Solar Charger plus Bank options

[mtbraun]

Hello - very new to the lightweight game. I need to find a lightweight durable solar panel charger (or whatever this group would recommend) and a charging bank for a 10 day Brooks Range backpack hunt in May. I currently have a 20k mAh battery and no charging option, but I was hoping there would be a lighter option. I realize I'll lose battery capacity with less weight. I'm hoping I could get by with something smaller and lighter and just charge it with the solar panel. Not afraid of "buy once, cry once." Thank you for the advice.

 

[Jordan Budd]

Dark energy has a couple new folding panels that have worked well for me. I have the smaller one and it’s perfect for backpacking. I try and top off my power bank everyday in case the weather tanks. Easier staying ahead of that curve than trying to catch up with poor sunlight.

 

[LoneStar]

I have one of the foldable Renogy panels from a couple of years ago that works well. It's the size of a notebook folded and fairly lightweight.

 

[MuleyFever]

Check out Nitecore. They make lightweight battery packs. They make a 10k and 20k pack at about 5oz and 10oz respectively.

 

[thegoosano]

I got this Amazon special last winter and used it all summer scouting and on two weeks of backcountry archery hunting last year. Kept my 10k nitecore battery bank full the entire time (I usually bring 20k of battery banks), weighs less than anything else out there for the wattage, is cheap as can be price wise, and has had zero durability issues. Couldn’t be happier with this thing.

Amazon.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[100%DIYazCOUES]

I use a 5w renogy solar panel that weighs less then 6 oz to top off a 10000 mah anker during the day. Keeps me going indefinitely. I’m in az though so plenty of sun most of the time

 

[Beendare]

IMO, Solar only makes sense if you are talking 3-4 weeks at a time plus.

A 10k Anker battery gets me 12 days in the woods.
Edit; I should add; and that includes listening to books on tape

 

[100%DIYazCOUES]

Wow that’s crazy! I take mine whenever I go more than a few days. Between mapping , digiscoping, and now satellite messaging, my phone only lasts 2, maybe 3 days tops. With that 5 oz panel I don’t worry about rationing or running out of juice , which is pretty nice. panel and 6500 mah pack combo weighs about what a 10000 mah weighs. 6500 is what I take when I take the panel, I said 10000 earlier…

 

[Maverick1]

I use a 5w renogy solar panel that weighs less then 6 oz to top off a 10000 mah anker during the day. Keeps me going indefinitely. I’m in az though so plenty of sun most of the time

Got a link or brand, make, model?

 

[100%DIYazCOUES]

Yeah it’s a Renogy eflex5. I’ve used it for about a decade now, still works great. 5.6 oz if I remember correctly.
I also have a renogy eflex21 that I use truck camping , also works great

 

[jgross424]

IMO, Solar only makes sense if you are talking 3-4 weeks at a time plus.

A 10k Anker battery gets me 12 days in the woods.
Edit; I should add; and that includes listening to books on tape

Yea i've stretched mine out to 6 days while backpacking (not hunting). mild use mapping and photos.
BP hunting a solid 4 days. Looking at the map a lot more while sitting around glassing.
and with 2 charges from my anker 10k thats about 11-12 days

However, with Starlink direct to cell coming out this year.. I anticipate burning a lot more battery texting with hunting partners... . Is what it is

 

[thegoosano]

Ya I felt pretty strongly for a long time that I’d never need a solar panel. I couldn’t find one that weighed less than a 10k nitecore so I figured I’d just run 2x 10k nitecores in a worst case scenario where I knew I’d need the extra juice.

Then last summer I found this sub 5oz Amazon 7W panel so I said screw it I’ll try it. Immediately I realized how reassuring it was knowing I now had unlimited battery. I charge the phone and other devices in the evening from the nitecore, then top off the nitecore while I glass all day and it’s full again by the evening.

Not saying it’s needed for everyone, or the best option for everyone. For example if you spend all day hiking or in dense timber you may not have the opportunity to set it out every day in the sun. Or if it’s bad weather you’re not gonna be able to count on full refills. But I do know for my use case I’m a firm believer now in the 10k nitecore + small panel for almost all backcountry trips I’m doing in CO and NM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dwhite0622]

I’ve been bringing 2 of the Anker 10k power banks and a small Anker solar panel. I rarely use the panel, and I always seem to be frustrated with how slow they are and how nice it has to be for them to work. FWIW, the Anker panel is way better than the Goal Zero Panel I have. This is a pretty good video a backpacker guy did on a few power banks.

 

[cfdjay]

This has been a pretty good combo for me:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[JoeK]

I'm also in AZ where the sunshine reigns and it's easy to pick up power off a panel. I've limited time afield on hunts but last year I picked up the dark energy nano power bank (3KmaH, 3.8oz) and small solar panel (8w, 8oz) for a total weight of 12oz and it performed pretty well for me on camping trips. At least I was impressed with the solar panel. it charged up my phone or the nano bank in good time, maybe 3hrs or less. I was also attracted to the wireless magsafe charging feature from the nano bank. It seems very convenient for charging on the move and I just generally don't like fussing with cords. It does work but I'm not totally sold on it. I put it on my phone inside my sleeping bag to charge overnight a couple of times and it would build up SERIOUS heat and drain the bank without getting a full charge on my iPhone SE. it's only supposed to charge the phone like 85% but it got so hot it was almost burning me inside my sleeping bag, not a fan of that at all! Of course to use the panel you have to leave it set up and corded too. I think I can charge both my phone and a bank simultaneously, which is nice if you do have the weather and opportunity when glassing to set it up.

I can certainly see the pros and cons to each setup and why most prefer to just pack 1-2 banks for the weight (10oz for 10KmaH) and simplicity of use. Solar panel gives a warm fuzzy feeling knowing you basically can't run out of power (depending on the weather!) but packing a larger capacity bank may still be the simplest and lightest solution unless your looking at seriously long trips.