Solar chargers

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Shamus
20/05/2012 at 20:42
Hi has anyone had any experience with solar chargers
I'm thinking about taking one on a 14 day trek to the Atlas mountains to charge cameras phone GPS etc but would also like to be able-to use it for UK treks wild camps etc if that's possible!
Any ideas
Cheers Sean
StoneHuggingHippy
20/05/2012 at 20:46
I have an older Freeloader that i bought new, it was pants from day one, so much so i've never carried it.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Bedouin
20/05/2012 at 21:10
Shamus, sorry its taken me so long to reply to your post but I've spent the last half hour almost dying of laughter..... backpacking Solar chargers are a complete waste of money as for wanting to charge say a phone thats one thing but a GPS, camera etc I mean WTF why not add an electric car to your wish list while your at it?

There are only 2 places where I can say a (largish) solar charger has been useful..... Sudan and Arizona as you appear to be going to neither I say save your money.

I'm sure there are people with a vested interests but I'd be wary of anyone that says that these sorts of chargers are any good DOUBLY so for UK use!

Edit: Also to say that with solar chargers you get what you pay for and anything halfway decent is gonna be expensive!
Edited: 20/05/2012 at 21:24
StoneHuggingHippy
20/05/2012 at 21:38
Stop being so bloody condescending bedders, you've obviously had experince of them like myself, he obviously hasn't hence the question.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Taz
20/05/2012 at 21:44
I wish to know more about these too, anyone?
Bedouin
20/05/2012 at 21:45
just pointing out like yourself that there useless! whist adding that multiple power hungry devices is a definite NO NO and then rounding off with a don't get fooled onto buying anything cheap as lot and I mean lots of people I know have been suckered into buying sub £50 chargers that after the first use have done nothing more than take up draw space.

Bit of humour but nothing condescending there unless of course you want it to be thus?
Edited: 20/05/2012 at 21:56
Dylan
20/05/2012 at 21:47
You can actually buy a battery that you charge at home and carry with you, they cost around £30/50 ( depending what capacity you go for) and work off an usb connection. The one i currently have, which is small, is enough to charge an iphone 3 times. Someone else had a bigger version that was enough to chare it around 5 times. You could always recharge the battery if you stay somewhere on your trip if needed.
Bedouin
20/05/2012 at 21:47
More in what way? I thought "useless" pretty fairly sums it up for most cases

Dylan: good post... thats exactly what I do. If I need a phone I swap my smart phone for an old less power hungry type and take spare batteries. GPS I take a blister pack of batteries. I have 6 batteries for the camcorder and a large (and expensive and heavy) pre-charge power pack for most other things.
Edited: 20/05/2012 at 21:53
Explorer
20/05/2012 at 21:53
I know someone who is planning on walking the coast to coast this summer with a large solar charger strapped to their pack in order to charge their smart phone. Not only is it extra weight and cost, but I think that it will be pretty useless. It will probably just have provided enough power by the time they reach the finish. The high capacity chargers (or a couple of spare batteries) are a better idea.
StoneHuggingHippy
20/05/2012 at 21:56
Explorer wrote (see)
I know someone who is planning on walking the coast to coast this summer with a large solar charger strapped to their pack in order to charge their smart phone. Not only is it extra weight and cost, but I think that it will be pretty useless. It will probably just have provided enough power by the time they reach the finish. The high capacity chargers (or a couple of spare batteries) are a better idea.
Eion seemed to manage ok with his on the C2C.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Bedouin
20/05/2012 at 21:57
Also worth baring in mind when it comes to solar chargers is "reverse charging" which can seriously damage your gadgets
Taz
20/05/2012 at 22:09
Any links to what gadget you use Dylan?
Dylan
20/05/2012 at 22:26
Steviebhoy
20/05/2012 at 22:49
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270939388613&clk_rvr_id=344931032280 this one looks good for the price.
GOF
20/05/2012 at 22:58
Bottom line.

In the Uk, I cant see how a portable solar charger can work. Simply put, there is a reason why solar panels take up most of a house roof - the area is needed because of our low light levels.

spare batteries are the way to go - either battery packs as above or make your own up from rechargeable cells. TBH, here in the UK I carry rechargeable and a rapid charger - I can usually find a plug I am allowed to stick the charger in every few days as needed.
GOF
Crimp'itch
21/05/2012 at 10:45

Just a word of caution: I bought a powermonkey charger that you put 2xAA rechargeables in and it didn't work (with some consequences seeing as I tested it on a trip for the first time...) Turns out 2 batteries is 2.4volts which is less than the mobile battery I had so didn't charge it (reading retrospectively that's a common problem with lots of these where you put your own batteries in). It did however partially charge a much simpler, older phone battery. If you got one that took 4 batteries I think it could work (I just haven't tried one). Of note if you get one that works is rechargeable AA batteries have more charge than non-rechargeable one (about double from memory) but if you don't get the long life ones they go flat over a few days (regardless of use).

Maybe I'll try one of those New Trent ones recommended above next.

Andinista
21/05/2012 at 11:17
I've been asked to look into these for a forthcoming trip to the Himalayas.

Not seen anything that tempts me yet.

...and I like buying bits of kit to play with.

Shamus
21/05/2012 at 20:56
Thanks Dylan
The new Trent power packs look a much more viable option I've crossed solar charger off my list permanently
Cheers Sean
Jimbo TheScot 2
21/05/2012 at 23:21
ive got 2 1000ma panels from candle powered forums , you can plug in a usb 18650 box and charge 18650 lithium cells, loads of power, also usb nimh rechargeable battery charger can charge sanyo eneloops in the field no bother, in full sun can charge a phone like it's plugged into the wall, same in not so favorable conditions adding the 2nd panel, i also charge a 7000mah new trent pack as the larger ones are mains only charge not usb... guy who makes them is based in uk
Edited: 21/05/2012 at 23:26
Shamus
22/05/2012 at 07:10
Cheers Jimbo I'll check it out I dont need loads of recharging my camera lasts for days anyway just want to be able to recharge if needed so I can get pics and phone only really for emergency use and maybe the odd app.
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