Portable Power Stations for L1 Systems
Overview
These are the results of using a Jackery Explorer Power Station 500 to run an L1 Model II with ToneMatch Mixer[1], two B1 bass modules, and Kemper Stage electric guitar processor.
Conclusion - Jackery Explorer Power Station 500 should provide power for moderate-to-high volume for at least five hours for a L1 Model II with a ToneMatch Mixer[1].
- You should get similar results with an L1 Compact. Note: The L1 Model II can cover at least four times the area of an L1 Compact.
- The power consumption is similar for all models. The volume (Sound Pressure Level SPL) determines how much power you consume. The louder you run the system, the faster you deplete the power. For example, you might get 7 hours of music at 80 dbC SPL and only 2 hours at 110 dbC SPL.
- Update - L1 Pro Systems (Pro8, Pro16, Pro32 with Sub 1)
- I have repeated the same tests using the L1 Pro systems. The power consumption is comparable to that shown for the L1 Model II with B1 shown in the tables below.
- The power consumption is similar for all models. The volume determines how much power you consume. The louder you run the system, the faster you deplete the power. For example, you might get 7 hours of music at 80 dbC SPL and only 2 hours at 110 dbC SPL.
- 28 February 2021
Jackery Explorer Power Station 500 Specifications
- Lithium battery power: 518Wh/144,400mAh battery capacity,
- 500W Rated Power and 1000W Surge Power
- Pure Sine Wave AC
- 13 pounds
- Time to recharge using AC adapter - 8 hours
- Warning - the smaller Jackery Explorer Power Stations do not provide Pure Sine Wave AC power and are not recommended.
System as Tested
- Model II with two B1 bass modules
- T8S ToneMatch Mixer
- Kemper Profiler Stage
- Approximate draw 12 watts)
- The Kemper Profiler with Remote draws approximately 17 watts was not used for this discussion
- Program material: Rock music with ToneMatch Preset set to DJ/Playback High Volume
- SPL measured at one meter, C-weighted
Results
| Equipment | SPL dBC |
Draw on display |
Net Watts |
Estimated Run Time Hours |
| Calculation 518 Watt-Hours x 85% / Draw in Watts = Run Time Hours | ||||
| Jackery 500 | 0 | 0 | ||
| AC Inverter engaged | 5 | 88.1 | ||
| Power Bar with Surge Arrest | 7 | 2 | 62.9 | |
| T1 with ToneMatch Power Supply | 17 | 10 | 25.9 | |
| T4S with ToneMatch Power Supply | 20 | 13 | 22.0 | |
| T8S with ToneMatch Power Supply | 25 | 18 | 17.6 | |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 idle | 40 | 33 | 11.0 | |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T1 idle | 49 | 42 | 9.0 | |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T1 | 80 | 52 | 45 | 8.5 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T1 | 90 | 57 | 50 | 7.7 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T1 | 100 | 72 | 65 | 6.1 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T1 | 110 | 193 | 186 | 2.3 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T4S idle | 51 | 44 | 8.6 | |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T4S | 80 | 54 | 47 | 8.2 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T4S | 90 | 61 | 54 | 7.2 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T4S | 100 | 75 | 68 | 5.9 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T4S | 110 | 200 | 193 | 2.2 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T8S idle | 56 | 49 | 7.9 | |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T8S | 80 | 59 | 52 | 7.5 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T8S | 90 | 66 | 59 | 6.7 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T8S | 100 | 80 | 73 | 5.5 |
| L1 Model II with 2 x B1 + T8S | 110 | 205 | 198 | 2.1 |
Run Time Calculation Examples
518 watt hours x 85% (for inverter efficiency) = 440 watt hours.
Example: L1 Model II + 2 B1 + T4S at 100 dB
- 440 watt hours / 75 watts = 5.9 hours
Add draw from Kemper Profiler Stage at 12 watts
- 440 watt hours / (75 + 12) watts = 5.0 hours
If using a T8S instead of T4S add 5 watts to draw
- 440 watt hours / (75 + 12 + 5) watts = 4.8 hours
L1 Compact[2] (60 watts at 100 dB) + T4S
- 440 watt hours / (60 + 20) watts = 5.5 hours
Remarks
Occasionally I perform outdoors in settings where an S1 Pro system doesn't provide adequate coverage. I wanted a solution to power an L1 Compact and a ToneMatch Mixer[1].
- Minimum Requirements
- Pure Sine Wave[3] inverter
- Minimum run time at moderate volume (85 dBC SPL) 5 hours
The smallest capacity unit I could find was the Jackery Explorer Power Station 500.
Here's my rationale that led me to test using the L1 Model II.
For most outdoor gigs:
- If one S1 Pro system will do the job - use one S1 Pro system
- If two S1 Pro systems are required to do the job, use an L1 Compact
Note: The L1 Compact power draw is similar to the L1 Model II for a given SPL- L1 Compact[4] (60 watts at 100 dB) + T4S
- 440 watt hours / (60 + 20) watts = 5.5 hours
- If two L1 Compacts are required to do the job, use an L1 Model II (or L1 Model 1S)