Jackery Explorer 1000 is a solar generator (also known as a portable power station) that can provide enough power to charge your electronics more than several times. You can also power small appliances like a portable fan or a refrigerator on a trip or during a blackout.
This small solar generator is a product of improved battery technology over the years, and it is small and portable considering it supplies power equivalent to a small generator.
In the modern world, you can’t imagine your day without electricity, and it became an integral part of our way of life. Whether it is a power outage or you are on a camping trip, you need power, and that’s where this little fella comes into the picture. It will fulfil your essential power needs.
Moreover, the unit is easy to use, and it has many outlets on the control panel, which is clearly labeled with the voltage and current rating so that it becomes easy to use. If you are looking for a portable power station, then this unit is a solid choice. You can use this generator to power a variety of things in different situations.
Table of Contents
Jackery Explorer 1000
Design
The whole unit is made out of solid plastic, and it is to keep the weight down and to increase portability. The used plastic is of high quality but be careful not to drop on hard surfaces. As the battery capacity increases, the weight also increases, and this unit has a 1000 watts battery, this results in a weight of 10 Kg. The unit has rubber pads on the bottom so that it stands firmly in its place.
Despite the weight, the unit is manageable and can be conveniently moved around thanks to the handle on the top, but you might not like to carry it for extended periods. The unit, by the looks of it, closely resembles a large lunch box. The combination of black and orange colors makes the generator noticeable, even in the pile of different things.
Other than that, the unit has a grill on the side of the unit equipped with fans to keep the batteries cool. On the front of the unit, there is a flashlight, which is quite bright and will come in handy during the night. Also, It can blink differently and has an SOS mode.
The control panel is on the side, which has many important outlets to access the power and to charge the battery. All of them are clearly and conveniently outlined with suitable labels. So, in terms of design, it is functional, and the use of durable plastic will keep the generator going for years.
Power Outlets
There are plenty of power outlets to power a variety of AC appliances and to charge electronics. For batteries, there is always the problem of discharging through the ports even when nothing is connected to them. To solve that problem, the outlets on this unit are provided with the engagement button.
When you want to use any of the power outlets, you will need to activate them by pressing the button given above the outlets. All the outlets are organized based on their types and power it provides.
It has 3 AC outlets to power the small to big appliances which don’t require more than 2000 starting watts and 1000 running watts. It has 2 USB-C ports as most of the newer electronics are migrating from standard USB ports to USB-C ports. It has two standard USB ports too. There is also a 12 V carport, so the appliances and electronics that work in the carport will work from this power station too.
When there are these many outlets on the unit, manufacturers tend to place them side by side and close enough that the nearest outlet will get blocked if the power cord has a box pin. For this unit, the outlets have good clearance between them.
There is one more thing, the display on top of outlets. It helps to keep an eye on different parameters like input power, output power, and battery percentage.
Battery and Recharging
Jackery Explorer 1000 encloses a 1002 watts battery inside the durable casing to store the energy. It provides 100 running watts and 2000 starting watts. With this much power, you can run most of the small appliances like a small cooler, electric grill, etc. You can even run a refrigerator in your home, not that small and portable one but the bigger one too. It is a different thing that it will run for a short period of time but, you can run it.
The battery it has will last at its full capacity for up to 500 full cycles before it reduces to 80% of its total capacity. That will provide a full capacity lifetime of 1 to 4 years, considering you don’t use it on a daily basis.
Now coming to the charging, it can be charged through three different methods. You can either charge it through a wall outlet or a car battery or using solar panels. This versatility makes it a very good choice for different kinds of power needs, whether you want a backup at home or you are on a camping or adventure trip.
For wall charging, it will take 7 hours, and this is the lowest time for full charge compared to other methods. If you charge from a 12 V car outlet, then it takes anywhere between 8 to 15 hours.
Solar charging is an inherently slow process, and using a single 100 watts solar panel; it will take about 16 hours to get it fully charged. Whereas if you use two of those, then the charging time cuts to half; it recharges to its full potential in 8 hours.
Customer Service and warranty
Another good thing about this portable power station is its warranty and customer support. Jackery offers a warranty of 2 years, which is plenty considering the solar generator doesn’t involve any moving parts. So, if you face any problems during that time, then the company will repair them for you. The warranty comes with free shipping and returns system.
If you don’t face any problems in the first few years, then it is unlikely to have problems in the near future. Moreover, if there are any minor problems or you want to get any product-related information or have a query, then you contact them directly through emails or calls.
Pros and Cons
Pros
If you go on frequent camping trips for more than a few days, this solar generator is an excellent choice. If you go on a solo adventure, then this might not be a good choice due to its weight, but for a car or RV camping, it is a great choice. You can depend on it to provide you with continuous power for your appliances and electronics.
Other than that, this power station is one of the highest capacity units in the market. It provides 1000 watts of power. You can use it as a home backup solution for short outages or run a few appliances during a party or get-together.
Another good thing is its efficient inverter. It makes sure that you get very clean power through those AC outlets, with a very low THD rating. Moreover, to access the power, the unit has plenty of power outlets.
Cons
When it comes to recharging, the unit lags behind. As mentioned, you can charge the unit through three different methods, and it takes much time to get the unit fully charged in all methods; it slightly varies, but the charging period is long.
The quickest way to charge the unit is from wall outlets, and the slowest way to do that is from a vehicle charging. The solar generator takes a long period to get charged, and the unit doesn’t provide that much power, which restricts its continuous use for AC appliances.
Other than that, The battery life is average. You get the 500 full cycle use before its capacity reduces to 80%. If you consider some other selected solar generators which incorporate LiFePO4 batteries and compare them with the Li-ion batteries, then the former one provides a better lifecycle.
This unit is heavy, weighs 10 kg, so if you carry it for longer periods, then it gives a sore hand. On top of that, if you consider the weight of an adapter, then overall weight increases a few kgs more.
Is it Worth Buying?
Yes, it is. This unit offers portable power that will keep your electronics charged during a trip away. When you are disconnected from the grid, this solar generator ensures that you stay connected to the world. And with its solar charging capability, you won’t need to carry fuel.
It has a very good build quality, has an efficient inverter, and it provides you plenty of power outlets to access power.
Other than that, it isn’t ideal, it has few drawbacks, and they are not the dealbreaker. They are a minor inconvenience, and you will soon find your way around them.
