tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Dec 8, 2015 19:28:29 GMT -8
Alright Solar panel geeks - Here is my challenge. I purchased an 11 watt foldable solar panel for our trip to the arctic. It worked quite well. It had dual USB and allowed me to charge up devices/chargers. I want to purchase a second one. Weight is really not much of an issue but being able to compact is. I'm looking at 20-25 watt models, also with Dual USB. My goal would be to allow us to leave the generator off except for "real" use. I'm cheap...so I'm looking at $60 or less. It seems to be reasonable from what I've found so far. Anything you really like? Any advice?
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Post by geophagous on Dec 11, 2015 14:00:12 GMT -8
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 11, 2015 18:00:51 GMT -8
Iirc maybe Gabby? Maybe shoot him a message to catch his attention.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Dec 11, 2015 18:30:22 GMT -8
Too late. I bit the bullet and bought one after nobody had responded. Luckily, I apparently now own the #1 and 22 watt version of the #3 solar panel.
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gabby
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,539
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Post by gabby on Dec 12, 2015 13:49:03 GMT -8
I'd be interested in your experience with a newer model. I bought several a few years ago, including this one: Amazon: Brunton Solaris Foldable Solar Charger 26 WattsI was not able to get it to sustain charging on my old iPhone 4S in direct sunlight with scattered clouds. Apparently, the iPhone is very particular about current levels (it supposedly requires 1 amp). Since I was going to need a battery anyway, I opted to simply carry a battery, given that I'm never all that far from a source to charge it. A lot depends on your particular needs, of course. (Or, YMMV.)
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BlueBear
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@GoBlueHiker
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Post by BlueBear on Dec 12, 2015 14:01:20 GMT -8
Make sure to double-check the temperature ratings on your panels & chargers, if you haven't yet. The good news is solar panels typically produce much higher voltages in colder temps (and hence higher output). But depending on the small charge-controller they use, the extra voltage can also potentially fry the system if the charge-controller wasn't made to handle it. For the 30W hard panels we use on our stations, I use a charge-controller rated to at least 24 V, to charge our 12 V gel-cell battery. In normal temps the panel will put out only ~14-16 volts in full sunshine, but can top over 20 V in well-below-zero temps, making a decent charge controller necessary.
It's probably fine, but might be worth a quick double-check on the spec sheet. That doesn't often get tested in online reviews.
- Mike
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Dec 14, 2015 10:46:22 GMT -8
Good call - I sent in an inquiry to the company.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 14, 2016 13:07:10 GMT -8
Alright Solar panel geeks - Here is my challenge. I purchased an 11 watt foldable solar panel for our trip to the arctic. It worked quite well. It had dual USB and allowed me to charge up devices/chargers. I want to purchase a second one. Weight is really not much of an issue but being able to compact is. I'm looking at 20-25 watt models, also with Dual USB. My goal would be to allow us to leave the generator off except for "real" use. I'm cheap...so I'm looking at $60 or less. It seems to be reasonable from what I've found so far. Anything you really like? Any advice? Have you used your new solar panel? Which one did you buy?
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Jan 14, 2016 13:44:10 GMT -8
Have you used your new solar panel? Which one did you buy? I picked up this from Amazon: Aukey 20W Solar Charger with Dual USB Port Strong reviews, plenty of power for our use. I have only tested it (no "real" use). I have contacted the company directly and was told by their tech team that it will perform in the conditions we will be putting it through.
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idahobob
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many are cold, but few are frozen
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Post by idahobob on Jan 14, 2016 14:29:02 GMT -8
I don't know that this is any better than others, but its light (4 oz). I kept my cell phone charged for two weeks using it, until I got tired of moving the panel around for optimum sunlight. I'm thinking of taking this on the JMT this summer for camera batteries, maybe just mounting it on the top of my pack. A report on my testing of it is here.
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Post by Lonewolf on Jan 15, 2016 15:50:14 GMT -8
Goal Zero.Not cheap but I have a Nomad 20. It says USB but it also has 2 other outputs including a 12V out (lighter type plug-in) with a built in voltage regulator. Plus they can be chained.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 15, 2016 17:26:46 GMT -8
Goal Zero.Not cheap but I have a Nomad 20. It says USB but it also has 2 other outputs including a 12V out (lighter type plug-in) with a built in voltage regulator. Plus they can be chained. This would be my sales pitch to my wife..."Honey, you can use it too when we go to the beach. You won't have to worry about your phone running out of power". I could probably make that work. 8-|
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