Help choosing a solar panel

Hi, I’m planning to paired my Jackery 500 to a solar panel im going to install it on my Prinsu rack, I saw this one on Amazon, what do you think? Can I use it with the Jackery 500?
They have two options for the controllers MPPT and PWM.

$209 Renogy 12V Monocrystalline Starter Rover Controllerr/Mounting Z Brackets/Tray Cable/Adaptor Kit for RV Solar Charging, Boats, Off-Grid System, 100W Panel+MPPT 20A Controller

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Negative-Controller-Connectors/dp/B06WGW485F/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Roof+rack+Solar+panel&qid=1597888981&sr=8-3&th=1

 

Thanks for the link, I’ve been thinking about doing something similar. Just got in line for a Go Fast Camper and want to power an electric fridge and some lights and device chargers with the Jackery 500.

The model you linked says it’s compatible with lithium batteries. One of the customer question says it directly plugs into the Jackery 240, so it should work. I’d be curious to see your setup if you go for it.

I’m thinking about getting a Prinsu roof rack to mount a solar panel in front of the go fast camper wedge. How do you like the rack? I’m nervous about drilling into the roof and potential leaks but it looks cool and would be perfect for solar.

 

Just did a little more looking into it and the Jackery already has a built-in charge controller. So I think you just need the solar panel itself and an adapter to allow for plugging into the Jackery.

Check out this article:
https://thecampingnerd.com/jackery-explorer-solar-panels/

 

I just got the solar panel, I will install it this weekend, I’ll let you know how it works.

 

I too am interested in powering a refrigerator, among other things, in our Tacoma. The reason being that we travel, a lot. We are more than week end warriors and spend about six months of the year on the road. We have gone from 7 years of full time travel on motorcycles to 10 years of travel 6 moths per year with a truck and travel trailer. We are down sizing to a 2005 Tacoma that we are currently kitting out.

From a Google search: "ARB states on their website that the 50 quart model has an 'average DC power consumption of 0.7 to 2.3 amp/hour'. At the maximum estimated power usage of 2.3 amps/hour, the fridge will use approximately 55.2 amps per 24-hour period."

Given that the Jackery web site states: "

$349 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 is a 518Wh lithium Portable Power Station."

Doing the math: 518Wh at 12V = 43.1666666Ah. 518Wh at 120V = 4.316666666Ah

So, with nothing else connected (not very liekly in our case) to the Jackery 500 it is possible to get about a day and three quarters of power for the 50 quart ARB Fridge. I'm not sure 50 quarts is large enough to justify a refrigerator given the cost. That's a lot of ice in a good ice chest at a much lower price point.

The 64 quart Engel fridge draws 2.8 amps (12V DC)and is even more costly and also has a freezer which is something we really like. And it will consume more power.

My concern about recharging Lithium Ion Batteries is that it is a two stage process.

As a general rule, a solar panel will not be sufficient by itself to get Lithium Ion Batteries sufficiently charged for the initial charge required when the charge level is lower than 50%. It will take a generator to get the batteries sufficiently charged to a point where the solar panel(s) can complete the charge cycle. This comes from experience with Lithium Ion Batteries in RV industry and is well documented.

I am curious as to how y'all are going to deal with this issue? I ask because I have not found anyone on this forum addressing this issue.

Curiously yours,

Jim