Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
- Different port options
- Comes with emergency flashlight
- Type-A USB ports
The Explorer 500 portable power station comes in a black and orange design. It weighs around 13.3lbs, which is quite heavy. But then, it has an integrated handle for easy carry. This portable power station also comes with a 5W LED flashlight. It has different modes which are suitable for emergencies.
What I like the most about this product is that it provides a steady amount of power. With a 144,400mAH battery, you can power up any gadget or device, except for large home appliances. As such, you can rely on the Jackery Explorer 500 when needed. Many even use this as their solar-powered generator for RV.
Moreover, the battery also has a long lifespan. in fact, it can last more than 500 cycles before it drops to an 80% capacity. It is one of the best features to find when shopping around for a compact generator. When it comes to charging, the Jackery Explorer 500 needs about 8 hours to charge via DC power or 14-16 hours on solar power.
Another thing I like about the Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station is that it provides a wide array of port options. In the front, you can see 3 USB ports, AC outlet, and a car charger port. As such, the product can accommodate any device. It is versatile to use in charging many devices.
If you want, you can turn off the LED display when not in use. However, it doesnt take that much energy, to begin with.
Best Portable: Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Portable Generator
Output: 500 Watts | Weight: 13.3 pounds | Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.6 x 9.5 inches | Output Ports: 1 AC outlet , 3 USB ports, 2 DC ports, 1 car port
Weighing in at a relatively light 13.3 pounds, the compact, durable, and affordable Jackery Explorer 500 lets you take solar-powered electricity along on every adventure. The 500-watt inverter provides enough juice for charging multiple devices in any either of the AC or DC ports or one of the three USB ports.
It comes with a car charging cable and an AC adaptor. Like many of the solar generators in the Jackery family, the unit can be recharged from an AC wall outlet or with a Jackery SolarSaga solar panel . The 518-watt rechargeable battery will need replacing after about 500 uses, but thats after a lot of camping trips.
Solar Generator Vs Diy Solar Kits
Unlike solar generators that dont require any assembly or installation, a DIY solar kit comes with separate components that you need to assemble and install.
Furthermore, you need to know how to connect the solar kit to a battery bank or an existing electrical system.
This is all right if you have the time and skills to do that. A DIY solar kit is especially suitable for RVs and boats that already have a battery bank. These kits dont include a battery they usually consist of solar panels, wiring, a charge controller and an inverter.
If you prefer a plug and play option, a solar generator is the best choice. Yes, you wont be able to connect it to an existing electrical system. On the upside, you dont have to worry about wiring to anything.
The battery and charge controller are built into the generator. Plugging in a cable from a solar panel, AC wall outlet or a car charger to recharge the battery is easy and quick.
For camping, definitely get a solar generator.
Don’t Miss: Best Solar Motion Sensor Light
Best Solar Generators: Reviews & Recommendations
The solar generators included on this list span a wide range of budgets, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. They span a number of use-cases, from camping to a backup for your home. Only you know all the factors that make one of these the best solar generator for you, but we think that one of these will get the job done.
- Can connect to six 200W solar panels
Cons
- Heavy for its size
The biggest portable power station from Jackery, a leading solar generator manufacturer, the Explorer 2000 Pro offers a tremendous 2,160 Watt Hours of power, making it capable of charging a full camping set up for a few days. When plugged into six 200W solar panels, an upgrade over the four-panel setup available on the Jackery Explorer 1500, you can fully charge this portable power station in just 2-2.5 hours. Thats less than half the time of the smaller model.
On top of all that, its extremely user-friendly. Numerous output ports ensure that you can plug in a wide range of devices and electrical equipment. Its functions are highly intuitive, and the digital display is easy to understand. Like other Jackery generators, its incredibly durable, too. The one potential downside is its weight: At 43 pounds, its a bit heavy for its size. Even so, for all the power you can store and the rapid-charging time, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro will keep the lights on wherever you need power.
Cons
- Expensive for its size/capacity
What Solar Controller Do I Need For A Portable Solar Generator
A good solar panel size for a portable solar power generator is 200 watt, either using a ready made kit or individual flexible solar panels.
Folding solar panel kits come with their own solar charge controller, normally PWM, so if using individual panels you need to choose the right solar charge controller.
200 watt solar panel how many amps?
Charge controllers are rated by current, so you need to know how many amps a 200 watt solar system will generate.
Current is determined by panel voltage and most 200 watt solar panels operate at Voc about 30 volts and a voltage of 24V when passing maximum current of around 8 amps.
So for this 200 watt solar generator, a 10 amp solar charger would be adequate.
Caution: Its always prudent to choose a solar charge controller bigger than you need, just in case you upgrade the system later. I would use a 20 amp charge controller in this case.
Difference between MPPT and PWM charge controller
MPPT and PWM are the two main types of battery charge controllers
Solar power generators have a limited amount of solar panels power available so charge controller efficiency can be important.
PWM are very cheap but not as efficient as MPPT. I would go for MPPT option, as this type can give you 30% more power very important when you need to maximize generation and storage.
Read about the difference between MPPT and PWM charge controllers here.
Read Also: Will An Emp Destroy Solar Panels
Best Solar Generators For Boating Camping And Rvs: Comparison Table
-
Jackery Explorer 500
-
500W continuous, 1000W surge pure sine wave inverter
- Best for boats, RVs, & vans
-
2000W continuous, 4800W surge pure sine wave inverter
- Best for devices & small appliances
-
250W continuous, 300W surge pure sine wave inverter
-
2,000W continuous, 3,500W surge pure sine wave inverter
- Best lightweight 1000W solar generator
-
1000W continuous, 2000W surge pure sine wave inverter
-
Jackery Explorer 1000 + 2 SolarSaga
- Best with solar panels
-
1000W continuous, 2000W surge pure sine wave inverter
-
200W continuous, 400W surge pure sine wave inverter
- Best briefcase solar generator kit
-
150W continuous pure sine wave inverter
- Best solar generator lighting kit
For camping, you want a solar generator that is lightweight yet capable. The Jackery Explorer 500 meets both those needs.
Its small, light, and can power most of the devices and small appliances used while camping.
Pros
Cons
- No USB-C or quick charge port.
Best Solar Generators At A Glance
large amounts of power
If youve got aspirations of off-grid living, youll need a solar generator that can produce enough power to run everyday appliances and tools.
The Yeti 1500X, although expensive, is one of the best on the market at the moment for this purpose – a charge controller means youre getting efficient solar power, which can also be topped up at the mains if you need, and the unit can happily offer power for tools and home equipment – including a full-size refrigerator if you need.
Wed also happily recommend this option if youre working on off-grid events.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does An Industrial Solar Panel Cost
The 10 Best Solar Generators For Camping With All Your Gadgets
Whether it’s for tech accessories or larger appliances, these will keep you powered for days.
GENERATORS USED to be loud, smelly, and gas-powered, and unless you were eking out a survivalist lifestyle in a cabin in the woods, you probably didnt have much need for one. However, in these days of renewable energy, were rethinking the idea of generators. Solar generators seem to be everywhere now. Its no surprise: Theyre smaller, quieter, and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. Theyre also clean enough to run indoors and, with enough sunlight, can be recharged indefinitely. Plus, in our tech-hungry world, almost everyone has a use for them. For campers, in particular, packing a portable power station is as important as packing a tent, a hiking backpack, and a proper smores kit.
- Best Solar Generator for OverlandingYeti 1500X Portable Power StationGoal Zero
- Best Solar Generator for RV CampersAC200MAX Portable Power StationBluetti
- Best Solar Generator for Portable 12V AppliancesPLB40 Portable Lithium BatteryDometic
- Best Solar Generator for Emergencies1000W/1280Wh Portable Power StationJUDY Power
- Best Solar Generator for High-Draw DevicesDelta Mini Portable Power StationEcoFlow
- Best Value LiFePO4 Solar Generator for Camping500W Portable Power Station/Solar GeneratorItehil
- Best Entry-Level LiFePO4 Solar Generator for Camping535 Portable Power StationAnker
| Capacity | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.84 x 7.59 x 9.2 inches |
| Weight |
- Lesser-known brand
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Power Station
Less power for your money: When you buy a power station, youre paying for convenience. The price of buying each individual component of a solar system is going to be significantly less expensive overall than purchasing it as an all-in-one box.
Stuck with the component selection: With a power station, there are less customization options to tailor to your build. You wont have the freedom to switch out or upgrade components. If the powered box comes with a PWM charge controller for example, you wont be able to swap it for an MPPT. The same goes for battery types.
Upgrades and repairs: With a traditional solar system you have the option repair components over time if they break. With a power station, you dont have that luxury and the whole thing must be serviced or replaced at once. Some boxes do allow you to string multiple batteries together but this is not idea for balancing reasons.
Less flexibility with sizing: There are a variety of capacities that you can purchase when it comes to powered boxes. Each year, power stations are getting larger and more efficient. However, in general you will still be limited to a smaller setup than a traditional solar panel system.
There are few companies that produce powered boxes larger than 1000Wh. This is plenty to power a 12V refrigerator, but if youre looking to go bigger you should build your own system.
Also Check: How Much To Add Solar Panels To Your House
How Much Power Should You Get
Jump to the tech specs on a power station and take a look at these numbers:
- Battery storage capacity
The solar input will tell you how many watts of solar you can hook to the power station, The battery storage will tell you how much energy can be stored total. You should have a rough estimate in your head of how many Watt hours you will need to power your devices. If you dont know, take a look at our electricity calculator.
In general, if youre planning to power larger devices like a 12V refrigerator, vent fan and other electronics take a look at power stations over 1000Wh. If youre just looking to charge up a cell phone, laptop or tablet, choose a smaller power option.
Best Budget: Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station
Output: 100 watts | Weight: 3.97 pounds | Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.5 x 6.7 inches | Output Ports: 1 100 watt AC outlet, 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A
While many of the budget generators still cost over $200, this affordable option from Jackery comes in at under $150 and has a two-year warranty. Its also one of the lightest option on the market at just under 4 pounds, making it another great pick for camping or even backpacking.
It can be charged using a solar panel, wall outlet, car outlet or electric generator. Its great for charging your phone or camera, or running small appliances like a fan or laptop. It has a surge capacity of 150 watts, but you should avoid using it with any device that has a 100 watt or higher rating.
Read Also: Is Solar Tax Credit Refundable
Jackery Portable Power Station
Another important thing to look for is a Solar Input limit. If you have 300 Watts or 500 Watt Solar Panels it wont matter. All the Portable Solar
Jackery 100 Watts of Solar Power
generators have a similar amount of Amp Input limit that will apply to each one. Jackery SolarSaga 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel, stay charged with the power of the sun! With a high conversion efficiency of up to 23%, it is ideally suited for outdoor life and even unexpected power outages.
The solar panel weighs only 9.1 lbs, and is lightweight, foldable, and with an easy-carry handle, making it more portable. They are clean energy with no emissions and can be run in an apartment or an off-grid cabin. For the money are the Best Solar Portable Power Station.
This voltage limit Input should be labeled right on the device normally on the bottom. That maximum Input will dictate how long the Solar Portable generator will take to charge. This is not size-dependent. A smaller device could charge faster than a bigger device.
They also contain plugs and adapters so that you can plug any smaller or bigger devices directly into the Solar Generator. Most of the Portable Solar Generators will output 12 Volts but the Jackery comes with a booster that will deliver 13.2 Volts. Charge the Jackery battery to full around 8 hours by connecting two SolarSaga 100W with an adapter cable . This will give the Jackery Portable Solar Generator better performance in this 12 Volt device field.
Q: Can I Run My House On Solar Power Only
Yes and no. While its absolutely possible to power your house with solar power, youre unlikely to do so with a portable solar generator unless you use several at once while limiting your power usage. The largest of our recommendationsthe EcoFlow Delta Prowill come fairly close when bolstered with extra batteries. If the power goes out, youll be able to keep your fridge cold and use basic electronics for a couple of days without recharging. With quality solar panels, good sunlight, and smart energy usage, your power should theoretically go uninterrupted.
Recommended Reading: Solar Panel Kits For Home Diy
Renogy Solar Solar Generator
The Renogy Phoenix Elite is a complete solar power generating system created purely for off-grid use.
There are two 10W solar panels and can also take up to 100 watts of extra solar energy through its DC input connection.
With versatility firmly in mind, there are several possible ways to charge the Phoenix Elite , either by CIG port, on-board AC adapter, USB-C wall-type charger, or of course, external solar panels.
Its 300Wh rechargeable battery pack can provide provide an electrical supply for various mobile devices and small AC items. It looks great with its compact briefcase design its ideal for leisure, or power outage.
Renogy Phoenix Elite Check Latest Price
Lets take a look at what you need to know to build your own solar generator for house use:
The Integrity Of The Seller And Brand
Some websites sell a wide variety of generator brands. However, not every brand is trustworthy. A solar power generator must be purchased from a reputable manufacturer.
Additionally, its critical to purchase a generator from a reliable vendor. Some vendors can be charging a low price for fake generators. Be sure to conduct some research before making an internet generator purchase.
Read Also: How To Create Solar Power
Charge Rates And Charge Durations
The DC charge rate of a solar generator is perhaps the most crucial aspect to take into account when buying a solar generator, even while its wonderful to have a rapid AC wall charging rate so you can top off quickly when you have access to AC power.
This is because it will affect how quickly you can recharge your solar generator to supply the energy you need while camping or traveling by land.
On the manufacturers website, under the technical specifications of the solar generator type youre considering, all charge rates will normally be listed in either watts or amps, though they may not always be written in the same way or with the same clarity.
How To Shop The Best Solar Generators
Shopping for electronics can be intimidating, especially if youre not a techie. Battery technology can be especially complicated, sometimes making you feel as though you need an advanced degree just to compare products. Under the hood, solar generators are complicated little devices. But, finding the right model doesnt have to be impossible. Here are the most important things to consider when shopping for the best solar generator :
You May Like: Ring Stick Up Cam Solar Panel
