Two power stations and a portable jump starter can keep your home and car up and running when things go wrong.
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Being prepared means different things to different people.
I like to think I’m prepared for most situations, but then a global pandemic happens, and suddenly I start thinking of what I might have missed.
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Being prepared means different things to different people.
I like to think I’m prepared for most situations, but then a global pandemic happens, and suddenly I start thinking of what I might have missed.
There isn’t a lot of technology that would have helped us prepare to stay at home or keep our distance from each other, although technology is helping people work from home.
One thing we should be grateful for is that we have plenty of electricity, cellphones and internet service. But even a temporary power outage can cause lots of grief when you’re trying to work from home.
Today I’m reviewing three gadgets that provide power. The first two provide portable, sustained power, and the last one can keep you from getting stranded.
Jackery Explorer 1000
Jackery is a company known for its rechargeable power stations and solar panels that can keep almost everything in your house running when the electricity goes out.
A few months ago, I reviewed the Jackery Explorer 240 and the SolarSaga 60 solar panel. They provide a great combination of portability and power.
Jackery has introduced its largest portable power station, the Explorer 1000 (999), with 1,002 watt-hours of rechargeable power and eight assorted power outputs.
The Explorer 1000 has three AC outlets and four USB ports (two USB-A and two USB-C) as well as a 12-volt accessory output (like the output in your car). The combined outputs have a capacity of 1,000 watts of power with a 2,000-watt surge capacity, which is useful if you are powering something with a motor that needs a jolt of power to start, then levels off when it’s running.
The Explorer 1000 will shut itself off if you exceed the 1,000-watt capacity.
There’s an internal fan to keep the Explorer from overheating, so when I was powering my Vornado room fan, for example, the Jackery’s cooling fan kicked on for 20 to 30 seconds every five minutes or so.
The fan wasn’t too much of a bother, but you should know that the Explorer 1000 isn’t silent when it is providing power.
The Explorer 1000 is the size of a small drink cooler, and it weighs 22 pounds.
Pass-through power
One great thing about the Explorer 1000 is its ability to provide power as it’s being charged. That enables it to run like an uninterruptible power supply.
I sleep with a CPAP machine, so my most frequent use for a power station this size is to keep the machine working if the power goes out at my house.
I plug the Explorer 1000 into the wall, and I plug my CPAP into the Explorer. If my house loses power, the Explorer will keep the power flowing to my CPAP with no interruption at all.
You can use all the power outputs at once up to the 1,000-watt limit.
The inverter that powers the AC outlets on the Jackery produces pure sine wave power.
According to Jackery, “Pure sine wave inverters use more sophisticated technology to protect even the most sensitive electronics. Pure sine wave inverters produce power which equals — or is better than — the power in your home.”
The Explorer has a nice LCD screen to show you the battery’s current capacity and the amount of power in and out. It is interesting to see the power output go up as you power more things at once. The display helps you figure out when you are getting close to the limit.
Charging
Keeping the Jackery plugged into your wall will mean that it’s always fully charged and ready for use. Jackery recommends that you discharge the Explorer 1000 every three months to keep the batteries in good shape.
If you charge from a wall plug, it will take about 7.5 hours to fill up an empty Explorer 1000, and you can also charge it from the 12-volt plug in your car. It can be used outdoors, since it will charge in about 14 hours from solar panels, although the charging time will vary depending on the panels’ power output.
Jackery’s 100-watt SolarSaga panel will charge the Explorer 1000 in 17 hours. You can use two panels to cut the charge time to eight hours, depending on the amount of sunlight.
Pros: Not too heavy, small, easy to charge and use, lots of outputs.
Cons: Fan isn’t exactly quiet.
Bottom line: A nice mix of size vs. power.
Maxoak EB240 2400Wh/1000w Power Station
If you need even more power, take a look at the Maxoak EB240, a 2400-watt-hour power station with a 1,000-watt pure sine inverter. The battery in the EB240 is a lithium polymer cell with a life cycle of more than 2,500 charges.
It has two AC outputs, one 12-volt accessory output, one USB-C output with 45 watts of power delivery and four USB-A ports.
It can be charged from the wall, which takes about 15 hours, or from solar panels. Charge times from solar will depend on the capacity of the panels. The WB240 includes the wall charger and a cable to connect solar panels.
It can charge and provide power at the same time.
Hefty
The EB240 measures 19.4 by 14.4 by 6.5 inches. It has a handle, but it weighs 48.5 pounds, so you can carry it around, but it will definitely give your arms a workout. The case is made of aluminum, so it is pretty tough.
It has a cooling fan inside that flips on when things get too warm inside. This happens when the inverter output exceeds 400 watts, the 12-volt outlet exceeds 80 watts or the USB charging ports exceed 100 watts.
It has a LCD screen to monitor charge level as well as power levels of inputs and outputs. Note that a load of less than 30 watts won’t register on the display.
The EB240 has been a good seller, and the company warned me that it might be in and out of stock for a week or two.
Maxoak provided a 300 promo code to drop the price from 1,999 to 1,699. The code is bluetti15. You can buy the EB240 on Amazon.
These two power stations are aimed at different users. The Jackery is smaller and lighter and really designed to be carried along out to a campout or afternoon at the lake. The Maxoak is heavier, more expensive and has a battery with more capacity. It’s about the size of a desktop computer, so I think it’s more suited to more stationary uses because of its weight. They’ll both do a great job at keeping the power flowing, but your choice will likely come down to price and size.
Pros: Huge battery, simple to use, well built.
Cons: Heavy, expensive.
Bottom line: When you need a lot of portable power, this is the one for you.
DBPower G15 2500A Portable Car Jump Starter
Think of this battery pack as a really big external phone charger that can jump-start your car.
The G15 has a 21,800-milliamp-hour battery that can start up to an 8-liter gas engine or a 6.5-liter diesel.
It’s small, at 7.5 by 3.5 by 1.4 inches, and it weighs just 1.35 pounds. It comes in a very nice semi-hard carrying case with jumper cables and four power outlets (two USB-A, one USB-C and a laptop DC charging port).
Before you can use it, you’ll need to charge it via USB-C with the included cable.
Once you charge it up, simply press the red button to turn it on and plug in to the output of your choice.
The G15 has five LED lights to show the battery’s charge level.
The jump-start cable has a built-in digital display to show how much voltage the vehicle’s battery is holding.
It also has a built-in LED flashlight, which is helpful for jump-starting a battery in the dark.
The G15 sells for 99.95 on Amazon. Until April 18, you can apply the promo code SP7336RJ to buy it for 59.99.
Pros: Small, light, powerful.
Bottom line: Pick one up before you need it.
Note: Neither I nor The Dallas Morning News have any financial interest in the links or promo codes in this review.
Jim Rossman, Technology reviewer. Jim Rossman is a Software System Specialist for the University of Texas at Dallas. He worked for 20 years at The Dallas Morning News and now freelances as a tech reviewer for the Business section.
Montek 2000W Suitcase Solar Power Station: A 2146 Wh/2000W Suitcase Solar Generator with a 1248 Wh/1500W LFP Variant
Montek Solar, the famous maker of the X-1000 all-in-one suitcase solar generator, is about to launch a 2000-watt upgrade to it.
Called the Montek X2100, the 2146 Wh power station is an expandable unit with its own extra battery pack. It is also to accompany a modular 1248 Wh LiFePO4 variant with a 1500-watt inverter.
Pairing with up to four units of its 2146 Wh B2100 extra batteries, you can take the capacity of the X2100 up to 8548 Wh, which means you get a number of suitcase-style backup systems for easy carrying on your trips and travels. Coupled with the external batteries, the power station features around 23 charging outlets, including four AC sockets.
Its LFP variant also has the same suitcase design, but it has a 1248Wh battery, and you can expand it up to 4992Wh with four units of its external battery pack called the B1200. This model also features the same charging outlets.
Both models have 600-watt quick-charge AC charging inputs, while the NCM variant has a solar input of 850 watts and the LFP variant has a 1000-watt MPPT port.
Montek is to unveil the products on Indiegogo on November 20, 2022. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the new power stations from Montek, which has been quite successful with its much-touted 1000W all-in-one suitcase power station.
The Latest News Updates
The exact release date and price of the Montek 2000W Suitcase solar power stations are yet to be known. We will keep you updated with the latest details as we receive them from the brand.
Update May 2023: On a post, Montek Solar has updated that the new product will be hitting the market sooner on Indiegogo. There will be better pricing for the product on the crowdfunding platform. However, in its comment, the company mentioned that the X2000 will be a 2072 Wh power station with a 2000-watt inverter.
Montek X2100 at a Glance
- 2146Wh NMC Suitcase Solar Generator.
- 2146Wh B2100 External Battery Pack.
- Expandable Up to a Huge 8,584Wh.
- 23 Charging Outlets, Including Four AC Sockets.
- Multiple USB C 100W and 65W Ports.
- 850W MPPT Solar Charging Input.
- 600W Quick-Charge AC Charging Input.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for Connectivity.
- Waterproof and Rugged Suitcase Profile.
Montek X1200 at a Glance
- 1248Wh LFP Suitcase Solar Generator.
- 1248Wh B1200 External Battery Pack.
- Expandable Up to a 4992Wh Capacity.
- 23 Charging Outlets, Including Four AC Sockets.
- Multiple USB C 100W and 65W Ports.
- 1000W MPPT Solar Charging Input.
- 600W Quick-Charge AC Charging Input.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for Connectivity.
- Waterproof and Rugged Suitcase Profile.
Montek X2000 Release Date
I still don’t have a confirmed date available for the release of the much-awaited Montek 2000W solar generator.
The product is, however, visible on Indiegogo’s upcoming product list here, but I have no confirmation from the company about its exact release date.
When I contacted the company agent late last year, they said it would go on sale in May 2023. I am still looking for a future update on its release date and price details. Stay tuned.
Vahid Vee is a full-time blogger who is highly passionate about off-grid and sustainable power systems and is an expert at researching and exploring new topics, checking facts, and presenting things in simple language. As an avid observer of the global off-grid power and battery market, he is really excited to share with you the latest trends, fresh products, and other developments in the markets. #Contact Email @ veevahid@gmail.com – LinkedIn – Full blog profile.
What Is the Best Portable Solar Generator on the Market?
Maybe you’re having a get-together in the wilderness? Perhaps you’re hosting a party in the company parking lot? Whatever the case may be, you’re in the market for a portable solar generator.
Fortunately, there are plenty of them for you to choose from, each of which offers something different in terms of performance and functionality. Need help finding the best?
Then read on. We’re going to review the best portable solar generators on the market.
Titan Solar Generator
Starting our list is the Titan Solar Generator, a durable and reliable generator that delivers up to 2000 watts of electricity. Simply put, this thing is powerful, the most powerful solar generator on the market, in fact. If you’re looking to electrify the entire camp, the Titan will accommodate you.
Available in a variety of packages, it can be purchased with everything from solar panels to hook up cables and more. It even comes with a carrying case.
The biggest issue with the Titan is its weight. It weighs 65 pounds and is not the easiest thing to lug around from place to place. That said, if you intend on keeping it stationary, it won’t pose much of a problem.
Interested in learning more about the Titan? Read about it at https://PoweredPortableSolar.com.
MAXOAK BLUETTI Portable Power Station
Next up is the MAXOAK BLUETTI, a powerful portable generator that’s also durable and reliable. At its peak, it can deliver 1500 watts of power. However, it runs continuously at around 1000.
The BLUETTI can be charged through a number of means. Not only can it be charged by electric outlets, but it can also be charged by solar panels and automobiles.
Unlike the Titan, the BLUETTI doesn’t come with solar panels. If you want to utilize its solar capabilities, you’ll have to buy panels yourself.
Nonetheless, this is a terrific generator. If you can afford it, it’s worth the purchase.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240
If you’re looking for something with a lot of power at a reasonable price, you should consider the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240. Capable of providing up to 240 watts of electricity, it can accommodate a bevy of different appliances at once.
A quiet generator, it possesses a durable and long-lasting battery. It can be charged either through solar power or electricity.
Note, however, that while this generator has solar power capabilities, in order to utilize them, you will have to buy its corresponding solar panels separately. These are known as the Jackery SolarSagas, and they come in both 60W and 100W models.
Overall, this is a superb device. If you’re looking to electrify the entire campsite over the course of a weekend, this generator will enable you to do so.
Kyng Power Solar Generator Portable Power Station
Another high-quality solar generator is this one from Kyng Power. While it’s available for around the same price as the Jackery generator reviewed above, it actually provides more power. It tops out at around 1000 watts and is capable of running continuously on 500 watts.
Like the Jackery, it can be powered by both electrical outlets and solar panels. Also like the Jackery, it comes without solar panels. As such, if you wish to utilize its solar power capabilities, you’ll have to buy your own panels.
Where this generator falls behind the Jackery is in construction consistency. While many of the generators the company sells work properly, a good deal of them come with functional problems (ie. dysfunctional ports, etc.).
In essence, while this product supplies a great deal of power, it’s not all that reliable.
FlashFish 300W Portable Solar Generator
Up next is the FlashFish 300W Portable Generator, a compact device that can be carried easily from place to place. Offering up to 300 watts of power, it can run several different devices at once over the course of several hours. For its price, it’s an absolute bargain.
This generator can be charged through several different means. Not only can it be charged by electric outlets and automobiles, but it can also, of course, be charged by solar panels. Note, however, that if you’re going to utilize its solar power capabilities, you’ll have to buy your own panels.
There are very few functional downsides to this product. Note, however, that as with the Kyng Power generator reviewed above, it lacks production consistency. Whereas some models work forever, other models develop problems with weeks of purchase.
Energizer 160Wh/50000mAh Portable Power Station
Another solar generator you might consider is the Energizer 160Wh/50000mAh Portable Power Station. This generator isn’t as powerful as the ones reviewed above but is as consistent and as reliable as they come.
Built to thrive in all types of conditions, it’s perfect for a middle-of-summer or middle-of-winter camping trip. Capable of being charged by electric outlets, solar panels, and a variety of other entities, it’s portable in every sense of the word.
Like the other generators on our list, this one doesn’t come with solar panels. However, it’s compatible with essentially every solar panel in existence. As such, it shouldn’t be difficult to find something appropriate.
ENKEEO Portable Power Station
If you’re looking for a budget buy, you might consider the ENKEEO Portable Power Station. Providing up to 155 watts of electricity, it’s sufficient for charging cell phones, tablets, cooking equipment, and other such entities.
Extremely portable, it comes with a carrying handle. Possessing a hardshell case, it can withstand a great deal of wear and tear.
While it doesn’t come with solar panels, it is solar capable. It can hook up with essentially every solar panel on the market.
Looking for Other Products?
Now that you’ve found a portable solar generator, you might be looking for other products. If so, you’re in the right place. Our website has tons of product guides for you to peruse.
Take a look at our other product guides now!
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