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

The same could be said about the 1000. More is better, but the size and weight increases with each larger unit as well.

 

I have read and heard from LLOD on youtube that the best way to handle these things is charge it 100% but when you are on the move or wheeling you should have this thing charging in the truck. This way if you are out for a few hours driving you just replaced a few hours of run time back on the unit.

This eliminates the need for getting the solar panels if the thing is always getting topped off. I dont leave anything valuable at a camping site if I leave to go on any excursions. Best to take the thing with you and plug it in even if its only for a short period of time you may have have just added 10% of a charge back on it which translates to run time for your devices.

 

We just have different uses. I tend to drive for an hour or two then I jump out and go hike and take pictures for a few hours, then I jump back in the truck drive for a few hours, before stopping again for a couple hours for something else. It would be a drag to keep connecting and disconnecting the fridge from the AC bed charger to the Jakery every time I wanted to stop for a couple hours. Especially since my setup is in the bed under the tonneau cover. It's really nice to "set it and forget it" and never think about it again. I just make sure it's charged 100% at home. Then when I go on my trip it usually does great if it's not super hot and I drive around enough. I never have to remember to do anything with the Jackery. I just have to remember to turn on the bed outlet when I turn on the truck. I should mention again that the 240 wasn't enough for me on a 10 day trip with 90 degree + weather on days that I skipped driving around. I think either one of the bigger ones or supplementing with a solar panel would be better for folks planning on using these for extended trips. but a two day weekend should be fine with the 240

 

The issue is the power wattage draw. You could not run a blender as an example off the small one. And any device that would draw more than 240 watts would not work in the little one.

500 watt devices are pretty big and draw tons of power. With the exception of a microwave. You could power and run any kitchen appliance you wanted off the 500.

Again I am not saying the 240 is a bad device. please don't take what I am saying wrong. I am just stating that in an emergency event having a bit more run time and versatility is usually always welcomed.

 

Also, it should take the same amount of time to charge on 12v DC. But in my experience it actually charges a little faster on the 12v DC.

From their website https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-240-portable-power-station

 

@OneGiraffe

 

Awesome info here. Love these kind of reviews.

 

Interested here @CowboyTaco

 

Haven't read all the responses and as usual i'm a day late but not a dollar short this time. I have a 240 for a few weeks now so not as much real world testing as most. But...how bout a group buy for updating to a 500? See what @JVL1985 and @PennStateTaco comments for what I mean...

 

I should also add that I recently had a power outage at home so I used my Dometic CFX35 to hold us over till the power came back on. I put all my frozen food in the Dometic and went to sleep. In the morning I noticed that the fridge was off and so was the Jackery. I checked the Jackery and it still had 88% juice. What this tells me is that when the fridge compressor shuts off and only draws 0-1w the jackery can go inactive and shuts itself off. I posted this experience on another thread and some one replied that after 3hrs of 0w draw the jackery turns off. I emailed Jackery to see what they say (I'll report back when they respond).

This is the other thread on this "3hr shutoff " topic. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/second-battery-to-run-refrigerator.673769/page-10#post-24053367

 

I'd be interested in a group by for the explorer 1000, or possibly the 500. 240 is just too wimpy for me and doesn't meet my needs at all.

 

Just for everyone's information. The Amazon price history on these is below. Looks like for some reason on December 14, 2019 it went down to $174.99. Maybe we'll see similar price drops this December? Also, it's currently $249.99 and the average is $241.48. So hopefully the group buy is a better deal than this.

https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B07D29QNMJ

 

All in for a 500 if we are getting them soon. I wanted to have one before labor day weekend.

 

Interested

 

Wow lot of opinions here (and some good info from those who have or have used these before)...I’m still interested if it shifts to the 500. Hopefully with a bigger discount

 

I'd be interested in a 500 and possibly some panels.

Though I have a feeling Jackery may not be as interested in trying to move the 500s. From what I see those seem to be the sweet spot and get the most positive reviews online.

OA

 

Same here need the Jackery 500 or 1000 ill hold off in buying if we can get a coupon code

 

Looks like they are opening it up to pretty much the whole range of the Jackery Explorer models, sans the 160. OP updated.

It is off the $249. Discount on solar panels is also available if we have 20 interested people.

I'm told the 240 will be back in stock within 2 weeks. That being said, it looks like the 300 is about to be released on September 1.

https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-300-portable-power-station

Seems like the fridge compressor should have kicked on within 3 hours. I'd be curious to know the ambient temp when that happened.

I knew it was a matter of time before this was posted. I asked about that as well and the response I got last night said that those were promotional prices and won't happen everyday. It sounds like it is possible for that to happen again, but I wouldn't count on it.

Which would you prefer? I've got you down for the 240,but can move you to the 500 list.

Looks like both are options, but we need to get the numbers before we get the code. It seems like there is more interest in the 500 right now, so I'll add you to that list for now (to get the number) and can move you to the 1000 if there is enough interest there.

 

Post 5 (The list) has been updated. If I missed anyone or need to make adjustments, please let me know.

 

OP updated to include expanded selection and associated group buy prices.