The Explorer 100 can be a handy source of portable power if all your equipment can run from USB-C PD. These days that includes a lot of cell phones and laptop computers. It the maximum capacity allowed on airlines – 99.2 watt-hours, so it can be taken with you almost anywhere.

With the right low-powered laptop computer, you could use the Jackery as your power supply in a village translation setting. It can charge from a “12V” solar panel, and its LiFePO4 cells will provide thousands or recharge cycles for many years of constant use. “Normal” LiPo cells found in other power banks will only last for “hundreds” of recharge cycles.

The maximum charging rate from a 12V solar panel is 100W, but you can oversize your panels for better charging rates in low light conditions. For instance using a 130W or 150W panel.

The Explorer 100 can charge a computer or other devices using USB-C PD up to 100W charging rate. It has two USB-C jacks, but one needs to be used for the solar panel input, leaving one output, at least during the daytime. Your solar panel needs to have a 8mm barrel jack output to plug into the Orange panel adapter included with the Explorer 100. This adapter allows the solar panel to connect directly to the USB-C plus and minus wires, not going through the usual microchip that controls the negotiation needed for USB-C PD. This is a violation of the spec and dangerous to any other equipment except the Explorer 100. Don’t use it with anything else.

Limitations:

Only can power USB equipment; no 12V output.

Display is tiny and too dim to see in outdoors in sunlit conditions.

Charge level indicator is sometimes way off.

The supplied solar panel to USB-C adapter is dangerous to your equipment because it violates the USB standard. It works fine with the Jackery power bank, but if you use it to plug a solar panel into any other USB-C device, (like your phone or computer) it will probably damage or destroy the device. Don’t try it!

Shipping Restrictions: These can NOT be shipped by DHL, but they can be hand-carried on airlines in carry-on bags. Can be shipped by ground or sea freight.

Recommended modification:

We highly recommend you add a short USB-C right-angle extension to act as a strain relief if you use the orange solar panel adapter to charge your Explorer 100. The adapter can act as a lever against the tiny USB-C jack and will break it if somebody trips over the solar panel cord. See the photos to DIY.