Power Output And Charging
We considered only USB solar chargers rated at 10 watts or higher because with anything less you may not get enough power throughout the day to charge a single phone, which just isnt practical. Although we preferred models that claimed to offer even more power, we didnt want that to come with a major increase in size that would limit the chargers portability.
We skipped any chargers that had only a single USB charging port. We preferred two output ports, a design that lets you charge a second device or share the power with someone else. Any extra ports were a bonus. Each port had to draw at least 1 amp, which is the minimum necessary to fully charge a phone like the iPhone X in three to four hours.
What Size Solar Do I Need For Camping
You dont need to purchase too large of a solar panel! If youre putting panels on top of a camper or RV, then you can get whatever size your RV can fit. Check the specifics of your vehicle and your budget to see what you can equip your vehicle with.
You shouldnt have anything much larger than a couple of square feet or so for tent camping. Keeping your solar panels small can help keep your camp minimalist and relaxing. If you drag out massive solar panels and electricity generators, you may as well have not gone camping at all!
The saying size doesnt mean everything is much more accurate when it comes to solar panels for camping. Smaller, more efficient solar panels might generate higher watts than something larger and cheaper.
Construction is everything, so look into the reviews and specs of your chosen solar panel to make sure youre getting something worth having.
Tips For Getting The Most Out Of A Solar Charger
We know, we know, we know, youve seen the pictures of solar chargers strapped to the front of backpacks, like theyre actually charging your devices while youre on the move. Thats the ideal, right? But its not necessarily the reality.
For a solar charger to produce optimal power while hiking, youd have to be hiking primarily northbound in the northern hemisphere and primarily southbound in the southern hemisphere all day, in direct sunlight, and without any shadows from trees or clouds. Youll meet these conditions in desert or snowfield hiking.
Youd also want to shift them east to west across your pack with the suns movement or find a trail that slowly moves from west to east to orient the panels throughout the day properly. Then you might also have to keep your back arched at a certain angle to maintain the best angle orientation throughout the day.
Bottom line youre not going to get a lot of solar power from a solar charger while carrying your solar panel on your pack . However, during the daytime in camp, theyre great. You can lay them on the ground, and theyll produce energy, but angling them to the sun without movement will net you far more energy.
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What Are The Different Types Of Camping Solar Panels
Understanding and knowing your needs and requirements is vital to make the right decision to buy the best solar charger for camping and your other outdoor activities. The first thing you need to decide upon doing a self-assessment is identifying what type of solar panel can suit your needs and meet your expectations. Overall, there are four different types of camping solar power kits:
These are branded as the best portable solar panels for camping. Solar chargers are generally small and are meant for charging smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. They are integrated with either a monocrystalline or polycrystalline technology in a portable, foldable solar suitcase-style making it 100% portable.
These kinds of camping solar panels are designed to be compact and lightweight, making them an attractive and practical option for outdoor enthusiasts who are always traveling and need a quick charging option for their phones and electronic devices. A more significant type of these solar chargers is referred to as solar blankets, which are still foldable and portable.
- Flexible solar panels
The main standout feature of flexible solar panels is its design. It is incredibly lightweight, and it can easily be stored and hidden. This is the best option for RVers and campers who have a curved roof on their trailers since these panels can be bent to up to 30 degrees.
- Portable solar panels
- Fixed-mounted panels
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Solar Laptop Charger
As we mentioned earlier, these chargers are ultra user-friendly, so they do not require any maintenance. That being said, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that you get the most out of your new charger.
1. Have A Plan: The most important thing you can do to ensure that you get the most out of your purchase is to plan ahead. Take your time and determine exactly how you intend to use your charger. Once you know how you want to use it, follow the tips above to ensure that you get a charger that fits your style and needs. Having a plan from the beginning will save you from purchasing a charger that wont meet your needs.
2. Keep It Cool: This tip only applies to the chargers with battery packs, so if youre leaning toward purchasing a battery pack, listen up! Excessive heat will wreak havoc on your batterys lifespan. Do not leave your battery pack in a hot car or in a place where there isnt enough ventilation. If its too hot for you, its too hot for your battery pack!
3. Keep It Clean: Solar panels require direct sunlight to generate power. If your panel is dirty, the light will not be able to penetrate the panel. As you can guess, this leads to little or no power being generated. Be sure to keep your solar panel clear of all dirt, dust, and debris. If your panel does get dirty, simply wash it off with a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Be careful not to scratch the panel while cleaning. Scratches will refract the light, decreasing your panels efficiency.
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Foxelli Triple 21 W Usb Solar Charger
The new Foxelli Triple USB Solar Charger is not the cheapest of this list anymore, but it has a few upgraded features that makes it great for this price.
Although the charging speed is not great, it takes about 7 hours to charge an iPhone 6 with this panel, and we are talking about perfect sunny conditions.
The Three USB ports allow the user to charge 3 devices at the same time, while the smart charging technology recognizes the input needed for a connected device and distributes current output accordingly, delivering up to 1.85A in total and cutting down on total charging time.
11 built-in loops and 2 carabiners make it easy to carry while backpacking, hiking, camping, kayaking or doing other outdoor activities.
Foxelli offers a 120-day, no questions asked, money-back guarantee with a One Year Warranty.
Dimensions: Unfolded size: 24.6×8.7×0.6 Folded size: 8.7×6.1×1.2
Acopower 120w Portable Solar Panel Kits
- Lightweight, foldable and portable
- Full package to charge external batteries
- Suitcase design for better user experience
- Can be used as a solar panel alone or as a kit
- Impressive conversion rating up to 25%
- Choice of the connector is more inclined to permanent panels
The acopower 120w portable camping solar panel is yours if you are looking for a robust, foldable, and lightweight solar kit. The brand boasts this transportable and foldable 120W kit that utilizes monocrystalline cells from no other than SunPower, a well-established brand known for its superb efficiency. The efficiency conversion rating is up to an impressive 25%, so you know that this system is the one that you can rely on when you are out enjoying the outdoors and when there is an immediate need for electricity.
This kit with all its components from ACOPOWER is enclosed in a suitcase, and it weighs about 8.4 pounds. Compared to other solar panels with the same power output segment of 21 pounds, this is noticeably lighter and more compact. It also has a 10A LCD controller with two 5V USB output ports and an MC4 connector so you can safely charge your external batteries at 12V. You would surely be able to connect your electrical devices and gadgets to your convenience.
With this model, you are not restricted by how you use it. You have the liberty to use it merely as a solar panel alone or as a solar panel kit with the alligator clamps to connect to your battery. You can adjust as needed.
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Suaoki Solar Charger 60w
Quick Look: 60W. Four high-efficiency solar panels. Foldable, rugged design. Comes with ten adapters for laptop charging. Compatible with multiple power stations. Comes with 2-year warranty..
Just because you love to camp or travel to remote areas does not mean that you have to live without the comfort of knowing that all your electronic devices are charged and ready for use. With this powerful CHOOCHEER 60W Solar Charger, you can feel comfortable bringing all your electronics out to the campsite.
With four high-efficiency solar panels, this is the perfect choice for charging up your solar power station. Dont have a power station? No problem, you can also use this unit to directly charge your laptop and other devices. You also wont have to worry about purchasing a special adapter for your laptop because this charger comes with ten options, almost guaranteeing that you will be able to charge up without any extra accessories.
Speaking of accessories, it also comes with a wide variety of other charging cables so you can use this charger for much more than just your phone and laptop. You can even use it to charge your car battery in a pinch, making this the perfect choice for those who enjoy having multipurpose tools instead of having a different tool for each situation.
Tishi Hery 120w Portable Solar Panel
This solar panel is made with monocrystalline cells for high conversion efficiency of 23%. Moreover, it is lightweight, foldable, and portable. When folded, it has a dimension of 20.2x 14x 0.78 and weighs 8.8 lbs.
A product from the famed stables of TISHI HERY, this 120W solar panel is easy to set up as it comes fitted with 4 adjustable kickstands.
The high-grade material used in the making of the solar panel makes it durable. Industrial-strength PET polymer is used for the back cover, making the panel weather-resistant and ideal for any outdoor activities.
The solar panel is provided with 1 USB port, 1 QC3.0 Port, 1 Type-C port, and 1 DC outlet for laptop charging.
TISHI HERY 120W Portable Solar Panel has a built-in intelligence chip to detect the plugged-in device and optimize for safe and fast charging. The devices are protected from overcharging and overloading without using a solar charge controller.
Team it up with the Jackery Explorer 240 power station for better performance.
Highlights:
- Compatible and versatile
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What To Consider When Buying Solar Panels
When shopping for a portable solar panel there are a few things to consider. Lets name a few.
Watts
Each of us uses a different amount of energy every day. How many watts you need depends on what you plan on running on the battery and for how long.
If youre only running 12V lights and the bathroom fan for an hour a day, I can almost guarantee that 100 watts will be enough for you.
If you have a 12V tv that you plan on watching every day, at least 200 watts is recommended. Those are extremely general guidelines and there are so many factors that play into whether 100 or 200 watts is enough for you.
In the end, its about how many hours of the day the solar panel can generate energy to charge your battery. A 200W panel wont be any more useful than a 100W panel on a completely cloudy winter day.
Weight
If you travel a lot and would have to pack the panel in and out several times a week, weight becomes important. If you leave the panel out for a week, maybe not so much.
I know people often get surprised at how heavy solar panels are, so before you buy anything, check how many pounds youre going to have to deal with on a daily or weekly basis.
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Cord Length
If you often park in the shade, youre going to need a longer cable to reach your battery.
Voltaic Systems Rapid Solar Laptop Charger
Quick Look: 20w Solar Panels. 24,000mAh battery bank. High efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. Comes with 2-year warranty.
Many of us depend on our laptops and phones for work and play. Knowing that you have easy access to a powerful charger that will keep your devices going wherever you are is vital to our peace of mind. With the Voltaic Systems Arc 20, you never have to worry about how youre going to recharge. With four high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels, this charger will keep your devices going all day.
Worried about the inconsistent power offered by solar charging on cloudy days? Dont be. This charger comes with a powerful rapid charging battery pack that provides consistent charging for electronic devices without overcharging. It comes with a built-in USB-C port and a USB QC port for dual charging.
This charger is lightweight, only 3.25lb, and foldable, so you can easily toss it in your backpack or suitcase for bulk-free travel. Once you get where youre going, you just attach the solar panels to your tent, backpack, or even a tree using the reinforced rings right on the solar panels.
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Best Portable: Goal Zero Sherpa 100ac + Nomad 20 Solar Kit
Courtesy of Goal Zero
Solar Panel Capacity: 20 watts| Battery Capacity: 94.7 watt hours | Weight: Power bank2 pounds, solar panel 2.28 pounds | Output Ports: Wireless Qi, USB-C PD ports, USB-A, AC inverter
For an ultraportable laptop charger than can easily pack up and fit into luggage or a hiking pack, the Sherpa 100AC by Goal Zero weighs just over four pounds for both the charger and the 20-watt solar panel. The Sherpa is ideal for charging laptops, cameras, tablets, and phones, plus it even has a wireless charging option.
The Nomad 20 panel can fold shut and comes with a kickstand to get the proper angle in the sun. It takes about 7.5 to 15 hours to recharge , however, it can also recharge from another USB source or from the car adapter or wall charger in about three hours.
Solar Panel Capacity: 110watts| Battery Capacity: 576 watt hours | Weight: Battery11 pounds, panel 8.8 pounds, expansion battery 5.5 pounds | Output Ports: Three AC outputs, two USB-A outputs, USB-A fast charge, USB-C output, car power output, DC5521 output
If youre shopping for a laptop charger but are considering a versatile option, the River Max includes an expansion battery for added power without having to purchase a second device. The River Max can also handle a roster of electronics ranging from laptops, coffee makers, hotplate burners, televisions, hair dryers, and almost any gadget that draws less than 600 watts.
The Purpose Of Solar Chargers
To choose the best camping solar panel charger for your needs you must first assess what those needs are.
Do you plan on spending days and days in a row hiking or cycle touring in remote areas without any chance to find a power outlet? Will you use your phone and electronic devices constantly, for hiking or bikepacking navigation, taking pictures and video with your action cam, listening to music or whatever? Will you rely on the solar panel as your only source of electricity to keep those devices juiced?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then you need a more powerful solar charger, and possibly a high-capacity power bank.
If instead, you plan to use the power of the sun only in emergency cases, to keep your phone alive, you can go for a smaller and lighter solar charger.
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What Wattage Solar Panel Do I Need For Camping
The wattage depends entirely on your needs, but you shouldnt expect to need more than 20 to 25 watts.
Panels in this range are capable of charging your phone, tablet, smaller energy banks, and even some laptops. They can also often power things like electric lamps and rechargeable flashlights.
However, you still need to look at your power needs. If youre charging a whole camper or providing energy for several people, you might want to grab something that can generate more than 25 watts.
Foxelli Dual Usb Solar Charger 10w
- Charging twice faster than the regular solar chargers
- Built-in smart charging technology
- Portable, lightweight and solid design
- Works with most USB connected devices
- The font size of the instructional guide is too small
The promise of Foxelli dual USB solar charger is efficient and quick charging, and it is a commitment that they can meet and keep. The brand understands that your outdoor experience can be made even better when you have the power to use on your devices.
This is one of your solar-powered charger options if you want portable power. It doesnt matter what the outdoor agenda is. You can be backpacking, camping, hanging at the beach, or traveling in your RV, and you can conveniently just attach it to your bag, tent, or even on trees.
Thanks to this lightweight solar panel, you wont mind its meager 1.1 pounds weight, and when folded, it is fragile measuring to only 1.2 inches. It comes with 11 integrated loops and two carabineers so again that hanging it around wont be an issue. It also has a convenient pocket, so you dont have to worry about your device while it is being charged.
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