Have you ever dreamed of relaxing outside while still enjoying your favorite show in high definition? With portable solar power stations, you can potentially run your television outdoors. However, keep in mind that TVs and power stations come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Not all systems will be compatible with each other. If you want to know how to power a TV at a tailgate, keep reading. We’ll help you figure out whether the Jackery portable power station will work with your device.
Is It Possible to Power Your TV With a Jackery Portable Power Station?
If you’re in a hurry to get your television working outside, we’ll make it easy for you. To put it simply, yes, you can usually run your television from a Jackery power station. These powerful, solar-charged batteries typically have enough energy to run a TV for quite a while.
However, keep in mind that there’s a lot of variety among both portable power stations and televisions. If you want to make sure you avoid any problems, there are a few details you need to know.
How Much Power Does a TV Use?
To figure out whether your power station will run a television, you first need to consider how much power you need. There’s a lot of variation in a television’s standard wattage. A TV can have a wattage of anywhere between 50 watts and 400 watts. On average, they usually use somewhere in the 100-watt to 150-watt range. A Jackery can handle anything using up to 500 watts, so it certainly has the strength to handle your television.
How Long Will a Jackery Run Your TV?
Knowing the wattage of a TV just tells you whether the station is capable of running the TV. You also need to consider whether a power station can hold enough power to run the TV for a reasonable amount of time. Depending on your devices, the typical Jackery can power a TV for two to 14 hours. To calculate how long your TV will run, you need to know the power station’s capacity and the wattage of the TV. You can then calculate run time by dividing the battery size in watt-hours by the load size in watts.
Does a Jackery Have the Right Outlet for Your TV?
The final compatibility measure you need to consider is the outlet type. The majority of televisions need a standard 120V, three-prong outlet. If you have this type of outlet, you’re in luck. Jackery solar power stations do include standard AC outlets. They make it easy and fast to plug in most televisions. If your television does have an unusual plug style, the Jackery outlets can accommodate most outlet converters.
Which Jackery Portable Power Station Should You Pick?
When determining whether your Jackery can run a television, you need to remember that there are different models. For example, a Jackery 240 will have vastly different output options than a Jackery 2000. Most Jackery portable power stations have the same basic features, like solar panel connectivity and fast charging. They will differ mainly in power, capacity, and outlet type. Here are the basic specs for popular Jackery models:
- Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro: This is Jackery’s top-of-the-line model that can run any television. It has a capacity of 2160 watt-hours and an output of 2200 watts. It comes with three standard outlets and multiple USB and USB-C outlets.
- Jackery Explorer 1000: This model has an output of 1000 watts and a capacity of 1002 watt-hours. It comes with two USB-C outlets, two USB outlets, and three standard AC outlets. The Jackery 1000 can usually run even large televisions for up to 13 hours.
- Jackery Explorer 500: The Jackery 500 is usually the smallest you can go while guaranteeing any television you have will be able to run for several hours. This model has a capacity of 518 watt-hours and an output of 500 watts. It has one AC outlet and three USB outlets.
- Jackery Explorer 300: This compact generator has a capacity of 293 watt-hours and an output of 300 watts. It contains two AC outlets and several USB outlets. A standard 60-watt television can run for about four hours on this power station.
- Jackery Explorer 240: The Jackery 240 is the brand’s favorite lightweight model. It contains a capacity of 240 watt-hours and an output of 240 watts. The station has one standard outlet and two USB outlets. It works best for smaller televisions and can run them for around three hours.
Types of Televisions That Might Need a Stronger Jackery
Keep in mind that most examples of people using their Jackery with a TV involve running simple, standard LED televisions. The answer to, “Can a Jackery 240 power a TV?” might be a little different if you’re working with a more unusual device. If you have one of the following types of televisions, you’ll need to make sure you have a more powerful version of the Jackery portable solar power station.
Oversized TVs
The main thing that affects a TV’s power usage is size. Larger screens with more pixels tend to require more energy to run. If you want to maximize run time, try to stick with screens that are around 32 inches or less. Screens larger than 50 inches might be too power-hungry to work with smaller Jackery power stations. If you want an oversized screen, double-check its specifications to see if it will work with your Jackery.
Older TVs
When you’re looking for a camping or tailgating TV, your first instinct might be to grab an old one. This is a cheap way to get a TV you won’t mind damaging, but be cautious. Older televisions use far more energy than modern ones. For example, a mid-sized LED might use around 35 watts, while a comparable CRT TV would use 120 watts. Generally, LED is the most efficient option, and LCD is a close second. CRT and plasma televisions might require more energy than your Jackery can produce.
Is Jackery a Good Portable Power Station for a TV?
As you can see, using a portable solar power station with a television is certainly possible. However, is there any reason to choose Jackery over similar products? Yes! The Jackery 240 power station has some unique features that make it ideal for running televisions.
Multiple Outlets
For the optimal viewing experience, you’ll probably need to run things besides your television. Whether you want to hook up some speakers or mix up some margaritas, Jackery has you covered. Even their smaller models like the Jackery 240 come with some extra USB ports and DC carports. Bigger models even have multiple AC outlets. This can make it even easier to relax outside with your TV.
Continues To Operate While Charging
One of the great things about the Jackery is that you can charge it while you use it. Unlike other power packs, you don’t have to unplug your TV while you charge it back up. Instead, you can unfold your solar panels while the television is running. When you’re watching TV on a sunny day, this is a huge bonus. You can add an extra charge to your Jackery and extend the length of time you can watch TV.
Small and Silent
The Jackery provides a far better TV-watching experience than a generator. It’s much quieter, so you can hear your game or your show with ease. Another perk is that these power stations are very compact. Even the large sizes are easy to carry around, and they fit easily in tight spaces.
Protection Against Mishaps
The Jackery portable power station provides extra protection in case something goes wrong. It comes with both over-voltage and short-circuit protection. These ensure that your television gets exactly the amount of energy it needs. Any unexpected power surges won’t fry your TV.
Tips for Getting the Best TV-Watching Experience With Jackery
Now that you know it’s possible to plug your TV into a Jackery 240, let’s take a look at the details. There are a lot of different factors that can impact your experience. Any time you plan on using a television with a Jackery portable power station, make sure you follow these tips.
Check Your TV’s Power Needs
If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises during your outing, do a little research beforehand. Check your TV’s user manual to find its wattage, and look at your Jackery’s specs. Make sure the Jackery output is high enough to handle your TV’s needs. Then, calculate your run time by dividing the capacity in watt-hours by the TV’s wattage. For example, consider a power station with a capacity of 300 watt-hours and a 60-watt television. In this case, the run time could be up to five hours. However, there are usually some inefficiencies in power transfer. Your estimate may be half an hour to an hour shorter than the actual run time.
Adjust Your TV Settings to Improve Efficiency
Worried about running out of power? Most modern televisions come with features that can help you save energy. By tinkering around with your settings, you get a lot of extra run time from your power station. Check your TV to see if it has a preset ENERGY STAR setting. This often makes your TV run as efficiently as possible. You can also manually dim the TV. To improve efficiency, select “Local Dimming” in the settings menu, and turn on “Automatic Brightness Control.”
Don’t Use High-Powered Items at Critical Moments
Usually, your Jackery makes it easy to run multiple devices at once. However, try to avoid exceeding its maximum power output. For example, running a blender at high speed or turning your electric grill up can cause a flicker. If you don’t want to miss an important moment in your big game, try to time your energy usage wisely. If you do notice any dimming or other issues, try unplugging all devices besides your television.
Use Your Charging Accessories
Take advantage of the fact that Jackery products can be used while they’re charging. Make sure you bring any solar panels and charging cables you have. This will let you add a little power to your Jackery no matter where you are. The extra power can help extend run time and make it easier to use your Jackery. We find it helpful to go ahead and set up solar charging as soon as your television starts running. Even though the power station might not need recharging yet, every little bit of extra power helps.
Take Care of Your Battery When It’s Not in Use
The lithium-ion batteries in a Jackery work best when they’re properly maintained. Jackery recommends that you keep your battery power above 20% when you are storing it. Every three months, recharge to ensure the battery doesn’t run too low. Avoid storing it in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. These tips will ensure you don’t accidentally degrade your battery right before watching TV.
