• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Small portable solar panel for hiking/camping

T

tcsenter

Lifer
I may be going to Isle Royale this summer for about 10 days, haven't nailed down the itinerary or plans yet. There is no electricity but I will definitely want to bring a netbook, digicam, rechargeable flashlight and/or lamp of some sort.

Looking for an online reseller of portable solar panels that could adequately power the battery chargers for these devices. Any tips.help.suggestions would be great.
 
Last edited:
Don't waste it on light, use one of these.
coleman220ja.jpg



Bringing a netbook camping is kind of incredibly lame... Charging the camera is a good idea though, and would need very little power.
My buddy has a little solar thing for charging cellphones, etc, with, I'll ask him where he got it.
 
Colt45 said:
Don't waste it on light, use one of these.
Click to expand...
It looks massive. I'll be hiking 20+ miles inland, definitely won't camp at the same site the entire time (though I'm not going to move around a lot, either).

Bringing a netbook camping is kind of incredibly lame...
Click to expand...
I'll need to offload video from the digital camera, which can fill-up a couple 8GB memory cards in no time at all. Keeping 7+ days of pictures on the memory cards won't be a problem, its the video I'm concerned about.
 
Last edited:
You can get these little deals... basically an LCD screen, a 2.5" hdd, and a SD & CF slot, to dump cards with. internal lithium batt...

Think they're about $20 without a drive. Might be the way to go (definitely lighter than a netbook)
Someone must make some more portable fuel lanterns eh? Didn't realize you'd be hiking. Old coleman is great when you aren't, though.
 
Colt45 said:
You can get these little deals... basically an LCD screen, a 2.5" hdd, and a SD & CF slot, to dump cards with. internal lithium batt...

Think they're about $20 without a drive. Might be the way to go (definitely lighter than a netbook)
Someone must make some more portable fuel lanterns eh? Didn't realize you'd be hiking. Old coleman is great when you aren't, though.
Click to expand...

Link? I really need something like that
 
Colt45 said:
Here is one my friend had, this one seems sold out, but...they're out there. I don't know if any name brand ones exist, I've only seen super-chinese ones, but they're cheap enough.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13575

I think there are fancy ones with a real screen for viewing pics, not sure.
Click to expand...

That's awesome thanks a bunch! I think the next time I travel ill buy one or two, one for backups... wonder if they work with SSD's...

found this too:
http://www.usbgo.com/
 
Last edited:
Anyone else want to meet up there? Isle Royale is awesome, hundreds of small lakes to fish. There are wolves on the island! Oh, and moose, too. 😛
 
Last edited:
assuming it doesn't get even a little bit of shade..or overcast... it charges the battery, the battery charges the phone or whatever, but for a laptop and other stuff you are going to need more than a cheapie.
 
I have a couple of these:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/12vbrsoges.html

They work well.

There are also more poweful ones:

http://www.amazon.com/Mono-crystalli.../dp/B000GDC2MA

Keep in mind that you can't just hook one of these panels up to your devices. You'll need a small 12V AGM SLA, like this:

http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-7a...m_medium=Base&utm_campaign=ComparisonShopping

That will enable you to charge anything that you can charge in your car.

And an inverter to run any small 120V appliances, or things you don't have car chargers for.

http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-Pocke...1857285&sr=8-7

If you don't know much about this kinda stuff, it looks like this takes care of it all:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...3XM7TXN5FMK70N

Pretty cool. Spendy though.
 
Personally, I'd just take more memory cards with me & lithium batteries. Ditto on my vacations - around the house & for daily routines, I use rechargeables. But when I'm going to be gone for a week or two, I have yet to run out of batteries using even a half dozen lithiums. That's assuming, of course, that your camera takes AAs & not a proprietary rechargeable battery.

For light, they have much smaller 1 mantle lights that attach to a propane tank. If you're only using it as you would a flashlight - and not just sitting around with the light on for hours, one propane tank would easily last a week. It's been a long time since I've used the one mantle lights, but I'm guessing one tank will keep it lit somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 hours.
Here's a couple examples - http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-One-Ma.../dp/B0009PUR54
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/primus/easylight/

If you're willing to carry 2 or 3 propane tanks (they're not too heavy, maybe 2 pounds each, full) then you could also get a little burner that screws onto them for cooking food. (very nice when everyone else is suffering on a rainy day waiting for the campfire to get going good enough again to cook breakfast.)
 
tcsenter said:
It looks massive. I'll be hiking 20+ miles inland, definitely won't camp at the same site the entire time (though I'm not going to move around a lot, either).


I'll need to offload video from the digital camera, which can fill-up a couple 8GB memory cards in no time at all. Keeping 7+ days of pictures on the memory cards won't be a problem, its the video I'm concerned about.
Click to expand...

Why are you concerned about the video?

Carrying a few extra cards is a lot less weight than carrying a netbook and a solar recharging system for it. Packing 2-3 extra pounds of electronic devices is a lot of extra weight and it will take up room in your pack that could be used for extra fuel or food. Honestly, I'd leave the computer at home.
 
Last edited:
They sell camping fuel on the island at the main entrance points, and other supplies as well but they only recommend it for cooking/heating. Fuel or gas lighting is not recommended by the park service. Instead, they recommend candles.

I'm taking a netbook to keep a journal as well, and maybe for cropping some photos and editing some of the video. Its not that big a deal.
 
tcsenter said:
I'll need to offload video from the digital camera, which can fill-up a couple 8GB memory cards in no time at all. Keeping 7+ days of pictures on the memory cards won't be a problem, its the video I'm concerned about.
Click to expand...

OK, I can see that. Why not a small EX HDD?
 
A LED headlamp will serve you well with extra batteries. Same for the camera but, do everyone a favor and, leave the fucking netbook at home.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top