Jackery DC-DC Alternator Charger

The Jackery DC-DC Alternator Charger (model JA-AD600A) is a vehicle charging accessory that turns driving time into stored power. It taps the alternator while the engine is running and feeds up to 600W into a compatible Jackery power station through a DC8020 connection. That is roughly six times the rate of a 12V cigarette lighter socket, and Jackery puts it in practical terms: about two hours behind the wheel banks around 1kWh. For overlanding, van life or RV travel, it means a power station tops itself up between stops instead of waiting on solar or a campground hookup.

Electrically it accepts an 11.8V to 32V DC input at up to 60A, so it suits both 12V and 24V vehicle systems, and delivers a 50V DC output at up to 12A for a 600W maximum. The protection set is what keeps it from becoming a liability: over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, overload, short-circuit and high and low temperature protection are all built in. Most importantly, it watches the vehicle's battery voltage and stops drawing if that voltage falls below its startup threshold, so it will not flatten your starter battery. Jackery also states it does not increase fuel consumption, because it works from the alternator's surplus output rather than adding load.

Operation is automatic once installed. The unit reads the vehicle's ACC signal alongside battery voltage, starting the charge when the engine runs and stopping when the engine is switched off. With the vehicle off it drops into standby and powers down entirely after 24 hours. There is no fan, and the unit is rated below 40dB, so it does not interfere with sleeping in a camper. It is rated IP40 for dust, operates from -4F to 140F (-20C to 60C), stores from -22F to 176F (-30C to 80C), and works at altitudes up to 3,000m and humidity from 5% to 95%. Output power varies with driving and road conditions, which Jackery notes is normal behaviour rather than a fault.

Charging speed depends on the host unit. Jackery publishes about 400W and roughly 3.5 hours for a full charge on an Explorer 1000 Plus, about 400W and 3 hours on an Explorer 1000 v2, about 600W and 3.7 hours on an Explorer 2000 Plus, about 400W and 5.6 hours on an Explorer 2000 v2, about 600W and 5.5 hours on an Explorer 3000 Pro, and about 600W and 5.6 hours on a HomePower 3000. Jackery's charging guides also list this charger against the HomePower 2000 Plus v2 at 600W for a 3.8 hour full charge and the HomePower 3600 Pro Max at 600W for about 7.7 hours. Installation is the one thing to plan for: this unit wires into the vehicle's electrical system, and Jackery recommends having it fitted by a professional vehicle modification shop. Jackery states that non-professionals should not attempt the installation themselves.

Compatibility and What's in the Box

• Connects to Jackery power stations via DC8020 input
• Jackery lists compatibility with Explorer 600 v2, Explorer 1000 v2, Explorer 2000 v2, Explorer 1000 Plus, Explorer 2000 Plus, Explorer 5000 Plus and HomePower 3000
• Jackery's charging guides also list it for the HomePower 2000 Plus v2 and HomePower 3600 Pro Max
• 1 x DC-DC Alternator Charger (JA-AD600A)
• 1 x 6m input cable and 1 x inline fuse
• 1 x 1.5m output cable
• 1 x 6m ACC cable
• 4 x ST5.5 screws, 4 x M6 bolts, 4 x M6 nuts for mounting