7 Comments

It bears mentioning that Jackery seems to be the last holdout for NOT using the latest technology - the LiFePO4 battery. I am finally getting a ‘solar generator’ and Jackery was the first brand that popped into my mind. Then I discovered they have fallen behind in their battery technology. They are losing market share and it is disappointing that they haven’t kept up. For the money I will be choosing a competitor that uses LiFePO4 with up to triple the lifespan among other advantages. I wish Jackery had kept up to date - if they had that is the brand I would buy.

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My wife has the Jackery 500 with solar panel and loves it.

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I have more fun building my own. One is an AO lithium 110 amp 12 volt, a xantrex 2K, a 20 amp Li charger and 100 amp solar panel. The other is 2-10 amp no name Li batts, a 400 watt inverter a PDI 45 amp charger and 40 watt solar panel. Most of this I had laying around. Use a Will Prowse approved Milk Carton to hold them. During a recent power outage I used the big one for the Fridge and the small one for my internet router and computer. Worked great.

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Mike, can you provide more detail on your statement that you can run a household refrigerator and Internet equipment for days on a Jackery 1000? I’m having trouble understanding how the Jackery 1000 can power that equipment for so long.

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author

I didn’t say a 1000 Wh Jackery would power a household refrigerator for days. I was demonstrating a portable Vitrifrigo fridge/freezer with a 12-volt DC Danfoss compressor. And that was using a Jackery 1500 Wh unit which powered the portable fridge/cooler for 60 hrs without using the 120-volt inverter.

I also powered an 8 cu ft Vitrifrigo marine refrigerator with a 12-volt DC Danfoss compressor using a 100 Ah Lithium battery for over 24 hrs on a single charge.

And I’ve recommended that you need at least 300 watts of solar panels and 200 Ah of Lithium batteries in your RV to power a 12-volt DC 10 CF refrigerator along with a few other RV loads.

Large residential refrigerators with a 120-volt AC inverter will probably use twice as much energy.

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I have a remote camping lot with no power. This year on our dining shelter, I made a battery/inverter box using a group 24 deep cycle Interstate battery running a small 300w inverter . My goal was to run the two strings of market LED lights during the evening maybe 6 hours. Have a 100w solar panel on the roof to replenish it during the day. We had bad results, it would weener out after 3 hours and beep low voltage. I think I need more solar input because in my garage doing a pre test I got 6 hours using fully charged box. But this Jackery seems so much simpler. Trouble is I leave this home made box out there in the leaves hidden it was much less $ to make , and I won't cry if stolen. Good article thank you

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Mike, How about a solar solution that will keep the engine battery charged and fight the slight drain

from always on RV elements. I'm thinking plug in at home base, using Anderson Power Poles, and perhaps portabe enough to carry with. Small is important.

Tom

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