Gearing up in your RV for a road trip is one of the best ways to spend time with the family. But what can you do when you are on the road and can’t seem to power up your appliances?
Australia’s recreational vehicle market has seen some steady growth over the last few years, with over 772,000 recreational vehicles officially registered, a 4% increase from 2020.[1] Most RVs are equipped with one or multiple batteries, but these only provide you with a limited source of power when you are on the road. Once you are off-grid, you may run into a power outage. One of the best ways to prepare for this is to rely on a solar power bank for your next RV trip. Let’s now take a look at how Jackery solar power banks can help you with that!
What Is a Solar Power Bank?
As an external battery system, a solar power bank can be recharged using solar energy, a renewable form of energy. This saves you the need for a power outlet, so when you are on the road out exploring the great outdoors, you can continue to have a steady supply of power.
A solar power bank is the recommended solution because it may offer multiple charging methods. You can always plug them into an outlet to recharge, but they can also be charged with solar energy when on the road. This makes them a great choice for those who simply like having the security of a sustainable power source nearby.
How Do Solar Power Banks Work?
A solar power bank works in a very simple way. If you have ever worked with power banks, you will understand the process quite well. Think of a standard power bank, but instead of recharging them through a power outlet, you connect these with a solar panel system.
Solar power banks feature small photovoltaic cells that enable them to recharge using the sun’s light. Other power banks, specifically those with a higher capacity, will rely on an external solar panel system that can fold out to cover a wider surface area. These panels can be set over in a bright sunny area or even over your RV’s roof to capture maximum sunlight.
These solar panels will feed your power bank with charge, which is stored inside and then supplied when needed. You can then use this current to power up your essentials, small appliances, smartphones and more.
Of course, these power banks come in various sizes and capacities. Some are portable size and will power only your smartphone or tablet. Others may be large enough to power a wide range of appliances.
Jackery’s Solar Power Banks – Why Experts Trust Them!
There is plenty to consider when choosing a solar power bank. Its charging duration, charging capacity, material, design and manufacturer’s reliability must all be carefully studied. You can start your search with Jackery’s set of solar power banks, recommended by many experts.
Jackery is one of the world’s most recognized names when it comes to green-powered alternative energy sources, including solar power banks. The brand has also launched the world’s first outdoor power station and portable solar panel. The solar power bank sets are another one of its exciting creations, perfect for those who wish to explore the great outdoors but can’t stay disconnected from their essentials.
Have an Uninterrupted Recreational RV Tour
We all rely heavily on our collection of electricity-powered gadgets. Without them, most of our day-to-day activities simply can’t be performed. Having a solar power bank on hand that offers power when you need it is a reliable fix. Here are some of the many benefits a solar power bank can deliver for RV owners:
- Food Storage Convenience
Most RVs are equipped with a mini refrigerator that will store your food and drinks while on the road. But these storages will drain your RVs power quite quickly. In the case of an extended power outage, there is a chance of your food going bad. Food standards in Australia state that food stored between 5 and 60°C for two to four hours can no longer be refrigerated or must be thrown away once it exceeds 4 hours, as there is a high risk of bacteria or spoilage.[2]
Cold food storage powered by a solar power bank can help you reduce the chances of food spoilage. Solar panels will absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity that can be stored in your solar power bank and then used to power your cold food storage (a mini fridge, for instance) while you are on the road.
One common misconception is that your solar power bank will directly connect to your small appliances or food storage. In actuality, they connect to the RV’s batteries which power the fridge.
- Energy Saving
When on the road, you will find several RV campgrounds or RV parks (depending on where you are exploring). These campgrounds carry accommodations and electrical outlets where you can recharge your RV’s power before you hit the road.
Rather than relying on these energy sources, you can charge your RV’s battery entirely through a solar power bank. The energy sourced from solar panels is not only endless but is also environmentally friendly. It will help you reduce your overall carbon footprint while on the road. You will also be able to save money that would otherwise be spent on finding accommodations in an RV park.
- Noiselessness
Besides offering clean energy without any toxic emissions, a solar power bank will operate without releasing any noise. This can be a huge relief for those who don’t like the mechanical jarring of generators as they operate. You can easily rest your eyes or take a short break on the road without any interrupting noises in your vicinity.
Choosing a Solar Power Bank, Why Capacity Matters!
There are several factors to consider before you select a solar power bank for your RV. One of the most important aspects you will want to consider is the power bank capacity. The capacity of your power measures its output quantity. Most power banks will deliver within the range of 5,000 to 20,000 mAh and above. Ideally, you want it to meet the requirements of the devices you want to power in your RV. In this case, the more capacity, the better!
You also need to consider your RV roof area. Those with limited roof areas can only accommodate smaller solar panels with smaller capacities. Moreover, as the power bank capacity rises, so will its cost. In other words, you will have to assess its cost-to-benefit ratio and technical feasibility.
- Low Capacity (5,000 to 10,000 mAh)
There are three tiers of capacities you will want to keep in mind. The lowest tier includes solar power bank capacities ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 mAh. A low-capacity solar power bank is ideal for motorhomes with a limited area for installation and minimal appliances that need recharging. If all you need to charge small devices like your smartphone, cameras, laptops and tablets, these will do just fine. Their smaller capacity also means that they will be able to recharge in just a few hours. But with a power bank of 10000mah, your electronics can be recharged more times.
- Medium Capacity (10,000 to 20,000 mAh)
The medium tier ranges from a power bank 10000mah to a 20,000mah power bank. These are more suited to medium-sized RVs, which carry slightly larger appliances. This tier of solar power banks is meant for travellers planning for longer road trips or those needing to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
For instance, you may be able to charge your phone or standard tablet a couple of times. A power bank 10000mah should be able to recharge your iPhone two times after a full charge. But with a 20,000mah power bank, you may recharge it as many as four times.
- Large Capacity (20,000 mAh and Above)
The largest tier includes solar power banks with capacities that range from 20,000 mah to above. These are much larger and somewhat heavier than low and medium-capacity power stations. You should select these 20,000mah power banks or above if your RV has ample roof space to accommodate the solar power system.
A 20,000mah power bank should be able to power up a wider range of appliances, including hot plates, refrigerators, portable air conditioners, microwaves, electric pressure cookers, kettles and other devices. This tier of solar power banks is recommended for those with larger RVs or trips that are made with larger groups.
Top Picks from Jacker’s Portable Power Stations
Once you can determine the exact capacity of your solar power bank, you can move on to making your selection. Take a look at some of Jackery’s portable power stations from each of the three tiers we have discussed above:
The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station is one of the low-tier power stations offering a battery capacity of 518 Wh. It features a high-grade lithium-ion battery pack capable of charging all your basic devices and smaller appliances while on the road.
There are three methods of recharging the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station. You can connect it to a wall power outlet which should allow it to fully recharge in around 7.5 hours. You may choose to connect it to a USB port or car outlet. You can also connect it to your solar panels, allowing it to charge in roughly 9.5 hours.
Next is the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station, which falls into the medium-tier category for solar power banks. Thanks to its 1002 Wh battery capacity, it can recharge multiple devices simultaneously. You even can connect eight devices at the same time for charging, including smartphones, laptops, space heaters, coffee makers, toasters, blenders and other small devices.
Like the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station also supports wall, car, and solar charging. The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station is slightly more competitive since it offers quick charging capabilities. You can charge it through a wall power outlet in just 1.8 hours.
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station features a lithium-ion battery pack capable of delivering a battery capacity of 2160 Wh, the largest battery capacity in the list. It can be recharged using an AC wall outlet (in just 2 hours), a carport or solar panels (in 5.5 hours).
The portable power station can power up all your small devices, including smartphones, laptops, kettles and coffee makers, alongside slightly larger devices such as TVs, refrigerators, pressure cookers and air conditioners. We recommend the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station for those who plan on taking extended trips with their family and need to power larger appliances.
Jackery Solar Banks Cater to Diverse Power Capacity Needs
Jackery is one of the best manufacturers to refer to when hunting down a suitable portable power bank sale for your RV travels. Users and experts like Jackery’s products because of the varying battery capacities the brand offers. You can easily find power banks that fit any of the three tiers (low, medium or high) for battery capacities and align with your specific power requirements. Apart from the diverse selection of power capacities, here is why experts recommend working with Jackery:
- Jackery solar power banks offer fast charging capabilities; some can be recharged using a wall outlet in less than 2 hours.
- These portable power banks offer multiple methods of recharging.
- Jackery’s solar power banks are manufactured with a portable, lightweight design, foldable handles and durable material makeup.
- These solar power banks deliver long battery life, up to 10 years, with around 800-1000 charging cycles before it shows a drop.
- The power banks sold by Jackery feature a smart LED screen with an intuitive design; you will find all the information you need on its charging status and remaining capacity on-screen.
- All Jackery products come with a standard 2-3 year warranty period and an additional year if the power bank sale is made directly from the Jackery website.
Some Tid-Bits on Jackery
Jackery is one of the world’s most popular manufacturers of portable power stations, portable solar panels and solar generators. Launched in 2012, the enterprise has built a strong reputation for providing green power solutions to travellers and explorers around the globe. The brand’s mission is to help explorers like you find quality green, clean and renewable energy. Jackery solar power banks are one of its finest productions, popular among RV travellers and ground explorers.
References
- Caravan And Camping State of Industry 2022. Available at: https://caravanstats.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Caravan-and-Camping-State-of-Industry-2022.pdf (Accessed 31st July)
- Food Standards. Available at: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodsafety/standards/Pages/2-hour-4-hour-rule.aspx#:~:text=How%20it%20works,more%20must%20be%20thrown%20away. (Accessed 31st July)