LarryDel
Lewes, Delaware
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Joined: 03/10/2012
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Hello: We have read so much and have seen many you tube videos on Jackery's Bluetti's etc. We are planning a trip in December, Jan and Feb. to southern Arizona and Texas. We will stay in some state parks as well as boondocking and a few private campgrounds. We keep going back and forth as to whether we really need one. We have a travel trailer with two marine batteries and it came with a 100 watt solar panel on the roof. Pretty naive when it comes to this stuff. Any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks so much.....Lou Ann
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2oldman
NM
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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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.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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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 !
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LarryDel
Lewes, Delaware
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Joined: 03/10/2012
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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
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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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).
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2oldman
NM
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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.
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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Joined: 08/12/2016
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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.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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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.
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2112
Texas
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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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.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens, PullRite SuperGlide 2700 15K
2013 KZ Durango 2857
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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Joined: 03/16/2008
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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.
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