Jackery

[Gina-B]

Hello all. I have a Jackery 1000 which I use for various things at home including keeping things like my freezer going when we have a power cut, of which we have quite a few in the winter!

I've always paid for EHU when we take the van camping, but would like to use the Jackery on campsites that don't have an EHU available. I'm not very techi so bear with me - What do I need, and how do I connect the Jackery to my 2021 California 6.1 to keep the fridge going and the lights useable? Any help will be much appreciated please.

 

[Gozzie11]

Hello all. I have a Jackery 1000 which I use for various things at home including keeping things like my freezer going when we have a power cut, of which we have quite a few in the winter!

I've always paid for EHU when we take the van camping, but would like to use the Jackery on campsites that don't have an EHU available. I'm not very techi so bear with me - What do I need, and how do I connect the Jackery to my 2021 California 6.1 to keep the fridge going and the lights useable? Any help will be much appreciated please.

You could use something like this?

 

[Chriskend]

You could use something like this?

View attachment 150232

Yup that works but it’s frowned upon. I use solar to charge the leisure’s and run a two way extension from the Jackery thats sat in the back of the van. If its sunny enough i plug the Jackery into the load output of the solar to top it up.

 

[Gina-B]

Thanks to Gozzie 11 and Chriskend
I don't have solar panels (yet) so can I plug an extention from the Jackery AC outlet into the van somewhere (one of the three-pin plug points at the end of the kitchen unit?) - will that work?

 

[pluc99]

Thanks to Gozzie 11 and Chriskend
I don't have solar panels (yet) so can I plug an extention from the Jackery AC outlet into the van somewhere (one of the three-pin plug points at the end of the kitchen unit?) - will that work?

No, don't do that!!! The internal power points are meant to output power and there is no mechanism to input power. It will not work and trying it will risk damaging the electrical system of your van not to mention the risk to yourself and others. The required male to male lead is sometimes referred to as a suicide lead.

The simplest way to charge your leisure batteries is to plug the Jackary AC output directly to the outside EHU socket of your van. You lose about 20% efficiency because there are two power conversions 1) from DC-AC (on the Jackery) and 2) from AC to DC from the EHU charger. With a 1000Wh Jackery you would be losing about 1 day's worth of cooler operation.

The most efficient way is to have a professional install a DC to DC charger connected to one of the leisure batteries and plug in the DC output from the Jackery to charge.

2 x 100W solar panels should deliver about the same amount as a DC-DC charge from a 1000wh Jackery on a hot sunny day.

 

[Gina-B]

Wow thank you pluc99! I certainly don't want to do anything dangerous, hence my asking the forum for advice. Thank you for that - all is clearer now.
I wonder why Chriskend said that the Jackery AC output directly to the EHU socket on the van is frowned upon?

 

[Chriskend]

Wow thank you pluc99! I certainly don't want to do anything dangerous, hence my asking the forum for advice. Thank you for that - all is clearer now.
I wonder why Chriskend said that the Jackery AC output directly to the EHU socket on the van is frowned upon?

It’s all about the earth, if your van battery’s were completely flat then you could plug the Jackery in to the ehu and it would charge the van battery’s, but don’t use or plug anything in to the van sockets. I have tried the Jackery in the ehu and it works. I’m sure an expert will be along to explain in detail why it’s frowned upon and a safety issue.

 

[Flower Power]

My 2 cents.
We all sadly know how difficult it is to find a competent California service/mechanic even for routine service and mechanical issues. Imagine what you would have to endure with sorting out electrical/electronic malfunctions. Warranty, no warranty, proper diagnosis, which component is at fault, why, etc. Nightmare (!) and solid help will be very hard to find. Thus, do not, do not, experiment, alter, or find "creative" solutions which can cause California electrical system to suffer. Do not invite trouble which will be very very hard and maybe very costly to eliminate.

In a recent post I have myself asked a question, seemingly easy, how to power a dash camera so California is safe. OBD connection ? Appreciated the answers provided by the forum members.

 

[Gina-B]

It’s all about the earth, if your van battery’s were completely flat then you could plug the Jackery in to the ehu and it would charge the van battery’s, but don’t use or plug anything in to the van sockets. I have tried the Jackery in the ehu and it works. I’m sure an expert will be along to explain in detail why it’s frowned upon and a safety issue.

Thank you Chriskend.

 

[Gina-B]

My 2 cents.
We all sadly know how difficult it is to find a competent California service/mechanic even for routine service and mechanical issues. Imagine what you would have to endure with sorting out electrical/electronic malfunctions. Warranty, no warranty, proper diagnosis, which component is at fault, why, etc. Nightmare (!) and solid help will be very hard to find. Thus, do not, do not, experiment, alter, or find "creative" solutions which can cause California electrical system to suffer. Do not invite trouble which will be very very hard and maybe very costly to eliminate.

In a recent post I have myself asked a question, seemingly easy, how to power a dash camera so California is safe. OBD connection ? Appreciated the answers provided by the forum members.

Thanks Flower Power. I'm now getting the message - don't meddle! So thank you.

 

[Maidment_Grand]

Hi - I asked a similar question relating to a Grand California - if you look at this thread you will see various comments regarding the science of why not a good idea to plug into EHU.

New (no Solar) Grand California - Off Grid timescales

Hi - Grand Cali owners, we are going to Camper Jam this year and this will be our first VW festival and wondering how we are likely to go on being off grid for 3 days. We currently have a California and tend to usually have hook-up or go 1 night off grid no issue. We have a Grand California on...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Flower Power]

I have Jackery, 1000, two of them, an older version which stays now at home for emergencies (I am in a very small hamlet in the Alps) and the newer one, V2, with a safer battery technology which travels with us. Great thing to have. Works independently from the electrics of the van. It fits between the front seats on 6.1. I also have two portable 100W solar panels which I bought with the first Jackery but never used the. On top of the van I have one 100W panel which primarily gives me ability to always have the fridge on (medications) without angst about batteries.

 

[OGII]

We have a 1000 v2, bought recently to replace an ailing stand alone leisure battery before a trip to Germany. Game changer.

A different set up to most being a Beach. 2x 100w solar on the roof now charges the Jackery meaning our Alpicool fridge runs continuously. The internal solar controls have made our old Victron controller redundant and the inbuilt inverter means simpler 240v as well. Mini oven widening our cooking options and 600w kettle making morning drinks easier.

Original van leisure battery now running our old CDF fridge between front seats which has now become just for cold drinks and snacks .

@Flower Power we are currently in Munich before picking up a new bed system from Squergo and looping around to Lindau in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions on places not to miss?

 

[larrylamb]

Any suggestions on places not to miss?

The obvious place en route to Lindau is Fussen and Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Erwin Hymer museum at Bad Waldsee is worth a visit.

 

[Up10]

The obvious place en route to Lindau is Fussen and Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Erwin Hymer museum at Bad Waldsee is worth a visit.

Camping Brunnen near Füssen is wonderful. Good bus service and excellent facilities. Restaurant next door. However, likely to be fully booked by now!

 

[Gina-B]

Hi - I asked a similar question relating to a Grand California - if you look at this thread you will see various comments regarding the science of why not a good idea to plug into EHU.

New (no Solar) Grand California - Off Grid timescales

Hi - Grand Cali owners, we are going to Camper Jam this year and this will be our first VW festival and wondering how we are likely to go on being off grid for 3 days. We currently have a California and tend to usually have hook-up or go 1 night off grid no issue. We have a Grand California on...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Thanks Maidment_Grand. Thats so informative and I feel a lot wiser to the risks now.

 

[Gina-B]

Many thanks to all for responding. Some good advice as always.