So, I've been out of the loop in regards to keeping gadgets charged up on longer trips. What are people using in terms of keeping cameras and phones charged? Our phones are becoming backup camera equipment and long exposures at night are cooking batteries fairly quickly in the cold. Specifically canon G series Canon compacts and iPhones for up to two weeks BC.
Goal zero make some small portable solar panels with USB output. Not sure if there are USB chargers for GSeries Canon batteries, there are USB chargers for Canon DSLR batteries. The panel would work with phone and anything else with direct USB charging...assuming You have enough sunshine. If you know how many full charges you will need, it might still be less weight and more convenient to simply carry x number of charged batteries.
Thanks GS. I'll look into Goal Zero. In the past, I've carried 3 batteries for my old G series cameras and at one point had the car charge kit rigged to a cheap solar panel. Dated option though. I'll do some homework on the Powerbanks too. Cheers
I have the Anker which went with me to Nepal. I used it to charge my power bank during the day and then charged my phone etc.from it when we'd finished trekking.
Just check the weight - I have a 20k MAH power bank and it weighs nearly as much as my entire lightweight spring sleeping system.
I save weight on essentials and camp in exposed spots so I've got sufficient battery and reception to continue posting dribble on this site.
I've got an Anker solar cell recharger and their battery bank. I have taken both at times and they have worked great for me. Particularly on warm sunny days. However, the battery did not like being accidently left in my pack on night 1 in -5C. And the solar charger did not like the ensuing 4 day blizzard. God I missed electricity on those 4 days... Heavy suckers too.
In terms of power banks, Cygnett seemed to be good for awhile, but Officeworks carry Comsol - are the latter rated? EDIT - I accidentally had a 'w' rather than a 'b' for bank. ;-)
I was just hanging out at the mall and had a play with one of the 20k units....She’s heavy. Almost half a keg. I did have a 10k job years ago so had an idea what I’d be in for. I think solar maybe just a gamble the more I think about it. Carrying a bank and solar would be equal to just carrying a larger capacity unit potentially. I think I can deal with the weight.
I find that solar only really works for me in a base camp setting. Too much pfaff on a real trip, trying to get it to charge effectively or not get damaged or lost in scrub. Normally carry a 10k battery bank for a week or so.
On a long trip I made the mistake of not alternating the two batteries each day between solar charger and camera. Instead i left the one battery in camera until discharged then connected to solar....Murphy's Law came in and i had no sun for days and the second battery discharged long before the first recharged.
Good question. I’ll check with the brother to find out what his latest one requires. I’m thinking some wizardry will be required to get from A to B. Car charger modified etc.
Once everything can be charged via USB it will make life much easier. Only need a Power bank, and maybe solar for longer trips where sunshine is likely
When everything goes to USB-C, charging life will be much simplified. I’m on the lookout for a power bank with roughly 10k mah, USB-C PD and Qi wireless charging.
Oooh this one looks good, might order, dual USB-C, short stowable USB-C to Lightning cable and Qi Wireless: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/cygnett-chargeup-edge-12000mah-wireless-power-bank-navy
@DJM Browsing around today I found this 20W panel. At 350gms and $79 seems a reasonable option; Panel Jaycar have a smaller 10W panel but no mention of weight; Panel
I have a cygnet I think. 10k, Qi. But it’s 2x USB out and mini usb in. Is very handy for travel. USB C would be nice but seems to be taking longer than I expected for adoption. I only have a few USB C and my canon won’t charge from it
The module I used for remote charging AA NiMh batteries actually quoted accurate specs. As you say, most panels seem to quote no load power rather than rated operating pwr. Just for giggles I added a low dropout 5v regulator to the AA charging module and it now charges phone at about 6% per hr.
i havent ever got more than a year or 2 out of charger bricks, or the solar hybrids, starts feeling like a lot of waste
Not to call you a cheapskate, but has the quality been decent? There's heaps of cheap stuff out there, and I'm sure they'll struggle - I've ditched some poor versions. But a decent one should last
Age old problem that everything you buy these days requires care an maintenance. Nothing tech goes too well unused on the shelf.
I used the panel while travelling/bushwalking etc to charge the 4 x AA batteries a previous camera used. The modification to charge USB is just a project, but at approx 80gms I might house it more robustly for actual use.
Could be worth charging a small powerbank with it that you can secure together well, then use that to charge phone etc?
I've got this one: https://snapwireless.com.au/collect...werpack-10-000mah-wireless-charging-powerbank It hasn't got native USB C but has a built in converter. They do discounts frequently, I got mine for 30% off.
One Anker brick has lasted me several years of occasional spells of intensive use. Another is shaping up the same.
well i just went across road to radio parts (good spot for an office eh) and got a solar / usb uniden for $50...8000mh. lets see how it goes
