I suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, requiring the use of a BiPAP machine (since your going to ask, here’s how a BiPAP is different from a CPAP.) In contemplating potential power sources for its use while I camp, I landed on the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240.
I ordered the battery on April 20 and it arrived 4 days later, on the 24th. I’ve had a chance to use it for a couple of nights; read on for my initial thoughts.
Research and Purchase
I tried doing plenty of research on the subject before pulling the trigger, but having limited knowledge on electrical specifications, I really didn’t know what I was looking for. I was on the verge of just getting a $300 proprietary battery from the manufacturer of my machine, but I hated the idea of spending that kind of money on something for such a specific use.
I continued to research, relying on product reviews on Amazon to see if the products could power a BiPAP for a couple of nights. I came across this little guy, a small battery with multiple power outlets, for just under $200 on Amazon. The reviews were fine and I watched plenty of YouTube reviews on the product before making the purchase. (I also bought a DC converter for the machine itself. I understand that takes much less power than the AC inverter in the battery.)
The Jackery is rated at 240 watt hours. My machine draws 90 watts of power, so, in theory, the Jackery should really only power my machine for just under three hours, but I understand that turning off humidifier will save a tone of power, as well as putting the machine in airplane mode. I read plenty of reviews that said there shouldn’t be any problem powering the machine for at least a couple of nights.
Delivery and Unboxing
The package was delivered in an Amazon box four days after it was ordered. The product was well packaged within its own box with foam padding to protect it during transit.
The unit itself is nice and compact, and very light, weighing in at just over 6 pounds. There’s a handle molded into the case so it’s easy to carry, very portable and easy to store.
There’s a small pouch included containing AC and DC charging cables. The unit can also be charged by a solar panel, sold separately (that’s another ~$180 purchase for later down the road. In the meantime, there is a DC cord for me to charge in my car (while running of course.))
I powered up the display for it to tell me there was about 47% of a charge on the unit. The display is backlit and displays the current charge, both with a number as well as graphically with a battery icon, wattage in, and wattage out. I plugged it in to charge while I went out to run a couple of errands and saw the charger was sending 60 watts into the battery. A couple hours later, the unit was fully charged.
First Use
I plugged up my machine using the DC adapter, turned off the humidifier, put the machine into airplane mode, activated the DC port on the Jackery and started the machine. I watched the display for a bit to see what kind of power was being used. It bounced between around 11 and 17 watts, depending on how much pressure the machine is pushing out. I went to sleep hoping for the best.
The next morning I woke up after about 7.5 hours of sleep and immediately looked at the display to see there was still 70% charge on the Jackery. I was ecstatic! This means I could get over three nights on my machine being powered by the power station. I noticed that the unit was silent the entire time. There is a built in fan to prevent overheating, but if it kicked on, I never heard it.
I powered off the DC outlet on the Jackery but left the adapter for the machine plugged in to check for leakage. The next night, I was still sitting at a 70% charge. I repeated the process the next night and woke up the next morning to 41% remaining on the unit after just under 7 hours of sleep. It seems to be very consistent, so I think I’ll be good to power my machine for three nights before needing a charge.
Additional Options
The Jackery also has an AC outlet as well as two USB ports for charging phones or tablets. I may use the USB ports to charge my phone while camping but I don’t see any need for the AC outlet for the time being. I may get a small fan to plug into it for air circulation while I sleep, but I’m not sure yet.
As I mentioned earlier, Jackery makes a foldable solar panel, the SolarSaga 60W Portable Solar Generator, that will plug right into the Explorer 240. It is sitting right now on Amazon for about $180 but considering the other stuff I should worry about getting first (tent, sleeping bag, stove, etc,) I think that’s a purchase I’m going to hold off on.
Conclusion
Thus far, the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 seems to be doing exactly what I need it to: power my BiPAP for at least one night, preferably at least two. I’ve been able to sleep two full nights on it so far and it seems it shouldn’t have any problem running my machine for a third night on a single charge.
My next test will be to power my machine AND charge my phone overnight to see how much more power that will take. It seems to me that wouldn’t pull a great deal more power but I certainly am no expert. I’m certain though that this device will serve its absolute basic needs.
Stay tuned for my next First Impressions post when I discuss the Teton Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack that I got on the same day as the Jackery.
Until then, thanks for stopping by! I appreciate you!
-Phil
nmwanderful.travel.blog 