The Jackery Explorer 1000v2 is a compact and lightweight power station that can store 1070 Wh and output 1500 W. It also charges quickly in an emergency, is durable and safe. This makes the mobile power storage unit an ideal camping companion – especially in a team with a suitable solar panel.
Power stations are available in many different sizes, which always represent compromises between the level of capacity and the mobility of the power storage device. If entire houses are to be supplied, it can be a “monster” like the Ecoflow Delta Pro 3, which offers around 4 kilowatt hours (kWh) with a weight of over 50 kilos.
For camping and other outdoor activities, devices like the Jaquery Explorer 1000v2 are available, which can store 1.07 kWh but only weigh 10.8 kilos. ntv.de tried out the power station together with a handy Jaquery SolarSaga solar panel, which can deliver up to 100 watts (W).
Robust, but not weatherproof
The power station presents itself in the manufacturer's typical dark gray-orange look, which extends to its smallest power storage device, the Explorer 100 Plus. The workmanship is high quality, the plastic housing appears very robust. However, the device is not waterproof or dustproof and must be positioned outdoors in a protected location. Jackery offers a three-year warranty when used properly, which can be extended to five years by subscribing.
The light can be controlled via switch or app.
(Photo: kwe)
At 32.7 x 24.7 x 22.4 centimeters (cm), the Explorer 1000v2 is barely larger than a car battery, but much easier to carry. This is not only due to the lower weight, but also to the generous fold-out handle, which has rubber padding on the inside.
Good facilities
To power devices at home or on the go, the power station has two AC sockets, two USB-C ports that provide 30 and 100 W, and a USB-A socket that can provide up to 18 W. There is also a 12-volt car connection. The Explorer 1000v2 is charged either from a socket or from DC sockets with solar panels or the 12 V connection of a car.
You can precisely control charging and discharging in the app.
(Photo: kwe)
On a display you can see the most important information such as input and output, remaining capacity and estimated time until complete discharge or charging. There is also a practical camping light that can shine in two different brightness levels or flash in an emergency.
Long-lasting battery
According to Jackery, the device is the lightest and smallest lithium iron phosphate battery power station currently available. The slightly larger predecessor Explorer 1000 still had a lithium-ion battery, which makes it 800 grams lighter, but not nearly as long-lasting as its successor. With the new storage technology, the power station should still have at least 70 percent capacity after 4,000 charging cycles. With daily use, it can take up to ten years.
In order to extend the lifespan, you can set in the associated app that the power storage device is not discharged to less than 15 percent and is not refueled to more than 85 percent. Operation in the areas above and below places particular stress on batteries.
Fine tuning in the app
There is also the option of charging the power station very slowly from the socket, which means that the fan also works particularly quietly. According to Jackery, the volume in this mode does not rise above 30 decibels (dB), which roughly confirms the measurement by ntv.de. The Explorer 1000v2 usually works so quietly that you can also use it in the bedroom. It only gets significantly louder than 50 dB under full load.
The solar panel is ready for use in just a few seconds.
(Photo: kwe)
Full charging from 0 to 100 percent takes more than four hours in slow mode. In normal operation, the power station is refueled in around two and a half hours. If things have to happen particularly quickly, you can activate the so-called emergency charging. The power station is then pumped full with up to 1500 W in around an hour. However, the manufacturer recommends not doing this regularly as it puts a lot of strain on the battery. But the emergency charging mode is not dangerous either; a total of 62 protective mechanisms are supposed to ensure this.
Handy and waterproof solar panel
For outdoor use, it is a good idea to supply the Explorer 1000v2 with the power of the sun. For the practical test, ntv.de received a 100 W solar panel from Jackery with efficient monocrystalline silicon cells, which was able to show what it can do before the onset of autumn.
Fortunately, the SolarSaga 100W has proven to be just as handy as the Powerstation. It weighs less than 4 kilos and can be easily carried on a handle when folded. It is also very compact at 60.96 x 53.34 x 3.3 cm, with the two halves magnetically sticking together.
In contrast to the power storage, the panel can be left outdoors during downpours as it is waterproof to IP68. It is also very robust thanks to a special coating. To secure or hang it, it has metal eyelets in the corners.
The panel's “aiming aid”.
(Photo: kwe)
When spread out, the SolarSaga 100W measures 48″ x 21″ x 0.75″ and is set up using two adjustable stands that attach to the back of the panel with Velcro during transport. In order to align it optimally, it has a kind of lower target at the top right. If the shadow of a point placed on a plastic disc above is in the center, the position relative to the sun is perfect.
High yield and clever adapter
In the weakening September sun, the SolarSaga 100W delivered up to around 70W under less than optimal conditions. Ideally, you can achieve 80W or even more, which is a very good yield. Since peak values are not a permanent condition, you have to allow at least two days to charge the power station. However, it has two DC inputs to which you can connect two panels with a total nominal power of up to 400 W.
You can charge devices directly using the SolarSaga 100W adapter.
(Photo: kwe)
Great: The SolarSaga 100W has an adapter with a USB-C and a USB-A socket on the included cable so that smartphones and other devices can be charged directly. Jaquery also offers a three-year guarantee for the solar panel, which can be extended to five years by registering.
Strong enough for many devices
1500 W is not only the maximum input power, but also the highest output power that the Jackery Explorer 1000v2 can provide. That's 500 W more than its predecessor. The difference is important because it means the power station can power more devices. In the practical test, for example, a toaster that required almost 1200 W could be operated. Even a fridge-freezer combination didn't overtax the power storage system. The Explorer 1000v2 can also prove to be very useful during power outages at home.
This also applies to short interruptions. Because if the power station is connected between a socket and a device, it kicks in within 20 milliseconds (ms) in the event of a power failure. The so-called UPS function is therefore too slow for very sensitive devices, but can, among other things, prevent a desktop computer in the home office from crashing.
Conclusion
The Jackery Explorer 1000v2 should actually cost around 1000 euros. That's a fair price for a small and light but powerful mobile power station with a long-lasting lithium iron phosphate battery. The manufacturer is currently offering it in combination with a SolarSaga 100W for just under 850 euros. This represents an almost unbeatable price-performance ratio, as the panel alone costs 330 euros.
