I find it necessary to take my phone (and zoleo) on a canoe trip and wondering if the small solar chargers/power banks are worth it. Looking at this one on Amazon: https://a.co/d/00ziQI50
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Happy Samuel Morse Patent for Telegraph (1840)! –•–• – –•
solar charger for phone
- Thread starter billconner
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Why?
Power Bank.....Yes
Power Bank with solar recharging capability....unreliable recharging
Depending on how long of a trip, how many devices and how often will you need to charge those devices you should probably calculate how much power you will need and get a power bank(s) that can provide that much from a full charge at home. The solar panel is ok for an emergency charge but probably frustrating if you depend on recharging the power bank via solar for regular use.
Bottom line is that the cheap panels used on this power banks are somewhat useless unless you have a lot of clear sunny weather and even then they will be slow to recharge a power bank.
For a one or two week trip 20000mAh should be good enough, for longer trips or if you are a heavy user then multiple power banks would be the most reliable source of power rather than depending on a solar panel (especially the ones built in to the power bank).
Power Bank with solar recharging capability....unreliable recharging
Depending on how long of a trip, how many devices and how often will you need to charge those devices you should probably calculate how much power you will need and get a power bank(s) that can provide that much from a full charge at home. The solar panel is ok for an emergency charge but probably frustrating if you depend on recharging the power bank via solar for regular use.
Bottom line is that the cheap panels used on this power banks are somewhat useless unless you have a lot of clear sunny weather and even then they will be slow to recharge a power bank.
For a one or two week trip 20000mAh should be good enough, for longer trips or if you are a heavy user then multiple power banks would be the most reliable source of power rather than depending on a solar panel (especially the ones built in to the power bank).
This same question was asked a few years before and the concensus was for a solar charger, the Big Blue 28 watt Solar Charger was the favorite. It was given such good remarks, that I bought one to use on my wilderness canoe trips. It is very welI made. I haven’t used it yet other than testing because I have two different Cancers right now and that has delayed my wilderness trips for a while.
The concern I have with the one you posted is a) solar charge at that scale isn't any good IMO b) the battery weight is 35% lighter than anything else with 20000 mah ratings, that worries me.
Personally, if you are going to take power in , a power bank is the way to go ... the solar aspect is just a gimmick IMO, leave it out of the selection criteria and get something from a larger name.
Personally, if you are going to take power in , a power bank is the way to go ... the solar aspect is just a gimmick IMO, leave it out of the selection criteria and get something from a larger name.
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I've always carried two 26,800mAh power banks (one for my phone & inReach, and one for the headlamp & GoPros though I never get around to editing videos). The one I use for the inReach has a solar panel built in.
I've never come close to depleting either on my trips and upon returning from my 1st trip to the BWCA, I continued to use that power bank exclusively to charge my phone & the inReach until it died. I found that it would keep both powered for about 17 days. Once it was dead, I threw it on the picnic table in full sun to see what kind of solar capability it had.
With 6 hours of direct sunlight exposure it was able to recharge the inReach to (IIRC) about 15%. Certainly better than nothing in a life-or-death situation but not something I would rely upon.
I'm planning a couple of longer trips now and may need more than 17 days of capacity but I'll pack a stand-alone solar panel like the Big Blue instead of trusting the built-in panel to carry the load.
PS: I just checked my solar-capable charger & it appears to be an older version (Model T11W) of the power bank that you linked. I've had no issues with it whatsoever and it's served me very well.
PPS: I Googled mine and found this: Same manufacturer, much higher capacity and cheaper price. Who'da thunk it?
I've never come close to depleting either on my trips and upon returning from my 1st trip to the BWCA, I continued to use that power bank exclusively to charge my phone & the inReach until it died. I found that it would keep both powered for about 17 days. Once it was dead, I threw it on the picnic table in full sun to see what kind of solar capability it had.
With 6 hours of direct sunlight exposure it was able to recharge the inReach to (IIRC) about 15%. Certainly better than nothing in a life-or-death situation but not something I would rely upon.
I'm planning a couple of longer trips now and may need more than 17 days of capacity but I'll pack a stand-alone solar panel like the Big Blue instead of trusting the built-in panel to carry the load.
PS: I just checked my solar-capable charger & it appears to be an older version (Model T11W) of the power bank that you linked. I've had no issues with it whatsoever and it's served me very well.
PPS: I Googled mine and found this: Same manufacturer, much higher capacity and cheaper price. Who'da thunk it?
36000mAh Solar Power Bank 15W Fast Charging with Cables & Wireless Charger, Solar Charger Compatible for iPhone & Android Phone - Walmart.com
Buy 36000mAh Solar Power Bank 15W Fast Charging with Cables & Wireless Charger, Solar Charger Compatible for iPhone & Android Phone at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
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