Power pack and solar panel

£556.99 & £272.99

Tested by: Russ Dykes Tested for: One year

Battery technology has come on a long way recently and for people like me who change vehicles frequently, it’s opened up split-charging options. The portable Jackery Explorer 500 has a 518Wh lithium-ion battery with a 230v/500W threepin plug outlet, three USB outlets, a couple of DC accessory ports and a 12v accessory socket, and it can be charged from the mains, car or solar panel.

I charge it up before heading off on trips and the Land Rover recharges it and powers accessories like the fridge as I drive along. At the campsite, I’ll plug the fridge into the Jackery and recharge items like radios which have been in use during the day – and I’ll have around 50 per cent charge left the next morning. In sunnier places the solar panel can share some of the load into the evening.

The power pack also comes into its own when you’re in a vehicle with a smart alternator – as the current draw is sub-10A, you can plug it into an accessory port without worrying about harming the vehicle’s electronics.

It can’t be used to supplement the vehicle battery if that goes flat as you can with some split-charge systems, but assuming you’ve switched the Land Rover off, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Verdict: A cracking alternative to a split-charge system.

jackery.com