Is It Okay To Leave Jackery Plugged In All The Time?

In recent years, portable power stations have become increasingly popular for outdoor enthusiasts, business professionals, and homeowners alike. One of the most recognized brands in this market is Jackery, which offers a range of power stations with various sizes and capacities to meet different needs. However, a common question that arises is whether it’s okay to leave a Jackery power station plugged in all the time.

To answer this question, we need to understand how these devices work and what factors can affect their lifespan. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of keeping your Jackery power station plugged in, as well as some tips on how to maintain its performance and safety.

How Does a Jackery Power Station Work?

Before diving into the main topic, let’s first review the basic workings of a Jackery power station. In simple terms, a power station is a rechargeable battery that stores and delivers electricity to different devices. Jackery power stations have built-in lithium-ion batteries, which are known for their high energy density, long cycle life, and low self-discharge rate. Some models also come with solar panels or AC adapters that can charge the battery using solar power or household outlets.

Once charged, a Jackery power station can power various devices, such as smartphones, laptops, cameras, lights, fans, and even small appliances like mini-fridges or CPAP machines. The amount of power you can draw from the battery depends on its capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh). For example, the Jackery Explorer 500 has a capacity of 518Wh, which can power a 50W appliance for about 10 hours, a 200W appliance for about 2-3 hours, or a 1000W appliance for a few minutes. The actual runtime may vary depending on the efficiency of the device, weather conditions, and other factors.

Benefits of Leaving Your Jackery Power Station Plugged In

Now, let’s turn to the question of whether it’s beneficial or harmful to leave your Jackery power station plugged in all the time. Here are some potential advantages of doing so:

Always Ready: When you keep your Jackery power station plugged in, you can ensure that it’s always fully charged and ready to use. This can be especially useful if you frequently require a backup power source or if you live in an area with frequent power outages or unreliable grid electricity.

Extended Lifespan: Lithium-ion batteries, like those used in Jackery power stations, have a limited number of charge cycles before they start to degrade. By keeping the battery topped up, you can reduce the number of recharge cycles and extend its overall lifespan. According to Jackery, their batteries can handle up to 500 cycles before losing 20% of their capacity, but this can vary depending on usage, storage, and other factors. By minimizing the depth of discharge (DoD), or how much you drain the battery before recharging, you can also reduce the stress on the battery and prolong its health.
More Versatile: Some Jackery power stations, such as the Explorer 1000 or the SolarSaga 100W, can support pass-through charging, which means they can charge and discharge at the same time. This allows you to use the power station as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply), which can provide a seamless backup power source for your connected devices in case of a sudden power outage. When the grid power is restored, the power station will automatically switch back to charging mode without interrupting your devices’ operation.

Drawbacks of Leaving Your Jackery Power Station Plugged In

On the other hand, there are some potential drawbacks of keeping your Jackery power station plugged in for too long. Here are a few reasons why you might want to unplug it occasionally:

Fire Hazard: Lithium-ion batteries can be prone to overheating and catching fire if they’re overcharged, subjected to high temperatures, or damaged. While Jackery power stations have built-in protection circuits and temperature sensors to prevent such incidents, there’s still a risk involved if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions or use incompatible chargers or cables. By leaving your power station plugged in all the time, you might expose it to unnecessary heat or voltage fluctuations that can compromise its safety.
Energy Waste: If you leave your Jackery power station plugged in but not in use, you’ll consume some energy from the grid to maintain the battery’s charge. While this might not be a significant cost on its own, it can add up over time, especially if you have multiple devices and appliances running on standby mode. To reduce your carbon footprint and save some money on your electricity bill, you can unplug your power station or use a smart plug that can turn it off automatically when it’s not needed.
Reduced Performance: Over time, a Jackery power station’s battery capacity can decline due to natural aging, improper storage, or high DoD. If you always keep the battery plugged in and seldom discharge it, you might not notice the gradual loss of capacity until it’s too late. Moreover, some Jackery power stations, such as the Explorer 240 or the SolarSaga 60, have a charging time of several hours, which means it might take longer to recharge the battery from zero if you start from a low charge level frequently. By using the power station regularly and discharging it to a reasonable level, you can maintain its performance and avoid sudden failures.

Conclusion: To Plug or Not to Plug?

In conclusion, leaving your Jackery power station plugged in all the time can have both advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs, habits, and safety precautions. If you plan to use the power station frequently or require a backup power source, it might make sense to keep it plugged in, provided that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and avoid overcharging or overheating. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about energy waste, battery safety, or performance deterioration, it’s best to unplug the power station occasionally or use it regularly to keep the battery healthy.

Regardless of your choice, it’s important to remember that a Jackery power station is not a substitute for proper electrical wiring or a generator in some situations. While it can provide a convenient and eco-friendly source of power, it has its limitations and safety considerations. Therefore, always read the user manual, choose the right model for your needs, and use it responsibly to enjoy its benefits without compromising your safety or the environment.