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

[CowboyTaco]

I couldn't find a Group Buy section, though I think I've seen one here in the past. That said, I have reached out to Jackery and they have agreed to do a Group Buy for forum members on the Jackery Explorer Power Station and SolarSaga solar panels (pending enough interest).

I'm running this on TacomaWorld as well. If you're interested, let me know and I'll get you added to the list.


Jackery Explorer 240: Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station
Current Price: $249.99
Group Buy Price: $229.99

Jackery Explorer 300: Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
Current Price: $349.99
Group Buy Price: $299.00

Jackery Explorer 500: Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
Current Price: $499.99
Group Buy Price: $449.00

Jackery Explorer 1000: Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station
Current Price: $999.99
Group Buy Price: $899.00

SolarSaga 60W: SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel
Current Price: $179.99
Group Buy Price: $169.99

SolarSaga 100W: 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:
The best portable power stations
The Best Portable Power Station (<-- this article doesn't list the 240, but has the other 3 popular Jackery power stations listed)
Best Portable Power Stations 2020 | Battery-Powered Generators
Amazon.com : 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).

 

[CowboyTaco]

List of interest:

@CowboyTaco

 

[Oswego]

Hope you get a free one. Running group buys suck...or should I say people who want deals you have to converse with on TW suck

Good luck man.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Hope you get a free one. Running group buys suck...or should I say people who want deals you have to converse with on TW suck

Good luck man.

LOL. Yeah, this is my first time.

Ironically, the only person who has said that they aren't happy with the GB price isn't on TW.

 

[Oswego]

I ran two for snorkels. Never again. Took way too much time and energy for a very meager savings. Looking back only thing that was cool is most of my buddy's got deals + I think I drilled holes into about 5-7 new trucks because most were nervous. I was drunk half the time so I just cut away w/o fear

Also got to see what happens when a Tacoma drives over a snorkel on the ground before install - nothing. That was funny and also why Ill never use anything but a real Safari snorkel.

 

[bakerla]

integrate 2 of these sealed batteries into your truck and it will provide more power, last longer and a whole lot cheaper with a bit of wiring skillz.

Mighty Max Battery ML-U1 12V 200CCA Battery$60

Hi. Does anybody want XYZ?

Taco Loco: Fuck your XYZ, ABC with a banana is better.

 

[Silverback]

Hi. Does anybody want XYZ?

Taco Loco: Fuck your XYZ, ABC with a banana is better.

Dude.. you need to warn us. I about spit beer on my monitor with your banana comment. LMAO!!

But in Taco Locos defense, bananas are pretty awesome.

We do need a solar/alternative power for vehicles/trailers thread. I thought we did but it was a home solar thread. I'm too lazy to start one.

 

[Taco Loco]

Hi. Does anybody want XYZ?

Taco Loco: Fuck your XYZ, ABC with a banana is better.

, Sorry, it’s a bad habit, I deleted my posts, I will try and refrain from trying to save anyone money, I just can’t see myself buying one of those pricy units, when I know I can build something better.

 

[tx_shooter]

I like the idea and overall functionality could be better than some house battery setups. Just bad timing for me right now.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I think the main draw of the Jackery is convenience and portability. It's a self contained system that is ready to go and can be transported wherever you need it rather easily. From what I've read, they have some very thoughtful design elements. One of them being the output readout. Many of the portable power stations will tell you a power readout on AC only. The Jackery will show total output regardless of whether it is AC, DC, or both.

A member on one of the other forums stated that he has a Honda solar generator that is made by Jackery. I think he said it was the Explorer 500 unit. If Honda is putting their name on it, that says something.

I have yet to see one in person, so I have zero real world experience. I can only comment on what I've read on the internet, and we all know that is a 100% reliable source.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Hi. Does anybody want XYZ?

Taco Loco: Fuck your XYZ, ABC with a banana is better.

Nice.

Dude.. you need to warn us. I about spit beer on my monitor with your banana comment. LMAO!!

But in Taco Locos defense, bananas are pretty awesome.

We do need a solar/alternative power for vehicles/trailers thread. I thought we did but it was a home solar thread. I'm too lazy to start one.

I hear Silverbacks really like bananas. Thanks for confirming.

, Sorry, it’s a bad habit, I deleted my posts, I will try and refrain from trying to save anyone money, I just can’t see myself buying one of those pricy units, when I know I can build something better.

No butthurt here. Yes, there are other alternatives and this isn't for everyone. In my scenario, I think it makes the most sense.

I thought about going with a cheap chinese alternative on Amazon, but the reviews on pass-through charging were inconsistent. Even the mfg of the units would contradict themselves saying that it was capable, or possible, or not recommended, or not possible. Jackery just says "Yep. you can do it. Though it could have a negative impact on battery life." One of the members on IH8Mud, the same one that organized the ICECO GB, said that he has had his for a while and only uses it in a pass-through setup and has seen no degradation to battery life or pack functionality. So I just couldn't see spending over half the money on the chinese knock off.

I looked on TW and found no previous attempts at group buys, so I sent the company an email.....and you see the outcome.

 

[Taco Loco]

Nice.



I hear Silverbacks really like bananas. Thanks for confirming.



No butthurt here. Yes, there are other alternatives and this isn't for everyone. In my scenario, I think it makes the most sense.

I thought about going with a cheap chinese alternative on Amazon, but the reviews on pass-through charging were inconsistent. Even the mfg of the units would contradict themselves saying that it was capable, or possible, or not recommended, or not possible. Jackery just says "Yep. you can do it. Though it could have a negative impact on battery life." One of the members on IH8Mud, the same one that organized the ICECO GB, said that he has had his for a while and only uses it in a pass-through setup and has seen no degradation to battery life or pack functionality. So I just couldn't see spending over half the money on the chinese knock off.

I looked on TW and found no previous attempts at group buys, so I sent the company an email.....and you see the outcome.

The portability is nice, but it’s pricey. If you have multiple vehicles or certain outdoor activities the portable option may be a good choice.

Sorry I didn’t read full details of title/thread/post before commenting, didn’t even register that you were setting up a group buy.

Dude.. you need to warn us. I about spit beer on my monitor with your banana comment. LMAO!!

But in Taco Locos defense, bananas are pretty awesome.

We do need a solar/alternative power for vehicles/trailers thread. I thought we did but it was a home solar thread. I'm too lazy to start one.

Yes, probably need to start a separate thread, most folks have a dedicated truck/trailer for excursions and if out in remote areas, your gonna use the equipment off truck/trailer anyways and the cost of integrating a couple of the lithium batteries with built in bsm‘s into the trailer or truck can be done half the cost.

 

[tx_shooter]

Yeah, the words "Group Buy" at the front of the thread title are misleading.


But this setup could be an interesting add on for a home generator setup. I keep debating a generator for my house to run a limited amount of items. But the cost and rare use keeps making me put it off.

 

[Silverback]

Not to derail this... but for $900 I could buy a HF 3500 watt inverter generator and enough fuel to run it for 2 weeks.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Yeah, the words "Group Buy" at the front of the thread title are misleading.

I laughed harder than I should have at this.

Not to derail this... but for $900 I could buy a HF 3500 watt inverter generator and enough fuel to run it for 2 weeks.

...and at the end of 2 weeks, you're coming to my house to drink cold beer.

 

[Silverback]

I already have solar and dual battery.

 

[tx_shooter]

I have been watching setups like this. The technology is improving and the solar panels are getting better. The idea works. If I was a dedicated trailer I would do something like this.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Honestly, if I wasn't concerned about setting it up and easily switching between vehicles, I'd be looking more at dual battery setups.

Heck, I still might do a dual batt in the taco. But that being said, I have 2 vehicles that would need additional batteries purchased, I would need to buy another isolator, another fuse block, inline fuses for the batteries and all the associated wiring and hookups. Not to mention permanently taking up additional space inside both vehicles. For the ability to easily move and/or remove this setup, I'm giving it a shot.

 

[tx_shooter]

Portable and self contained would be nice for base camp type use. That is one reason I would like a portable / non vehicle based setup.

 

[Oswego]

Is Jackary making your group buy meet any quantity requirements? If they are DM me and I might be able to help you avoid that concerning one of the models offered