What's the DC connector on Jackery 500?

[thomas_diysolar]

In addition to the DC out car adapter port, there's also two other DC output ports, and one DC input port.

What's the name of these, and where can I buy some? I want to make some cables, e.g. Anderson Powerpole adapters, but I need to know what they are first.

 

[KG6S]

Photo?

 

[thomas_diysolar]

I don't have it yet, which makes this harder. And I want to order connectors now to not waste time.
Some more photos at https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-500w-portable-power-station
They look like they're the same, just opposite male/femaleness (makes sense).

I've had a couple of back and forths with Jackery support email, and they've been unable to understand my question.

 

[KG6S]

Looks like a barrel connector. There are several sizes, so you can get a mutli-size adapter until you're sure. Personally, I would get a 12v lighter plug and mod it to connect to 30A Anderson connectors (the standard for ham radio 12v power). Highly likely a 5.5MM x 2.1MM or 2.5MM Plug.

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Yeah some sort of barrel connector, and I want both sides. Jackery just replied saying "DC port […] size is 8mm". I've tried on amazon, ebay, digikey, and others, to find either male or female by looking for barrel connector 8mm, but not finding anything. I also don't know what the pin diameter is supposed to be. But if they're cheap I'm willing to buy a few just to have one match.

Any recommendations for a place to get these? (that don't have a minimum order of 1000 connectors )

 

[hagensieker]

Yeah some sort of barrel connector, and I want both sides. Jackery just replied saying "DC port […] size is 8mm". I've tried on amazon, ebay, digikey, and others, to find either male or female by looking for barrel connector 8mm, but not finding anything. I also don't know what the pin diameter is supposed to be. But if they're cheap I'm willing to buy a few just to have one match.

Any recommendations for a place to get these? (that don't have a minimum order of 1000 connectors )

8mm is the size of the INPUT connector.

 

[thomas_diysolar]

You don't think they both are, just male/female? Hmm… hard to tell.

 

[hagensieker]

Input


Output

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Input
<photo>
Output
<photo>

Thank you! These measurements will really help in my search!

 

[Bob142]

OUTPUT connector is compatible with my Goal Zero 6mm to cigarette adapter from my ancient Sherpa 50. Tested and working. That should help narrow the output search.

Output 6mm to Female Cigarette Adapter | Goal Zero

Connects Sherpa or Yeti power packs to 12V DC output.

www.goalzero.com

 

[Forbisher]

You don't think they both are, just male/female? Hmm… hard to tell.

View attachment 10517

Jackery's website for the 500 under
the SPECIFICATION tab
Then the PORTS section.
DC Output (6mm):
12V, 10A (DC cable to Car Port cable provided)

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Great! Is "8mm" and "6mm" all I need? What about the inner pin diameter size?

 

[hagensieker]

Jackery's website for the 500 under
the SPECIFICATION tab
Then the PORTS section.
DC Output (6mm):
12V, 10A (DC cable to Car Port cable provided)

I have a 500 and the only DC cable that came with mine is an 8mm (to input) to 12vdc male cigarette lighter port.. Nothing for the 6mm ports.

 

[Bob142]

I figured out more about the INPUT jack. I dug out an old Lenovo laptop charger that fits it and works. The spec on the Lenovo:
DC barrel plug: 7.9mm OD x 5.5mm ID.

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Awesome, thank you!

I have ordered a couple of 6mm ones for the output, hopefully they'll fit. And I believe I can get hold of some old Lenovo chargers I can butcher.

 

[Bob142]

@thomas_diysolar, I got more information on the output jack from Jackery support. I asked them to please get the physical dimensions of the two DC outputs from the engineers, saying that nobody can use those ports without the information. They came back this morning with:

"The two DC output port sizes are 6.5*1.4mm."

Based on that, I've ordered some of these and will report back:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/171-6014-E

 

[Bob142]

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/171-6014-E

Winner winner, chicken dinner. The plugs from the Mouser link above are a perfect fit for the Jackery E500 DC output ports.

 

[hagensieker]

I can confirm the GoalZero connectors Bob142 posted above work. Just got a couple in the mail and they work perfectly.

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Hooray! Thanks everyone!

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Winner winner, chicken dinner. The plugs from the Mouser link above are a perfect fit for the Jackery E500 DC output ports.

I ordered some of these, and just soldered them up. They seem to only *almost* fit. They slide in perfectly, but I think the inner pin is just barely to narrow. If I prod the outside of the connector I lose voltage. Did you test actually connecting it up?

 

[Bob142]

I ordered some of these, and just soldered them up. They seem to only *almost* fit. They slide in perfectly, but I think the inner pin is just barely to narrow. If I prod the outside of the connector I lose voltage. Did you test actually connecting it up?

Yes, I tested two of them but I didn't try moving them around after plugging them in. They fit into the jacks snugly and hold at 13.3V if I leave them alone. I just went and tried wiggling them around a little and they still held at 13.3V. However, I noticed that if move it forcefully enough to back them out of the port a hair it disconnects. So I think maybe the center pin is a little short rather than narrow.

I'll see if I can find one with a longer barrel and pin.

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Ah yes, you're right. I wiggled it around a bit more now, and it's more consistent with a slightly too short center pin, as opposed to a slightly too thin one. Good call.

 

[Bob142]

I'll see if I can find one with a longer barrel and pin.

No joy yet. I found several other choices, and even bought some of these to test. The problem I'm running into is that all of the available options have a barrel length of 9.5mm. I compared them to my Goal Zero adapter and it looks like that has a 10.5mm barrel. I'll keep searching in the background. I'm starting to think it's just best to buy some more GZ adapters for $5 each and cannibalize as needed even though that feels like quitting.

 

[thomas_diysolar]

Oh wow, $5? Yeah I'd do that. Where are you seeing those prices? On GoalZero I see no prices at all (probably because they don't ship outside the US). And their alleged UK supplier doesn't seem to carry any of their products. And prices on eBay are more like £20-£30 each.

 

[Bob142]

Oh wow, $5? Yeah I'd do that. Where are you seeing those prices? On GoalZero I see no prices at all (probably because they don't ship outside the US). And their alleged UK supplier doesn't seem to carry any of their products. And prices on eBay are more like £20-£30 each.

Yeah, directly on the GZ site. Sorry, I didn't know where you were located. Here's what I see on the GZ site for items that would get you the compatible plug. Maybe you can widen the search and get lucky to grab one or more of them for less than the king's ransom you're seeing on eBay for the cigarette adapter.