Solar Charger for Classic Battery Chargers?

craig · 12-31-2011, 12:35 PM

I was wondering is there a solar charger powerful enough to supply standard appliances and other devices in the field, for example, battery chargers for AA or AAA batteries?

pastywhite · 12-31-2011, 04:29 PM

Sorta. They exist BUT only work correctly when you have them in direct sunlight for like 8 hours. You really only have a few hours per day of "good" charging (10:00 to 2:00) so in 2-3 days you can charge a set of batteries if you take a 4 hour lunch break each day.

Woods · 12-31-2011, 06:03 PM

It would be good if these solar chargers had a battery of their own and not just constant direct output. I bet these are pretty expensive.

pastywhite · 01-01-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woods

It would be good if these solar chargers had a battery of their own and not just constant direct output. I bet these are pretty expensive.

These exist too. Same issue though - limited "optimal" charging time that requires long breaks during the day.

Survivo · 01-01-2012, 11:30 AM

These are pretty expensive and I wouldn't count on them that much because they are not really what you are looking for. Long charging hours in the sun and slow charging of your gear.

Theosus · 01-03-2012, 04:57 PM

Whatever happened to the backpack weight shift charger? I read a while back (years?) about a guy that invented a charger that ran off a packs movement as you walked, to build up power. I'm not sure if it used a geared generator, or a spring loaded magnet inside a coil of wire or something. I'm guessing the weight would be worse than carrying one of those 6v lantern batteries, however. I like the new Trent battery packs... If you're charging your phone more than five or six times in a week, why are you even out in the woods?
I've got my old iPod nano (I won at a convention). It weighs maybe an ounce? I bet I could use it a LOT in the woods on a Trent pack