67ah at 14.4V)
- Price: approximately 250
- Charging ports: Works excellently with the Jackery Companion solar panel. Great input with adapters for the 12v car outlet and the AC wall outlet.
- Power ports: 12v car outlet, 2X USB (5V, 2.4A), 110v, 200w AC outlet.
Functionality and Features
You’ll find that the Jackery Explorer is a pretty simple, no-frills station device. This is essentially a 18650 cluster, carefully attached to the charging circuitry and the basic output ports.
The Jackery Explorer features a beautiful LED screen on its front part. The screen indicates the current charge level. It also shows which outputs and inputs are still active.
BLUETTI EB55
You also have a wonderful, middle-of-the-road option on offer: the Bluetti EB70. The device offers users a 716Wh support for electronics that consume up to 700W. You can have a red or black power station- complete with a convenient carrier handle. The device has several plug and port options.
- Weight: 6.6lbs
- Capacity: 240Wh, (67ah at 14.4V)
- Price: approximately 250
- Charging ports: Works excellently with the Jackery Companion solar panel. Great input with adapters for the 12v car outlet and the AC wall outlet.
- Power ports: 12v car outlet, 2X USB (5V, 2.4A), 110v, 200w AC outlet.
The Bluetti EB70 has the following important elements:
- Two 5V/3A USB- A ports
- 4 pure sine wave AC outlets
- Two 12v/10A DC outlets
- Two 100w USB-C ports
- A 15W wireless charging pad
- A 12V /10 A car port
The bluetti eb70 supports up to 700w; the device is so powerful that it can run many high-power-consuming appliances, including mini-refrigerators, heaters, and the like. It will still have ports to accommodate your iPads, iPhones, Macs, and such other devices. over, with the USB-C ports, you can charge devices like the MacBook Pro at near full speed.
The Bluetti EB70 comes fully equipped with an ultra-stable battery. It can provide 2,500 cycles up to the 80% capacity. The mechanism and design mean that you are safe from safe-circuiting, overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating, and overloading.
The Bluetti EB70’S LED’s powerful LED screen shows you the battery level and power draw. The Bluetti is also equipped with a beautiful built-in flashlight.
EF ECOFLOW RIVER Pro
EF ECOFLOW RIVER Pro features three 600w AC outlets- since it has a 720Wh capacity, it can simultaneously power up a maximum 10 devices with several outlet options; the device also features three pure sine wave AC outlets.
As noted, while weighing only 15.9lbs, the device provides a maximum 720Wh power. You can recharge it to reach 80% within a short, 1 hour period. In fact, you can get the device to charge fully in just 1.6 hours.
With the versatile EF ECOFLOW RIVER Pro, you certainly have the power to have power at home or away! The device offers a fantastic portable means to charge your devices anywhere and everywhere. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going out on the next RV trip, if you’re on holiday or whether it’s a backwoods camping expedition.
Essential Features of the Ecoflow River Pro
The EF ECOFLOW RIVER Pro can power multiple devices that range up to 1,200 watts. Why should you choose the EF ECOFLOW RIVER Pro over the traditional gas-powered generator? Those who regularly travel from site to site and construction site workers will likely find it practical.
Generally, a solar power station has one great feature- since it uses clean energy and doesn’t emit fumes, you can safely use it to run equipment, indoors or outdoors. It also operates silently.
The device also comes with the following accessories:
- A car charger / 12Vdc 8A
- AC Output (x3) / 600W (total, 120Vac)
- Two USB-A outputs / 5Vdc, 2.4A, 12w per port
- USB-A fast charge / 5Vdc, 28w maximum, 9Vdc, 12Vdc, 2.4A
With the EcoFlow RIVER Pro, users can have a high-output power station that maximizes portability, flexibility, and functionality.
The EcoFlow can efficiently run multiple devices simultaneously; this is one characteristic that you’ll likely find missing from most portable power stations.
When Buying a Portable Power Station, What Should You Look For?
You must consider a few crucial factors when planning to buy a good portable indoor generator. Consider the following:
Output Potential
The indoor generator capacity and availability of outlets are crucial factors. You might need several USB ports or AC wall plugs; it all depends on your power needs. Are you going to use devices with high power needs? Ensure the chosen generator is rated to supply continuous wattage.
Also, think about the power inverter’s size- usually, the bigger the appliances you’ll need to power, the bigger the inverter.
We recommend using a 500-watt inverter; this is the sure way to guarantee you’ll run your essential household equipment.
Determine the Amount of Power You Really Need
In most cases, you’re not likely to satisfy your power requirements for the entire house or apartment using a portable generator. Thus, it’s important to calculate the amount of power used daily. How much of this is really essential? Can some be rotated? How much is optional?
Suggestion: Here’s how to calculate: Walk around the home and list everything you need or merely want to power. Some of these could be the sump pump, radio, refrigerator, laptops, other electronic items, mobile phones, medical items (like the CPAP machine), and portable heaters.
From the list, how much wattage does each item require?
Simply check the appliance labels to determine this. You can, otherwise, use our ready generator wattage calculator on the website.
Determine the Battery Capacity
As noted, the actual value of the indoor generator lies in the battery. If it has more watt-hours, it’ll provide more power. Try to calculate the amount of power you need. What do you need to power? Calculate the average load in watts.
Here’s how: If you want to power a 75-watt fridge, some 20-watt bulbs, or a 65-watt TV, you need 160 watts. Next, divide the generator’s battery capacity (in watt-hours) by the load in watts- this gives you the hours the generator can power this load.
Pick the Best Type of Battery
The most popular battery options are lithium-ion and lead-acid. The latter is used to power the likes of automobiles. Lithium-ion is often used to run power tools.
Since it’s lightweight, it’s often used in solar-powered generators. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive but have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries.
Can it Connect Easily with a Solar Panel?
We have three main types of solar panels- polycrystalline solar cells, thin-film (amorphous crystal panels), and monocrystalline panels. The efficiency levels set the difference. Monocrystalline panels are more commonly used than polycrystalline panels; they’re also slightly more efficient.
Thin-film panels are products of the most modern technological advancement; they are flexible, light, durable, and more affordable. But their efficiency is about 50% compared to the others. They either come with the generator or may be sold separately.
It’s essential to note that most of the featured generators have the ability to hook up with solar panels. This means you can charge them yourself using solar power. Thus, they’re particularly handy in places with no access to normal electricity, campgrounds, and other places.
Charging Capacity
Next, determine the indoor generator’s full charging capabilities. Is it possible to plug the device directly into a wall outlet? What of the solar panels? And the car? Does it take longer to charge fully? Always ensure you can charge your generator quickly and efficiently, even when there’s a blackout.
Understanding the following factors will help you calculate the indoor generator’s charging efficiency using the 3 charging methods:
Charge Controllers
The simplest controllers usually cut the power on reaching the maximum voltage. This regulates the current between the battery and the solar panels. This is, however, a less efficient method than models designed to use the three-power point tracking (or MPPT).
Inverter
To indicate the maximum power output they can generate, inverters usually carry a watt rating. They help convert direct current from the solar panels to alternating currents. Pure sine wave inverters are the most efficient- they are, however, more costly. Note that if you rarely use your generator, such inverters won’t save costs.
Weight
If you seek portability, select an easy-to-carry generator. These are often packed in a sturdy box (instead of separate pieces).
How Do Indoor Generators Compare With Outdoor Generators?
As a rule, indoor generators usually cost more than a traditional gas-powered generator. Consider: It might be necessary to buy solar panels to charge the indoor generator.
Further, the indoor generator’s capacity is often more limited. Hence, many have to manage their power consumption carefully; some opt to buy multiple generator units.
Notwithstanding, indoor generators come with certain advantages. First, you can safely use them in situations where you can’t use the outdoor generator-like condos and apartments.
Also, you can use them in all kinds of weather (in contrast, some outdoor units cannot work in extreme weather situations). And with the outdoor generator, you don’t need to use fuel. They’re also noiseless and easily portable.
Conclusion
In recent days, the popularity of portable indoor generators has continued to soar. These modern machines are packed with tremendous power capacity. Most of them come with a convenient battery storage design; this is a bonus.
When you’re out shopping, choose a rechargeable portable indoor generator for your apartment; make sure it’s solar-rechargeable.
Ultimately, regardless of where you go, this means you’ll finally say goodbye to all those previous power woes; yes, such troubles will be a forgotten thing of the past.
Jackery Explorer 1500 Review – Is Bigger Better?
As a wildlife and outdoor photographer, I spend several days a week on the road. In recent years I have rarely left home without some form of lithium power station in the trunk of my car. These portable battery systems are a complete charging station all in one, offering multiple AC outlets, 12V DC outlets and an array of USB ports. Wherever I go, I always have a way to charge my camera gear, my lighting equipment or my drone. If I need to film something using LED lights, I can run my entire studio setup outdoors for hours.
For the past couple of years, I have been using power stations made by Jackery. Regular readers might remember reviews of the Explorer 500 and the Explorer 1000, as well as the Jackery solar panel that I have been using with them for off-the-grid charging. In the summer of 2021, the brand expanded its range by introducing the Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000, featuring the largest battery capacities yet in the Explorer range.
Jackery provided me with one of the new Explorer 1500 models to test for this review. They were not allowed to read the content before it was published, and the opinions expressed on the page are my honest thoughts about the product.
Jackery Explorer 1500 Specifications
Charging the Explorer 1500
AC Charging
The Explorer 1500 comes with a 300W AC charger and a 12V DC charger. When using the AC charger, the battery will charge in around 6 hours, and in my testing generally registered an actual input of around 279W. The AC charger is plugged into the DC input, so I expect this slight loss in power comes from the need to convert the AC to DC. A process that will never be 100% efficient.
6 hours is already a relatively fast charging time for a battery of this size, but if you wanted it to be even faster, you could buy a second AC charger and use it simultaneously in the second DC input. My understanding is that it would not be quite twice as fast, as the total input would be limited to 500W, but it should cut charging time to under 4 hours.
12V DC Charging
Using the 12V charger in your car is not as fast. A full charge with that charger takes somewhere in the region of 13 hours. Although this is much longer, I still find that in most situations the car charger can replenish the battery faster than I am using it. Even if I’m running my Dometic 12V fridge and charging a couple of cameras and a drone, on a long drive I’ll usually arrive at my destination to find that Explorer 1500 is still fully charged.
Incidentally, this is a common question. Can you use the battery while it is being charged? The answer is yes.
Solar Charging
When it comes to solar charging times, I take the manufacturer’s charge times with a huge grain of salt. They are always calculated using best-case solar conditions which are very rare in the real world. To achieve the perfect charge you must have a cloudless sky, and you must also rotate your solar panels to ensure the optimum angle to the sun throughout the charge. Really, who is going to do that?
In theory, if you used 4x Jackery SolarSaga 100W panels in perfect conditions you could fully charge the Explorer 1500 in 5 hours. From there I’m sure you can all do the math to figure out how long it would take if you had fewer than four 100W panels.
What you must remember is that no solar panel and charge controller is 100% efficient. Not even close. Using a 100W panel does not mean you will not see 100W at the input, even if you did have perfectly solar conditions. Though the Explorer 1500 does use the latest MPPT controller, you’re doing well if you see more than 65W of actual input from a 100W solar panel on a sunny day.
Using the Explorer 1500 With Jackery SolarSaga Panels
The Explorer 1500 is available as a kit with four of Jackery’s SolarSaga 100W (review) portable solar panels. Jackery calls these kits the Solar Generator Kits, so this particular one is listed under the name Jackery Solar Generator 1500. The name of the kit is perhaps a little confusing. This is not a different product, simply a kit that includes an Explorer 1500 and 4x SolarSaga 100W panels. Buying the kit saves you 97 compared to buying all of the pieces individually.
The SolarSaga 100W solar panel.
Jackery does make a SolarSaga 60W panel and a SolarSaga 200W panel, too. For the Explorer 1500, the small 60W panel isn’t going to be ideal. That panel is better suited to being paired with the smaller Explorer 240 or Explorer 160. As for the SolarSaga 200W panel, I have yet to get my hands on one but it appears to be simply a double-long version of the SolarSaga 100W. I’m a bit surprised that the Solar Generator kit doesn’t just include 2x SolarSaga 200W panels, instead of 4x SolarSaga 100W panels.
This may be simply due to product availability. At the time of publishing this Explorer 1500 review, I have yet to see the SolarSaga 200W in stock on Amazon or Jackery’s online store. Whereas the SolarSaga 100W panel seems to be in plentiful supply.
It’s also possible that Jackery simply feels that the slightly smaller 100W panels are a better fit, in terms of physical size, for the Explorer 1500. If you are packing your truck or van for a getaway, in many cases it’s easier to find 4 smaller spaces for 4 smaller panels, rather than two larger spaces for two bulkier 200W panels.
Jackery Solar Panel Parallel Adapter
To use four solar panels with the two 8mm DC input jacks on the Explorer 1500, Jackery includes a pair of parallel panel adapters. These adapters come with the Explorer 1500 when purchased both as a kit with the 4x SolarSaga panels, and when purchased on its own, allowing you to add the SolarSaga panels at a later date.
You must have two solar panels plugged into the adapter for it to work. If you just use one panel, the battery will not charge.
Using the Non-Jackery Solar Panels With Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000
Note that on the Explorer 1500 (right) the new style of DC input has a much wider hole for a thicker central pin in the DC barrel connector. The Anderson Powerpole input has also been removed.
I have previously used and reviewed the Jackery Explorer 500 and the Explorer 1000. When using those products I mostly used them with a Jackery SolarSaga 100W panel, but I was also pleasantly surprised to find that they worked easily with some existing Goal Zero panels that I had lying around.
Several solar panel manufacturers, Goal Zero included, use DC barrel plugs with dimensions of 7.9mm x 5.5mm x 0.9mm on their solar panels. All of Jackery’s SolarSaga panels also use this same dimension of DC plug, and all of Jackery’s Power Stations before the launch of the Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000 have female DC inputs to accept this plug.
With the Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000, this has changed. The DC inputs on these new larger Power Stations use a barrel connector sized at 8.1mm x 5.5mm x 3.5mm. This means that you can no longer plug Goal Zero (and other) solar panels directly into these Jackery batteries. It also means that you cannot plug Jackery’s own SolarSaga solar panels directly into the Explorer 1500 or Explorer 2000. Instead, you must use an adapter.
8mm Thin to Thick Adapter – Major Confusion
When I first unboxed the Explorer 1500 I was very confused by this. There I was sitting with a Jackery solar panel, and a new Jackery battery, and one would not plug into the other. For a while, I sat there scratching my head until I noticed a small diagram in the user manual that showed some sort of “DC interface adapter”. Next to those words on the diagram were the words “(included)”.
I thought there must be some sort of solar panel DC adapter in the box that I had missed. But after shaking the box upside down and rummaging around in the packaging, there was nothing. At this point, I took to Google to search for a quick answer and discovered several forums where other confused customers had gathered to discuss this conundrum.
A few people in the forums mentioned that when they’d spoken to Jackery about this, they were told that there is indeed an adapter that converts the old standard of plugs used by everyone else (and their SolarSaga panels) to the new plugs. When requested, they were sent one by the Jackery customer service team.
To try and get to the bottom of this issue, I exchanged several emails with my marketing contact at Jackery. I was told by them that the adapter should have been included in the box with the Explorer 1500, but they were not yet available when some of the Explorers were packaged, and so they were omitted from the box. That is my best understanding of the situation from the reply that I received.
In other words, if your Explorer 1500 or Explorer 2000 comes with this so-called “8mm thin to thick adapter” in the box, great! It should do. If you cannot find one in your box, contact Jackery immediately via their website and they will send you one right away, for free. I would ask them for two since there are two DC inputs on the battery pack.
To test this out, I independently contacted the customer service team, circumventing my media contact for fear of special treatment, and was indeed told that they would be happy to send me a couple of adapters. Although I’m glad this seems to be an easy fix, I think it could have been handled better with a note in the box explaining the situation.
Why Has Jackery Done This?
One post on a solar power forum said that they were told by Jackery that the change to this new style of plug was made so that they can handle a higher charging current. I was not able to confirm this answer. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the Jackery product line is in the midst of a change that has yet to be explained and completed.
Will all Jackery Power Stations in the future move to this new style of 8mm plug? Will it only be needed on more powerful Power Stations? We don’t yet know. Will the SolarSaga panels adopt this style of plug, or will this adapter always be needed when plugging them into the larger, more powerful Explorer packs? Again, we don’t yet know.
Functionally, none of this makes a lot of difference. The adapters are well-built, and with them, everything works as you would expect it to. But I hope Jackery takes some time to document these changes, explain them and fix the supply issue that lead to them not being included in the Explorer packaging. It is a poor experience for a customer when they unbox an expensive product to find that a piece of it has been knowingly omitted from the box with zero explanation.
Long-Term Changes
As for compatibility with third-party solar panels, it’s too early to say whether this will have any meaningful effect. If Jackery starts including the adapter in the box with the Explorer and continues to do so forever, then there is no real effect. You can simply use the adapter with your Goal Zero panel, or whatever other brand of solar panel you have that uses the regular 8mm (actually 7.9mm) plugs. I hope this is what they do.
I suspect, however, that in the long term we will see Jackery move all of their Explorer products over to use this new style of larger 8mm (actually 8.1mm) plug. Then they will also switch the plugs on their SolarSaga panels to match. At which point, the adapter will become unnecessary in the Jackery ecosystem and likely not included in the box. If that happens, we can just hope that it will be offered as an optional accessory for those that want to easily use non-Jackery panels.
Explorer 1500 Vs Explorer 1000
I suspect that many people considering the Explorer 1500 will also be considering the Explorer 1000. The Explorer 1000 is 600 cheaper than the Explorer 1500 and would be a good option for people who are car camping for one or two nights and looking to power their phones, cameras and a small 12V fridge. I have used my Explorer 1000 in that way many times and always found it to have enough capacity for a weekend trip.
For those that want to run 12v appliances for 3-4 days without the need to recharge, the Explorer 1500 would be a better option. As well as having 1/3 more capacity compared to the E1000, the E1500 also features a greatly improved LCD screen that can show more information without the need to scroll through different options.
For those looking to run power tools or power-hungry 120v appliances with an Explorer, the important factor will be the maximum output wattage. The E1000 can provide 1000W with a 2000W surge, but the E1500 steps up considerably to 1800W with a 3600W surge.
If you’re looking to power a laptop off the grid, of course, you can use the AC plugs and your laptop’s regular power adapter with any of the Explorer Power Stations. With the Explorer 1500, you also have the option to use the USB-C output with its 60W Power Delivery compatibility. The USB-C port on the Explorer 1000 maxes out at 18W, which is not enough to power an average laptop.
Explorer 1500 Vs Explorer 2000
The Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000 share a very similar design, with both using the larger upgraded LCD screen. Aside from the obvious capacity difference, the most significant difference between the two products is the way that they can be recharged.
Where the Explorer 1500 uses the typical AC power brick that converts to DC for charging via the DC input on the front of the Power Station, the Explorer 2000 charges directly via AC using a dedicated AC input on the back of the pack. This dramatically reduces charging times by allowing the battery to be charged at up to 1164W, compared to the 300W maximum that you get with the Explorer 1500.
All of this means the Explorer 1500 takes about 6 hours to fully charge, but the Explorer 2000, despite having a considerably larger capacity, only takes 2.5 hours to charge. For this convenience, the larger Explorer 2000 costs 500 more than the Explorer 1500.
Conclusion
The Jackery Explorer 1500 Power Station is another impressive product in their expanding Power Station lineup. I love the new, much larger LCD screen, and the 60W USB-C output was extremely convenient when I wanted to power my laptop for photo editing on the road. A full charge in 6 hours is also a great feature, and this time can be nearly halved if you buy a second power adapter.
What I’m not so keen on is the removal of the Anderson Powerpole input that was found on the Explorer 1000, and the change in DC input connector size. The Powerpole connectors are a useful input type for people who want to build these types of battery stations into van conversion, and the new non-standard DC barrel connection size will force people to use an adapter, even when using Jackery’s own SolarSaga panels. I find that strange, and the lack of clear information about it on their website, and in the manual, is an oversight.
Despite these input-related shortcomings, I still find the Explorer 1500 to be an overall excellent product. The 1500Wh capacity is a real sweet spot for portable power stations. It is, capacity-wise, large enough to power many of your household electronics during prolonged power outages, while remaining, physically speaking, small enough to easily move around and put into your vehicle for the next family camping trip.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Review
Be prepared for the next weather event with the Jackery Solar Generator 1000.
The polar vortex hit Texas in February 2021 with a vengeance, inflicting freezing cold temperatures that partially knocked out the power grid for days. We were without power in our residence for almost three days but some homes were offline for much longer. Fortunately, I have a Honda EU3000is generator that I faithfully start each month and let run for 10-15 minutes. It has always immediately fired up and run smoothly. Until February 15, 2021 when it would not start despite my best troubleshooting efforts. Unbelievable! Thirty months of flawless performance until the very day I needed it. That is when I determined to get a backup power source, preferably one not dependent on a carburetor.
Research quickly led me to Jackery – the industry leader in portable power stations and solar generators. Their best solution for me was the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 which consists of the Portable Power Station Explorer 1000 along with two Solar Panel SolarSaga 100W chargers. The two solar panels can be connected to the power station at the same time using the included adapter. Each SolarSaga 100 also includes a USB-A and USB-C port so that you can charge mobile phones and other small electronics directly from the solar panel. Free, clean, green energy!
The Explorer 1000 can be charged three ways – solar, 110v outlet, or 12v vehicle adapter. Upon receiving my Solar Generator 1000, the first thing I wanted to test was the solar charging capability. The panels open easily and the cables are simple to connect. There are built in stands in each panel to assist with placing the unit in the optimal position. The day was partly cloudy and it was interesting to watch the charging indicator in real time. On solar, I observed charging rates between 45w and 121w as clouds passed in front of the sun. On 110v, the charge rate indicated 145w. A full charge takes about eight hours.
Power outputs include USB-A, USB-C, 12V, and three 110v outlets that are Pure Sine Wave safe for sensitive electronics. The Jackery website lists approximate charges and run times for popular devices.
In addition to preparedness, I also do a fair amount of outdoor adventure. Pretty cool to be able to take the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 kit along with us when we head off-grid.
JACKERY DAY – March 17, 2021!
Jackery Day is when the company announces their latest models. This year, they will be announcing a new Solar Generator. Enter Here to win great prizes including a Jackery Solar Generator.
A Jackery portable power station is quiet, with no harmful fumes or pollution. Sadly, people lost their lives during the storm by running gasoline powered generators inside their home and falling to the carbon monoxide. Never run a gasoline generator inside a home, business, or RV. A portable power station will allow you to safely run small appliances and charge devices.
Jackery offers a robust product line of portable power stations, solar charges, and accessories. The Explorer 160 Portable Power Station is an excellent choice to keep on hand for emergencies. At a very reasonable price of 125 it is peace of mind that you will be able to charge your cell phone and run a light if needed.
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is thoughtfully designed, well-built, and easy to operate. Texas Outdoors Network selects it as our Editor’s Choice Award for being best-in-class.
Mike Coker
Publisher of Tactical Gun Review and Texas Outdoors Network. Mike wisely spent his youth hunting and fishing in South Texas.
Jackery solar generator 160
Courtesy: Jackery.com
Jackery sent me one of its latest bundles to test: The Jackery Solar Generator 1500 with four SolarSaga 100W solar panels. Here are the key specs of this 1800W power station:
- Lithium-ion battery with 1534Wh (watt-hours)
- AC output: 110VAC, 60Hz, 1800W (3600W peak)
- Power up to 7 devices simultaneously: 3 AC outlets, 1 USB-C port, 2 USB-A ports, 1 12V DC car port
- Weighs 33 lbs.
Hooray for all the numbers, but what is it supposed to be able to do? According to Jackery, the Explorer 1500 can power up to 85% of appliances, including:
- An electric grill for 75 minutes
- A microwave for 68 minutes
- A refrigerator for 15 hours (depending on size)
It’ll also run power tools, electric stoves, air conditioners, TVs and it’ll supposedly recharge your smartphone more than 130 times on a single charge. Speaking of, here’s how long it takes to recharge this Jackery power station:
- AC adapter: 6 hours (buy a second AC adapter to cut the time in half)
- Car adapter: 13 hours
- 2 SolarSaga solar panels: 9.5 hours
- 4 SolarSaga solar panels: 5 hours
I read up on the specs beforehand to see how the power station and solar panels actually performed in real-world conditions — both at home and during a recent camping trip.
Want to see how well this portable power station works? Check out News Director Ben’s review on Kim’s show:
At roughly 35 pounds, the power station is a bit on the heavy side but not to the point that it’s a hassle to move from room to room. Each of the four solar panels is 24 inches by 21 inches folded and individually weigh about 10 pounds. They open up to be about four feet wide.
The power station’s battery had roughly 30% charge out of the box, so I plugged it in via the AC adapter. It only took about two and a half hours to get it to 100%.
The first test: Home appliance
I didn’t spend a whole lot of time putting this through the paces at home because I don’t think of this power station as something that would save the day during a power outage. This is not a replacement for a more powerful backup or portable generator, and you’ll have to be choosy about what you use it for in the event of an outage.
Need to keep the fridge cold? Great. Power a lamp, too, but keep an eye on the battery percentage on the display. While you can simultaneously charge the power station with the solar panels while using it to power other equipment, it’s not advised and could affect the overall life of the battery.
Now that that’s out of the way, I wanted to see how it would handle a full-size microwave oven. It was as described by Jackery, losing about 1% for each of the five minutes I ran it.
The bigger test: Camping
Now it’s time to take the Jackery Solar Generator 1500 set on the road to my family’s favorite camping spot at the Grand Canyon. Packing the SUV took a little more careful thought this time around when you factor in the size of the power station and four solar panels, but we got it all to fit.
Instead of bringing our portable Weber grill, this time, we opted to bring our more compact George Foreman Grill. Once set up, we plugged the grill into the power station and pushed the button to activate the power outlets. The display on the grill lit up immediately.
Cooking burgers at 400 degrees for 15 minutes drained about 25% of the Jackery’s battery. Then using it to charge our phones and a Bluetooth speaker, we eventually got the power station’s battery to around 50%. Time to break out the solar panels …
I spread out all four panels, pointing them directly at the sun (using the built-in stands), then connected them to the power station using two included Y adapters. It started charging back up immediately.
While the specs say the station can be fully charged with four solar panels in about five hours, that has to be in absolutely ideal conditions. Pointing straight toward the sun, with no shadows, clouds or other obstacles, it still took more than four hours to get from 52% to 99%. By then, it was too dark to finish out the charge.
The biggest test: Phoenix Suns
I understand that many people consider tent camping as a way to get off the grid — disconnect for a little while. I agree and typically only try to keep my iPhone charged up so I can still be reached. This camping trip had extenuating circumstances.
A little backstory: I’ve been a huge fan of the Phoenix Suns going on three decades. My wife and I planned this camping trip a couple of months ago before we had any idea the Suns would make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years.
I wasn’t going to adjust our plans, but I also did not want to miss the first game in the series. So I added a little home theater next to our tent. Here’s all it took:
- 10’x10′ canopy
- 100″ projector screen
- Mini projector
- Apple TV
- iPhone (as the hotspot)
- Jackery 1500 Explorer to power it all
It was a pretty easy setup, and my only concern was having enough cellular service to stream the game live. Somehow, the 3G signal at the campsite was good enough.
This was definitely a unique situation, but the setup would not have been possible without the Jackery power station. It worked out so well that we also brought along a Blu-ray player and watched “Avatar” later that night.
Speaking of night, there’s a handy flashlight built into the side of the power station that works very well in the dark.
Verdict: Is this solar generator set worth the price?
Like anything else, the necessity of something like this will depend on the person. As I mentioned, the Jackery Solar Generator set isn’t made to keep your whole house up and running during a power outage — just a few select appliances and gadgets in case of emergency. On the other hand, it’s actually very useful if you go on road trips and would even be a nice addition to anyone with an RV.
What I like
- Plug-and-play ease of use
- Freedom provided by the solar panels
- Multiple charging/power ports for simultaneous use
- Quiet, with the occasional sound of the internal fan
- Informative LCD display with battery percentage, power input/output, time to recharge, etc.
- Bonus USB-C and USB-A ports on the back of each SolarSaga panel
What I don’t like
- Portable, but still relatively heavy
- Factor in the solar panels and it takes up a lot of room in the car
- Pricey
The price of the Jackery Explorer 1500 Portable Power Station alone is 1,599. Each SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel bought separately costs 299.99. Do the math for the power station and four solar panels, and that comes out to just under 2,800 before tax.
Or, save 100 and buy the Jackery Solar Generator 1500 as a set for 2,699. Yeah, it’s expensive, but that’s not even the top-of-the-line unit Jackery offers (which costs 4,299).
If within your means, yes, this is a product I recommend along with the solar panels. I don’t plan on using the power station regularly for a home theater in the woods, but it’s nice to know that’s an option. Next time, I’ll be bringing along a coffee maker.