Solar chargers - any good?

[naotweed]

I use this one SolarJOOS.com

I strap it on top of my Giant Loop during the day and at night in the tent it charges up my G9, GoPro, iPhone. The main thing is keeping the G9s charged as my husband and I keep them on during the day so we need to charge them every night.

I've never had any issues with it.

[Rexermoto]

I use this kit. Sherpa 50. I wire it up to charge off the bike while riding during the day and can charge my phone, gopro and DLR batteries at night. I rarely use the solar but its there in case I need it.

Sherpa 50 Solar Kit | Complete Solar Kits | Goal Zero

[Massive Lee]

Never used a solar panel, so I can't help. I just don't understand the need to charge electronic devices on small and possibly fragile solar panels when $10 gets you a USB connector that can feed your GPS while driving, as well as charge your cell phone or tablet. Obviously this USB plug is connected to your battery.

Solar panels are fine when going hiking though. ;-)

[*Touring Ted*]

I agree. Solar chargers are a little pointless when you're sitting on a petrol driven generator.

They only work in direct sunlight and still take hours to even trickle charge..

You're better off taking a portable lithium iron battery pack if you want something for an emergency.



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[Massive Lee]

On a long trip, I would use a booster/charger w/ USB ports. Small, light and powerfull. Will charge any USB device and can jumpstart your bike. Probably what Ted had in mind too.

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by Massive Lee

On a long trip, I would use a booster/charger w/ USB ports. Small, light and powerfull. Will charge any USB device and can jumpstart your bike. Probably what Ted had in mind too.

I like the look of that. I think I'd change the terminals for small 'Motorcycle friendly' ones though.

Have you got a link for it ?? I wonder what the dimensions are.

[Massive Lee]

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

I like the look of that. I think I'd change the terminals for small 'Motorcycle friendly' ones though.

Have you got a link for it ?? I wonder what the dimensions are.

There are 100s of these type available on the market.

You can start searching here. Some of them can boost a diesel truck...
booster pack usb | eBay

Watch this general information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Zgq7wsi24

[*Touring Ted*]

Yeah ive seen them on ebay. It would be nice to have an owner review and trip tested.

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[Arma]

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

Yeah ive seen them on ebay. It would be nice to have an owner review and trip tested.

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Happy to review mine! Shite! Let me down yesterday when I needed it. Admittedly I never tested it before the trip, but still, disappointed in the extreme!

[Massive Lee]

Originally Posted by Arma

Happy to review mine! Shite! Let me down yesterday when I needed it. Admittedly I never tested it before the trip, but still, disappointed in the extreme!

Let us know what model/brand you had. Was it charged? Obviously as with everything, some brands/models are better than others. I will get one on my next long trip.

[Arma]

I'm not actually sure what make and model it is, I got it from Amazon and my only real criteria was small size, ability to charge from USB and two USB output ports. It was 3/4 charged when I tried to use it on the trail and got an inadequate voltage error. Same the next morning when charged to the max.

I have owned it for two years, aside from periodic charging it's lived under my seat and has been subjected to some extremes of heat, which may explain the failure? It's the only cause I can think of. Yesterday was the first time I've ever had cause to use it.

I'm going to get another, I think it's a wonderful tool, if it works. I think this time around I'll modify it so when it's being stored it's corrected to a switched live and thus always fully charged. The Tiger can easily spare the power for an additional low amperage USB device to keep it topped up.

I'll also connect the jump cable periodically to check it. If it's a similar design to my current one. It's connecting the jump cable which presents either an error or OK light.

[*Touring Ted*]

You can get quality ones but they're 5 x the cost of the ebay ones. But the old saying is true. You get what you pay for.

Ive heard nothing but good things about the XS-Powerpack, but they're £100.

[ChrisFS]

How long does it take to charge the xs unit itself, and when charged how long will it last if you're charging a smartphone and a tablet each night....on average of course, as different devices will take longer to charge.

[markharf]

There are good ones for cars--I carry mine wherever I go, charge it a couple of times a year, use it about the same number of times, never lets me down. There are also cheap ones for cars.

There are good ones for phones, tablets and laptops. I've started carrying one to charge my ancient iPhone now that its battery is almost kaput. Holds a charge for months of inactivity, lightweight and compact, will charge a solid state tablet or laptop with ease.

There MUST be good ones for motorcycles (sez I). But they won't be cheap: why would they be?

Mark

[Tomkat]

Originally Posted by Massive Lee

There are 100s of these type available on the market.

..... Some of them can boost a diesel truck...

A friend of mine had one when I inadvertently flattened the battery on my van. He assured me it would start the engine. Didn't even click the solenoid.