Purchasing a Jackery or something similar....need help....

KD4UPL wrote:
Save your money on any of those "solar generators". Buy some more solar panels and a good inverter for the RV. It will be money well spent, far more convenient than toting something else around, and likely less expensive.

There has been a uptick in postings about these overpriced battery packs. What I have noticed is you cannot talk sense into the folks who wish to buy these overpriced batteries. They have already made up their minds to buy them and absolutely nothing posted that tells them to save their money is going to deter them.

I am pretty much done trying to persuade them that they are a bad deal and not worth the $1,000 or more for what amounts to be a battery with the same capacity of a garden tractor battery..

Save your money on any of those "solar generators". Buy some more solar panels and a good inverter for the RV. It will be money well spent, far more convenient than toting something else around, and likely less expensive.

If I had my trailer plugged into a Jackery, I would turn off my battery disconnect to not waste it on trying to charge my battery unless the battery was flat discharged and you need to rescue it.

I use a French Press for coffee, boil the water on the stove.

The Jackery 1500 weighs 35+ pounds. Are you both capable of moving the Jackery around the campsite? You’ll need to keep it locked and out of sight. A Jackery has legs similar to small generators.

How do intend to recharge the Jackery? Your TT batteries are not recharging fully with only one 100 watt solar panel. Nothing will be left over for the Jackery. For less expense and more power than a Jackery buy more solar, a MPPT controller, a Lithium battery and an adequate inverter.

LarryDel wrote:
Can the Jackery charge my house batteries which in turn will run my refrig, TV and coffee maker.

Their intended use is to plug your shore cord into them and run things as you would if on shore power. I'm never concerned about being 'inefficient' or 'over priced', just quiet and convenient.

LarryDel wrote:
Ok, got more specifics from my husband....."Can the Jackery charge my house batteries which in turn will run my refrig, TV and coffee maker. We are planning to get a Jackery 1000 ...

The Jackery can NOT directly charge your house batteries. You could plug the RV into the Jackery and then you converter would charge the batteries, but this is very INEFFICIENT!

How are you charging your house batteries now with your 100W solar panel ?

Jackery recommends their 1500 for a coffee maker (?).

Buy as many solar panels as you can afford and can easily be mounted (and stored if they are portable).

Ok, got more specifics from my husband....."Can the Jackery charge my house batteries which in turn will run my refrig, TV and coffee maker. We are planning to get a Jackery 1000 and another 100 watt portable solar panel. Is that enough or do we need more solar panels? Thanks

If your batteries are not too old, and you don't plan to make more than one pot of coffee per day and watch a few hours of TV, you don't need one. More solar panels, yes ! When it comes time to replace them, get a pair of 6V golf cart batteries. Probably cheaper and they will store a bit more power.

Do you have an inverter ? If not you want a pure sine wave, inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch and you can get rid of your old converter.

I would buy a 2000W generator before I would buy one of those "solar generators". Nice but OVER PRICED !

Is the question whether you need one? That's something only you can decide.. like whether you like your 120v coffee maker or you watch tv.. I know I'd sure rather be next to someone with a Jackery than a generator.