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Scout Camp, power bricks and solar charging....
Posted on 7/12/22 at 12:11 pm
Posted on 7/12/22 at 12:11 pm
So the boy and I are headed to scout camp next week. There is cell service but no (consistent) power. So I've been exploring different ways to keep the cell phone going next week. Here are a few observations from my testing/proto-typing from the past week.
1) Everything is mis-rated. The solar panels are overrated, the mAh's of the power bricks, charging times are overrated.
For example, the portable solar panel is rated at about 25 watts. There are three 2.1A 5v charging ports on the device. That works out to 31.5 Watts. However, you can't get 2.1A at 5v through all three ports. You could only get that out of 2 ports (21 Watts). (and you can only get that in the brightest sun). It's subtle but you have to pay attention.
Also, it seems like it won't charge the larger power bricks that I have. So, I have to plug in one of the bricks that will take a charge, then plug that into the larger brick and let the charge controller of the smaller brick charge the larger one.
I'd love to full discharge each of these power bricks down each night, but that seems impossible.
And just when I think I have the prototype system in place, we have our first cloudy day in weeks. Just my luck.
FWIW, I have a second solar panel from a different vendor showing up today. Let's hope it works better than the 1st....
1) Everything is mis-rated. The solar panels are overrated, the mAh's of the power bricks, charging times are overrated.
For example, the portable solar panel is rated at about 25 watts. There are three 2.1A 5v charging ports on the device. That works out to 31.5 Watts. However, you can't get 2.1A at 5v through all three ports. You could only get that out of 2 ports (21 Watts). (and you can only get that in the brightest sun). It's subtle but you have to pay attention.
Also, it seems like it won't charge the larger power bricks that I have. So, I have to plug in one of the bricks that will take a charge, then plug that into the larger brick and let the charge controller of the smaller brick charge the larger one.
I'd love to full discharge each of these power bricks down each night, but that seems impossible.
And just when I think I have the prototype system in place, we have our first cloudy day in weeks. Just my luck.
FWIW, I have a second solar panel from a different vendor showing up today. Let's hope it works better than the 1st....
This post was edited on 7/12/22 at 12:16 pm
3
Posted on 7/12/22 at 12:19 pm to Lonnie Utah
On the equator, with clear sky, and the sun directly overhead, that panel is rated for 25 watts.
Realistically, it's a 10-12 watt panel. Think of it that way, and you'll have the right capacity.
Realistically, it's a 10-12 watt panel. Think of it that way, and you'll have the right capacity.
Posted on 7/12/22 at 12:36 pm to j1897
I really need to get an inline USB amp/volt meter....
Edit: Thanks Prime day.
Edit: Thanks Prime day.
This post was edited on 7/12/22 at 12:45 pm
Posted on 7/12/22 at 10:22 pm to Lonnie Utah
I got a relatively cheap power bank off Amazon that on a full charge itself can charge my phone fully 4 times. Head out with 2 of those fully charged and you’d be set for 8 days if you even need that much each day.
Posted on 7/12/22 at 10:33 pm to Lonnie Utah
At our scout camp we pitched our tents 20 feet from the car, had all the power we needed. I guess they do things different in Utah.
Posted on 7/13/22 at 6:26 am to Korkstand
quote:
I guess they do things different in Utah.
Well, Scout Camp is in Idaho this year.
Posted on 7/13/22 at 11:13 am to Lonnie Utah
Ive got a Jackery power pack (bigger one with 2 ac outputs) with the bigger of 2 solar panels on my buddies farm. It runs an access point and wireless bridge device with no issues.
Posted on 7/14/22 at 10:16 am to BabySam
Update. The couple of USB Volt/Amp meters I ordered came in yesterday PB. The 24 watt panel I had basically was putting out 0 amps. (0.0 to 0.25 amps). I think the charger controller is/was bad. It's going back. The 20 watt panel that I ordered was putting out 1 amp at 4.95-5.05 volts in full sun, or roughly 5 watts. In less than full sun, the voltage and amps dropped. The lowest I saw was 0.5 amps and 4.75 volts (2.375 watts). It was after 4 pm when the meters arrived and the sun was in and out. By contrast. the USB outlets I have in the kitchen were putting out 1 amp at 5.15 volts.
Doing a charging test today with the meters and the good panel.
ETA: Just set the new panel out. Bright sun. Getting between 1.48-1.7 amps at 4.95 - 5.05V (7.33 - 8.6 watts). My 18 month old phone originally had a 4500 mAh battery but I'd say now it's sub 4000. In a typical day's use, it will drop to about 50% power in a day (2000 mAh or 2 amps). So at an optimal 1.5 amps, that means I should be able to recharge after roughly 1:45 mins of shine time.
I can live with that...
Doing a charging test today with the meters and the good panel.
ETA: Just set the new panel out. Bright sun. Getting between 1.48-1.7 amps at 4.95 - 5.05V (7.33 - 8.6 watts). My 18 month old phone originally had a 4500 mAh battery but I'd say now it's sub 4000. In a typical day's use, it will drop to about 50% power in a day (2000 mAh or 2 amps). So at an optimal 1.5 amps, that means I should be able to recharge after roughly 1:45 mins of shine time.
I can live with that...
This post was edited on 7/14/22 at 11:19 am
Posted on 7/14/22 at 8:58 pm to Lonnie Utah
Our troop just went to Skymont and my Jackery 300 was perfect for running the CPAP (humidity off = 11 watts) and charging phones/hotspot. I didn't buy the solar panels as most all scout camps have a charging station for the leaders. I charged my Jackery once mid-week and was good to go.
Posted on 7/26/22 at 10:54 am to MurpheyJT
With a couple of power banks (1 large, 1 small) I was able to make it all week with only one "day" of solar charging. I never needed to plug into scout camp shore power. It worked so well in fact, I was able to top off several other scoutmaster's phones/battery banks during the week.
This post was edited on 7/26/22 at 10:55 am
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