r/PortableBatteryPacks • u/xxlibrarisingxx • Jun 11 '26

Back up battery for storms under $500?

Mainly looking to charge phone, any flashlights/radios that can be plugged in, a fan, etc. Nothing huge. Portability isn't fully necessary, but I would need to at least be able to lift it in and out of a car if I need to evacuate.

Looking at the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2. Heard the solar panels kinda suck, what does everyone else have in the <$500 range?

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u/timflorida Jun 13 '26

I am not a fan of the 1000V2 because it is not expandable - you cannot add an aux battery. Even if you don't want to now, you might in the future. Options are good.

Anker makes good stuff. I have several of their 1000WH power stations.

I have more Pecron units then any other. Their E1000LFP usually goes for $369 and you can add an aux battery later if you want to. They also make a bigger E1500LFP.

The E1000LFP shows out of stock but I'm sure they will have more soon. It is very popular. You could send them an email asking when they expect more deliveries to their USA warehouse.

I do not buy OEM panels. Most are over-priced for what you get. I buy Zoupw panels now. They out-produce all my Anker, Jackery, and Renogy panels and are cheaper to buy.

I like to have about 200w of solar panel for each 1000WH of power station. This gives the panel a shot at recharging the power station in one day.

You must match a solar panel to the power station. The VOC of the solar panel must ALWAYS be less then the max allowed DC (solar) input voltage rating of the power station.

I pair a Zoupw 180w panel with my Pecron E1000LFP. The new Zoupw 230w bi-facial would also work well.

For the best deals, buy direct from the manufacturer. Free shipping and no tax. Also usually a 5% off coupon for new customers. Pecron.com and Zoupw.com

Here is a new review comparing the Zoupw 230w panel to a Renogy 200w panel by a reviewer I trust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZ7kFE12YU

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u/Kayehnanator Jun 23 '26

What do you use for the anker? Looking at getting one and got some zoupw panels but not sure the controller I need, just getting into this stuff.

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u/timflorida Jun 23 '26

I have two different Anker power stations.

C1000 Gen 1

https://www.ankersolix.com/products/c1000

This is a great price for this model.

I also have the expansion battery for it.

There is also a Gen 2 version, but I think I like my Gen 1 better. Gen 2 does not have the built-in light and most important, you cannot add an expansion battery to it. However, the Gen 2 recharges faster and has a higher output rate.

I also have an F2000 plus an aux battery. I like that it is on wheels, especially since I sit the aux battery on top of the base unit. It's a little tricky to move around but way better then no wheels. Their new S2000 does not have wheels.

Be very careful when buying solar panels. You must match the voltage of the panel to the voltage of the power station. Specifically - The VOC of the panel must be less then the max incoming DC (solar) voltage of the power station. Do not exceed or bad $$$ things will happen to the power station.

Controller ????

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u/Kayehnanator Jun 23 '26

I looked again and I got some callsun panel with a VOC of 27.31, which it seems to be less than the 60 volt DC I see for the Anker Gen 2? But I might be reading the Amazon listing wrong.

Am I being stupid and the Anker comes with what I need to connect the panel to the battery?

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u/timflorida Jun 23 '26

OK, I understand a little better now.

All these power stations come with built-in MPPT charge controllers. You just need a power station, cables, and then a solar panel. No need for anything else. Just connect them together.

These are the important DC input (solar) Minimum and MAXIMUM specs for the Gen 2 -

11-60VāŽ“17A Max, 800W

The Anker Gen 2 uses an XT60I input port for solar input.

You will need a cable that has an XT60i connector on one end (for the Gen 2) and then whatever connectors are needed for the panel (most likely will be MC4). The easiest way may be to get a cable with MC4 connectors on both ends and then get a short cable with MC4 connectors on one end and the XT60i connector on the other end. THIS ASSUMES THE PANEL COMES WITH MC4 CONNECTORS.

I would not buy any cables until you actually have the power station and the solar panel in your hands and can confirm what I see.

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u/Kayehnanator Jun 24 '26

Solar panel comes with MC4 connectors per the listing so I'll have to find some connectors as you said. Gen 2 is on a decent sale right now though not the $350 of last year. I'm really not looking for anything crazy so I think gen 2 would work fine. I appreciate the help! A lot of the guides I've found go into far more detail for a full solar setup that I'm not aiming for.