About a year and a half ago I decided to invest in a power station that is easy to use, small enough to tuck away and that fit into my emergency budget. I knew this item would be the bulk of my budget but I also realized that this one item would be able to provide me comfort and security. After researching the different Jackery sizes, I purchased a Jackery 500 and I am so glad I did. It is so super simple to use, weights only 13.3lbs and is about the size of a basketball. I use this often, for power outages (which my apartment building is prone too, portable power at craft shows and also on camping trips.
For this post I just want to share some simple luxuries the Jackery 500 has allowed me during short term power outages due to thunderstorms, ice/snowstorms and downed power lines.
Cooking
I have used my Jackery with my Salton Rice Cooker, my Dash Mini Marker Grill and my Oster My Blend blender. All these low wattage small appliances are enough to get me by with a power outage. It is always nice to have some hot food options and variety in those choices. I love these specific items since they make easy meals from ingredients which do not require refrigeration. Rice, can soups, packaged side dishes, pancakes, brownies, boiling water and blending protein shakes for example.
Provide light
One of the first things we look for in a power outage is a source of light. There is comfort in light. The Jackery 500 can easily power lamps with LED bulbs in them. I will always remember during the first power outage after I first got my power station my neighbor came knocking on my door. She could not understand why I had light in my apartment and she didn’t. Note: this could be a issue during long term outages (people might seek you out for help) but for now I am just talking short term power loss situations.
Run my CPAP machine
Like many people my age I have sleep apnea, so I am required to use a CPAP machine. One way the Jackery will help you stay clam during a power outage is provide you the power needed for your machine. We all know how import sleep is for our bodies and minds. When I have to use the Jackery for my sleep machine I use it with a DC cable (which you have to purchase from your CPAP supplier) and remove the humidifier portion of the unit. You can run it normal AC like you do everyday but know it will use more power this way.
Heat/Cooling
It is difficult to find low wattage heaters but there are a couple of them like Honeywell HeatBud Personal Ceramic Heater. The Jackery 500 is a 500 watt max load you have to do something that uses less then that. This is where the larger Jackery units like the Jackery 1000 or Jackery 1500 would be helpful. However, for me and my budget the Jackery 500 with a small heater close by my feet and a wool blanket sufficives just fine. Also, maybe this is the time you and your kids build a blanket fort with the HeatBud inside (under adult supervision of course)?
In the extreme Summer heat, if a rolling blackout occurs the Jackery units can also run fans for when you AC unit is unavailable to you.
Information and Entertainment
The Jackery 500 can also charge my laptop, my power banks and even run my TV and DVD player. Think about this for a second. How great would it be to put on a movie for your children to occupy them while you assess your situation and gather your thoughts if this emergency is lasting longer then expected?
The Jackery 500 has 3 USB outputs, one 500 wall AC plug, 2 DC ports and one car port.
Keeping your Jackery charged
Remember to charge it up again once your emergency is over so it is ready for the next time. You can also use the unit while it is charging.
There are three ways you can keep your Jackery ready for action:
It will charge from a regular 120 volt wall plug – AC adaptor comes with the unit.
It can charge using the 12 Volt plug (cigarette lighter port) – car charger cable comes with the unit.
It can charge using solar panels. Therefore, I also invested in a SolarSaga 100W Solar panel when I purchased my Jackery, knowing that my balcony got a ton of morning sun. I was amazed at how light it was (only 5.5 lbs) and how nicely it folded up for easy storage. You can use this panel with any of the Jackery power stations.
So as you can see my Jackery 500 has many uses in an emergency situation. There are many options: Jackery 240, Jackery 300, Jackery 1000, Jackery 1500. However for my needs and budget I found the Jackery 500 to be the perfect fit. Be sure to assess your needs to find the unit right for you and your family.