[pct-l] portable batteries and solar panels

[underwoodtylers at gmail.com]

Hey guys,

Last year I used an Anker Astro 6700 while on the PCT. I didn't have any issues with the charger and would normally get about 2.5 full iPhone 6s charges from it. The only downside I had was it took awhile to charge like 4-5 hours. The weight was 4.8 ounces. 

This year, I am using the Anker Powercore+ 10050.  The sole reason for the switch is the Powercore+ charges in 3 hours and I get an extra 2-3 charges for my iPhone 6s. (less time in towns, yay.) The weight difference is minimal as this battery pack weighs in at 7.5 ounces. 

I have tested several different models and companies and by my own tests these came to be superior for price and weight. 

I personally do not use a solar charger. I had a bad experience with one and just never bought another. 

PS. The wall charger itself is important too you would need to grab something that is quick charge compatible. If you get a charger that is not QC capable your battery pack will charge super slow. 


Red Flash


Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 26, 2017, at 10:32 PM, Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hey Rick,
> 
> Which of the Syntactics did you use as there are several sizes?  I'm with
> Ned in finally looking for a portable charger or battery system for my next
> hike as I'm using more electronics now.  In the past, my old Galaxy was
> fine using it as Roadwalker describes.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Shroomer
> 
>> On Wed, Apr 26, 2017 at 3:44 PM, Rick <nobohiker at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I also used a small lightweight battery pack in combination with 5 or 8
>> Watt solar panel, but ever since I switched to a http://suntactics.com/,
>> I don't need the battery pack anymore as my smartphone and camera are
>> charged up in no time.
>> 
>> Clouds will obviously slow things down.
>> Key is to direct the panel directly towards the sun during breaks - even
>> short breaks, especially around mid day will provide plenty of charge.
>> 
>> Also note that their products are hand made and of high quality. I picked
>> mine up in the Bay Area in person, right where they make them.
>> 
>> Rick
>> 
>> BTW, I am not working for suntactics, I am just a happy customers.
>> 
>>> On Apr 26, 2017, at 6:33 AM, Ed Jarrett <edjarrett at msn.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I used a SunTatics 5 solar panel and a 10,000 mha battery while on the
>> longer stretches of trail. It kept my Samsung Galaxy 7, an inReach Explorer
>> and my headlamp fully charged. Some days I mounted the solar panel on top
>> of my pack and charged while walking. Other days I just brought it out at
>> break times. Come evening time I would charge my devices from the battery
>> as needed. I'm sure I could have gotten by with a battery half the size
>> because everything was usually fully charged at the start of the last day
>> of a 7 day stretch. Of course if the sun is not out the solar panel will
>> not charge the battery nearly as quickly.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Ed Jarrett (Eeyore)
>>> Web site: http://aclayjar.net
>>> Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdJarrett53
>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ed.jarrett.71
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Pct-L <pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net> on behalf of
>> ned at mountaineducation.org <ned at mountaineducation.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 4:53 PM
>>> To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
>>> Subject: [pct-l] portable batteries and solar panels
>>> 
>>> It is time for Mountain Education to think a bit more seriously about
>>> backcountry electronics, like solar chargers and batteries. There are
>>> obvious pros and cons with electricity in the cold and wet, but when its
>>> working, it's a good thing!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> So, I've heard a lot about the SunTactics 8 solar panel. Good one?
>>> 
>>> I'll be running 4 different devices that charge off a USB, so what size
>>> battery should I carry for 7 days in the sierra?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Ned Tibbits, Director
>>> 
>>> Mountain Education, Inc.
>>> 
>>> ned at mountaineducation.org <mailto:ned at mountaineducation.org>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-L mailing list
>>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>>> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>> 
>>> List Archives:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
>>> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-L mailing list
>>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>>> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>> 
>>> List Archives:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
>>> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-L mailing list
>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>> 
>> List Archives:
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
>> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.