Solar Chargers

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

I got to thinking that in a SHTF situation, power outages are almost a certainty. That means that cell phones will die in a mere couple of hours.

That got me to thinking that I need a means of electricity production. So I started researching solar chargers. I've been researching on amazon for a couple of days and I couldn't believe the amount of solar chargers on the market.

I'm looking for a charger that has the capability of charging AA, AAA, C, D batteries, that also has an internal battery with a usb port to directly charge cell phones and other small electronics, and that is portable and durable.

I have these in my cart right now. Any other suggestions, comments, or experiences are welcomed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GVIZC4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=A2QHBM8MEN9W65

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VHT9GS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NTT45Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=A1G87YSLZJUKUI

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C79JXS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=A326T2IHZSVC14

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BKS3Z2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A3K1OSLCCEUJZF

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KYNCRM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

As for rechargeable batteries, I've heard good things about the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables.

[Cheap Shot]

Really big chargers needed.

So you can supply power to the cell towers also. I grew up in South Kalifornia and every local earthquake was followed by landline outages. Amatuer radio and cb radio were still usable though. Cell phones weren't common yet.

[stix213]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014KLX9C/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details

Here is my suggestion. You can use available AA alkalines to charge any USB device, including your phone. You can also pair this with any solar charger that outputs USB (or any USB power source, doesn't need to be solar, even many car stereos) to charge the good quality Sanyo rechargeable batteries. You can then use the batteries for any task. So it both can charge rechargable AA batteries using USB power as an input, or use AA batteries to power any USB device.

Another neat feature is you can use 2 AA's or 4 AA's, both when charging or discharging.

Its also small and portable, so you can just grab it and go. Put it in your pocket, plug it into your phone, and you can talk or text on the run while your phone is charging.

I like this thing so much I bought a 2nd one new in box that stays with my emergency supplies.

[olhunter]

I use car chargers for the phones and a solar panel for keeping the car battery juiced up and a small solar charger for the AA, AAA, 9V batteries.

I probably should have a solar charger for the cell phones if vehicle batteries are not available for whatever reason.

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

This ReVIVE Series Solar ReStore http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2QHBM8MEN9W65 is a great USB charger. It charges my Droid 2 as fast as my wall outlet charger. And recharging the ReVIVE is quick as well. I have not had a need to use the solar charging, but I'm sure it will be very handy when I go camping.

Yea, the revive got great reviews on amazon. Most likely going to buy the unit.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details


Here is my suggestion. You can use available AA alkalines to charge any USB device, including your phone. You can also pair this with any solar charger that outputs USB (or any USB power source, doesn't need to be solar, even many car stereos) to charge the good quality Sanyo rechargeable batteries. You can then use the batteries for any task. So it both can charge rechargable AA batteries using USB power as an input, or use AA batteries to power any USB device.

Another neat feature is you can use 2 AA's or 4 AA's, both when charging or discharging.

Its also small and portable, so you can just grab it and go. Put it in your pocket, plug it into your phone, and you can talk or text on the run while your phone is charging.

I like this thing so much I bought a 2nd one new in box that stays with my emergency supplies.

So you're saying buy this unit, but use rechargeable batteries to power it, then have a solar recharger as a backup to charge the rechargeable batteries?

I use car chargers for the phones and a solar panel for keeping the car battery juiced up and a small solar charger for the AA, AAA, 9V batteries.

I probably should have a solar charger for the cell phones if vehicle batteries are not available for whatever reason.

Yea, I'm thinking about buy multiple layers of solar chargers so I can keep my options open.

[FourLoko]

I think you need to look at this brand:

http://www.goalzero.com/

[Ripon83]

ebay

Costco has a package someone wrote about here some time back and it was a favorable review.

I don't know how much or little you want to 'work" at it but on eBay there are plenty of kits you can buy and things you can build and put together for a lot less money and gather some experience.

One thing I didn't see in this your original post was portability? If you aim for your battery charger to be portable it gets far more expensive then if you are aiming to put something up around the house - far less expensive. And while charging batteries for personal devices (even flash lights) might be a great start think hard about trying to provide for your refrigerator or freezer. Those could be real life savers.

I got to thinking that in a SHTF situation, power outages are almost a certainty. That means that cell phones will die in a mere couple of hours.

That got me to thinking that I need a means of electricity production. So I started researching solar chargers. I've been researching on amazon for a couple of days and I couldn't believe the amount of solar chargers on the market.

I'm looking for a charger that has the capability of charging AA, AAA, C, D batteries, that also has an internal battery with a usb port to directly charge cell phones and other small electronics, and that is portable and durable.

I have these in my cart right now. Any other suggestions, comments, or experiences are welcomed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GVIZC4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=A2QHBM8MEN9W65

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VHT9GS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NTT45Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=A1G87YSLZJUKUI

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C79JXS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=A326T2IHZSVC14

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BKS3Z2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A3K1OSLCCEUJZF

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

Costco has a package someone wrote about here some time back and it was a favorable review.

I don't know how much or little you want to 'work" at it but on eBay there are plenty of kits you can buy and things you can build and put together for a lot less money and gather some experience.

One thing I didn't see in this your original post was portability? If you aim for your battery charger to be portable it gets far more expensive then if you are aiming to put something up around the house - far less expensive. And while charging batteries for personal devices (even flash lights) might be a great start think hard about trying to provide for your refrigerator or freezer. Those could be real life savers.

Portability will always be a factor. But these items will be primarily used around the house and in the backyard, and for camping and hiking purposes.

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

I think you need to look at this brand:
http://www.goalzero.com/

Interesting. Thanks for the link. Looks like I'll be doing some more research before I pull the trigger. I might just wait until Cyber Monday, lol.

[gau17]

20% Goal zero promo going on right now.

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

linky?

[gau17]

Sorry. go to their site. First order 20% off.

I have the Guide 10 Adventure kit which worked great during my Mt Whitney trip earlier this yr. Kept my IPHONE 4 charged for 4 days.

http://www.goalzero.com/

[whytea]

Lowes is also starting to carry GoalZero. They had a brand new display in Mira Loma.

[bohoki]

basically you need a charging station to top off a 12 car battery and use a car charger from that but i have a feeling your prioritys are skewed if you want to play angry birds when the cell towers are all dead