Group Buy (Closed): Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations and SolarSaga Solar Panels

This Group Buy is Closed. We will need 10 participants to start a new one.


Jackery Explorer 240: https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-240-portable-power-station
Current Price: $249.99
Group Buy Price: $229.99


Jackery Explorer 300: https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-300-portable-power-station
Current Price: $349.99
Group Buy Price: $299.00


Jackery Explorer 500: https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-500w-portable-power-station
Current Price: $499.99
Group Buy Price: $449.99


Jackery Explorer 1000: https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-1000-portable-power-station
Current Price: $999.99
Group Buy Price: $899.00


SolarSaga 60W: https://www.jackery.com/products/solarsaga-60w-solar-panel
Current Price: $179.99
Group Buy Price: $169.99



SolarSaga 100W: https://www.jackery.com/products/solarsaga-100w-solar-panel
Current Price: $299.99
Group Buy Price: $289.99


If you search for "best portable power station" on google, you will find several articles that point to the various Jackery systems.

Here are the top 4 results of my Google search:
https://www.businessinsider.com/best-portable-power-station
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-power-stations/ (<-- this article doesn't list the 240, but has the other 3 popular Jackery power stations listed)
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/a32825530/best-portable-power-stations/
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Portable-Power-Station/s?k=Best+Portable+Power+Station

Before searching, I had never heard of Jackery. Since they kept coming up in searches, I figured they might be one of the go-to companies in the portable power bank industry. I also looked into several of their competitors and some of the lower priced offerings on Amazon.

There are several things that I like about the Jackery.

1. It has a 2 year warranty.
2. It has a power output reading, so you know how much power you are pulling at any given time. I believe this is for AC and DC, where many of the competitors only have this readout for AC.
3. AC adapter and car charge included. I actually found some on Amazon that only offered a wall charger and charged extra for the car charger.
4. Pure sine wave AC outlet
5. Pass-through charging. This one was big for me, as I want to be able to power a fridge whether the truck is running or not. I found conflicting information on many of the competitors.

In researching 12v fridges, I found that many people are using portable power stations instead of dual battery setups since it is much more cost effective and ultimately more portable. I started seeing more and more posts on forums and youtube videos where people were using some form of a Jackery power station with positive reviews.

#5 above was pretty important to me, as I want the fridge to run whether I'm driving or parked. (Note: while is supports pass-through charging, I did find some info on the internet that suggests pass-through charging can have negative effects on battery life. I do not know to what extent or the likelihood of that happening)

For reference, an IH8Mud forum member recently performed a test powering his 12v fridge (60w compressor) with a Jackery Explorer 160 using AC power and found that the power station lasted approximately 8.5 hours with the lid of the fridge being opened with normal use. (Fridge set to 32* and ambient temperature was 80-85*) He stated that the first 5 hours used approximately 50% of the battery life and he did not open the fridge during that time. That being said, it seems reasonable to expect the 240 to power the same fridge for 12+ hours (Though the listing on Amazon suggests 18 hours, which is probably realistic if the fridge is not opened).

Edit: Post edited to reflect expanded selection.

 

Count me in as interested. I’d be interested to see what the cost will be (you say $20 off but the website currently says it’s $50 off so I’m curious if that would be additional off the current $249 price). I’m also curious if any discount may extend to accessories (solar charging).

 

Damn it, i dont need another reason to spend money With the recent purchase of a fridge, one of these could be a solid investment though. I like their solar panels as well. Hmmmm...

 

Dang. I forgot to reserve the second post for the list of interested people. I guess I'll use the next one for that.

That's almost verbatim the question that I asked. I would not be willing to pay more than the current listed price either

I would think you would have a legitimate use for this more than most.

 

The list:

Jackery Explorer 240 (min. 10)

Committed:

Interested:

1. @2013XSPX
2. @TheUglyOne
3. @tslick
4. @hx989
5. @Matmo215

$259 Jackery Explorer 300 , 293Wh Backup Lithium Battery, Solar Generator for Outdoors Camping Travel Hunting Blackout (Solar Panel Optional)

Jackery Explorer 300 (min. 10)

Committed:

1. @fishing4boulders

Interested:

1. GeneralPencil (IH8Mud)

$499 Jackery Explorer 500 , 518Wh Outdoor Solar Generator Mobile Lithium Battery Pack with 110V/500W AC Outlet for Home Use, Emergency Backup,Road Trip Camping (Solar Panel Optional)

Jackery Explorer 500 (min. 10)

Committed:

1. @PennStateTaco
2. @Aldizzle13
3. @Gilmorec61
4. @Omar RVA
5. @Attachoi
6. Miloslavik (IH8Mud)
7. @Maverick1016
8. @mhshark
9. @mhshark
10. xjjon (T4R)
11. xjjon (T4R)
12. Moewood1 (IH8Mud)
13. @harpharperharp
14. @sabotanker
15. BlackBeardsHead (IH8Mud)
16. Friend of @Gilmorec61 (T4R)
17. Friend of @Gilmorec61 (LC)
18. @Cushmaat
19. @NorrinRadd
20. @texas angler
21. sl0wd0wn (T4R)
22. @The Bob
23. p0r0y (T4R)
24. @Tenziro
25. @Weejub
26. @cg3006
27. Friend of @Gilmorec61
    
28. Friend of @Gilmorec61
    
29. Friend of @Gilmorec61
30. SD16Runner (T4R)
31. @rnelmsy
32. @Soccerfreak17
33. @badstainless
34. ElectroBoy (T4R)
35. Equinox22 (IH8Mud)
36. @rponeal
37. @chilow
38. @Rocket Metal
39. @chilow
40. Friend of @iK0NiK
41. @seanchea88
42. Newticus (T4R)
43. happypizza (T4R)
    
44. @mray
45. ClassyJalopy (IH8Mud)
46. porkandcorn (IH8Mud)

Interested:

1. @L-is-R
2. @mac_2_nite
3. Byoung7982 (IH8Mud)
4. @iKonik (When back in stock)
5. TeamShiftPoint (T4R)
6. Spudgey (T4R) (When back in stock)
7. @Maverick1016 (When back in stock)

Jackery Explorer 1000 (min. 10)

Committed:

1. @Kolunatic
   
2. Patassa (IH8Mud)
   
3. wlittleman (IH8Mud)
   
4. @mac_2_nite
   
5. @jack_mTaco
   
6. @trdt44
   
7. @McRib
8. @nateClicks
9. TXTruckLvr (IH8Mud)
10. @Aldizzle13
11. SR5BFG (IH8Mud)
12. 808Waterman (T4R)
13. Equinox22 (IH8Mud)
14. rubenjamjr (T4R)
15. @Tacoma#5150
16. genesis712 (T4R)
17. @ohheythatguy

Interested:

1. @arrakis429
2. @bajatacoguy (Ordered outside of GB)
3. @#NEVERGIVEUP
4. TeamShiftPoint (T4R)

SolarSaga 60W (min. 20)

Committed:

Interested:

1. @badstainless

SolarSaga 100W (min. 20)

Committed:

1. @JVL1985
2. @Aldizzle13
3. @Attachoi
4. BlackBeardsHead (IH8Mud)
5. @Kolunatic
6. @Kolunatic
7. @McRib
8. @rponeal
9. @Tacoma#5150
10. @Tacoma#5150
11. genesis712 (T4R)

Interested:

1. @Omar RVA
2. @sabotanker
3. @L-is-R
4. @mac_2_nite
5. Byoung7982 (IH8Mud)
6. @#NEVERGIVEUP
7. Equinox22 (IH8Mud)
8. SR5BFG (IH8Mud)
9. 808Waterman (T4R)
10. @mray

 

Ive been considering a dual battery setup quite a bit here lately too, this would be so much more simplistic all the way around.

 

Put me down for Interested please. Thanks for doing the leg work.

 

I own this model. Mine is privately labeled for Honda. I figured it must be good when I purchased it for Honda to allow their name on it. No complaints so far.

 

Too funny! I have been researching these things the last 2 days. However I was really looking at the Jackery 500 since it has a bit more versatility. It is a little bit more but I think that cost could be justified when looking at being able to power a fridge plus run and charge a bunch of other devices that you normally would not have the capability to run without that extra power. For reference here is the below chart using some simple things you can run off these things but I know besides charging phones or using it for a fridge, there are bunches of other devices that now could be added to your camping/overland excursions.

 

Hey guys, I just recently picked up a Jackery 500 and I'm really happy with it. I would like to add that I would get the 500 over the 240 and I'm glad I didn't get the smaller one. The 500 will power my fridge around 36 hours and that's if I don't let it get below 20% which the recommend.

 

Very good info. I went with the 240, as I don't have $500 to shell out at the moment. That said, I did inquire about other models as well since everyone has a different need and different budget. I'll let you know what they say.

 

I completely understand and I am right there with you when it comes to the money. One of the reasons I had not pulled the trigger yet on buying one. However I also know if I spent the 250 on the little one and regretted it I would be kicking myself for not getting the bigger one.

So I would buy once.. cry once.. and then be happy about it

 

I own the 240. I use it with my Dometic CFX35. I "pass through" charge it. I connect the Jackery to the bed outlet and the fridge to the 12V DC outlet on the jackery. It works great if you are driving most of the day and it's not to warm out. It's perfect for weekend offroad trips in 80 degree weather. You just have to remember to turn on your bed outlet every time you start the truck. However, I recently tried this setup on a 10 day trip through AZ and CO and I found the 240 lacking on the days that I didn't drive much. The weather was above 90 degrees most of those days and on the days that I didn't drive it was flat out just not enough juice to keep me through the day and night. I believe if I supplement my setup with a solar panel it would work much better. Or just go for a 500 or 1000. I would be really interested in a group buy for the 100w solar panel or the 500. Is there anyway the solar panels or the 500 could be included in this group buy??

 

I don't understand the purpose of pass through power. Why not just leave the Jackery off when driving and use your truck to power the fridge? That's what we do.

 

I believe it’s to set it and forget it (in a sense). That way the Jackery is charging while you’re driving, then when you stop, the Jackery continues to power the fridge without having to swap power cords, etc.

 

I’m interested in the GB but it says sold out on the website

 

Good info. I'll let you know what they say about other products.

Because the fridge isn't pulling much power all the time. The big pull is when the compressor is running. Once the fridge reaches temp, the compressor shuts off. You have to charge the power station somehow, so why not have it charging while you are driving and still allow the fridge to run as needed?

What you are currently doing isn't helping to replenish the power station for use when you are not driving.

Now, if you already have a fully charged power station, then it would probably be better to have the fridge plugged into the truck power.

 

Huh. I guess I still find that odd. I make sure the Jackery is at 100% charge before each trip as it takes so long to charge from DC power. To each their own though.

 

I agree but I wouldn't set out on a trip and not have the Jackery 100% charged. The Jackery only has so many charges in it's lifespan. I'd rather not "run" it when the truck can do that instead.

 

One thing I will add is with that 500, if you are a prepper. That 500 gives you real capability to run a bunch of things in the event you lose power. The 240 certainly would be handy but would drain to quickly to be efficient in a real power outage scenario. While I am not advocating that this thing would solve all your problems. It certainly would keep you out the dark and your phones charged and even run a small fridge for quite some time if needed.

Anyways each one has its uses and the 500 is where I found I could justify spending the money knowing I had some extra capability beyond just camping with it.