Solar chargers - any good?

[Blommetje]

Hi,

I have a Veho muvi, Galaxy S4 and a ixus 130 p&s camera. While traveling both the muvi (a gopro like thingy) and the phone die quite fast. Phone I can live without, muvi I would like to use.

Now I don't want to search for outlets all the time so ... what about portable solar chargers! ?

Anybody using this and what are the general experiences?

I'm flying through Incheon Airport Seoul and I expect to be able to pick one up there... enjoying my layover

Alex

Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory.

[backofbeyond]

Maybe they've improved since I last bought one a few years ago but my experience wasn't good. My A5 paper size (roughly) one could be left in the sun for days and nothing much would happen. I'd guess you'd need something the size of a door to charge anything before the warranty on it runs out.

If anyone else says they've managed to charge an iPhone from a solar panel that costs less than an iPhone I'd be interested in what and how much and where and how you did it.

Is this for backpacking or similar? If you're on a bike, with loads of volts and stuff available, why not just use a car charger - or the circuitry from one anyway. If you're on foot or just want a plug and play solution have you thought about one of the external battery things - something like this: Power Bank 8400mAh Emergency Battery Portable External Phone Micro USB Charger | eBay

and just charge it up every now and again.

[g6snl]

I had one on a quad bike to keep battery topped up when not in use. It was in full sun all day every day. The quad bike was not used frequently and the battery was always needing charging by mains, so not much good for me. That was probably 8 years ago to be fair so as backofbeyond says maybe better now.

[Tourider]

Again, my experience dates back about eight or nine years. The small, £20ish unit didn't seem to do a lot except power its own LED charge indicator light.

[Mumbo68]

As above, I had one called solar monkey or something like that, wasn't great.

[Warin]

For the phone ...
A 'solar' panel of about 20 watts is required.

I charge a separate battery during the day, while I use the phone. At night, when I'm not using the phone, the battery charges the phone. With very little phone use the phone will last 2 days .. and you need that to survive the days when the sun is not out. Even then I carry spare batteries sometimes.

The above is for backpacking .. no vehicle. If you have a vehicle .. charge off the vehicles battery ... the amount of energy used by phone, GPS, camera and video devices is small compared to the rest of the vehicle. If you need to use the things while the vehicle is running .. charge a spare battery and swap batteries at night.

[Blommetje]

Thanks all!

I've checked them here in kathmandu but a lot of promises on funky brands. I have a layover and -if they sell any- I'll pick one up.

It's for backpacking mostly, unfortunately no motorbike at the moment. And during trekkings and such it can be quite useful. Well, the idea. You please a solar thingy on top of the pack, walk all day in brisk sunlight (like that ever happens. ..) and at the end of the day your stuff is charged!

Will post next week to show of my new panel, if Incheon Airport is any good!

Alex

Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory.

[Toyark]

Do the maths Alex!
Add up the power of your devices- then match that to what a panel can deliver in full sun...and you'll find that you'll probably will need a very large one!
You would be best served by a rechargeable power bank- one which would also start your moto such as the Micro Start PPS ( it comes with both a mains and a 12 volt charger too) and is ideal. IMHO. Weighs 530 grs inc all charging and jump leads.

p.s Indiana doesn't need/have any of those...

[*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

[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.

[*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!