Sizing Your System While Touring Outside The Uk
In this guide so far we have assumed you will be camping in the UK in the summer. So what if you wish to travel to places with different climatic conditions?
The map below shows the solar potential across Europe. Travelling south into mainland Europe would generally mean you would need smaller panels as you can capture more intense sunlight for longer. However, you need to consider the efficiency of the panels as the temperature rises. So over 25C the panel will lose 0.08V per degree C rise. Conversely below 25C the efficiency increases by the same amount.
Wakawaka Power+ With Solar Panel And Link
Price: Power+ £49.99, Solar panel and link £79.99Weight: Power+ 165g, Solar panel and link 751gCapacity: Power+ 3,000mAh, Solar panel and link max 10W outputDimensions : Power+ 125 x 83 x 21mm, Solar panel 170 x 170 x 28mm
A compact and lightweight power bank with an integrated solar panel that can fully recharge its 3,000mAh internal battery in 12-18 hours of sunlight. The WakaWaka Power+ has a single 2.1A USB output and a micro-USB input . In addition, the Power+ has a 70-lumen LED torch with four brightness settings and SOS mode. The 3,000mAh capacity gives you about 200 hours of light or one full smartphone charge, and charging speed is fairly swift. The power bank has a swivelling base that enables you to place it at almost any angle. This is ideal for positioning it as a camp lantern or adjusting the solar panel to ensure it is in direct sunlight.
To boost the capability, you can also add a separate folding solar panel with a max 10W output. It connects to the Power+ via a link box. This also has a second USB port so you can charge another device simultaneously. Setup is simpler than it sounds, and the Power+s LED indicators tell you how much juice it has left as well as how effectively it is charging from the sun.
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Camping Inside The Vehicle
Camping inside the vehicle is the most common place to sleep when camping in a Tesla or other e-vehicle. With many of these vehicles having large interiors, it makes a lot of sense to stay inside.
The seats in most Tesla models fold down completely so youll have a solid, level sleeping area. With the right mattress or sleeping pad, you wont even realize you are sleeping inside your car. There are air mattresses made specifically for camping in your Tesla, or you can simply use an air mattress you already have at home.
Many electric vehicles also have features that camping inside the car really comfortable. In a Tesla, for example, you can enable Camp Mode which turns your electric car into a comfortable and breathable cabin. When you put your vehicle into Camp Mode the cabin will maintain its interior lighting, temperature, airflow, and play your music. Youll also have access to television and games while camping.
Keep in mind that camping features vary from vehicle to vehicle. And the better your electric vehicle, the more comfortable your camping experience inside will be.
The only drawback of camping inside your e-vehicle is that you will obviously lack room to walk and move around. This also means that you have limited room for your gear inside the cabin. Luckily, Teslas have a hidden storage compartment under the trunk floor and a front trunk where you can store your camping gear.
Pros:
Cons:
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Campground With Electrical Outlets
Your first option is to find a campground that offers an electrical outlet. Believe it or not, there are campgrounds out there that offer electricity to campsites. Although now you may be entering glamping territory, you can check to see if a campground has electrical outlets by checking the USDAâs website.
Chances are your campground of choice wonât be offering electrical outlets. Even if it does, in my experience itâs not all campsites in the campground. And the ones that do offer electricity will be hard to get.
As someone that prefers more primitive camping myself, these campgrounds are typically a bit too crowded for my taste. Because they offer tent camping with electricity, many more people prefer to camp there which leads to overcrowding and difficulty getting a campsite.
I go camping to escape the crowds not find them.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of Portable Power Sources
When you are buying a portable power source which is a rechargeable generator and equipped with a quality lithium battery, you expect 500 cycles of recharging that is quite normal and standard in the industry, for a professional it can last upto three years. So rechargeable power sources are long life. When buying one just make sure you are selecting one that is equipped with a trustworthy lithium battery.
While on the other side gas and fuel generators are have a long life that depends on the maintenance and care of these devices, like tuning, filter change and oil change extend their life and a good quality portable solar panel can last for ten to 25 years.
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How Long Will A Portable Power Supply Unit Last
That depends on the devices you want to charge and use, and on how long youll use them. But a mobile power unit with 222wH capacity can last the whole weekend if you just want to charge your laptop and cell phone, and longer if you recharge it daily with portable solar panels.
Unlike lead acid batteries, lithium batteries dont discharge rapidly when theyre not in use. So you can charge your lithium portable power station and store it for a few months without needing to recharge it. Since lithium doesnt degrade rapidly, you can also expect it to last 2-4x longer than a lead acid battery unit.
Charging Phones And Laptops In Public Places
The last option Id like to discuss is finding public places to charge your primary electronic devices .
If none of the other options for a campervan electrical system work for you there still may be an option for getting your essential electronic devices charged.
IMPORTANT: Just because an electrical outlet is in a public place doesnt mean you have a right to use it. Youll need to do your own due diligence to determine if where youre plugging in is legal and allowed.
Here are a few ideas on where you might be able to charge your phone or laptop:
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Best Portable Power Supplies For Camping Reviewed
- Recharging: AC, DC, and Solar
- Watt Hours: 512
Though it was primarily created as a power source for the Dometic CFX and other electric coolers, this portable battery can do so much more than that. At full charge, it can give you a reasonable 512 watt hours of power, which should be enough to keep your electronics alive for a couple days.Its a simple design, compatible with nearly any plugin, from USB to a 2 pin DC outlet. Charging capabilities are a bit more versatile, whether you want to plug it into an AC wall socket, a 12V, or solar panel.And really, simplicity is what I most appreciate about this particular product. Its a lithium battery that doesnt make any noise, and at 16 pounds, its not too hard to carry either. There arent many confusing parts, and the LED screen makes it easy to know how much of a charge you have left. Whether youre camping, overlanding, or just hanging out at the beach, its a reliable method for powering your must have items.Pros:
- Recharging: AC, Car, and Solar
- Watt Hours: 1,250
- Recharging: AC, 12V, and Solar
- Watt Hours: 3,032
- Recharging: Wall Outlet
- Watt Hours: 25600 Milliamp Hours
- Recharging: AC, DC, and Solar
- Watt Hours: 240
- Recharging: Solar and Wall Outlet
- Recharging: AC and Solar
- Watt Hours: 2,000
- Recharging: Gas
- Watt Hours: N/A
What’s The Best Power Source For Caravanning And Four
The that’s best for one person may not suit someone else because it depends on:
- What you want to use the power source for
- Whether you just want to power smaller appliances
- How many appliances and devices you want to power at once
- How much space you’ll have in the or caravan
- Whether you’ll be close to civilisation or in the middle of nowhere
- How often you’ll be going caravanning or off-roading
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Bluetti Ac200p Portable Power Station
If your budget is a little larger, the Bluetti AC200P Portable Power Station is a perfect device for supplying all the power you need at a campsite. Its expensive, but we think its worth the price.
Bluetti have recently increased the battery capacity of the AC200P to a massive 2000Wh and it can supply both AC and DC power to a maximum level of 2000W! This is immense power and means that you can run cookers, stoves, kettles, hair dryers or power tools from the AC200P. Incredible.
Bluetti have incorporated new LiFePO4 battery technology into the AC200P which allows more than 3500 charge/recharge cycles. They say that this will lead to an enhanced service life ~3x longer than other portable power stations on the market. Its also quicker to charge up.
Dimensions
The AC200P measures 42 x 28 x 39cm and will therefore take up a bit of space in your setup, but nothing compared with a petrol generator. The weight is also substantial at 27.5kg youll get a good workout carrying it for any distance, and so it is not really suited for lugging to a picnic for example. This is a stick it in the corner of your tent device which will then power your entire gear for days on end.
The AC200P can have its charge topped up in multiple ways. You can plug it into a mains outlet, a solar panel, a 12V cigarette lighter socket, a petrol generator, or a lead-acid leisure battery. We found that the charging time was very fast using the mains around 2 hours to get fully charged.
Outputs
In Use
Champion Power Equipment Ultralight Portable Inverter Generator
The Champion Power equipment ultralight portable inverter generator is quite the generator. To start off this is a gas-powered generator. This generator is also an inverter, meaning it only uses as much energy as you need.
Some poorly built generators out there have an amount of time they stay on. Whether you are using them or not they only provide electricity for a certain amount of time then they go out. Inverter generators actually take into account the amount of energy you are using.
If you are just charging a phone, no need to put out too much power, just enough power to charge the phone. If you are charging two laptops and a phone, the generator needs to put out significantly more energy. If you are charging nothing, it should probably use little to no power.
This generator would be perfect if it werenât for the noise. Itâs not particularly very loud but it does have some noise. I personally only use this generator during the day to charge my technology then turn it off at night out of considerations for other campers.
With 2,000 Watts of energy, you can be sure that this generator will provide all the electricity you need for your camping trip. If you have a large group simply bring more gas and oil to refill the tank. Thatâs the beauty of gas-powered generators.
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Jackery Solarsaga 100w Portable Solar Panel For Explorer 240/500/1000 Power Station
- WHO IS JACKERY: Founded in 2012, Jackery specializes in providing outdoor green power solutions for explorers. Won the Red Dot Award in 2018. Jackery portable power station, power outdoors
- HIGH CONVERSION EFFICIENCY SOLAR GENERATOR: High conversion efficiency up to 23%, generate more energy and perform better than conventional panels in hot weather
- PORTABLE & FOLDABLE SOLAR CHARGER WITH KICKSTAND: Foldable design with a TPE rubber handle. Convenient to carry it wherever you go. Slightly adjust the angle with the kickstand. Build up your green Portable-Solar-Generator System together with Jackery Solar Saga 100W and Jackery Explorer 240/500/1000 power station . Ideally suited for outdoor life and even unexpected power outages
- SOLAR CHARGER WITH USB OUTPUTS: Equipped with 1* USB-C output port and 1* USB-A output port, charging multiple small devices at the same time, including smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and more. Please note that USB-C port can not support PD charging
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 1*Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel. If you have any problems during use, please contact us, our service team will be available any time
Freeloader Sixer Plus Supercharger Solar Panel
Price: Sixer £69.99, Supercharger £49.99 Weight: Sixer 250g, Supercharger 311gCapacity: Sixer 6,000mAh, Supercharger max 5W outputDimensions : Sixer 134 x 83 x 30mm, Supercharger 275 x 180 x 15mm
Another compact and relatively lightweight power bank with an integrated solar panel that can fully recharge its 6,000mAh internal battery in 28 hours of sunlight. However, with the Supercharger solar panel attached, charge time is reduced to around 8 hours, or 6 hours if all the solar panels are in direct sunlight. The Freeloader Sixer has a 2.1A USB output as well as integrated micro-USB and lightning cables, enabling up to three devices to be charged simultaneously.
Pros: Easy to use thanks to the LCD screens clear icons that indicate remaining battery life and charging source. We liked the integrated charging cables too. The 5W Supercharger solar panel is impressively thin and light. It also comes with Velcro straps to attach it to a rucksack. The solar cells are efficient enough to charge even in overcast conditions. That makes the system a good option for off-grid adventurers provided youll see some sun.Cons: The integrated support stand used to position the Sixer is flimsy and snapped on test. Though marketed as impact- and water-resistant, it does not carry an IP-rating. It does have a rubberised cover to help protect against damage, but this needs to be removed to use the integrated charging cables.
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Best Portable Power Stations Of 2021
ByDesire Athowlast updated 3 December 21
Get electricity for your devices everywhere thanks to these generators
Achieving energy independence by not having to rely on big utility grids is something that we strive for in times of uncertainty. Controlling these predicaments is now possible thanks to advancements in battery technologies while semiconductors used to harness the high power source have been improving continuously. The best portable power stations reduce the need for fuel-powered generators and have made huge strides since the first prototypes came out.
The recipe for a good power station is straightforward: a big battery capacity coupled with a high-power inverter forms the core. Add to this a few USB ports in all formats, a car adapter and finally, ways to charge the batteries with an eye on being fast. Everything of course has to be enclosed in a hard shell and the unit is good to go anywhere when the lights go out.
This decade has seen a boom in portable power stations. The fierce competition has brought prices down with a feature list that keeps on growing. We present the best quality power station that money can buy right now.
- Also check out our roundup of the best power banks
Is Solar Power The Best Way To Go Camping
Solar is clean, renewable, and quiet, making it a crowd favorite source of power for a reason. However, labeling it the best might be taking it a little too far. For all of the benefits you get from it, theres no denying that its the least reliable source of power out there. After all, you are dependent on the sun.Batteries and gas-powered generators are better options when you need something to work no matter what. Of course, theyre not as clean or quiet, but you have to give and take when it comes to power sources.
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Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
The Explorer 1000 isnt the most powerful of the models we testedseveral bested it when it comes to capacity, max output, or bothbut it still offers an impressive amount of power for the price. Plus, its much lighter than those models, so its more practical to lift into a trunk or carry to the backyard.
Lastly, this units screen isnt quite as large or brightly lit as the one on our runner-up pick. If you tend to squint at small screens, youre probably better off with the Anker.
Goal Zero Venture 30 Recharger
If youre after a small camping power pack which is waterproof, the Goal Zero Venture 30 Recharger stores a decent 30Wh of power which can be accessed by two fast-charge USB ports.
This power pack is ideal for recharging or powering smaller gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras. In fact, on a full charge, the power pack can fully recharge your smartphone up to 3 times.
The dual USB ports allow two devices to be charged simultaneously which we found useful. Furthermore, the Venture 30 has an inbuilt micro-USB connector, so you dont have to haul around cables or worry about misplacing them.
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Can A Power Station Run A Refrigerator
Possibly, depending on the fridge and the portable power station.
For example, this standard LG refrigerator has an estimated annual energy consumption of 608 kilowatt-hours. That works out to 1.67 kilowatt-hours per day, or 1,670 watt-hours per day.
1,670 watt-hours per day works out to just under 70 watt-hours per hour. If you have a short-term power outage and only need to power your fridge, a 200-watt-hour power station could keep it running for nearly three hours. You’d need a power station with higher estimated watt-hours to run your fridge for longer. A mini fridge would last much longer than a larger model.
Always confirm the electrical requirements for your specific fridge and portable power station before trying this, especially your refrigerator’s peak and startup watts.