Wasn't sure if this was the right place to put this thread...but here it goes. Just recently picked up a Jackery 400 watt battery power station and a solar panel. Got both from Harbor Freight. Looks like they make this model only for Harbor Freight....and the solar panels are Thunderbolt brand. Been messing with this. I got to tell you..it comes in so handy. For camping...for running a grinder and radio at my property that has no electric. I do have a Predator inverter generator..but this thing makes no sound..which I like. So tonight we were out at our maple sugar shack..I put it to test . Ran all the led lights and tv for an hour. I started at 81 percent..ended at 78 percent. It can be charged by solar....electrical outlet/generator and 12v car/tractor charging. I have put this on my tractor and did multiple repairs around my property. No extension cords or loud generators needed. Super light. It's hard to believe how far battery technology has come. I'd get a bigger one in a heartbeat...although they get heavier. What a cool thing !
I've thought about getting something like that but hadn't done much research... Glad to hear a positive experience. Did you have to buy any special cords/cables, or does the unit /panels come with everything you need?
They are really cool ! Not sure on longevity...time will tell. Both the power station and solar panels came with the appropriate cords. The power station also came with cords for charging from a wall...and a car. Didn't have to buy anything extra..yet anyway !
So where were you when I was asking about those types in this thread in the DIY section (although I started off specifically asking the Ryobi power pack)? I kept looking at the what you got (although bigger), Blueti and others that are specifically set up for solar. I ended up getting the Ryobi as a battery pack for my main floor pellet stove, the batteries . It has tested out to most likely work for up to 10 hours of straight run time too (1800 w). But, it would be good to have another for the cellar dweller. And having the hardware and already being set up to charge it from solar, even if the power is out for days (like the ice storms of '08), would be great. Thank you for posting as it gives me more confidence in something like that since on-line reviews are not something I inherently trust. These types of things either get comments/reviews from people that haven't used them and want to just scoff because it is solar, or people that are trying to jack up the popularity for their own reasons and go on and on that they basically got the moon and stars when they received/used the item.
Sorry that I missed your thread ! Anything I can do to help..jostled me know. I'm learning everyday. I'm curious what it does in cold weather..and how long it keeps a charge when un-used . I'll be reporting back !
Decided to try charging from the inverter generator today. Charged at the same rate weather on auto idle..which it did....or on full throttle. Plugged it in..the generator didn't even seem to notice it.
I have the 250 watt version from Amazon. I've mostly used it when running a fan while splitting under a canopy in the summer. Now I'm looking for more uses. They're really handy!
Noticing it's been on 99 percent for awile..but the imput voltage has dropped in half...and is continuing to drop. Must slowly build up too 100. We will see Now to this
All in all..took about 3 hours to charge from generator ..from 62 to 100 percent. Next time ill.charge at home..see if it seems faster.
I've charged it like 25 percent on solar..went fast on a super bright sunny day. But never a large amount. I'll try that soon !
I have the Jackery 300 and a Rich solar panel bought last November on sale at Amazon. I was hoping to run ( by the specs it should have) my phone, watch and laptop. But my laptop needs a battery the Jackery is not enough. New battery is on the way. The solar panel on a good sunny day can charge the Jackery back up from <<zero>> in about three hours. The Rich solar panel will output 97 watts on a cloudless, hazeless day. <<zero>> tagged because my laptop will drain the Jackery down to 50% and then when I'm not looking the Jackery shuts off. I've never seen the Jackery at an amount less than 50% and still been usable. Unless it was charging. Laptop doesn't charge from USB so I have to use its power brick and the A/C output on the Jackery which might be around 85% efficient. I've charged my Dewalt tool batteries with it too.
I appreciate the knowledge your sharing. Let's keep testing them ! See what these lil boogers can..and can't do !
The solar panels should be fine, it is the battery you probably have to wonder about. I've seen some power stations that say down to +5*F for the battery itself (and the power station may be a different temp for operation). Ryobi says the batteries can be -4* to 120*., but operating temp of the station is between 32* and 104* (per the owners manual). It has sensors and will not start (or will shut down if running) if the battery or station temp is out of range.
You're not supposed to charge a cold lithium battery. Some have sensors that help the BMS protect the cells and will disconnect input at freezing. Some claim to but don't. Some batteries have built in heaters. This guy: https://www.youtube.com/c/WillProwse cuts batteries open to find out what is really inside.
bogieb its the batteries have to be above 0 degrees that is my biggest concern. That’s is a heated area here 90 days ayear
