So I've been experimenting with a backpack solar charger http://goo.gl/liq8o3 on the last few hikes I've made this winter. While it is the time of year in Washington where there isn't much sun, I've had a few good days to take it out and put it through its paces. So far I'm liking the fact that I can stay out for a few days, but am still able to charge my camera and gps if need be. As of late, I've been plugging a rechargeable battery pack into the panel to charge. Charging 3 AA batteries takes about 2 hours in good sunlight. Anyways it's pretty handy. I was wondering if any one has found a good integrated solar backpack that works well. I've read that most of them don't work very well and I wanted to ask for some input!
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Re: Solar charging
Haha, no I loved your photo, I almost busted a gut thinking about the weight!Visit www.gearspoke.com for all of your rental needs!
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Re: Solar charging
if your staying out a few days, are you just with that small backpack?
few days out for me would be a larger pack, and that daypack wouldnt do me much good,
if your headed back to a car every night would just charge everything from the car,
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Re: Solar charging
Originally posted by Gearspoke View PostHaha, no I loved your photo, I almost busted a gut thinking about the weight!
Originally posted by James. View Post
Originally posted by terasec View Post...just charge everything from the car
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Re: Solar charging
Happy weekend everyone. What are your weekend adventures?Visit www.gearspoke.com for all of your rental needs!
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Re: Solar charging
I find that battery packs work well and reliably. Most can fully charge an iphone or Samsung phone 5 or six times on a single charge. Two battery packs last me 5 days rain or shine.
Considering weight, bulk, cost and reliability, I would be very interested to know if we have reached a point where solar power trumps battery packs.
For me, the only thing I really need to recharge is my android phone. I like to have my android phone with me during the day while I am hiking or boating or fishing or skiing for communications and photos/vids. I would not want to leave my android phone on a rock somewhere connected to a solar panel for charging. I usually do my phone charging at night while I am sleeping by using a battery pack.
The battery packs work even when it is cloudy or rainy or night time. They cost around $30 and if my battery pack is freshly recharged, they will recharge my phone about 5 times. They are about as big as a lunch box Juicy Juice package (palm size) and weigh about 10.5 ounces.
Has anybody here found or heard that solar power is better than battery packs, all things considered?Last edited by Mike; 01-18-2015, 09:36 PM.
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Re: Solar charging
Originally posted by Mike View PostI find that battery packs work well and reliably. Most can fully charge an iphone or Samsung phone 5 or six times on a single charge. Two battery packs last me 5 days rain or shine.
Considering weight, bulk, cost and reliability, I would be very interested to know if we have reached a point where solar power trumps battery packs.
For me, the only thing I really need to recharge is my android phone. I like to have my android phone with me during the day while I am hiking or boating or fishing or skiing for communications and photos/vids. I would not want to leave my android phone on a rock somewhere connected to a solar panel for charging. I usually do my phone charging at night while I am sleeping by using a battery pack.
The battery packs work even when it is cloudy or rainy or night time. They cost around $30 and if my battery pack is freshly recharged, they will recharge my phone about 5 times. They are about as big as a lunch box Juicy Juice package (palm size) and weigh about 10.5 ounces.
Has anybody here found or heard that solar power is better than battery packs, all things considered?Visit www.gearspoke.com for all of your rental needs!
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Re: Solar charging
Originally posted by Gearspoke View PostI guess it boils down to length of time in the field. If you only need a few days worth of power, I'd agree that battery packs would be more convenient. If you are going to be out for a couple weeks (which I often do) a solar charger would make more sense. There is also the possibility of using battery packs in conjunction with a solar panel as well. If you can get a panel setup that has the proper voltage output for charging the particular battery, they would make a great combo for your electronics.
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Re: Solar charging
Originally posted by Mike View PostApparently, the solar panel output is irregular and possibly not good for charging the devices.
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Re: Solar charging
Originally posted by Mike View PostI read somewhere that the preferred method for using solar panels is to use the solar panel to charge a battery pack and then use the battery pack to charge phones and other devices. Apparently, the solar panel output is irregular and possibly not good for charging the devices.Visit www.gearspoke.com for all of your rental needs!
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