diy solar

diy solar

What's the DC connector on Jackery 500?

I made 2 cables that plug into my Jackery and telescope for about $13 each.
Here is what I did:


cablesandconnectors.com
------------------------
Philmore
4.3 (1.4mm C.Tip) x 6.5mm Inline DC Power Plug
Item# 35380 (253 ) $4.99 USD 2 $9.98 USD
This is the connector for the Jackery 12v ports.


Amazon
--------------
Hanvex HDCX6T 6ft 2.1mm x 5.5mm DC Power Adapter Extension Cable,
18AWG Heavy Duty Cord for 12V, 24V Wireless Camera, LED, and More
$7.99 x 2 $15.98 USD


Instructions
----------------------
Cut off the female end of the Hanvex HDCX6T 6ft 2.1mm x 5.5mm DC Power Adapter Extension Cable
Used a dremel to slightly widen the hole at the cord end of the plastic housing on the
4.3 (1.4mm C.Tip) x 6.5mm Inline DC Power Plug to allow for the 18AWG heavy
duty cord. Don't take off too much material - just enough to keep it snug on the wire.
Slide the housing onto the wire. Solder the wire to the connector. Test the cable with a multimeter and compare
voltage and polarity to existing 120v to 12v dc converter cable before using. Very important - make sure polarity
is correct before using.
 
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Relatedish, but has anyone found the 7.9mm x 2.5mm "8mm" plugs used on so many of these power stations in a panel mount form? They're a dime a dozen for 2.1x5.5mm panel mount / chassis mount jacks, but I'm yet to find a single offering for 8mm with all sorts of google queries. Been looking for well over a year, figured they'd be plentiful with how many mfgs use them. I'd hate to have to cannibalize an 8mm extension wire and epoxy in to a hole.
 
Relatedish, but has anyone found the 7.9mm x 2.5mm "8mm" plugs used on so many of these power stations in a panel mount form? They're a dime a dozen for 2.1x5.5mm panel mount / chassis mount jacks, but I'm yet to find a single offering for 8mm with all sorts of google queries. Been looking for well over a year, figured they'd be plentiful with how many mfgs use them. I'd hate to have to cannibalize an 8mm extension wire and epoxy in to a hole.

I wish Jackery used 2.1 x 5.5mm plugs for their 12V DC output. Unfortunately they used an unconventional 6.5 x 4.3mm plug.

I haven't looked for the 8 mm plug but they seem a lot more commonly used on foldable solar panels and AC-DC power bricks.
 
I made 2 cables that plug into my Jackery and telescope for about $13 each.
Here is what I did:


cablesandconnectors.com
------------------------
Philmore
4.3 (1.4mm C.Tip) x 6.5mm Inline DC Power Plug
Item# 35380 (253 ) $4.99 USD 2 $9.98 USD
This is the connector for the Jackery 12v ports.

Thanks for finding these. Have you tested them and found that they maintain their connection as well as the original plug supplied by Jackery? There were some issues with the center pins of some other plugs not being long enough keep their continuity when jiggled.

The description says the plug is found on laptops. I may have to start looking more closely at all the old power bricks I come across.
 
Relatedish, but has anyone found the 7.9mm x 2.5mm "8mm" plugs used on so many of these power stations in a panel mount form? They're a dime a dozen for 2.1x5.5mm panel mount / chassis mount jacks, but I'm yet to find a single offering for 8mm with all sorts of google queries. Been looking for well over a year, figured they'd be plentiful with how many mfgs use them. I'd hate to have to cannibalize an 8mm extension wire and epoxy in to a hole.
Check out. Found this on this site from Zilch. As a recommendation. Their tech-support is good too. For AC50s it’s not 3 pole but maybe workable and they have a panel mount companion.


8mm 2 pole power connector
From Newark NJ. Electronics

Lumberg 1614.07 dc7909 8mm male 2 pole 10amp.
1636.07 female panel matching 10amp

I hope to wire the ones I received and convert them to a three pole for my AC50s. But I may end up with a a lenovo ac Charger that possibly would support power to the center pin and the inner shell for my battery.
 
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Check out. Found this on this site from Zilch. As a recommendation. Their tech-support is good too. For AC50s it’s not 3 pole but maybe workable and they have a panel mount companion.


8mm 2 pole power connector
From Newark NJ. Electronics

Lumberg 1614.07 dc7909 8mm male 2 pole 10amp.
1636.07 female panel matching 10amp

I hope to wire the ones I received and convert them to a three pole for my AC50s. But I may end up with a a lenovo ac Charger that possibly would support power to the center pin and the inner shell for my battery.

Relatedish, but has anyone found the 7.9mm x 2.5mm "8mm" plugs used on so many of these power stations in a panel mount form? They're a dime a dozen for 2.1x5.5mm panel mount / chassis mount jacks, but I'm yet to find a single offering for 8mm with all sorts of google queries. Been looking for well over a year, figured they'd be plentiful with how many mfgs use them. I'd hate to have to cannibalize an 8mm extension wire and epoxy in to a hole.

Those are $4.00 each and if you buy 4 they come to about $6.00 each with shipping.

Would be a shame if they didn't work after all that.

so it seems Jackery went out of their way to choose non standard nearly unavailable connectors.
My only guess is they did this to corner the market on adapter cables. Nothing else makes sense.
 
Relatedish, but has anyone found the 7.9mm x 2.5mm "8mm" plugs used on so many of these power stations in a panel mount form? They're a dime a dozen for 2.1x5.5mm panel mount / chassis mount jacks, but I'm yet to find a single offering for 8mm with all sorts of google queries. Been looking for well over a year, figured they'd be plentiful with how many mfgs use them. I'd hate to have to cannibalize an 8mm extension wire and epoxy in to a hole.

I think I did.
I just ordered a half dozen of them. But before I post a link I want to receive and then test them to be sure.
 
Thanks for finding these. Have you tested them and found that they maintain their connection as well as the original plug supplied by Jackery? There were some issues with the center pins of some other plugs not being long enough keep their continuity when jiggled.

The description says the plug is found on laptops. I may have to start looking more closely at all the old power bricks I come across.
Yes, the Philmore 4.3 (1.4mm C.Tip) x 6.5mm Inline DC Power Plug from cablesandconnectors.com maintains a good connection, even with the heavier (thicker?) wire cable. Very happy with the cables I made. One of cables powers the EQ-G mount, and the other cable powers the Starshoot G-10 color imaging camera.
 
March 10, 2021

I checked Goal Zero's website.

They are out of most of the products needed including the 8mm to cigarette adapter
 
First of all, thanks to you all for starting this thread and keeping it alive. As already discussed here, the "information" I also got from Jackery was pathetic in terms of usefulness. I like the product (Explorer 500), but the company needs to get its customer service and tech support up to modern standards. Anyway, end of rant. Here is a very simple and cheap solution.

The DC plug recepticle on the Jackery is a 6.5mm x 4.4mm (for a 1.4mm center pin). When Jackery tells us it a "6.5 x 1.4mm" plug, they don't give us the critical dimension of the inner diameter of the plug. Duh.

Walmart online carries an adapter, the OMNIHIL Adapter Plug Converter 5.5mm x 2.1mm Female Plug to 6.5mm x4.4mm with Pin Male Plug
https://www.walmart.com/ip/OMNIHIL-Adapter-Plug-Converter-5-5mm-x-2-1mm-Female-Plug-to-6-5mm-x4-4mm-with-Pin-Male-Plug/115728776 $6.96 each.

The male end of the adapter plugs into the Jackery and any standard 5.5mm x 2.1mm male plug can be inserted into the female end of the connector. Since there are a million 5.5mm x 2.1mm connectors, plugs, adapters out there, these little adapters from Wally World are the way to go.

I noted that while the adapter plug is a little loose in the Jackery, moving it all around did not result in any loss of power when I tested it on several 12V loads ( eg, LED lights).

I noted the posting above directing folks to the solderable plug solution. Here's a nother one:
https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/center-pin-for-recessed-jack-dc-plug-4-35-x-6-5m-x-1-4mm-eiajv-class-v-eiaj5.html $3.50/each. I also bought and tested these. Work fine.
 
Yesterday I received the 8mm (7.9 actually) that I ordered on March 7th.
So 20 days from order to receive. Not bad.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32982523769.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4b104c4deuybGu

Here is the connector......
7.9x5.5DC_Connector.jpg

Unfortunately, I have not yet found a DIY 7.9mm connector that I could connect 12 gauge wires to myself.

So, I used this adapter...... (My concern was whether or not it could handle the AMPS from the panel to the Jackery))

DIY_DC_Connector_5.5mm.jpg
Connected 12 GA wires to it, connected it to a 100Watt Solar Panel and tested it......(quick and dirty soldering job, yeah I know)

20210327_112444_small.jpg

As you can see, it was a success. 61 Watts at around 11:00am with the panel already hot (it did 66Watts before the panel got hot)
I ran it long enough to see if my adapter got hot (it did not) and I tested the resistance through the whole rig (VERY low as in meter internal resistance low)
So this method definitely works and is cheap enough. Roll your own power input for your Jackery.

I said 61watts was a "success" because with one, 100watt solar panel, 65ish watts is all you can feed into a Jackery 500 Explorer.
in fact, no matter if you use the AC adapter supplied by Jackery with the unit, or ONE 100 watt solar panel, around 65ish watts is the max.
I have heard that you can get it to nearly 100watts by using two 100watt panels.

20210327_112620_small.jpg

So if you're a penny pincher pro, you can do this and save about $20 over the cost of a ready made Solar to Jackery input charging cable.
It won't be quite as neat and pretty, but it does allow you a variety of options.

Enjoy!
 
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Today I finally received the smaller 6.5mm DC DIY jacks from China and they work.

2Pcs Plastic 6.5 x 4.4mm DC Power Male Plug Connector with 1.3mm Pin 6.5*4.4mm DC Plugs Charger DIY Repair Jack Audio Adapter

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002002337348.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.403a4c4dWKFGmH

DC_6.6mm_Connectors_DIY.jpg

I soldered 16Ga red/black Zip wire to it and now I can put whatever I want on the other end.
Now I can use ALL of the devices features....even if I might not "need" to use those ports often. Atleast I can.

Jackery_20210412_154226.jpg
 
Relatedish, but has anyone found the 7.9mm x 2.5mm "8mm" plugs used on so many of these power stations in a panel mount form? They're a dime a dozen for 2.1x5.5mm panel mount / chassis mount jacks, but I'm yet to find a single offering for 8mm with all sorts of google queries. Been looking for well over a year, figured they'd be plentiful with how many mfgs use them. I'd hate to have to cannibalize an 8mm extension wire and epoxy in to a hole.
Was trying to figure out if Goal Zero 8mm jacks were 2.1mm or 2.5mm inner diameter. Leaning towards 2.5mm based on this comment but ordered a few of each from this site. Haven't received them yet but they look similar to others in this thread and maybe half as costly. ($1.42 each.)

 
Anyone know if it would be possible to plug in two charging inputs simultaneously? I was hoping to find a 8mm switch or splitter, but have not had any luck.

My goal is to keep my solar panels and 12v from alternator both plugged in so I don't have to swap the cables every time I start/stop my car.
 
Thanks to everybody who’s contributed to this thread. The lack of info on these ports is really frustrating. Armed with the info gathered here I managed to find this adapter which fits perfectly into the port and is particularly handy for UK-based Explorer 500 owners.

I’m hoping to use one of these ports to power a Maxxair Dome fan but I haven’t been able to test it yet because I don’t know whether the inner or outer pole of the output is the positive.

Is anybody able to confirm please?

EDIT: Immediately after posting this question I found this video which shows that the inner pole is the positive. I hope this helps somebody one day!

EDIT 2: I can confirm the plug I linked to on eBay fits securely and works as expected with the Maxxair Dome fan and some 18g wire. The Jackery shows 11W draw when the fan’s running.
 
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If it helps, I've found an adapter (DC jack) that fits the 6.5 x 1`.4mm DC output port. If you have a set of laptop DC adapters usually included with portable laptop chargers it's the DC adapter marked 'A' on the side. Similar to the 'A' adapter in the set here.

Here's my take on the Explorer 500 after one month. I demonstrate the adapter at approx. 13 minutes (should you wish to skip the rest).
 
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