Solar to power tablet/phone at camp [no car battery assist]

Bazza2 · Member

Solar to power tablet/phone at camp [no car battery assist]

mickm · Veteran Member

Try something like this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-50000mAh-Solar-Power-Bank-Panel-2-USB-Portable-Pack-Charger-for-Mobile-Phone-/351093852855?hash=item51bed30ab7:g:l60AAOSwGotWnEk~

Bazza2 · Member

Thank you --they look OK

Nomad_Nev · Veteran Member

The solar panel on top of this battery is a bit small, you would do berrer to get a small battery and a fold up panel.

The input voltage is 5v
The panel on the battery pack puts out 1.5 watts

You can get the amps generated with this formula:
Watts / Volts = Amps

So in full sunlight and perfect conditions the panle will put out 1.5 / 5 = 0.3 Amps, at that rate you would need 100 hours of full perfect sunlight to put 30 of the 50 amp hours back into the battery pack

=--------=

This one is not cheap but as an example this is a 60w

60/5=12 Amps, so it can put out 12 Amps in full great sun, and would refill a battery pack chop chop.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/Folding-sunpower-60W-solar-panel-solar-charger-for-laptop-mobile-phone-MP4-/272001582347

Bazza2 · Member

Have an AC charging power pack that when full holds 4,400 Ah still in the box so I decided to see it work --charged it fully and with phone at 67% (2,600 Ah size) & tablet at 73% (4,800Ah size) charged them both one after another --still had 1 of the 4 LED lights on.
But if both were way down the 4,400 Ah would be insufficient

Give my solar decision more thought

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I find it easier to charge LV, phones etc directly off 12v .. Once you have a good solar system you won't look back . One of those things you wish you did years ago .. Makes life, things so easy . Just pray for sunny days ., aha

Bazza2 · Member

Dont got car ,dont got 12 volt battery as I back pack and camp gear

Did some survey on tge 5000mah that the other post gave a link

According to product specifics 6hrs from zero to full via wall plug
and 16hrs zero to full by sun--as I rarely stray below 60% the sun
would have to shine on solar face for an 8hr day if you used power
socket to fill it

Its using common sense ,planning and of course the sun

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Bazza,

Sure there are some solar products that you can use. But costly and heavy if you are backpacking. I am not sure having some solar outside your tent is secure either. Just putting a sign that there is something electronic in the tent. furious

Even though I am a solar advocate I would suggest something else. Perhaps you can get some secure box or container for your electronic gear and a lock and long cable to secure it to the furniture or something in the camp kitchen. biggrin Charge in the evening when you are around and then pack up later. Buy a better charger to make it faster charging.

Jaahn

Bazza2 · Member

Got some idea,s to have it with me at all times during daylight hours & not leave un attended.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Battery pack ? Tesla ? Lol

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Bazza,
From another thread which has just been put up,
www.extremetech.com/electronics/198695-kraftwerk-fuel-cell-will-let-you-charge-your-phone-with-gas
It might be just the thing for you.
Jaahn

Jaahn · Guru

Hi another more affordable and practical folding panel I came across on ebay !

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Foldable-Solar-Charger-7W-5-5V-1090mA-USB-Voltage-regulator-10-in-1-usb-cable-/190851934094

Jaahn biggrin

Bazza2 · Member

Got a Solar power pack with 50,000 mAh capacity --size equivilant to a
30 pack of cigarettes and weight 200grams.

So 1st thing was to fully charge off the AC wall plug and as it had two
lights flashing right off I asummed it came half charged.
So after fully charged I put a total of 5,000 mAh into tablet and phone
combined then at 7am put it out in the open facing the sun.

Took till 5pm to get the 5,000 back into it so on that assumption fully charged on a weeks camping there would be sufficient to get thru a week without help of sun tho a days sun would get some back
It will suit my needs

QueenE · Newbie

Yes, solar devices are very common here now and you often can't pick the really good one among many. I turned to solar energy not so long ago (about 2mo approx) and I'm the happiest person budgeting on the bills! :) For all the service needed for my solar panels and batteries I get these repairmen http://servicemy.solar/ - contact them to get sound advice on your battery! Good luck!

03_Troopy · Guru

Looks like spam.... smells like spam..... I bet it isn't corned beef in a can................

QueenE · Newbie

Well, the spam is about to grab your attention on some very stupid things, isn't it? I recommend the service tested on myself, that's it :)

03_Troopy · Guru

Fair enough, but there is a section for recommendations of services. It seemed to me to be just a plug for a company that deals with stationary solar installations, and not really related to the OP. My apologies if it was a genuine post, and we hope to hear more from you in some other posts as well.
I'm in suspense as to what stupid things my attention will be grabbed though.....