Portable power

[dsalazar]

any one here use portable solar panels and portable power banks when traveling. I’ve read about goal zero panels.
The power banks are various sizes. From pocket ones to large size. Looking to power phones, flashlight, speakers, mainly usb.

 

[Scott321]

I have... It really depends on how much weight, components, sunlight, and access to power you will have.

Relatively small solar panels (something that will fit in a small backpack) will require a LOT of time in direct sunlight to charge a phone. If you can leave it out in a safe area, you can also use the solar panel to charge a backup power pack while you are away, and then use the backup to charge your phone overnight. I think that Anker solar panels might be a competitive option but I haven't tried them. I have the small portable GZ Nomad solar panel and the GZ Guide 10 AA/AAA (old versions).

They came in handy when I was visiting a tropical island which only had a few hours of generated electricity per day. I could probably have just charged the battery pack when the power was available but I didn't know what the conditions would be since I was traveling to multiple locations at the time. The Guide 10 battery pack also has an LED light which was brighter than my phone light for navigating the sandy paths at night. The small solar panel VERY slowly charged my phone when left in the sun for hours. IIRC, something like 10%-15% per hour. The 4xAA battery pack also took a long time to charge the phone, and I think it wasn't very much (maybe 50-80%), although it was a long time ago and I usually didn't let the phone get low enough to get an accurate assessment.

Although it is a handy package, I consider it more of an emergency backup rather than something that I were to use everyday. If I were to rely on solar power, I would get something that would take up a huge amount of space in a large backpack, and have a large, heavy battery to go with it. Not things flight friendly if you have to travel on smaller planes or have limited baggage space for light traveling/backpacking.

If I had access to power most of the time, but thought I would need a day or two of backup charging, I might just use one of the car starter Li-ion batteries like the Noco Genius Boost Plus (my friend uses them to charge small electronics as well as jumping his high compression V8 race cars). Again, airlines don't like Li-ion backup batteries so verify before you buy/fly. The nice thing about the GZ Nomad/Guide kit I use is that the batteries are NiMH, and therefore shouldn't be an issue on flights. I use Eneloop in place of the GZ batteries, though.

Be aware, that charging in direct sunlight and/or charging one battery with another tends to build up a lot of heat. When I was in 90+ degree weather with 90+ humidity, I would often worry about the generated heat hurting my phone and it's battery.

Islands in Palawan and my phone and hut (1 1/2 hour boat ride from the main Palawan island to get here and they still had mobile internet):

*Although I charged the phone directly, it's recommended that you have the solar panels hooked up to the battery pack, and then the battery pack hooked up to the phone.

Noco Genius Boost Plus (not my pic):

As a side note, its my understanding that those battery packs with solar panels on them only get enough solar power to minimize battery drain, not enough for actually charging the battery pack. I could be wrong.

 

[dsalazar]

I have... It really depends on how much weight, components, sunlight, and access to power you will have.

Relatively small solar panels (something that will fit in a small backpack) will require a LOT of time in direct sunlight to charge a phone. If you can leave it out in a safe area, you can also use the solar panel to charge a backup power pack while you are away, and then use the backup to charge your phone overnight. I think that Anker solar panels might be a competitive option but I haven't tried them. I have the small portable GZ Nomad solar panel and the GZ Guide 10 AA/AAA (old versions).

They came in handy when I was visiting a tropical island which only had a few hours of generated electricity per day. I could probably have just charged the battery pack when the power was available but I didn't know what the conditions would be since I was traveling to multiple locations at the time. The Guide 10 battery pack also has an LED light which was brighter than my phone light for navigating the sandy paths at night. The small solar panel VERY slowly charged my phone when left in the sun for hours. IIRC, something like 10%-15% per hour. The 4xAA battery pack also took a long time to charge the phone, and I think it wasn't very much (maybe 50-80%), although it was a long time ago and I usually didn't let the phone get low enough to get an accurate assessment.

Although it is a handy package, I consider it more of an emergency backup rather than something that I were to use everyday. If I were to rely on solar power, I would get something that would take up a huge amount of space in a large backpack, and have a large, heavy battery to go with it. Not things flight friendly if you have to travel on smaller planes or have limited baggage space for light traveling/backpacking.

If I had access to power most of the time, but thought I would need a day or two of backup charging, I might just use one of the car starter Li-ion batteries like the Noco Genius Boost Plus (my friend uses them to charge small electronics as well as jumping his high compression V8 race cars). Again, airlines don't like Li-ion backup batteries so verify before you buy/fly. The nice thing about the GZ Nomad/Guide kit I use is that the batteries are NiMH, and therefore shouldn't be an issue on flights. I use Eneloop in place of the GZ batteries, though.

Be aware, that charging in direct sunlight and/or charging one battery with another tends to build up a lot of heat. When I was in 90+ degree weather with 90+ humidity, I would often worry about the generated heat hurting my phone and it's battery.

Islands in Palawan and my phone and hut (1 1/2 hour boat ride from the main Palawan island to get here and they still had mobile internet):

*Although I charged the phone directly, it's recommended that you have the solar panels hooked up to the battery pack, and then the battery pack hooked up to the phone.

Noco Genius Boost Plus (not my pic):

As a side note, its my understanding that those battery packs with solar panels on them only get enough solar power to minimize battery drain, not enough for actually charging the battery pack. I could be wrong.

That car pack may be what I need. The main thing is car camping, some backpacking. I have used small portable packs that can charge a phone. This time I would be looking for something large like that car pack. I’d charge it before leaving. Good info much appreciated

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 1220508 You may want to check out a thermoelectric generator that, using a heat source, makes electricity without sunshine.

 

[315]

I use the Goal Zero too, mainly in the boat but also when camping. It takes care of my phone well enough but I really got it for recharging batteries for flashlights, headlamps and my GPS. Like S Scott321 I also use the Panasonic Eneloop batteries. I have jump packs in both vehicles but I try to not use them for electronics. I worry that I’d deplete them and be SOL if I actually needed them to jump a vehicle.

I did pick up an inexpensive ($20 I think) battery pack that has a solar panel on it. The battery pack seems to be working well enough. I’m not sure how long it’d take to recharge if you were using it to charge your phone for several days in the back country. It charges extremely slow. I bought it online one day when I was bored, just to try out. But that may be an option too.

 

[MililaniGrown]

I have the Noco GB40 just for jump starting my car and as an emergency battery pack but after looking into it, it seems to only have a 1200 mah battery inside. When I go on trips, I take an Anker Powercore+ 26800 that stores 26800 mah of power. It weighs about the same as the Noco. Depending on your needs, you might be better off getting one or two smaller Ankers (or other brands) to save weight compared to the Noco.

 

[dsalazar]

I have the Noco GB40 just for jump starting my car and as an emergency battery pack but after looking into it, it seems to only have a 1200 mah battery inside. When I go on trips, I take an Anker Powercore+ 26800 that stores 26800 mah of power. It weighs about the same as the Noco. Depending on your needs, you might be better off getting one or two smaller Ankers (or other brands) to save weight compared to the Noco.

I have a portable jumper and found the same issue. It’s only 5000mah but has the built in jumper with separate power. How’s that anker working out. Something like that is on my list size vs capacity is great.

I use the Gaol Zero too, mainly in the boat but also when camping. It takes care of my phone well enough but I really got it for recharging batteries for flashlights, headlamps and my GPS. Like S Scott321 I also use the Panasonic Eneloop batteries. I have jump packs in both vehicles but I try to not use them for electronics. I worry that I’d deplete them and be SOL if I actually needed them to jump a vehicle.

I did pick up an inexpensive ($20 I think) battery pack that has a solar panel on it. The battery pack seems to be working well enough. I’m not sure how long it’d take to recharge if you were using it to charge your phone for several days in the back country. It charges extremely slow. I bought it online one day when I was bored, just to try out. But that may be an option too.

Have you kept track of how long it take the panel to charge a device. I have one but haven’t had the chance to use it.

View attachment 1220508 You may want to check out a thermoelectric generator that, using a heat source, makes electricity without sunshine.

You have any usage on that. That would be good for winter camping or night time. I’m in tucson az so it gets hot out.

 

[MililaniGrown]

The Anker 26800 is great for what it is but it is heavy. It's built like a tank. Though, I use a smaller Anker 13000 for day to day use.

 

[tiguy7]

I have a portable jumper and found the same issue. It’s only 5000mah but has the built in jumper with separate power. How’s that anker working out. Something like that is on my list size vs capacity is great.


Have you kept track of how long it take the panel to charge a device. I have one but haven’t had the chance to use it.

You have any usage on that. That would be good for winter camping or night time. I’m in tucson az so it gets hot out.

I don’t do a lot of back packing any more, but we have a natural gas range on which I could recharge iPads, iPhones, flashlight batteries, etc. Since I got the thing, we haven’t had a power outage.

 

[315]

Have you kept track of how long it take the panel to charge a device. I have one but haven’t had the chance to use it.

I have not. I’ve really only played around with it because my phone gets charged at night when I’m sleeping and I’ve never actually needed to charge with it, just used it because it was there. I have charged the goal zero battery pack that holds 4 AA batteries before. Seems to me in good sunlight 3-4 hours for a full charge if I remember correctly.