Securing Jackery in Truck - Specifically the Delicate 12v Cig Plug from Fridge to Jackery

[Lazynorse]

The one thing I hate about my Jackery 1500 is the 'exclusion zone' I have to create around it to protect its plug ins while underway in the bed of my truck. I've got truck bed 12v power plugged into the Jackery to charge while underway. Also have my Iceco JP50 plugged into the Jackery via the cigarette style 12v plug. Having these plug ends sticking out laterally is just asking to get sheared off, it seems.

My not-great solution is to store the Jackery on its side, so its interface and various plug in locations facing straight up. Plugs go into it this way.

I can't store anything on top of it. I have to be really finicky with tying things down around it.

Possible Solution?
I've considered a large enough milk crate, stored upside down (or, right side up) with the Jackery inside of it. Like a little protective cage around the Jackery, that might help fend off the shearing off of plug ends while underway. Would also let me store something on top of it without restricting airflow. Now, the Jackery could still slide around inside the milk crate, creating shearing problems for the plugs so I'd probably have to secure it to the milk crate, then secure the milk crate to the truck.

Anyway, that's my problem and potential solution. I've not vetted it but wonder if anyone else considers this a problem and has a solution.

This, and most my other gear is in the back of a 2022 Ford Ranger FX4 with a Snugtop Rebel canopy. So, 5' covered bed. Bigger than my old adventure rig - Subaru Outback - but I'm still tinkering with storage solutions.

Btw, while expensive the Jackery 1500 is a great solution for multi-day trips. On sunny days, I get more recharge power from the Jackery 100w solar panel than the Iceco demands from the battery. At home, the 1500 kept the fridge - full of water bottles - below 42 degrees for 6 nights, albeit in a controlled 68 degree environment. I opened the lid a few times each day. Smaller Jackery models really depend on daily charging, which we wanted some insurance against for long trips, possibly staying in one hot area for a few days.

My first post, so thought I'd add some value with my Jackery experience. Such a game changer the last couple years.

 

[ZombieCat]

I had a similar issue in my trailer galley with my 32 quart 12v fridge. While driving, it scooted around on the wooden slide out tray installed by the previous owner, damaging the power cord plug. I cut down a piece of 1”x4” to create a permanently affixed buffer in the tray, then padded this with ¼” closed cell foam. When traveling, I use a nylon tie down strap to secure the fridge and prevent shifting. Problem solved and no extra cost, as I used supplies I had at home.
For your Jackery, would a generic storage box (Rubbermaid or similar stackable container) with holes for the cords allow enough airflow? If not, you could use the milk crate and create a foam padded “nest” for the Jackery. Add a DIY wooden lid for the crate in order to protect the top of the Jackery and provide a flat, top surface.
Jackery has been a game changer for me, too. I have two 300w power stations w/solar panels for each. It’s one thing to go out for a weekend, but keeping ice in a cooler for months can be expensive and tedious. I do keep a small ice cooler, but only for drinks and similar items that don’t require a consistent temperature to prevent spoilage.

 

[OTH Overland]

Rob, Noticed you just signed up, Welcome to Overland Bound! We are located not to far north of you on Camano, always good to see new NW folks on here. We have a Jackery 1000 and 300. We still use the 1000 in our Grand Cherokee to power the fridge on longer trips, and yes it can be annoying to keep it protected while travelling so the 12v plugs to do not get damaged or pull out. We did find that even when using a milk crate with a strap to keep the Jackery in place, the darn 12volt plug on the fridge had a strong spring on the contact and between that and road vibration it would still back out and break contact. Ended up with a lightweight bungee cord zip tied in the middle to the plug and would wrap it around the Jackery and that would keep it secure. now we just keep the fridge plugged into a cigarette lighter plug in the vehicle while travelling and only plug into the Jackery when parked or camped for the night. On our JK we installed a house battery and have a dedicated locking outlet that the fridge plugs into, the 100ah battery runs the fridge for 6 days in the off season and a bit over 3 in the summer. in that rig we only bring the Jackary 300 for putting in the tent or on the picnic table for charging electronics as a convenience.

 

[Lazynorse]

@OTH Overland, I've been lurking for a long time. I'm nearing 30 yrs experience with all manner of car-based camping and ultra-light backpacking. Sorta re-focused on vehicle travel camping gear upgrades the last few years, sold my Subaru Outback for a new Ford Ranger FX4 and Snugtop Canopy. My Subaru really met its match my last couple trips in the Owyhees, confirming I want a truck.

So, those 12v cigarette style plugs are a real bummer for an otherwise fantastic pairing (battery, fridge). I've thought of a 'keeper' of some sort, much like you describe, that wraps around the Jackery and gently tugs, through elastic (bungy) the plug inward. Imagine if that was literally any other type of plug connection, It'd be pretty secure!

Interesting you had the milk crate idea already. Until another solution presents itself (you have a good one, just keeping battery in the cab, charge the fridge from another vehicle plug) I'll keep relying on bathroom breaks, gas and food stops as opportunity to peak inside my truck canopy and make sure everything is connected and operating properly. Worse thing, there's a couple hours of no power, which hopefully wouldn't put all my food into the temperature danger zone, that quickly anyway. This plug situation is literally the only delicate, fickle thing I have to worry about, cargo-wise.

Imagine a 12v cigarette style plug with a 90 degree power cable that, once inserted sat nearly flush with the outside of the Jackery. Imagine further there's a little twist dial that pushes a rubber gasket out, a friction aid that helps keep the plug in. I don't have those skills but maybe if I close my eyes really tight, someone else will design and sell it.

 

[rgallant]

@Lazynorse I am amazed there is not a 90 as that is such a common problem, I am using a small plastic container for my 240. I just added some spacers so it stays put while driving

 

[grubworm]

Imagine a 12v cigarette style plug with a 90 degree power cable that, once inserted sat nearly flush with the outside of the Jackery. Imagine further there's a little twist dial that pushes a rubber gasket out, a friction aid that helps keep the plug in. I don't have those skills but maybe if I close my eyes really tight, someone else will design and sell it.

once its pushed in, there is very little sticking out and the wire will be 90 degrees to eliminate the bend and issues of getting in the way. be nice if it had a race machined above the ground strips so it would accept an o-ring, but you could take a wide rubber band and cut it the circumference of the plug and super glue it right above the ground strips and that should snug fit the plug and help seal out dust

if i was keeping the plug in for a long time, id just get some rtv and put a small bead around the connector and set it so it seals but not so much that the rtv is going inside the port...just sealing and sticking to the outside rim or a little hot glue. both are easy to remove

Philmore 48-785-B - Right Angle Cigarette Lighter Plug w/8A Fuse

Ensure a secure and low-profile connection with our Right Angle Cigarette Lighter Plug featuring an 8A fuse, dual wipes, and a rubber strain relief.

vetco.net

 

[Lazynorse]

@grubworm that plug might just do it! Sadly, I lack both soldering iron and skills to use one, as basic as those are. I’ve had good luck with the Iceco provided plug not wiggling out, but I think I’m playing the odds with it getting sheared if something jostles next to it.

You’d think the bougie brands (ARB, Dometic) would’ve made a plug and play version of that plug you shared.

 

[Sparksalot]

I was concerned about the same thing. I ended orienting the Jackery and fridge to make that zone functional but not lose to much real estate.

 

[OTH Overland]

My ARB fridge came with a dual function plug, works as a regular cigarette lighter plug, and then the end screws off and exposes a two pin plug that goes into their proprietary receptacle that you hard wire into the vehicle and has screw collar to keep the plug in place. For those with a fridge plugged into a power station in the back of a pickup, you could tap a small led light on a length of wire into the fridge lead and secure it where you can see it through the back window in your mirror while driving so you would know if the light goes off the fridge came unplugged. My ARB has an app that I run on my tablet that will alert if the fridge looses power for any reason.