Jackery to use 4xe as generator?

[laroo]

Maybe this has been asked before, but I haven't seen it. And maybe it's a dumb question...

I'm pretty jealous of the 2024 power box capability. But would it be possible to use a Jackery or similar device to plug into my 22 4xe to basically use as an inverter/generator? I realize I'd have to continuously "wake up" the Jeep to keep the power flowing, by turning on run or completely starting it to utilize the ICE. I'm thinking just for camping or hurricane situations. I have a big gas generator, so this would be a backup or short term solution. Is this a dumb idea? A decent Jackery is under $1k, upgrading to a 24+ 4xe would cost me a lot more.

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[lindaspins]

Brandon Haneline addressed this before the powerbox existed:

 

[BigMaCro]

A jackery or other portable power station is nothing but an inverter/charger on top of a battery. It's self-contained and convenient, so could act as a buffer between your device and the Jeep. Cause the jeep will certainly shut off repeatedly. This is one of the best things about the '24, is that you can put it in generator mode and it will stay on as long as there is fuel (or is there an eventual timeout?)

 

[laroo]

A jackery or other portable power station is nothing but an inverter/charger on top of a battery. It's self-contained and convenient, so could act as a buffer between your device and the Jeep. Cause the jeep will certainly shut off repeatedly. This is one of the best things about the '24, is that you can put it in generator mode and it will stay on as long as there is fuel (or is there an eventual timeout?)

I've tested the shutoff time in run, it shuts off after 30 minutes. But if I start it, in e-save charge mode or not, maybe it would stay on until it runs out of fuel. I don't know, but I'd only do that in emergencies or if I was sure no one could just jump in and steal my Jeep.

Now that I think about it more, the solar charging accessory might work better for what I'm thinking. I need to do some more digging...

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

I use multiple solar panels to keep my power supply charged while it keeps a cheap coleman cooler powered.

 

[WannFly]

I believe you can by-pass the 30 min shut off by unplugging the driver door harness.

 

[evo8904]

I believe you can by-pass the 30 min shut off by unplugging the driver door harness.

Yes, Brandon Haneline showed this in one of his videos. I installed a 1000 watt inverter and a extra battery in my 4xe. I’ve had the setup installed for a year now with no issues. Here are links to everything I used and a pic before I cleaned up the wiring. This was just a test to make sure everything worked.

Renogy 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V AC Converter for Home, RV, Truck, Off-Grid Solar Power 110V with Built-in 5V/2.1A USB Port, Hardwire Remote Controller https://a.co/d/deIEBwV

XS Power XP750-CK XP FLEX 4 AWG 1000W - 1500W Install Kit and XP750 Battery Combo (with 511 Mount) https://a.co/d/8lUK38n

 

[laroo]

Yes, Brandon Haneline showed this in one of his videos. I installed a 1000 watt inverter and a extra battery in my 4xe. I’ve had the setup installed for a year now with no issues. Here are links to everything I used and a pic before I cleaned up the wiring. This was just a test to make sure everything worked.

Renogy 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V AC Converter for Home, RV, Truck, Off-Grid Solar Power 110V with Built-in 5V/2.1A USB Port, Hardwire Remote Controller https://a.co/d/deIEBwV

XS Power XP750-CK XP FLEX 4 AWG 1000W - 1500W Install Kit and XP750 Battery Combo (with 511 Mount) https://a.co/d/8lUK38n

Thanks! Looking at your links, you're up to $353 in material. I assume you spent another couple hundred or more on a battery? So $550+ total, plus time to install? If I knew what I was doing, I could do the same. But I don't know what I'm doing, so I'd have to dive into learning it. The Jackery 1000 Plus LiFePo is on sale for $899, and it is portable, "plug and play", and multipurpose. And I could add packs down the road to double capacity.

I'm just trying to justify to myself to buy it. But I'm not sure if the charge time from the 12v is practical.

 

[evo8904]

Thanks! Looking at your links, you're up to $353 in material. I assume you spent another couple hundred or more on a battery? So $550+ total, plus time to install? If I knew what I was doing, I could do the same. But I don't know what I'm doing, so I'd have to dive into learning it. The Jackery 1000 Plus LiFePo is on sale for $899, and it is portable, "plug and play", and multipurpose. And I could add packs down the road to double capacity.

I'm just trying to justify to myself to buy it. But I'm not sure if the charge time from the 12v is practical.

I’d check out Bluetti. I bought this refurbished and it is perfect. I carry this in my Jeep when I go camping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1346711189...ar=434267554902&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Whaler27]

Thanks! Looking at your links, you're up to $353 in material. I assume you spent another couple hundred or more on a battery? So $550+ total, plus time to install? If I knew what I was doing, I could do the same. But I don't know what I'm doing, so I'd have to dive into learning it. The Jackery 1000 Plus LiFePo is on sale for $899, and it is portable, "plug and play", and multipurpose. And I could add packs down the road to double capacity.

I'm just trying to justify to myself to buy it. But I'm not sure if the charge time from the 12v is practical.

The Jackery is great for the use you describe. Finding a way to make the Jeep relevant to the Jackery equation seems like more work than it’s worth. Solar panels and/or a larger Jackery will provide more flexibility with less complexity and no jeep-fussing.

 

[laroo]

I’d check out Bluetti. I bought this refurbished and it is perfect. I carry this in my Jeep when I go camping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1346711189...ar=434267554902&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks, will check them out. Definitely cheaper...

 

[Whaler27]

Thanks, will check them out. Definitely cheaper...

There are many helpful comparisons. Your first step is should be deciding what you want to power and for how long, but there’s so much more.

Here’s a good place to start:

Portable Power Station decisions

 

[WannFly]

Ozark Overland did a lot of comparison

 

[GATORB8]

For hurricane use you'll be better off with the generator for almost every use.

Camping, you'll want to identify your use and size the system off of that. I've got what I'd call a large system in our off road camper, by far our largest power consumer is starlink and laptops. Even with 300 AH of Lifepo, we still need to top off with a generator when boondocking more than a couple days.

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