Which Solar Adapter Do I Need? MC4, DC5521, Anderson, XT60 & Barrel Plug Guide
Why the Right Solar Adapter Matters
A solar panel and a portable power station are only useful together if the cable between them actually fits. Solar gear isn't standardized the way a wall outlet is, so different brands use different connectors on their panels and on their charging inputs. The panel might output through MC4 connectors, while your power station expects a barrel plug or an XT60. If those two ends don't match, the panel simply won't charge the station, even though both are perfectly good products.
The good news: this is almost always solved with the right adapter cable. Once you know what connector your panel uses and what input your power station expects, choosing the correct cable is straightforward. This guide walks through the most common connector types, helps you match your specific device, and points you to the right SunJack adapter for the job.
The Main Connector Types Explained
MC4
MC4 is the industry-standard connector for solar panels. You'll recognize it as a pair of round, threaded connectors (one male, one female) that snap and lock together. Most folding solar panels, rigid panels, and rooftop solar use MC4 because it's weatherproof and rated for high current. If your panel has two thick cables ending in round locking plugs, those are almost certainly MC4.
DC5521 (5.5 x 2.1 mm)
DC5521 is a small cylindrical barrel plug measuring 5.5 mm on the outer diameter and 2.1 mm on the inner pin. It's extremely common on smaller portable power stations and battery packs. The number is simply the physical size of the plug.
DC8020 and DC7909
These are larger barrel plugs used by many mid-size and larger power stations. DC8020 (8 mm outer / 2.0 mm inner) and DC7909 (7.9 mm outer / 0.9 mm inner pin) look similar to a DC5521 plug but are physically bigger, so they are not interchangeable. Several popular power station brands ship adapters or accept these via an included input cable.
Anderson Powerpole
Anderson Powerpole connectors are flat, modular plugs (often red and black) that slide together and are genderless. They're popular in the off-grid, ham radio, and overlanding communities, and some power stations and battery setups use an Anderson-style input.
XT60
XT60 is a yellow, bullet-style connector originally from the RC hobby world that has become common on some power stations and DIY battery builds. It's compact and handles high current well.
Parallel (Y-Branch) Connectors
A Y-branch isn't a different plug standard so much as a splitter. It uses MC4 connectors to combine two solar panels into a single output so they feed one input in parallel. This lets you stack panels for more wattage when your power station can accept the combined current.
Match Your Device
Connector requirements vary by model and even by model year, so always confirm against the physical port on your unit. The table below reflects common configurations as a starting point.
| Brand | Typical Input Connector | What You Usually Need |
|---|---|---|
| Jackery | DC8020 on many Explorer models (varies by generation) | MC4-to-DC8020 cable or adapter; check your device's input port |
| EcoFlow | XT60 on many River and Delta models | MC4-to-XT60 cable; check your device's input port |
| Bluetti | Often an aviation-style (XT90/MC4) or barrel input depending on model | MC4 cable or model-specific adapter; check your device's input port |
| Goal Zero | Anderson Powerpole (8 mm) on many Yeti models, varies by generation | MC4-to-Anderson/8mm adapter; check your device's input port |
| Anker | XT60 on many SOLIX / PowerHouse models (varies) | MC4-to-XT60 cable; check your device's input port |
| Smaller power banks & chargers | DC5521 barrel | MC4-to-DC5521 cable or DC5521 tip kit; check your device's input port |
Because manufacturers change connectors between generations, the safest approach is to look at the actual input jack on your power station before buying.
Which SunJack Adapter Should I Pick?
Use this quick decision flow to route yourself to the right cable:
- My panel has MC4 and my station has a large round input or accepts MC4 directly. Choose an MC4 extension/adapter cable. For most setups the MC4 14AWG cable (10 ft) works well. For longer runs or higher current where you want lower voltage drop, step up to the MC4 12AWG cable (10 ft).
- My station uses a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel input. Choose the MC4-to-DC5521 cable (18AWG, 5 ft).
- I'm not sure what barrel size my device needs, or I have several devices. Grab the DC5521 Plug Adapter Kit, which includes 10 interchangeable tips to fit a wide range of barrel inputs.
- I want to combine two panels for more wattage. Use the Y-Branch parallel splitter cable (10 ft) to wire two MC4 panels into one output.
- Still unsure? Browse the full lineup at Shop all solar adapter cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MC4 to DC5521?
It's an adapter cable with an MC4 connector on the panel side and a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug on the device side. It lets a solar panel that outputs through MC4 plug into a power station or battery pack that uses a DC5521 barrel input.
How do I connect my SunJack panel to a Jackery or EcoFlow?
Most SunJack panels output through MC4. Check your power station's input jack: many Jackery units use a DC8020-style input, while many EcoFlow units use XT60. Match an MC4 cable or adapter to that input. When in doubt, confirm the exact connector on your device's input port before ordering.
Can I connect two solar panels together?
Yes. Use a Y-branch parallel splitter to combine two MC4 panels into a single output. This increases the available current to your power station, as long as your station can accept the combined input. Confirm your station's maximum solar input rating before pairing panels.
What size barrel plug do I need?
The most common small barrel size is DC5521 (5.5 mm outer / 2.1 mm inner), but larger devices may use DC8020 or DC7909. If you're not certain, the DC5521 Plug Adapter Kit includes 10 tips so you can find the one that fits snugly without forcing it.