[pct-l] portable batteries and solar panels

Herb Stroh HStroh at sjmslaw.com
Thu Apr 27 09:26:38 CDT 2017 

I use a 6000mAh USB Battery SunTactics, weighs about 4.5 ounces. I get 3+ recharges of an IPhone with it. I have never drained it even on a two week trip. But I am only charging a phone.

I know people have success with solar chargers, but I don't want to fiddle with them during my hiking day. With a battery, I just plug in the phone as I set up camp and disconnect before going to sleep.

Herb 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of underwoodtylers at gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 6:21 AM
To: Scott Williams
Cc: Pct-L at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] portable batteries and solar panels


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 
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__suntactics.com_&d
>> =DQICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ouoU-5bWB1hGSQsVF7qHade7G0U6SKCUqXI8nbm_amI&m=Ou20NGUxW1lorX4t_nCMoA8EGHG5GVXrTHCeciVmL1w&s=lgXLSfvr5_yXdwE8vVG4vJ5aiqlIKRXI1AoPnXwy_Ms&e= , 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: 
>>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aclayjar.net&d=D
>>> QICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ouoU-5bWB1hGSQ
>>> sVF7qHade7G0U6SKCUqXI8nbm_amI&m=Ou20NGUxW1lorX4t_nCMoA8EGHG5GVXrTHCe
>>> ciVmL1w&s=ylvi2EfiEStiRr87f8Pc2dXeLh-P5LLDUaR4MQFKIso&e=
>>> Twitter: 
>>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_EdJ
>>> arrett53&d=DQICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ou
>>> oU-5bWB1hGSQsVF7qHade7G0U6SKCUqXI8nbm_amI&m=Ou20NGUxW1lorX4t_nCMoA8E
>>> GHG5GVXrTHCeciVmL1w&s=5ztK44hK_tl9Ia24aCLLKHDbtZkjgaFBF-cjy6Kv-gY&e=
>>> Facebook: 
>>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.co
>>> m_ed.jarrett.71&d=DQICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfii
>>> MM&r=ouoU-5bWB1hGSQsVF7qHade7G0U6SKCUqXI8nbm_amI&m=Ou20NGUxW1lorX4t_
>>> nCMoA8EGHG5GVXrTHCeciVmL1w&s=_eKS5Yja5ZHkZfO00Vde41d3DyzyBgICs8hwNaA
>>> ac-0&e=
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ________________________________
>>> 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>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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