Juiced Up with Jackery
Jackery Solar Panel with our two Jackery power stations that we received as wedding gifts in 2021
Since we returned to the island in 2020, we’ve had to come up with all sorts of ways to keep ourselves connected! Also, so we can keep on top of some remote work while on our semi-weekly getaways.
I remember when we first went up in August of 2020 to scope things out. All of the provincial parks were closed for reservations so I decided that we should take this as a sign and look into returning to Manitoulin (A whole other story for me to get into another time!). We had hiked up to the old campsite with just a couple of our power banks not knowing what to expect.
Part way through I remembered that I had a meeting with the professor I was going to be TA-ing for in the upcoming academic year. Technology is such an amazing thing now! I was able to have my meeting with him and my peers in the middle of a field, something that I know he was quite entertained with. Fortunately I was able to keep my phone topped up during that time, but that left very little for my fiancée (now wife) to keep her phone charged. At that point I had realised that the few power banks we owned were likely not going to cut it once we truly returned to camping on the island on a regular basis. Something that would officially begin in 2021.
The perfect pairing! Our solar generator with our 2005 Jeep Liberty
Our collection of “portable electricity” started with a series of old 10,000mAh power banks that we collected over the years which seemed to work out. I then was able to acquire a smaller Anker solar panel that was able to keep our phones charged and top up our power banks as we needed them. It was just enough for our phones and power banks, but as we spent more and more time up there, it became clear that we needed something more. I had set up some old white Christmas lights on the ceiling in the main trailer and though the portable solar panel we had was able to provide some charge to one of our Jackery power stations, it was not enough to keep the lights on. That’s when I went and started pricing out alternatives; weighing the pros and con’s.
After much deliberation, it became obvious that since we had two of the Jackery power stations it only made sense for us to purchase one of the solar panels to try things out. I ordered it from Amazon and it arrived right away. Unfortunately I had to wait a whole winter before we would be able to officially use it on the island.
When we finally were able to use it on the island, it was the perfect pairing! I was amazed with just how well its was able to keep the power stations topped up while they simultaneously charged our many devices, ranging from lanterns, tire inflators, our battery powered chainsaw, phones, tablets, drones, Nintendo switch, and even our little booster pack for the jeep! Fortunately we haven’t needed the booster pack, but it’s nice knowing that we have it if we need it. This solar panel coupled with the power stations even meant that we were able to have our friends up with us. Keeping their many electronics topped up as well.
Overall, an essential on our outdoor adventures. Well, these and our portable shower. But that’s another story.
