The Vtoman Jump 1000 power station provides a fantastic combination of performance, features, and value in a portable lithium-ion power station. With 1,000 watts of continuous power, 2,000 watts of surge power, and 1,400Wh of capacity in its compact size, it delivers plenty of off-grid power for RVing, camping, emergency preparedness, and more.
Recently, I bought a Vtoman 1,500Wh expansion battery to pair with the Jump 1000 station. By simply connecting the expansion battery via an included cable, total capacity grows to 2,900Wh in a modular and portable power package.
In this post, I share my experiences using both the Jump 1000 and expansion battery over the past few months. I cover the new updates Vtoman has made to their Prime line, do some hands-on testing, and highlight the pros and cons of this flexible power solution. Whether you’re looking for a single power station or want to build out a robust solar generator system, the Jump 1000 paired with the 1,500Wh expansion module makes for a compelling option to consider.
Unboxing the Expansion Battery
The 1500 watt Jumpman expansion battery came in the same type of box as the main Jump 1000 unit. There was no need for an extensive unboxing since it was very straightforward.
The expansion did come with a handy canvas pouch like the one included with the Jump 1000. This provides a nice way to keep the connection cable organized.
Speaking of cables, there is just a single cable included to connect the expansion battery to the main unit. It connects from the port on the expansion battery to the port on the front of the main Jump 1000.
According to the warnings, this cable can get very hot during charging due to the high power transfer. The cable has a special heat resistant jacket to help deal with that heat buildup. We’ll test just how hot it gets during normal usage a bit later.
The goal is to find out how seamlessly the expansion battery integrates with the main unit and what type of added performance it provides.
New Updates to Vtoman Prime Line
Vtoman recently made some updates to their Prime line of power stations. Some of the key updates include:
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More distinctive branding on the units. The new units have more yellow accents and logos so they look more like the product photos on Vtoman’s website. This helps make the branding more distinctive.
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Can now power devices up to max rated output. The previous models would shut off if a device tried to pull more watts than the continuous rating. The new models will power devices up to the maximum rated output, even if the device tries to draw more. This allows devices like hairdryers to run, even if they try to pull more than 1000W.
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Changes to auto shutoff feature. There is now a 6 hour window where the unit will stay on regardless of button presses or loads. After 6 hours, it will shut off after 2 hours of no load detection. This should allow low power devices to remain on while still conserving battery when not in use.
Pricing and Discount Codes
The Vtoman Jump 1000 and 1500 expansion battery have recently updated pricing through Amazon. On the main Jump 1000 unit, there is currently a significant $400 coupon available. For the 1500 watt expansion battery, there is a $300 coupon.
On top of those discounts, using the special discount code provided in the video description will give extra savings. With both the Amazon coupon and discount code, the price on the main Jump 1000 unit comes out to around $835. The 1500 watt expansion battery can be purchased for approximately $620 after both discounts.
This makes the cost per watt-hour for these units extremely competitive compared to similar products on the market. The pricing continues to be a major advantage for the Vtoman power station line.
Battery Chemistry
The jump 1000 utilizes LifePro4 lithium-ion battery chemistry in both the main unit and expansion battery. This advanced chemistry enables the batteries to retain up to 80% of their original capacity even after 3000 complete discharge and recharge cycles. This gives the jump 1000 batteries an exceptionally long lifespan compared to more basic lithium-ion batteries, ensuring reliable performance over many years of use. The LifePro4 chemistry is also known for operating safely at temperature extremes, reducing risk of overheating issues that can affect some cheaper lithium-ion batteries. So both the jump 1000 and expansion pack provide industrial grade lithium-ion power, engineered for longevity, efficiency and safety across thousands of uses.
Charging and Discharging
When charging the batteries, the main unit is always prioritized first. The main unit will charge fully before the expansion battery begins charging. This ensures the core power station has a full charge if needed separately from the expansion unit.
The expansion battery is prioritized first when discharging power to devices. This allows you to maximize the added capacity from the expansion before dipping into the main unit’s charge.
An interesting difference is how state of charge percentage is displayed. When charging the units, the main unit shows its own state of charge, and the expansion unit shows its separate state of charge. However, when discharging to power devices, you see a combined state of charge percentage on the main unit’s display. This combined percentage represents the total remaining capacity across both units.
Heat on Connector Cable
Vtoman includes a warning on the expansion battery connection cable about the potential for it to get hot during use. Specifically, the cable has heat resistant jacketing and a label that cautions against touching it when charging due to the risk of burns.
However, during my testing, even when discharging the combined units at 180 watts continuously, I did not notice the cable getting even warm to the touch. Vtoman likely included this warning in case the units are discharged at the full 1000 watt rate, which could potentially cause the cable to heat up. But for normal use cases, especially at more moderate discharge rates, overheating of the expansion cable does not seem to be a real concern based on my experience.
Efficiency and Capacity Testing
When combining the Jump 1000 and 1500W expansion battery, the total combined capacity is an impressive 2956Wh.
In my own DC discharge tests of the two units combined, I measured a usable capacity of 2570Wh. This works out to an excellent efficiency rating of just under 87%.
For AC discharge through the inverter, I measured 2508Wh across both units. This results in an AC efficiency rating of approximately 85%, which is very good for a portable power station in this wattage range.
The high efficiency ratings show that these units live up to their on-paper capacity specs. You can count on getting nearly the full stated capacity when powering devices in the real world.
Pros
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The price point on both the Jump 1000 and 1500 expansion battery remains extremely competitive compared to similar capacity power stations. Even with the recent price increases, these units provide excellent value.
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Vtoman provides a 2 year warranty on both the main and expansion units. This gives peace of mind that the products are backed by an established company with experience in lithium-ion batteries.
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The ability to expand capacity by simply connecting an expansion battery is a fantastic feature. It allows the Jump 1000’s capacity to almost triple to around 3000Wh with the addition of the 1500Wh expansion battery. This kind of flexibility is invaluable for powering devices in an emergency.
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Both units utilize the safe and long-lasting LifePro4 battery chemistry. This provides up to 3000 charge cycles while retaining 80% of original capacity. It’s reassuring to have lithium-ion batteries that are designed for stability and longevity.
Cons
While the Vtoman Jump 1000 power station and expansion battery offer excellent capacity and performance, there are a couple of potential downsides to consider:
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The maximum solar input is 200W. For a battery with this large capacity, a higher solar input would be preferable. 200W may be limiting if you want to rely solely on solar to recharge the batteries. With only 200W, it will be difficult to fully recharge these large batteries within a single day.
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The expansion battery has a fixed raised handle which prevents stacking the main unit on top. This means the two units will take up more floor space side-by-side. It would be convenient if the units could stack for a smaller footprint. The fixed handle on the expansion battery prevents this stacking capability.