Topic: Solar Charging

[Wainiha]

Any when use it camping or wheeling?  Phones/truck batteries/headlamps?  I was looking at Goal Zero.

[Gnarly4X]

Any when use it camping or wheeling?  Phones/truck batteries/headlamps?  I was looking at Goal Zero.

What do you want to power?

Prices, sizes, efficiencies vary quite a bit.


https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-Boulder-Briefcase-Monocrystalline/dp/B0753TW31T/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=zero+goal&qid=1607693816&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-16

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel/dp/B009Z6CW7O/?tag=cleanenergysm-20


Gnarls.

[Wainiha [OP]]

Phone, headlamps/flashlights, and maintenance charging of the truck battery.

[Gnarly4X]

Phone, headlamps/flashlights, and maintenance charging of the truck battery.

For wheeling and camping:

Cell phone – recharge with USB adapter in cig lighter.

Head lamp/flashlights – bring extra set of batteries

For maintenance on truck battery – if my truck battery went bad while wheeling or camping I’d be concerned about starting my truck.

If the battery was good when I started out and then somehow it got accidentally discharged too much, and I was alone with no other vehicle on the trip,
there are trickle charge solar panels are available but it would be extra weight and space I’d have to allow for. 

There are also portable jump starters, but it would not be something I’d be looking to buy to put in my camping gear for the average kinds of short duration wheeling and camping I have done.

If I was going alone, no other vehicle, on frequent longer out-in-the-boonies exploring, I might consider buying a little portable 40 or 50 pound generator.

I'm not a big fan of solar technology. It is not super tough, glass is heavy, low watt output per square inch, it has an unreliable mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) factor.


Gnarls.

[OVRAROK]

This thing looks nice..is more of a permanent mount though..
https://www.4wd.com/p/cascadia-4x4-vss-system-hood-solar-panel-chf119cv/_/R-CASC-CHF119CV?ppcfon=1&gp=1&ef_id=Cj0KCQiA8dH-BRD_ARIsAC24umZOCfcc4CKHItha-QkgN4mN8OwGrTj_f8TrlevSBN-K73dbsnJwJjwaAl-REALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!7836!3!389350609662!!!u!293946777986!&s_kwcid=AL!{7836}!{3}!389350609662!!!u!293946777986!&ecmp=s:google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8dH-BRD_ARIsAC24umZOCfcc4CKHItha-QkgN4mN8OwGrTj_f8TrlevSBN-K73dbsnJwJjwaAl-REALw_wcB

[Wainiha [OP]]

Never thought about a small generator.  My need for the solar is after a landslide that closes the road and not having gas.  I'll need to keep my SAT phone charged for emergencies.

[RUGER]

got a honda eu2000i generator that i picked up used fer 600 bucks. i mainly have it since my wife uses a cpap. going camping as a family is more doable now. also drug out the generator a few times during power outages so my wife can use her cpap, put generator under patio table(out of rain/snow) and run an extension cord threw a window.

i also have an inverter but the thought of a being stuck with dead battery worries me.

RUGER

[Gnarly4X]

 

Never thought about a small generator.  My need for the solar is after a landslide that closes the road and not having gas.  I'll need to keep my SAT phone charged for emergencies.

Camping and wheeling are planned events. 

For emergencies and disasters a solar panel with enough power to keep my cell phone charged and power a 2-way radio would be excellent safety equipment.

I was in two large Earthquakes in SoCal.  After the February 9, 1971 magnitude 6.6, I attended an Earthquake preparedness class.

It's obviously been awhile, but as I remember there are 3 conditions of devastation: 1 - you can stay in your house.  2- you can stay on or near your property.  3 - you will have to travel away from your area.

Proper preparedness is necessary for all 3 potential events.  First order of protection is protecting your feet.  Next is water supply, food, medicines.  Then shelter.

There is no such thing as too many cubic inches, too much money, and too much safety.

Gnarls.

[emsvitil]

https://www.amazon.com/Pedal-Power-Bicycle-Generator-Emergency/dp/B003GJL6GO

[Gnarly4X]

https://www.amazon.com/Pedal-Power-Bicycle-Generator-Emergency/dp/B003GJL6GO

Plan B:

A lead acid battery on the shelf will maintain a charge at 68d F to 86d F for 16 to 11 months.

With $1500.00 I could buy about 7 of these: 

Amazon.com:  ACDelco 48AGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 48 Battery

7 times 12 months = 7 years -- 7 years of NO PEDALING!! 

Gnarls.

[helipilot77]

solar panels are very popular with the Australian crowd. They mostly use them to charge batteries for large loads like fridges. I have a fridge and have considered getting one for that reason. For now I use my lithium micro-start XP-10, which has great capacity. It has a 10amp, 12v port and I bought a cigarette adapter so I can plug my fridge in to it. It can easily start my 3.0L diesel. It has charge ports for cell phones and laptop computers on it too. I also built a small lithium battery pack dedicated to running my fridge out of 4 headway 3.2V 8Ah cells bolted together in series. I used it for my motorcycle battery for awhile until I upgraded to a Antigravity lithium battery for it. The headway cells work great and never let me down. You can usually find them used on ebay.

[Snowtoy]

Never thought about a small generator.  My need for the solar is after a landslide that closes the road and not having gas.  I'll need to keep my SAT phone charged for emergencies.

Get a propane or dual fuel generator, that way you have power at night if/when needed.  I have 5000watt one that I run for a few hours at a time during a outrage, it will run my  refrigerator, freezer, charge laptops, cell phones and portable batteries for lights, etc., all at the same time.

If your want to get more use out of one, like for camping, they make 2200watt ones that weigh under 50lbs, some just over 20lbs.

[helipilot77]

For generators I like the Honda EU3000iS. It is the biggest capacity in their quiet line. When I am camping I really hate the sound of a generator running. It spoils the peace.

[Gnarly4X]

For generators I like the Honda EU3000iS. It is the biggest capacity in their quiet line. When I am camping I really hate the sound of a generator running. It spoils the peace.

For multi-purpose use: Camping, wheeling, exploring, and as back power at home in the event of a power outage or catastrophic event, this would be my choice:

https://www.amazon.com/Honda-Portable-Inverter-Generator-Co-Minder/dp/B08GP3C45W/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=propane%2Bgenerators%2Bfor%2Bcamping&qid=1607887758&sr=8-9&th=1

And.. yes, generator noise is THE worst constant noise in a campground that will turn me into a level of crazy that will make your worst nightmare seem like a happy place!!

Gnarls.

[Wainiha [OP]]

I have a dual fuel generator that I can plug into my house with a switch off from shore power.  It's kind of big for camping but I'd load it up for a tsunami when I "run for The hills".

I have battery jump starter for the truck. 

Maybe I need to decide which solar panel(how big and what capacity).

I always have gas and heave never run out in my life.  However it would be certain after a tsunami washes out the roads and bridges.

[Ajactonbson]

I totally get your concerns about relying solely on solar technology for your camping and wheeling needs. While it's a great source of green energy, it's not always the most reliable, especially when it comes to battery maintenance.That being said, have you heard of yenex.com? They make portable generators that are perfect for camping and wheeling, and they're a more eco-friendly option than traditional gas generators. They're lightweight and efficient, and they can power a variety of devices all at once.I'm all for exploring green energy options, but I understand the need for reliability in the great outdoors.

[MotioncontrolMike]

Hi,

I have an Overland Solar panel on the roof rack, and controller in the cab, and it helps keep dual batteries topped off- for use of a winch and fridge etc for off road trips. it works great! Highly rec.

Mike