Solar panels, do they work?

[Elk1365]

Looking at the best solution for charging electronics in the back country. Some say take a 10000mah power bank and solar panel to charge it, some say solars a waste of time just take a bigger power bank (i.e. 25000mah) and you won’t have to recharge it. Anyone with first hand experience? Which works better?


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[camelcluch]

I have a two panel anker solar charger. It works fine but needs all day charge a phone. For elk I would rather two power banks but it’s a personal choice I guess.

 

[Elk1365]

You have a anker product # or panel wattage?


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[justinspicher]

I have both. Goal zero solar panel and a dark energy battery bank. The dark energy takes forever to charge back up and the solar panel takes forever to charge anything. I generally use the solar panel in the back country and the battery charger on work trips.

 

[Loo.wii]

Solar Charger, Anker 24W 3-Port... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BYL2M9L?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I have one of these
It charges my phone from 10% in an hour and change

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Yes I have both a little folding panel, think it's 20 watt but might be 30, and a power bank. I don't charge the phone or anything directly with the panel or it takes forever. I charge my stuff with the bank and then recharge the bank with the solar while I'm out hunting. It works pretty well if I don't completely drain the bank and assuming there's some decent sun.

 

[11boo]

On your back or in back of the truck?

Back of the truck style, 120 w folder, 55AH deep cycle. All September charging and lighting, no issues.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

On your back or in back of the truck?

Back of the truck style, 120 w folder, 55AH deep cycle. All September charging and lighting, no issues.

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That's definitely the way to go with a big base camp.

 

[Elk1365]

On your back or in back of the truck?

Back of the truck style, 120 w folder, 55AH deep cycle. All September charging and lighting, no issues.

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It would be on my back. Nice setup for in camp tho - beats messing around with Coleman lanterns.


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[BBob]

Both seem to work. I use an Anker 10KmAh pack and can go a week with some to spare. I've gone as long as 10 days with it. My phone stays in airplane mode and the inReach is only powered up when I send a message or in the evening to check for messages. I do have a folding RavPower solar panel but I only use it for charging packs if needed at the truck. My buddy isn't as efficient and packs in a small solar panel to charge his pack while away during the day.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

It would be on my back. Nice setup for in camp tho - beats messing around with Coleman lanterns.


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I don't think it would work well on your back. I leave mine in camp charging the block. Sun angle is pretty important.

 

[11boo]

It would be on my back. Nice setup for in camp tho - beats messing around with Coleman lanterns.


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Yeah all propane lanterns are retired. Just hit a remote. All that input and storage is overkill on mine. Solar never gets 100% so I oversized

on your back, just get the biggest practical and charge a big anker.. Angle is critical as stated. Leave in camp and set for max sun.

 

[doc holiday13]

I've got a 25mah that takes care of 5 gopro batteries and my cell phone about 2 charges each

 

[Weldor]

On your back or in back of the truck?

Back of the truck style, 120 w folder, 55AH deep cycle. All September charging and lighting, no issues.

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Nice!

 

[vladkgb]

I have one of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FMFGGNR but I don't rely on the solar panels, they're more for emergency use. My charging needs are small in the backcountry, i mainly charge my phone that i use for mapping software, and my headlamp. I carry an inreach but it stays powered down until i'm in camp and checking in with the wife.

 

[ColeyG]

For backpacking mtn missions I use a Goal Zero 5w panel and Goal Zero Flip 12 battery pack. I only need to keep my phone and InReach topped off and this setup is more than adequate for that and as light a combo as I was able to put together.

During the day the panel charges the battery pack either on my pack or at camp, and then I use the battery to top of my electronics each night. I am rarely below 85% even in times where the weather sucks and the solar isn't really cranking.

Nomad 5

short A lightweight solution for on-the-go power from the sun, the Nomad 5 features 5 Watts of monocrystalline laminate in a rugged enclosure with an easy-to-use kickstand USB output and built-in Flip Power Bank dock. features NOMAD 5 HIGHLIGHTS 5-Watt panel gives you the solar collecting...

www.goalzero.com

Flip 12

short Buy 2 Flip Power Banks and get 1 Free Flip Dock. Add 2 Flips and Flip Dock to your cart for promotion to apply. Good things come in small packages. Stylish and strong, this power bank is ideal for keeping phones and small devices charged up and ready to go. features FLIP 12 HIGHLIGHTS...

www.goalzero.com

I am still a little disgusted with myself that I have become so dependent on electronics in the mountains. I used to have a pretty firm stance against that, but between aids to navigation and emergency comms, I've changed my mind on the issue.

 

[Pilarczyk85]

I'll have to check the name of the ones i use but they work awesome. I use them on motorcycle camping trips constantly I can fully charge my phone 3-4 times off one and they're compact. I believe its the hilucky ones off amazon.

 

[FAAFO]

For backpacking mtn missions I use a Goal Zero 5w panel and Goal Zero Flip 12 battery pack. I only need to keep my phone and InReach topped off and this setup is more than adequate for that and as light a combo as I was able to put together.

During the day the panel charges the battery pack either on my pack or at camp, and then I use the battery to top of my electronics each night. I am rarely below 85% even in times where the weather sucks and the solar isn't really cranking.

Nomad 5

short A lightweight solution for on-the-go power from the sun, the Nomad 5 features 5 Watts of monocrystalline laminate in a rugged enclosure with an easy-to-use kickstand USB output and built-in Flip Power Bank dock. features NOMAD 5 HIGHLIGHTS 5-Watt panel gives you the solar collecting...

www.goalzero.com

Flip 12

short Buy 2 Flip Power Banks and get 1 Free Flip Dock. Add 2 Flips and Flip Dock to your cart for promotion to apply. Good things come in small packages. Stylish and strong, this power bank is ideal for keeping phones and small devices charged up and ready to go. features FLIP 12 HIGHLIGHTS...

www.goalzero.com

I am still a little disgusted with myself that I have become so dependent on electronics in the mountains. I used to have a pretty firm stance against that, but between aids to navigation and emergency comms, I've changed my mind on the issue.

I just purchased this setup based on your recommendation. I echo your feelings of disgust being dependent on electronics. But I’m literally going to be in the field over a 100 days from August to end of Nov with zero cell coverage. Nice to be able to re watch the same 3 movies I’ll have downloaded on weather day

 

[100%DIYazCOUES]

I’ve pieced together a similar setup, although mine is quite a bit lighter. Renogy 5w solar panel is under 6 oz, and a little fenix 18650 charger/power bank is about 4 oz including a battery. I can keep radios, phone , and headlamp topped off indefinitely, plus some. I’m in Arizona though, so rarely run into lack of sun. That little panel will fully charge the 18650 at least twice in a day, usually I’ll top off my phone mid day, and the radios and whatever else at night. If worried about lack of sun, just take an extra 18650 or 2 to get through