Jackery Solar Generator 500 – An Honest Review
When it comes to Vanlife, convenience and efficiency are always at the forefront of our minds. So when Jackery asked us to try out their Solar Generator 500 bundle, we jumped at the chance.
While we already have a fully-functional campervan electrical system, this handy bit of kit acts as the perfect addition to our set-up.
In this article, I’ll take you through exactly how the product works, compare it with other products in the Jackery range, alongside all the benefits of having one for your campervan.
So let’s get to it – here’s an honest review of the Jackery Solar Generator 500.
Jackery Solar Generator 500 – An Honest Review
Full Disclosure: We received complimentary products from Jackery in exchange for our review. However, all opinions expressed here are our own.
Who are Jackery?
Jackery are pioneers when it comes to producing high quality, portable power stations.
Founded in 2012 by a group of adventurous engineers, their vision was to provide a portable electricity solution that’s both clean and accessible.
10-years later, it’s safe to say that Jackery are leading the way when it comes to solar-powered portable power solutions.
They understand that the modern-day explorer requires off-grid power capabilities, and that’s precisely what the Jackery Explorer series provides.
In this article, we will be focusing on the Jackery Solar Generator 500; However, this is just one in a long line of products in the Explorer range.
With power stations starting as small as the Explorer 160 up to the chunkier Explorer 1500, there’s a kit to suit a variety of electrical requirements.
What is the Jackery Solar Generator 500?
The Jackery Solar Generator 500 is a bundle pack comprising of 1 x Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station and 1 x Jackery SolarSaga 100 Solar Panel.
This bundle is perfect for us since we spend most of our time off-grid. So having the option to recharge our power station with solar power is a necessity.
However, if you spend a lot of time on campsites or only require your power station for daily or weekend use, you might prefer to buy the unit separately.
All units can be recharged by a wall outlet or by using the in-car cigarette outlet while driving, so the solar panel is not always necessary.
Key Features of the Jackery Solar Generator 500
There’s a lot to love about the Jackery Solar Generator 500 bundle. But one of the most essential features for us is how compact the design is.
The unit itself is small enough to be tucked away in a cupboard or under the bed. While the solar panel folds down and can slide beneath our countertops.
Then there’s the fact that it’s a clean, reusable energy source. We would never consider getting a fuel-powered generator since they are noisy and bad for the environment.
However, our Jackery power station recharges using energy from the sun and powers through a lithium battery.
Finally, our Jackery set-up is the perfect addition to our campervan electrical system. It allows us to take pressure off our leisure batteries and acts as a backup in off-grid situations.
For example, when our campervan solar panels don’t generate much charge on cloudy days, we have our Jackery power station to help share the load.
Highlights of the Jackery 500 Power Station
The Power Station includes 3 x USB ports, 1 x AC outlet, and 1 x 12V car output.
So effectively, you can power up to 5 gadgets and appliances at a time so long as you don’t exceed the 500 Watt limit.
You can use your Jackery power station to power a wide range of AC devices like blenders, air fryers, and laptops. Again, so long as they are rated under 500 watts.
If you want to power appliances rated higher than 500 watts, you may consider the Jackery Explorer 1000 or Explorer 1500 units instead.
We also love that the power station is relatively lightweight (6kg). So we can carry it with us on days out and use it to recharge all of our gadgets.
Highlights of the Jackery 100 Solar Panel
First of all, we are very impressed with the efficiency of the Jackery SolarSaga 100 Solar Panel.
On a sunny day, we can recharge our power station from 0-80% in a matter of hours. For a full recharge, it takes approximately 9-hours.
The panel is extremely lightweight, so it’s convenient to move around. And the built-in kick-stand allows us to adjust the angle.
My only observation with the solar panel is that it doesn’t fare well in high winds because it’s so light. However, in all honesty, I’d rather that than it be chunky and heavy.
All things considered, it’s a really fantastic piece of kit.
Jackery Explorer Range Comparison
To help you understand the capabilities of the Jackery 500 Power Station vs other products in the range, I thought I would share some examples from the Jackery website.
This should help you understand what sort of appliances you can power using Jackery power stations and how long you can expect them to last.
I’m also including links to where you can buy; however, you might find that some models are only available in the US.
| Phone | 16 charges | 24 charges | 30 charges | 53 charges | 100 charges | 150 charges |
| Laptop | 2 hours | 3.5 charges | 4 charges | 4.5 charges | 10 charges | 15 charges |
| LED Light 5W | 29 hours | 40 hours | 27 hours | 45 hours | 100 hours | 150 hours |
| TV 60W | – | 3 hours | 4.5 hours | 7.5 hours | 13 hours | 18 hours |
| Blender 300W | – | – | 1 hour | 1.5 hours | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drone 60W | 3 charges | 4 charges | 5.5 charges | 9 charges | 18 charges | 25 charges |
| Camera 10W | 8 charges | 12 charges | 15 charges | 25 charges | 50 charges | 75 charges |
Final Thoughts on Jackery Solar Generator 500
If you’re still wondering whether the Jackery Solar Generator 500 is worth buying, I can honestly say it’s a worthwhile investment.
Even though we have a fairly decent electric set up in our camper, we actually tend to use our Jackery power station more since it is so convenient.
This model is especially ideal if you’re looking for a compact and lightweight design with a reasonable amount of power.
In our case, it’s an excellent addition to what we already have in the van. However, if you want a unit that’s your only power source, you may consider the bigger models.
While Jackery isn’t the cheapest brand on the market, they are certainly the best value for money when you compare like for like with their competitors.
So what do you think? Is a Jackery Solar Generator 500 on your vanlife gift list?
Let us know! Feel free to reach out to us in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев. Or drop us a message – we are always happy to help.
For more help with your campervan electrics, be sure to check out our van build series.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, where we share more travel advice and vanlife inspiration.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. And we can continue bringing you free travel tips and advice. If you use our affiliates, you are awesome, and we thank you!
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Free Shipping in USA
The products can be shipped to United States, Canada and Mexico. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.
Free shipping is available for all regions within the continental United States. However, the following regions are not eligible for free shipping: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Marshall Islands, Federated States Of Micronesia, and Palau. The specific shipping fees will be determined based on the checkout page.
Free Returns within 30 Days
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the Complete Orders link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We’ll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we’ve received and processed the returned item.
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the Complete Orders link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We’ll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we’ve received and processed the returned item.
Renogy Portable Power Station 500
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【1-Hour AC Fast Recharge】 Recharge the portable power station from 0% to 80% using an AC outlet in only 1 hour with super-fast iTurbo technology. With iTurbo, renogy PHX500 solar generator recharges 4 times faster than conventional power station.
【Quick Charging Capacity】 With an output of up to 800W (Surge 1600W), this portable generator of large capacity 495wh, can power up to 8 devices simultaneously with multiple outlet options, including 3 pure sine wave AC outlets, 118W USB-A fast charging ports, 212W USB-A ports, 1100W USB-C port, and 1 CIG port. The USB-C port can charge your devices at full speed without the bulky adapters, including phones, laptops, and handheld game consoles. With a whole host of ports, from 600W AC outlets to USB-C, we’ve got all your device’s plugs covered.
【Clean, Fast Solar Charging】 The portable power station camping is compatible with renogy e.flex 220W portable solar panel, getting recharged to 80% in 2.5 hours. The integrated MPPT algorithm optimizes solar energy generation efficiency to operate at its max power point, making them ideal portable power kits for tent camping, overland journey and more.
【Intelligent BMS Protection Pure Sine Wave】 Armed with a 495wh lithium-ion battery backup, the solar powered generator features 3 Pure Sine Wave AC outlets that deliver stable and safe 800W power. camping power station has a built-in advanced battery management system, auto-regulating to keep you safe with reverse polarity protection, high/low temperature protection, short circuit protection, undervoltage protection, overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection.
【Expandable for Power】 Double your power capacity and AC output with the iStack function! Simply connect two PHX500 portable solar generators with a single-phase parallel kit (sold separately). With iStack you can expand storage capacity to 990Wh and ramp up AC output to 1440W.
【Take Control of Your Energy】 A wider monitor and customizable power button let you set up PHX500 to meet your specific power needs. The DC HOME app lets you control your connected devices remotely and monitor power status wherever you are.
【Seamless Backup Power Supply】 In the event of a power outage, connect the AC port to a wall outlet, and PHX500 portable generator for camping delivers emergency AC power with a transfer time of less than 20ms. No need to worry about interruptions to work or gaming.
The Renogy Power Station 500 is just right for everything. Armed with a 495Wh lithium-ion battery pack and an 800W pure sine wave inverter, you’ve got enough power for all your precious moment on the road. Renogy Power Station 500 can power 8 devices simultaneously while getting itself recharged. The iTurbo technology allows you to recharge the Renogy Power Station 500 to 80% in just 1-hour. 3 recharging options (AC, solar, and car) allow a quick energy boost even under the worst scenarios.
Style the energy together with your friend on the go with the iStack function; simply connect two Renogy 500 power stations with a single-phase parallel kit (sold separately) to double the capacity and AC output simultaneously. The integrated strip lights offer 3 lighting modes for ambient lighting, and DC HOME app allows you to monitor and set the Renogy Power Station 500 in your way.
NOTE: A solar charging cable is included with Renogy Power Station 1000. If you wish to recharge portable power stations of other brands with the E.FLEX portable solar panels, please check out our 5-in-1 Solar Adapter Cable for compatibility and purchase it separately.
- If you have any questions regarding this product, please call us at 1 (909) 287-7111 or or submit a ticket for troubleshooting assistance.
- questions about your off-grid power system? Learn more from Renogy Learning Center !
Package Includes
- Option 1: 1 x Renogy Power Station 500; 1 x 14AWG AC Power Cable; 1 x 16AWG Car Charge Cable; 1 x 16AWG Solar Charge Cable
- Option 2: 1 x Renogy Power Station 500; 1 x 14AWG AC Power Cable; 1 x 16AWG Car Charge Cable; 1 x 16AWG Solar Charge Cable; 1 x E.FLEX 220 Portable Solar Panel; 1 x Carrying Case; 1 x User Manual; 1 x Ewarranty card
- Option 3: 1 x Renogy Power Station 500; 1 x 14AWG AC Power Cable; 1 x 16AWG Car Charge Cable; 1 x 16AWG Solar Charge Cable; 1 x Single Phase Parallel Kit
.How many solar panels do I need to top up Renogy Power Station 500?
The maximum solar input of Renogy Power Station 500 is 200W. We recommend two E.FLEX 110 Portable Solar Panels or one E.FLEX 220 (sold separately) to recharge Renogy Power Station 500 solar powered generator faster.
Will Renogy Power Station 500 automatically shut off output ports when it is not in operation?
Renogy 500 solar portable power station features timeout settings, automatically turning off output ports when devices draw low or no power from these ports to save energy. The default timeout setting is 1 hour. Alternatively, you can adjust or disable the timeout setting on DC Home app based on your needs.
.What happens when the AC load exceeds 800W?
Renogy Power Station 500 can automatically identify types of load with iBoost technology. For resistive load, Renogy Power Station 500 lowers the power consumption drawn by the load to keep it operating without triggering AC overload protection.
Are batteries inside Renogy Power Station 500 replaceable? Can they be expanded in a certain way?
No, the lithium iron phosphate batteries in Renogy Power Station 500 cannot be replaced. If you wish to use high-powered appliances, you can connect two Renogy Power Station 500 through a parallel kit to get 990Wh of backup battery storage and max. 1440W AC output.
Can I use Renogy Power Station 500 as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?
Please note that Renogy Power Station 500 cannot switch from grid supply to the emergency AC power in less than 0ms like a professional UPS does. We don’t advise using the Renogy Power Station 500 as UPS for critical devices like data servers or workstations. Make sure that the output load is rated below 800W.
What accessories are included with the Renogy 500 solar power generator?
Renogy Power Station 500 comes with an AC power cable (5.91 ft / 1.8 m), a car charge cable (4.92 ft / 1.5 m), a solar charge cable (9.84 ft / 3 m), and a user guide.
Will Renogy Power Station 500 automatically shut off output ports when it is not in operation?
Renogy 500 solar portable power station features timeout settings, automatically turning off output ports when devices draw low or no power from these ports to save energy. The default timeout setting is 1 hour. Alternatively, you can adjust or disable the timeout setting on DC Home app based on your needs.
.Can I lower the charging speed when recharging my Renogy Power Station 500?
Yes, please connect your Renogy Power Station 500 with DC Home app via Bluetooth. Then, find Input Settings and adjust the charging speed.
Review Of The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
Disclaimer: This product was sent to us for free, in exchange for a review. We were not paid by Jackery to do this review but we did receive it for free. All opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views and experiences.
Go Camping With The Jackery Explorer 500 Power Station
Jackery is a company from California that makes power stations and portable solar panels.
They’re popular among outdoorsy people that go camping and need a way to keep their devices charged, and power electronics like CPAP machines, TVs, laptops, and lights.
Related Product: Recharge your Jackery with a solar panel. The Twelseavan 120W (click to view on Amazon) is compatible right out of the box with the Jackery in this article.
I travel full-time in my travel trailer and rely on portable power stations and solar panels every day of the year to be able to work online and stay connected.
Portable power stations are also good to have at home for emergencies.
Power outages happen, so having a power station with a solar panel at home is an easy way to be ready.
Today we are reviewing the Jackery Explorer 500, which is one of the most popular power stations Jackery makes.
It’s powerful enough to power TVs, laptops, CPAP machines, and as we’ll show you, you can even plug your whole RV into it and power the outlets in your camper.
Let’s start by taking a look at the main features of the Explorer 500, then talk about what I like and dislike after using it daily for over a month.
You can use the table of contents below to navigate the post.
Features
A portable power station is basically an all-in-one box with a battery, an inverter to change 12V DC power to 120V AC power, and a solar charge controller.
There is more to it, but those are the main components you’ll find on almost every portable power station on the market.
When looking at the specifications of a power station, you’ll usually see two main numbers.
With the Explorer 500, these two numbers are 518Wh and 500W.
The first one is the battery capacity in watt-hours.
The second is how powerful the inverter is, in other words, how many watts the AC outlet on the power station can output continuously.
Battery Capacity
Starting with the battery, the Jackery Explorer 500 has a 518 watt-hour battery capacity.
Which means that you can power a 50W device for almost nine hours (518/500.85=8.81 hours). A 50W device uses 50 watt-hours per hour.
The reason we multiply by 0.85 is that the inverter that changes the 12V DC power to 120V AC power isn’t 100% efficient, but about 85%.
In a little over three hours, I was able to pull a total of 445 watt-hours from the AC outlet, which proves an 86% inverter efficiency.
Now, if you know how many watts your device uses, you can do a similar calculation to the one we did above to figure out how long the Explorer 500 will be able to run it.
The Inverter/AC Outlet
A 500W inverter rating means that the AC outlet on the front can output up to 500 watts of power continuously.
There is only one AC outlet, but you can use a power strip and power several devices at the same time, as long as you don’t exceed the 500W limit.
The inverter is a pure sine wave inverter that will power sensitive electronics without issues.
I don’t have anything that uses exactly 500W, but I was able to pull 450-470W from the AC outlet for almost an hour.
It shows that the inverter is as powerful as Jackery advertises. This makes the fans run at full speed.
Next to the AC outlet, there are three USB A ports rated at 5V, 2.4A (12W).
These USB ports can quickly charge your portable devices like phones, speakers, tablets, and lights. I was able to pull the rated 12W out of the USB ports.
There are also three DC ports, one being a regulated 12V cigarette lighter port.
To get the most watt-hours out of a portable power station, you should use the DC or USB ports when possible since it will be the most efficient way to power your devices.
Since the 12V port is regulated, the Explorer 500 is a great power station for if you need to power a 12V fridge/freezer.
It will output a consistent voltage until the battery runs out.
The Display
The screen on the Jackery shows input and output watts, the state of charge in a percentage, and battery bars.
A button next to the display turns on the backlit screen, which makes it easier to read the screen at night.
During the day, the screen is easy to read outdoors even when it’s sunny, but hard to read indoors without turning the backlight on.
Charging/Solar Capabilities
There are three ways to charge the Explorer 500. With the included wall charger, the included car charger, or with solar panels.
You could also use a gas generator to charge the battery with the included wall charger.
The input port is an 8mm DC port.
That makes it compatible with a lot of portable solar panels on the market.
(click links to view products on Amazon)
To use third party panels with MC4 connectors, like the Renogy 100 solar panel, you’ll need to use an adapter like this (click to view on Amazon).
When using the included wall charger, the Explorer 500 charges at 81W, which took 6.5 hours from 0-100% in my test.
The car charger charged the Explorer between 35-45W, which took about 13 hours.
When using solar panels, the highest input wattage we saw no matter how many panels we used was 67W.
So charging only with solar panels took about 8 hours from empty to full.
Note that my tests showed that the Explorer 500 is capable of charging faster than what Jackery advertises. Your mileage may vary.
There is a built-in flashlight on the side of the Jackery that is turned on with a button.
It has an SOS-mode for emergencies.
Jackery includes both the wall and car charger.
My Review Of The Jackery Explorer 500
What I Like
There are a lot of things that I like about the Explorer 500.
Not only is it powerful and portable, but it also holds a lot of battery power and has the ports most people are looking for in a portable power station.
If you’re going camping and need to power phones, tablets, and a TV for a couple of hours, I don’t have any doubts that it would last a full weekend without needing a charge.
That’s what makes it a great power station for most people.
The Portability
It’s a very portable power station for how powerful it is.
It weighs slightly above 13 pounds but holds 500 watt-hours of battery power and a 500W inverter.
Due to how portable it is, it’s easy to carry around and take where you need it.
Put it in a tent, or put it next to the bed in your RV to power your CPAP or TV. Not every power station is so lightweight and easy to carry.
The handle on top does make it take up more space when you’re storing it, but with a robust handle like this, it’s not frustrating to deal with as some folding handles can be.
The Inverter
The large 500W inverter makes it possible to power large electronics like a TV and a gaming console at the same time.
It won’t run heaters, ACs, or coffee makers, but it will power small kitchen appliances like whisks and small blenders.
I didn’t have any issues powering my laptops, TV, Playstation 4, or Nintendo Switch. It even powered the fridge in our travel trailer.
I was able to power my 32 inch TV and Playstation 4 for almost three hours with a game on the whole time. It was using about 150-170W.
Since each port type has its own on and off button, it’s very straightforward to use and you’ll always know what’s being powered and not.
Solar Charging
Being able to charge a battery with solar panels is a freeing feeling and one of the biggest reasons I recommend power stations for campers.
The Explorer 500 can charge in less than 8 hours with solar panels, and since you can use the battery while it’s charging, you can work outside on a laptop all day.
The Display
Jackery has done something that I wish every power station manufacturer would do.
That is to add a display that shows input/output watts and the state of charge in a percentage. It’s the most useful information, in my opinion.
There are several small details that I like about the Explorer 500.
Like the fact that it has a built-in flashlight so if you’re in a tent, it can be used to light it up.
Some might see it as an unnecessary feature, but I can see myself using it if I was camping in a tent.
I like how the screen blinks when the battery is down to 20 or 10% as a warning.
The input has a small light that lets you know that it’s receiving a charge.
Last but not least, the 12V cigarette port is regulated, which is uncommon but a very useful feature.
If you plan on powering a 12V fridge/freezer or other sensitive 12V electronics that have low-voltage cutoffs you should use a regulated 12V outlet.
What I Don’t Like
There are always improvements to be made, and here is what I would like to see in a future Explorer power station from Jackery.
The ports on the Explorer 500 are useful, but there aren’t enough.
I would like to have at least two AC outlets since the inverter is so powerful. Now I need to use a power strip to power more than one 110/120V device.
It also needs a USB C PD port, so I can power my USB C devices with it or charge the Explorer battery with a USB C PD charger.
The Backlit Screen
The screen has all the information I need, but when it’s dark it’s hard to read the screen, and the screen only stays lit for a couple of seconds when I push the display-button.
I’m not always next to the power station, so having to walk over just to check the state of charge gets frustrating.
I wish pushing the button would cause the backlit screen to stay on until I push the button to turn it off.
Now I can’t monitor the battery from further than about 5 feet if it’s dark in my trailer or outside.
It’s a small detail, but it has been frustrating to not know the state of charge without pushing the button.
Another thing related to this is how hard it is to see what ports are active if you’re using the Jackery outside when it’s sunny.
The small lights by the buttons aren’t bright enough. This is not an issue at night or indoors.
Solar Capabilities/PWM Charge Controller
It would’ve been great if the Jackery could handle at least 100W solar input and be charged in less than six hours with solar panels.
Also, an MPPT charge controller instead of the built-in PWM charge controller would’ve made it much more efficient to charge with solar panels.
But I bet that’s something we’ll see in the next version, as the new Explorer 1000 (click to view on Amazon) has an MPPT charge controller.
Every portable power station with an inverter has fans that will turn on to keep the inverter cool.
The fans on the Explorer 500 are loud and can be distracting if you’re watching TV with the Explorer nearby.
Still quieter than a gas generator though.
Durability
The Jackery Explorer 500 is not waterproof, but it seems very durable for how lightweight it is.
It has a plastic chassis, so it’s not something you should be throwing around or storing heavy things on, but I don’t feel like I have to put it down and pick it up gently.
The fans on the side aren’t very protected, and if used outdoors in dusty places it could be an issue over time.
Since the handle is a rigid one that can’t be folded away, it won’t be easy to break or become less reliable over time.
One thing Jackery should do is to put anti-dust rubber plugs on every port to stop the ports from getting dirty.
Jackery sells a carrying case bag (click to view on Amazon) that protects it further.
Portability
One of the biggest selling points of the Explorer 500 is how portable it is for how much power it packs.
It weighs 13.32 pounds, measures 11.84 by 7.59 by 9.2 inches, and is more portable than a lot of similar products.
It’s not the kind of battery you take on a hike, but for tent-campers, emergency use, or RVers, it’s a great option that is easy to carry and store.
The built-in rigid handle on top makes it easy to grab and transport.
Usability
With all of its ports, the relatively large battery and inverter, it’s a very useful power station that can be used in many situations.
It’s a great camping-buddy that will keep your phone, laptop, drone, and speaker charged for a full weekend before needing a charge.
Pair it with a solar panel, and you can be out for as long as your food lasts.
Since it has three USB ports, in addition to the AC and DC ports, you can charge over five devices at the same time.
You can use the ports while the battery is charging.
So if you have a 100W solar panel and a 60W laptop, you can keep the battery fully charged while charging your laptop as long as the sun is out.
My inverter efficiency test showed 86% efficiency, where I pulled 445 watt-hours from the Explorer in a little over three hours.
Conclusion
We like and recommend the Explorer 500 for homeowners that want a backup battery in case of power outages.
It’s also great for people that go camping on the weekends and need to be able to use a CPAP machine, laptop, or other small electronics.
Full-time RV travelers might be limited by the slow solar charging and the single AC outlet.
Unless you know for a fact that you don’t need it to charge fast or you don’t have to power more than one device at a time.
My wife and I spend at least 8 hours a day on our computers, so the Explorer 500 can’t hold up with our heavy power usage.
But it’s more than enough to power small electronics for only a couple of hours a day or a CPAP machine at night.
The larger Jackery Explorer 1000 (click to view on Amazon) would be a better fit for people like myself.
We recommend pairing the Explorer 500 with a portable solar panel like the Jackery SolarSaga 100W (click to view on Amazon).
They’re compatible straight out of the box and will let you charge the battery in about 8 hours of sunshine.
Similar Products
As I mentioned earlier, Jackery sells power stations in a lot of different sizes.
There are both smaller and larger models than the Explorer 500.
The Explorer 160 has a 167Wh battery capacity and a 100W inverter that powers a single AC outlet.
There are also two USB A ports, one USB C port, and one DC port on it.
The screen shows the input/output watts and the battery percentage and bars.
This would power a 50W device for almost three hours.
Very similar to the Explorer 500 but with a 240Wh battery capacity and a 200W inverter that powers the single outlet.
Two USB ports, and a DC cigarette port. The screen shows input/output watts, and the state of charge in percentage and bars.
This would power a 50W device for about four hours.
Currently the largest Explorer power station that has an MPPT solar charge controller.
A 1002Wh battery capacity, a 1000W inverter that powers three AC outlets, two USB C ports, two USB A ports, a regulated 12V cigarette port.
The screen is the same as on the Explorer 500 with input/output watts and the state of charge in percentage and bars.
It has two input ports, although only one can be used at a time. This would power a 50W device for about 17 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Jackery Explorer 500
How Long Does It Take To Charge?
Jackery advertises that it takes 16 hours with the included car charger, 9.5 hours with the Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panel, and 7.5 hours with the included wall charger.
In my tests, however, I saw it charge slightly faster in every way.
About 6.5 hours with the wall charger, 8 hours with solar panels, and 13 hours with the car charger.
What Solar Panels Are Compatible With The Explorer 500?
The input port is an 8mm DC port. That makes it compatible with a lot of portable solar panels on the market.
(click links to view on Amazon)
To use third party panels with MC4 connectors, like the Renogy 100 solar panel, you’ll need to use an adapter like this.
You can combine two 100W panels in parallel with an MC4 Y branch.
The DC port has a 12-30V input limit, so you shouldn’t combine panels in series.
What Can The Explorer 500 Power?
It can power electronics that use up to 500W. Like a TV, CPAP machine, laptop, mini coolers, speakers, smokers, small blenders and kitchen appliances.
How Do I Make My CPAP Last Longer When Using The Explorer 500?
You should turn off the heater and the humidifier, and power the CPAP via one of the DC ports on the power station.
I recommend testing different pressure settings to figure out which one will run the CPAP for at least a full night.
How Long Will It Power My Device?
The Explorer 500 has a 518 watt-hour battery capacity, so if you know how many watts your device uses, you can divide it by 518.
For example, 518/50=10.36 hours.
If you need to use the AC outlet to power your device, you must also count the inverter efficiency, which is about 85%.
So 10.360.85=8.81 hours. That gives us a more accurate number of what we should expect.
How many watts a specific device uses can often be found on the device or its power brick, or in the manual.
You can also use a Kill A Watt (click to view on Amazon) to monitor exactly how many watts a device is using.
If you’re going to power your electronics with the DC or USB ports, you can expect a higher efficiency rate, above 95%.
What Is The Largest Solar Panel I Can Use?
The Explorer 500 has a 12-30V limit, which means that you can’t use panels that output more than 30V.
Jackery recommends a 100W solar panel, but you can use a panel like the Renogy 160W or Newpowa 175W with an adapter like this (click to view on Amazon).
By using a panel larger than 100W, you will see a higher input on cloudy days.
Can I Plug My RV/Travel Trailer Into The Explorer 500?
Yes, since the inverter in the Explorer 500 is 500W/1000W surge watts, you can use a Camco 15A to 30A or 15A to 50A to plug your camper into the AC outlet on the Explorer.
Remember that it has a 500W maximum output, so you won’t be able to run any large appliances like the air conditioner or microwave, but it would power the furnace for a couple of hours.
It would also let you use the outlets in your RV or camper, and charge your RV house batteries.
It’s obviously not the most efficient way to charge your RV batteries with another battery, but it works.
Can It Power A Coffee Maker?
No, unless you can find an electric coffee maker that uses less than 500W.
Does It Come With Solar Panels?
No, even though portable power stations are often called solar generators, they don’t include solar panels.
Can You Charge The Jackery Explorer With A Gas Generator?
Yes, if your gas generator has a 15V or 20V AC outlet, you can use the wall charger included with the Explorer to charge the battery.
Please leave a comment down below if you have any questions.
by Jesse
Jesse has always had an interest in camping, technology, and the outdoors. Who knew that growing up in a small town in Sweden with endless forests and lakes would do that to you?
4 thoughts on “Review Of The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station”
Novice question, sorry. Can a rheostat be used to reduce the power need (for lack of a better word) of a 600w coffeemaker to the 500w output of the Jackery 500? Reply