Vanlife is all about freedom. The open road ahead, beautiful scenery all around, and no boss to report to. But true off-grid freedom requires being smart about your energy needs on the road. Without reliable power for lights, phones, laptops, and small appliances, your dream lifestyle can turn into a nightmare. But investing in large solar arrays or complex electrical setups defeats the purpose of a simple van dwelling. The solution for many newcomers to vanlife is portable power stations, and Jackery is one of the most popular brands. Their simple plug-and-play designs allow you to get off-grid fast without complicated installation. But are Jackery power stations really worth the investment for most vanlifers? Let’s dig into the pros and cons to see if a Jackery 1000 or 1500 is right for you.
What is a Jackery Power Station?
Jackery portable power stations are integrated lithium battery packs ranging from 500Wh to over 2000Wh, combined with an inverter, outlets, and ports. They function as all-in-one portable power solutions designed to provide electricity on-the-go for outdoor activities, emergencies, or off-grid living situations.
Key features of Jackery power stations include:
- Integrated lithium batteries, inverter, outlets, and ports
- Rugged and portable design
- Rechargeable via solar panels, car outlet, or AC wall outlet
- DC and AC power options
- Multiple USB ports and outlets
- LCD screens to monitor power usage
- Optional solar generator bundles available
- Ranges from small 500Wh units to large 2000Wh capacity stations
- No wiring or installation required
Jackery power stations aim to provide a simplified, ready-to-use portable power source in one package without needing to build a custom electrical system. Their suitability depends on power needs.
Pros of Using a Jackery
A key advantage of choosing a Jackery power station like the 1000 or 1500 for vanlife is that it provides a complete, pre-built all-in-one system. The batteries, inverter, outlets, and charging components are all neatly packaged into a portable unit optimized for easy setup and use. Compared to piecing together your own custom electrical system, going with a Jackery means skipping complex wiring and installations. Their compact, ready-to-go designs integrate everything you need into one plug-and-play device.
This simplified, out-of-the-box experience allows you to get on the road faster without sweating the electrical details. Jackery stations are engineered to make powering your adventure straightforward. Their intuitive operation, LCD screens, and mobile app also facilitate convenient monitoring and control. For vanlifers who want a simplified solar generator option without doing a fully custom van electrical build, Jackery checks the key boxes of being easy to install, easy to use, and all-in-one.
Cons of Using a Jackery
Jackery power stations provide an all-in-one, ready to go power solution which is very convenient. However, there are some downsides to be aware of:
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Limited capacity – The lithium batteries in Jackery units tend to max out at around 1500Wh. This may not provide enough capacity for running multiple appliances or devices simultaneously for extended periods. If your power needs outgrow the Jackery’s capacity, the whole unit will need to be replaced.
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Can’t expand – With an all-in-one unit like Jackery, expanding capacity means buying an entirely new power station. You can’t just add more solar panels or batteries to an existing Jackery. A custom built system allows upgrading batteries or panels individually.
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Replace whole unit when outdated – When the batteries in a Jackery lose capacity from use and age, the entire power station has to be replaced. With a custom system, individual components like the inverter or charge controller can be swapped out as needed.
The limited capacity and lack of expandability means the entire power station may need replacing once your electrical needs grow too much for it. This can make Jackery units less cost effective in the long run compared to DIY systems.
Calculating Your Power Needs
When deciding whether a Jackery power station is right for your van, an important step is calculating your electrical power needs. This involves adding up the wattage requirements for each device and appliance you plan to run in your van.
Here’s how to calculate your electrical load:
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Make a list of all the devices and appliances you need to power. This may include lights, a refrigerator, laptop, phone, etc.
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Look up the wattage for each device. This should be printed somewhere on the device or in its manual.
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If it shows amps instead of watts, multiply the amps by 120 to calculate the wattage.
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Add up the wattage for all your devices. This is your estimated load.
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Multiply this number by how many hours per day you’ll use the devices on average. That’s your total watt-hours per day.
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Multiply by how many days you want to be able to go without recharging your batteries.
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For lithium batteries, add ~25% more to account for inefficiencies. For AGM lead acid batteries, double the figure.
This final number is the minimum battery capacity you need for your van build. Compare it to Jackery’s capacity to see if it can handle your electrical needs. If not, you may need to build a custom system or get multiple Jackerys. Properly calculating your load is crucial to choosing the right power solution.
Other Power Station Options
There are a few alternatives to Jackery power stations that are worth considering for van life. These include EcoFlow, Anker, and Bluetti portable power stations.
EcoFlow
EcoFlow offers a range of portable power stations similar to Jackery models. Their Delta model has a 1260Wh capacity, which is comparable to the Jackery 1500. It can be recharged quickly, offers a variety of outlets, and has an expandable capacity when you add on additional batteries. The EcoFlow power stations tend to be a bit cheaper than the Jackery options.
Anker
Anker makes some quality products, including their PowerHouse power stations. The Anker 757 PowerHouse offers a 1500W output with a 2000Wh capacity. It’s slightly larger than a Jackery 1500, but packs more power. The LCD screen provides details on power usage. Anker power stations are competitively priced with Jackery.
Bluetti
Bluetti is another reputable brand in portable power stations. The Bluetti AC200P has a 2000Wh capacity with a 2200W output. One of the nice features on the Bluetti models is the ability to link two units together to double your power capacity. Prices are similar to Jackery and EcoFlow options.
So if the Jackery doesn’t quite fit your needs or budget, one of these other quality portable power stations could be a good alternative solution for van life power.
Building Your Own System
Many vanlifers choose to build their own electrical systems rather than using an all-in-one solution like the Jackery. There are some pros and cons to building your own system:
Pros:
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Cost savings – you can often build a more powerful system for less money than buying a pre-built power station
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Customization – you can tailor the system to your specific power needs
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Expandability – it’s easy to add more batteries or solar panels down the road
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Learning experience – you’ll come away with valuable skills in electrical systems
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More robust – systems built with quality components tend to last longer than consumer models
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Individual component replacement – if one part fails you can just swap in a new one
Cons:
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More complex – requires some electrical know-how to design and build
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Time consuming – plan on several days to research, purchase components, build, and test
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Potential to make mistakes – incorrectly wiring components can cause fires or other hazards
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No portability – DIY systems are usually permanently installed in the vehicle
Overall, building your own system is ideal for someone who is a committed vanlifer, once the complexity and learning curve. It allows unlimited flexibility and upgrades down the road. But it does require more effort upfront versus buying an integrated power station.
Keeping Jackery Protected
Temperature control and proper storage are important factors when using a Jackery power station in a van. Lithium batteries like those in Jackery units perform best when kept at moderate temperatures. Extreme heat or cold can reduce battery life and capacity over time.
During very hot or cold weather, try to keep the Jackery unit inside the van or somewhere temperature controlled as much as possible. Don’t leave it sitting in direct sun or freezing temps longer than necessary.
When storing the Jackery for extended periods, avoid temperature extremes. Don’t store it outside if you live somewhere with big seasonal temperature swings. A climate-controlled indoor location is best for long-term storage.
You’ll also want to keep the Jackery clean, dry, and protected from impacts during storage. Dirt, dust, moisture, or physical damage can affect operation and longevity. Store it on a shelf or stand, not directly on a concrete floor.
Periodically charge and discharge the Jackery during storage to keep the battery healthy. Every 2-3 months, run it down about 50% then recharge fully. Storing at 40-60% charge is ideal.
With some basic temperature control and proper care, a Jackery power station can deliver reliable off-grid power for vanlife adventures. A little planning goes a long way to getting the most out of your investment.
Example Setups
Some real-life vanlifers share how they are using Jackery power stations in their build:
Using a Jackery 1000 for Full-Time Vanlife
John and Jane Doe live full-time in their DIY campervan. They chose to go with a Jackery 1000 paired with 2 100W solar panels to meet their electrical needs. The 1000 watt-hour capacity lithium battery pack powers their dorm fridge, Fantastic Fan, lights, and allows them to charge devices like laptops and phones.
The portability of the Jackery comes in handy for them – when parked in places without solar access for extended periods, they can easily bring it inside somewhere to charge up. Its pure sine wave inverter safely powers their sensitive electronics. While the Jackery 1000 doesn’t allow infinite expandability, for John and Jane’s purposes it provides sufficient power in a convenient and affordable all-in-one unit.
Supplementing DIY Electrical with a Jackery 500
James Smith spent time designing and installing his own electrical system in his van conversion. He has 400 ah of lithium battle borns, a 3000 watt inverter, and 500W of solar. For occasional off-grid weekends and extra power needs, James keeps a Jackery Explorer 500 on hand.
The Jackery 500 gives him an extra fold-out solar input option. He can use it to power an electric blanket in cold weather without running down his main battery bank. It allows him to run his portable induction cooker outside the van as needed. The 500 watt-hour capacity gives James peace of mind that he has a backup source of power for essentials like phone charging. Having both a custom electrical system and a Jackery gives James flexibility in powering his vanlife.
Relying on a Jackery 1500 for Part-Time Vanlife
As weekend vanlifers, the Wilson family chose Jackery’s largest model, the Explorer 1500. They don’t need a full electrical build-out since they only use their campervan part-time. The Explorer 1500’s large capacity means they can go days without recharging even when running a portable fridge/freezer, interior lights, fans, and electronics.
For their purposes, the all-in-one Jackery 1500 provides more than enough power without a complex custom installation. They can easily move it inside to charge up at home between trips. At just 22 pounds, it’s still portable enough for them to carry around to charge devices outside their van as needed. The Jackery 1500 gives them an affordable way to enjoy off-grid power during their weekend adventures.
Conclusions
Key takeaways on whether a Jackery power station is worth it for vanlife:
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Jackery power stations provide an easy, portable all-in-one power solution. This makes them convenient for vanlife, especially in tighter spaces or for those who don’t want to install a permanent custom electrical system.
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However, the capacity of Jackery units is limited. Those with higher power demands or wanting to run multiple devices will need to size up to larger (and more expensive) units, or build their own expandable electrical system.
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Keeping the lithium batteries within their ideal temperature range can be challenging in very cold or hot climates. This requires additional consideration.
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While convenient and fairly user-friendly, Jackery stations are an expensive solution over the long run compared to DIY options. Their non-expandable nature means replacing the entire unit once outgrown.
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For many vanlifers, especially long-term and full-time, building a custom electrical system allows for more capacity, flexibility, serviceability, and cost savings. But this requires knowledge, effort, and potentially modifications.
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Consider power needs, usage, budget, climate, and DIY comfort level. For modest needs Jackery can be a good option, but building your own system has advantages for more demanding setups. Thorough planning is key either way.