man, are these solar phone chargers any good?

[OBLAMA2009]

look at this one with all these panels. how long would it take to charge your phone? the amazon description says up to 2 amps

http://www.amazon.com/Anker%C2%AE-Du...+phone+charger

 

[corkyg]

Too many variables to establish a time. Check these reviews of solar chargers. Like most things, you get what you pay for. The nearest thing in the user comments for the Anker was 4.5 hours to fully recharge a dead smartphone.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2013/06/gear-test-solar-panels

 

[gmaster456]

Would be good for an off grid camping trip or something to keep in a car for an emergency but aside from those I don't see the purpose.

 

[Zaap]

Yeah not a bad idea at all for emergencies.

 

[DistantShadow]

I have had one of these before, only for it to work for about 2 hours, charge a little bit of my phone, and then my phone saying "charging is not supported by this accessory". I am in the army and during long periods of time without any outlets, I would use the Goal Zero nomad 7 to charge a external battery. I would buy 2 batteries that way I have one to charge my phone and one to keep charging. This is a good solar charger, they have a three panel one that works even better. I would recommend this company for your solar needs, however since many solar chargers don't hold a charge, I would highly recommend getting an external battery that you can take with you and charge anywhere!

 

[Cogman]

look at this one with all these panels. how long would it take to charge your phone? the amazon description says up to 2 amps

http://www.amazon.com/Anker%C2%AE-Du...+phone+charger

It isn't the amps you should be looking at. It is 2 amps at a very low voltage.

What is important is that it provides 14W, which is pretty low. On top of that, 14W is more of an optimistic number, More often than not, that is 14W in the most ideal conditions imaginable. Realistically, you'll probably average half of that.

If you get something like this, I suggest you couple it with something like this

For camping, leave these two at the campsite with your solar charger charging the battery, then use the battery to charge the phone.

 

[RossMAN]

I have had one of these before, only for it to work for about 2 hours, charge a little bit of my phone, and then my phone saying "charging is not supported by this accessory". I am in the army and during long periods of time without any outlets, I would use the Goal Zero nomad 7 to charge a external battery. I would buy 2 batteries that way I have one to charge my phone and one to keep charging. This is a good solar charger, they have a three panel one that works even better. I would recommend this company for your solar needs, however since many solar chargers don't hold a charge, I would highly recommend getting an external battery that you can take with you and charge anywhere!

^^ This.

http://www.costco.com/Goal-Zero-Guide-10-Plus-Solar-Essential-Kit.product.100145835.html

If the OP is a CostCo member (or knows someone who is) they routinely have roadshows where you can test out the equipment and ask questions before purchasing it.

 

[sm625]

For a 14 watt panel, in january, in michigan, you'd be lucky to get 300 mA out of the thing, even on a bright sunny afternoon! Now in june, again on a sunny day, you'd get over an amp easily, and it would charge a phone almost as fast as a wall charger. If it was cloudy in june/july, you'd probably get 200 mA. It really depends a lot on exactly how cloudy it is. As a general rule of thumb, one watt of solar panel will get you 100mA @ 5V maximum midday current near the tropic of cancer in June. Then you have to start chopping up that 100mA number based on how sunny it is, what time of day it is, what month it is, and how far north you are.