have new Jackery 5000+ and was told not to buy 2 more panels

[Dinahp]

Hi,
A month ago we bought a Jackery 5000+, a battery pack for it (5000+) and two Solar Saga 500X. Works fine plugged into the Low PV input jack. But slow to charge. So we thought we would buy two more Solar Saga 500X, along with the appropriate wiring (Y and adapters) and plug into the High PV input jack. Jackery customer
support on the phone told me I can't do that!! But it clearly says in the manual that this configuration is allowed. What gives? Is anyone having success with this arrangement. We don't have a smart transfer switch. The system works fine with a 14-30 plugged into my manual transfer switch. Also, I was never able to get the app to work. Do I need the app to get firmware updates?

Sorry if this has already been answered. I read the whole thread about Jackery 5000 Plus High PV issues, but those systems seem more complicated than mine.
Any advice would be most appreciated. Thank you! Dinah

 

[sunshine_eggo]

I checked the manual, and it does NOT support what you're saying AT ALL. Those pages are dedicated to the Solar Saga 500 and 200 and ONLY on the LV inputs. The only path to upgrading with the Solar Saga 500 is by getting a second for the other LV input.

Please read pages 11 and 12:

https://r.jackery.net/productGuide/Explorer%205000%20Plus%20User%20Manual-US.pdf

Low PV is 60V max, 10.5A max, so you're already losing a little at 12A on the Solar Saga 500X.
High PV is 135-450W, and your Solar Saga are only 42V, so you'd need 4 in series, and I doubt that's supported or practical.

You'll need to get a string of "standard" panels with MC4 connectors and string them in series.

 

[Dinahp]

Thank you for the explanation. I'm afraid I'm still a little confused. The manual that I received with my Solar Saga 500 x (which are each made up of 6 solar Saga 85 panels) states that "when used with the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus, the panels should be connected to the high-voltage PV input port of the Explorer 5000 Plus with a maximum of 8 panels (for a total of 4000W PV input). To connect multiple Solar Saga 500 X panels in series use the Jackery Anderson Y Series Connector and Anderson-to-MC4 adapter cables". And it shows a diagram. I'm attaching a picture of that page. When I look up the same manual for the Solar Saga 85 online, though, that page is different. Not sure what's going on. Really appreciate the help. Sorry if I'm being dense. Dinah

 

[Dinahp]

They appear to have taken this information and diagram out of the manual for Jackery Solar Saga 500X (which when you click on the link for that manual gives you a manual for Solar Saga 85 which is fine.) However, I don't think they should call the manuals both Version: JAK-UM-V1.0. because there has clearly been a significant change. I'm disappointed because we bought our initial package thinking we could expand it easily with more panels if necessary. Now that option appears to be off the table and Jackery never even made any kind of announcement about the reversal.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Do you need the portability of the saga units? If not, fixed panels will be much cheaper.

 

[Dinahp]

Yes, we do. But they are telling me I can't put more panels on and use the High PV input. I'm sorry if I got this wrong, but I thought you were telling me that also. No?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Yes, we do. But they are telling me I can't put more panels on and use the High PV input. I'm sorry if I got this wrong, but I thought you were telling me that also. No?

I interpreted the wording of your original post as parallel due to the vagueness of "Y" connectors, which are typically for paralleling.

Jackery apparently makes a series Y connector - not something I've ever seen.

The schematic you included is also on this site:

Complete Guide to Jackery 500X SolarSaga Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panel is a highly efficient and portable photovoltaic station that is suitable for users with high power demands or those who prefer a fixed location for long-term power use but want some portability. The Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panel can pair with the...

www.jackery.com

Which also states elsewhere that they can be put in series.

Unfortunately, I can't see how that works and then immediately below that diagram, it lists possible combinations of the 500X with the 5000 Plus, and 4 in series is NOT listed.

Seeing the list price of the solar saga 500X @ $1000, that's just criminal... for half the price of one, you could get 1000w of fixed panels that could very easily be connected to the HV input. You would just lose portability.

 

[Dinahp]

Today I received this reply from Jackery:

"Hello Dinah,

Thank you for contacting Jackery customer support.

Through the LPV port, only 2x 500X panels (1 per port) can be connected.But while using the HPV port,the product has been designed to connect multiple solar panels to this port. However, right now, accessories to achieve this are under development and verification. So, it’s not possible to connect multiple panels to the E5000 PLUS HPV port.

Please let us know if you need further assistance regarding this."

 

[Gaijin2]

Jackery support overall has been excellent, but sometimes they give conflicting answers. Not always, but I've seen it happen, so just be aware, when you get an answer that doesn't make any sense, you may need to reword the question or ask a different technician.

As for the response you got: Jackery is in the process of rounding out their "MC4" support. I say "MC4" because they're not actual official MC4 connectors; Staubli holds the patent and only Staubli has the legal right to call their connectors MC4. Jackery is not using genuine Staubli connectors, but some sort of so-called "MC4-compatible" connectors (just like all the other power station manufacturers do). Jackery's never made an "MC4" product before the E5000+, so they don't yet have an end-to-end system that's guaranteed by them to work. It's coming, but we don't know when.

So the situation is: yes you can do what you want, yes SolarSaga 500X's can be run in series, yes your understanding is correct and always was. But Jackery doesn't provide their own adapters yet, so they're unwilling to commit to it. Someday they will have an adapter from Anderson to their particular "MC4-compatible" connector cable, but right now they don't. So they only recommend the 500X for the LV inputs because they do offer an Anderson to DC8020 adapter.

If you want to just make it happen right now, you would have to find an Anderson to dual "MC4" connector adapter, and run at least four SolarSaga 500X in series. You do have to be aware that mixing and matching "MC4" connectors is not guaranteed or recommended (and is the leading cause of solar fires), so it's not something I'd want to do on a permanent install, but since you said you need the portability, that implies it's not a permanent install and so perhaps the risks can be managed effectively.

For the record, the National Electrical Code prohibits using mismatched solar connectors, which is almost certainly why Jackery wants to provide a guaranteed end-to-end code-compliant solution. Especially with their Solar Roof coming up. The only safe and certified way to use any clone/offbrand/non-Staubli/similar-to-MC4 connector is to ensure that you use the exact same brand and type of connector on every connection. Any mixing or intermingling of parts results in a fire hazard and forces a non-code-compliant situation.

If you're wanting to do a more permanent or long-term install, definitely get the Jackery cable/adapter when they eventually release it, so it mates properly to the 5000+'s connectors. Jackery is using good connectors, they're TUV certified, but only when you use the same brand and same model number of connector.

 

[Dinahp]

Jackery support overall has been excellent, but sometimes they give conflicting answers. Not always, but I've seen it happen, so just be aware, when you get an answer that doesn't make any sense, you may need to reword the question or ask a different technician.

As for the response you got: Jackery is in the process of rounding out their "MC4" support. I say "MC4" because they're not actual official MC4 connectors; Staubli holds the patent and only Staubli has the legal right to call their connectors MC4. Jackery is not using genuine Staubli connectors, but some sort of so-called "MC4-compatible" connectors (just like all the other power station manufacturers do). Jackery's never made an "MC4" product before the E5000+, so they don't yet have an end-to-end system that's guaranteed by them to work. It's coming, but we don't know when.

So the situation is: yes you can do what you want, yes SolarSaga 500X's can be run in series, yes your understanding is correct and always was. But Jackery doesn't provide their own adapters yet, so they're unwilling to commit to it. Someday they will have an adapter from Anderson to their particular "MC4-compatible" connector cable, but right now they don't. So they only recommend the 500X for the LV inputs because they do offer an Anderson to DC8020 adapter.

If you want to just make it happen right now, you would have to find an Anderson to dual "MC4" connector adapter, and run at least four SolarSaga 500X in series. You do have to be aware that mixing and matching "MC4" connectors is not guaranteed or recommended (and is the leading cause of solar fires), so it's not something I'd want to do on a permanent install, but since you said you need the portability, that implies it's not a permanent install and so perhaps the risks can be managed effectively.

For the record, the National Electrical Code prohibits using mismatched solar connectors, which is almost certainly why Jackery wants to provide a guaranteed end-to-end code-compliant solution. Especially with their Solar Roof coming up. The only safe and certified way to use any clone/offbrand/non-Staubli/similar-to-MC4 connector is to ensure that you use the exact same brand and type of connector on every connection. Any mixing or intermingling of parts results in a fire hazard and forces a non-code-compliant situation.

If you're wanting to do a more permanent or long-term install, definitely get the Jackery cable/adapter when they eventually release it, so it mates properly to the 5000+'s connectors. Jackery is using good connectors, they're TUV certified, but only when you use the same brand and same model number of connector.

Very informative!! Thank you for explaining. I finally get it! Since our system is just a backup for when our power goes down, we can make do with just our two 500x on the LPV inputs. I will wait for a Jackery approved adapter for the HPV input until some dire prolonged emergency forces me to do otherwise. Many thanks.