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Post by vanderloo on Mar 1, 2024 7:23:31 GMT -8
I got a power bank awhile back that I'm not super thrilled about and looking to find a replacement. I plan on doing the Tahoe Rim Trail this Summer and I would like to find something that is good for 5 or 6 full phone charges. or better. If used on a car camping trip I would probably be also wanting to charge my camera and maybe 1 or 2 other items. That part is not extremely important. Just want to be covered on thru hikes at least. Noticing on REIs website that some seem to be apple exclusive. I have an android phone if that matters.
Thanks All
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Post by trinity on Mar 1, 2024 9:49:35 GMT -8
That subject receives a little discussion here: link. I'm no expert on the subject, but I'd recommend you look into 2 10,000 milliamp nitecore powerbanks, either the NB series or the Carbo (mine is NB). I haven't personally used Anker, but they get a lot of love as well. Slightly heavier, but I believe some have reported them to be more durable. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 1, 2024 21:29:48 GMT -8
Not sure what phone you have, but my iPhone 15Max will pretty nearly drain a 10,000 battery pack. OTOH i used it for 3 days of route tracking, occasional photos and a bit of audio book play and barely dropped below 50% battery. 5+ charges would take a serious brick but also be far more than is needed for a week at a time.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Mar 3, 2024 18:11:31 GMT -8
Keep in mind that the last time I looked, TSA only allowed power banks in carry- on and had a 27,000 mah limit. Just one of the reasons I bought an Anker 20,000 a couple of years ago. If you need more, buy several small ones.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 3, 2024 18:51:20 GMT -8
One thing is to maximize your power usage recharge via cable and not magnetic induction, induction is inefficient and the power loss substantial.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 4, 2024 8:22:47 GMT -8
One thing is to maximize your power usage recharge via cable and not magnetic induction, induction is inefficient and the power loss substantial. Yeah, I discovered that when I did a little research to decide if I wanted a new power pack for the current trip. No cords was really appealing but I want max power. I stuck with what I have. |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Mar 4, 2024 9:54:21 GMT -8
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Mar 4, 2024 10:13:09 GMT -8
If you are car camping you might want to consider a 100W solar panel (or two). They have ones that are wired to provide 5V USB. I would consider one that does 12V and charge a 12V AGM battery. You can charge that battery during the day and then your devices from the 12V at night. Use a car USB adapter with that. You could go with a smaller backpacking solar but charging time is pretty long. They aren't generally worth carrying on the trail.
Also with the adapter below to can pop your hood and charge from the battery without the rest of the car being on.
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Post by leadbelly on Mar 5, 2024 9:31:12 GMT -8
I just purchased an Anker powercore 10,000. Inexpensive, lighter than the 16,000 portable charger it replaced (an Amazon Essentials portable charger that was recalled a number of years ago due to fire hazard, though i used it for several years with no issues). The Anker charges via usb or usb-c. Does the job.
Remote areas with poor reception kill mobile phone batteries. Switch to airplane mode except when needed, and it will greatly extend your battery life. It’s worth using a dedicated Garmin GPS device powered by AA batteries to save battery life on your phone, plus the better dedicated GPS devices have great satellite connectivity, better than any phone I’ve used.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Mar 28, 2024 8:04:45 GMT -8
This is my long-distance 2024 kit less iPhone 13, to compliment (2) two NiteCore Carbo 10000 power banks (5.54 oz. @) paired with Anker 523 Nano 3, 47-watt, 2 port, compact foldable charger. It can charge (2) two devices at once. 27W output from one USB-C port and 20W from the other USB-C port, or a single device at 45W. The maximum NiteCore Carbo 10000 recharge input is 18W thus the Anker 523 Nano 3 recharge output capacity is sufficient to recharge both power banks efficiently at the same time. For ancillary USB-A items such as Petzl Head Torch battery and Garmin Mini they can be recharged directly from the power banks whilst they are being charged if necessary. Many hikers use the Anker Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports). I selected the Anker 523 Nano 3 as its output more closely matches the maximum input (18W) of the NiteCore Carbo 10000 power bank. Likewise, the iPhone 13, utilizing a USB-C to Lightning Cable maximum recharge rate is 20W. www.nitecorestore.com/Nitecore-Carbo-10000-Power-Bank-p/bat-nite-carbo10000.htm |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 28, 2024 12:08:53 GMT -8
I’ve similar equipment with the addition of Anker 12v car chargers so I can top off banks, or my camera battery inside my Nikon body, from my truck outlets. Which helps for camping and trailhead power fillups for my Garmin Inreach, iPhone, and Nikons. I think the last electric gear I’ve got that uses actual replaceable batteries might be my lights, a tiny Fenix and a couple years old Black Diamond headlamp.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Mar 28, 2024 13:08:37 GMT -8
Given the lighter weight and much higher energy density of lithium rechargeables, I don't see much of a role for single use alkaline AA batteries. I did some very rough calculations but AA's yield about 1/3 the power for the same weight and the AA's take more space.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 28, 2024 14:43:22 GMT -8
Agreed. Legacy items are the only ones I’d use with removable batteries; anything new and I’d avoid that complexity.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Mar 28, 2024 16:28:16 GMT -8
For backpacking the Anker Powercore 10000 keeps my iPhone and headlamp charged for about a week … if keeping the phone mostly on “airplane” mode. For a weekend I could probably go to 5000.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 29, 2024 20:11:32 GMT -8
Probably should make a new thread, but I'm too lazy. When it comes to those headlamps with rechargeable (USB) batteries, how long do they really last? I don't really want to have to charge a headlamp on a week-long trip. After all, my headlamp with 2AAA batteries is good for multiple trips, with the use mainly being reading in bed for up to an hour each night (usually less). Shoulder season trips it gets used for longer, obviously, but still is good for a week. I don't usually carry extra batteries, but will replace them to start a longer trip with fresh batteries and shift the old ones into the at-home headlamp.
So to me, it's the chargeable item that adds complexity, if I have to charge in the middle of a trip.
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