Portable Solar Charger Type
It might catch you by surprise. But there are several types of solar chargers. All work using solar energy, yes. Yet, they charge devices differently. There are three common solar charger types:
- Panel-only solar chargers
- Panel and integrated battery solar chargers
- Panel and removable battery solar chargers
Panel-Only Solar Chargers
As the name suggests, panel-only solar chargers are stand-alone solar panels with no storage means. With this in mind, you need to connect them to a phone, battery, or any other device to reap energy. They are useless otherwise.
So, why should you purchase a panel-only solar charger at all? Well, these are ideal for people looking to stay in one place for several hours. You can also benefit from panel-only solar chargers if you already have a power bank. Specifically, just leave the two connected and take the juice with you after.
Panel Solar Chargers with Integrated Batteries
This is the most common type of portable solar charger you can find. It looks like any other portable solar power bank around, but it has a small panel on one side.
Likewise, you can charge the charger itself and the phone at the same time while you hike. Plus, having a battery means that all the energy gathered by the solar panel will get stored for later use.
Naturally, you need to keep your solar charger out at all times. It wont charge the battery otherwise. Therefore, you must be careful not to hit the panel, or you will render the solar charger useless.
Speakers: Eton Rugged Rukus
With the Eton Rugged Rukus the party doesnt stop until well into the wee hours of the morning.
This solar-powered speaker works on full blast in direct sunlight. When the sun sets, the volume gradually cranks down for up to eight hours after dark.
After 5-hours of recharging the internal lithium battery, youll be ready to rock again. Should you find the clouds put a damper on the campsite jamboree you can opt to charge the speaker via the USB-port.
The Eton Rugged Rukus features dual full-range speakers with Bluetooth connectivity. Select your tunes and plug your phone into the USB outlet to charge at the same time.
Tough and water-resistant, the Eton Rugged Rukus is durable enough to handle the outdoors rambunctious, party-hardy campers.
Anker Powerport Solar Lite
At a whopping 15 watts of power, the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite is one of the most powerful solar chargers on our list. The high wattage is especially vital if you plan to charge more than one device at the same time or need a charger that will work directly with even the most power-hungry tablet or phone. Elastic loops attached on the ends of the polyester canvas cover make positioning the panels easy, even while you hike.
Pros
- Can charge two devices at once
- 15 watts
- Less expensive than some lower-wattage chargers
Cons
- Not compatible with a small number of older devices
- No built-in battery
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Option : Directly Charge Devices From The Solar Panel
Almost all portable solar panels have USB outlets. To use them, you simply plug your device into the solar panel, put the solar panel in the sun, and let it charge the device.
Benefits:
The main benefit of directly charging is that it is more efficient. When you use the solar panel to charge a battery and then charge a device, you lose some of the power. Its lost through the cables, conversion, and through the battery. By directly charging your devices, you will get the most power from the solar panel.
Downsides:
- No way of storing power: If you need to charge your device and its a cloudy day, you are out of luck.
- Compatibility: You may not be able to directly charge some devices with certain solar chargers.
- Overheat devices: If you dont disconnect your device from the solar charger, it might overheat your device and damage it. Good solar chargers have overheat protection but even this wont completely save your devices from harm.
- Might draw power from your device! If a device is plugged into a solar charger and there isnt much sunlight, the charger might drain the device battery instead of charge it. Good solar chargers have a blocking diode feature which prevents power from draining out of the device.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using A Solar Power Bank For Camping
A solar power bank is an excellent investment with some benefits. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to go for a solar power bank for your charging needs.
Environment friendly
One of the main advantages of using a solar power bank is that it is eco-friendly. This off-the-grid power source works well with using just the energy from the sun. With a renewable energy source, this is a simple yet effective way of helping the environment by saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint.
Not only are you saving the environment, but you are also saving up on electricity costs. Although solar power banks can charge on power outlets, it is great to have a recharging greener option.
Portable and perfect for travel
The compact design of modern solar power banks makes them convenient for travel. As you might have noticed from the list of the best power banks we provided, they are almost the same size as a regular smartphone. Although some are bulky, they are still lightweight and easy to carry.
You can easily fit a solar power bank in any compartments in your backpack. It is easy to pack and does not have any extra weight. You can bring this when you travel or hang out in the park. With its compact and lightweight design, you can have this power bank anywhere you like.
Power on the go
However, solar power banks also have an obvious disadvantage that can affect the power banks overall efficiency.
Weather affects charging efficiency
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Newpowa Polycrystalline Solar Panel
Available Wattage: 100 | Weight: 19.62 lbs | Dimensions: 35.83 x 26.57 x 1.18 in
The Newpowa Polycrystalline Solar Panel has been redesigned to be smaller in size but provide the same high-efficiency output. The 100 watt solar panel weighs around 20 pounds and measures 35.8 x 26.6 x 1.2. It includes pre-installed diodes and cables. The panels are framed with a heavy-duty anodized aluminum to enhance rigidity and durability. The panel works great in the sun and even still gives you some power when its cloudy. The Newpowa Polycrystalline Solar Panel offers great power and value for money.
Review Of Solarpod 240 Portable Solar Generator Battery Pack
This is a review of the Solarpod 240 portable solar generator. It has a large carry handle, isn’t too big so is still portable and has a decent amount of power to back itself up, we look in to it more.
We have done a thorough field test of this device for a recent mountain biking excursion in the Welsh mountains. It was a 2 night stop over with 2 of us camping near some local trails. We each had a smart phone, 1 tablet between us and 3 cameras between us, 2 powerful front headlight torches and other small USB powered bicycle lights. We wanted to see if we could use the electrical gear without hesitation and each evening charge the devices.
We had everything stored in a large plastic container with lid which we could keep inside the tent and make sure that it kept everything, including the Solarpod 240 solar generator dry for the 3 days in the tent, no matter the weather. We’ll get to this little test in a bit, for now, here are some specs.
Specs and Features
3 outputs: 110V AC, 12V DC and Dual USB. With this you can run a laptop, charge some camera batteries and also two USB charging devices such as a phone or tablet.
It has over 2500+ charge cycles available being lithium polymer battery technology, weighs about 7kg and is the size of a large brick.
Our little mountain biking expedition went better than expected, everything we took with us was already fully charged so that definitely helped but the Solarpod did its thing and more.
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Solar Chargers Interruption Issues
Most of these solar panels may stop charging if theres not enough sunlight , the interruption recovery speed is the ability of the panel to resume charging when the sun hits it again.
Some of the cheapest panels might fail to resume charging, it can be necessary to unplug the device and then plug it again, this is quite annoying, especially when youre not looking at the charger.
Some solar chargers perform very well in overcast weather, while some dont.
Ok, now that we have an idea of how they work, lets dive into product comparison. Dont forget that solar chargers also make great gifts for hikers, cycle tourers, and outdoor lovers in general.
Pros And Cons Of Solar Power
A portable solar charger, on the other hand, can produce virtually infinite power. Now, there are two types of solar chargers on the market. Some, like the Be-charming charger we linked to, include a powerful built-in power bank. Others are more compact and lightweight, but only have a small battery. This second type is worthwhile if youre a serious survival prepper, but tends to be inconvenient for camping, since youll have to keep your phone plugged in while the charger is exposed to the sun.
For backpacking, since youre liable to be on your feet allday, its important to choose a solar charger that can be mounted on yourbackpack. This way, you can keep the chargers power bank charging all day, andtop off your phone once youve made camp for the night.
Another useful feature to look for is the ability to chargethe power bank directly from a USB cable. This way, you can easily top off yoursolar charger while youre at home, and youll only need to rely on the solarpanels for use in the field.
Theres a reason you want such a powerful built-in powerbank: solar chargers, even larger, folding solar chargers, are fairly slow.Assuming theyre in direct sunlight all day good luck with that youll beable to get about half of a full charge on a newer iPhone. Thats better thannothing, but at the end of the day a solar panel is better as a backup, not asyour primary source.
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Fdorla 20000mah Solar Power Bank
- Dual USB port for you and your friend
- Complete with intelligent security protection for your devices
- Features a compass and LED flashlight
- Lightweight and compact
- It takes some time to charge using solar power
- Not fully waterproof
The portable solar power bank from F.dorla is all about quality and efficiency. Their 20000mAh solar power bank has the power you need and more.
Do not be fooled by the relatively small size of this solar power bank. With its 20000mAh capacity and dual USB ports, it can charge your devices simultaneously. It is also compatible with most devices like smartphones or tablets.
This power bank is ideal for outdoor use with its compact construction. It is made of durable and high-quality ABS, PC, and silicone material and is shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof. You can bring this anywhere you want, whether on camping, hiking, or fishing.
Your devices are also well protected with the intelligent security protection this power storage has. It is complete with advanced safety operations to avoid overcharging, over-voltage or short circuits. Not only does it protect your phone, but also the power bank for longer service life.
The extra features on this solar power bank make it more convenient and useful for your trips. One of which is a compass. It is suitable for directions when you are hiking or traveling. Another useful feature you can very well use is a powerful LED flashlight. It is convenient at night or during a power outage or other emergencies.
Best Lightweight Portable Solar Charger
The BEARTWO 10,000mAh is our recommendation for the best lightweight solar charger. It is a 10,000mAh battery pack with a mono-crystalline solar panel on top. At just 7.52 ounces, its by far one of the very lightest solar panels on the market. Impressively, it can power two devices at a time and has charge interruption recovery capability. The BEARTWO is an excellent option for fast, light trips into the backcountry. Overall Performance Expectations
1. Charge Interruption Recovery: The BEARTWO does have interruption recovery but works best if theres some power in the battery pack. As with most lightweight solar chargers, it struggles if entirely dead. Unlike others, the BEARTWO does hold a consistent charge on small devices even with the battery close to completely dead.
2. Charging Speed: Like many, the small size means a small battery. Unlike others, though, it does charge as fast as many 42-watt solar panels. You can expect it to charge a phone to 30 percent in 30 minutes.
3. Multiple Device Charging Speed: The BEARTWO has two USB ports and will charge at a remarkable 2.1 amp per port. Many who use this will be traveling light, but it is nice to know you can charge two devices at once. BEARTWO Summary
Match Your Style to Your Solar Panel
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The Best Camping Lights
LED lights use barely any power, so there are lots of options these days for USB rechargeable camping lights. Add a portable power bank or recharge from the cars 12V socket.
Some also come with built-in phone/tablet chargers that work by either solar or, better still, a combination of solar and USB.
Solar Panel Accessories: Batteries And Charging Blocks
Weve stated earlier in the piece that you should use these solar panels with a backup battery or power bank we’re reiterating that here.
The real reason to use a solar charger is to help you cut the number of backup batteries youll need on a more extended trip or with multiple people to charge your electronics. That, in turn, helps cut back on the weight you need to carry into the wilderness.
Although you could hook your panel right up to your phone, when a cloud comes or sun angle changes, phones often interpret that as Im no longer plugged in. Even when the sun comes back, most phones cant recognize the charge connection has returned without a human plugging the cord back in. Batteries, in contrast, dont shut off the charge when they receive low input.
When it comes to choosing a backup battery, make sure its rugged enough to handle being tossed around and ideally has at least some water resistance rating. It should be big enough to provide enough power to fully charge your most important device and ideally two or three others, just in case you hike through a patch of rainy days.
Likewise, choose a battery or power bank with through charging capability that is chargeable via a USB and ideally a micro-USB cable. These cables are easy to find, work with solar chargers, and are inexpensive.
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What Is A Solar Generator
It’s a large battery pack but has safe charging and circuit protection which means they can have outputs to plug items in to them, so you can charge many different things wherever you want. In the coffee shop, on a camping trip, during a full day out, at an event without a power supply, going for a longer journey on your electric bicycle? Charge that too mid ride, so many options! What makes it different to just a power bank with USB charge is the solar input, you can charge them from solar setups you already own or via a UK mains plug or even on the road whilst in your car using a 12v cigarette lighter.
Below you will see many different examples on how and where you can use them, none though are waterproof, so if you want to use on your next adventure outdoors, make sure to create a safe environment for your solar generator. We would recommend a plastic container with clips which you can put your battery and electrical items inside of when charging. Just remember to make sure there is a decent flow of air as these power packs can warm up.
Solar Charger Port Layout
As technology advances, ports also change in size and shape. It is crucial, then, to choose one that has ports compatible with your devices. Take my Pixel 5, for example. I can charge it wirelessly or use a type-C cable. Likewise, I also have a portable lantern which I can charge using a micro USB. So, it will be ideal if it has a micro USB as well.
The number of ports is also significant. You can charge multiple devices at the same time if you have more than one port. Of course, remember what we talked about earlier. If you want to charge several electronics, you will need something with high power output.
Things are somewhat different for laptops. First, check if the solar charger has DC ports. If yes, then you can charge the PC with no power brick. But, if you dont, look for an alternative.
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Yoesoid 20000mah Solar Power Bank
- Durable construction
- Not fully waterproof
- Solar charging is slow
Next on the list of the efficient and reliable solar power bank to have with you on the go is the YOESOID 20000mAh solar power bank. With its power capacity and fast charging capability, you will never have to worry about running out of battery again while you are outdoors. A lot of customers prefer this product because of the following advanced features.
First, this model has an upgraded solar panel. The surface area of the solar panel is wider for higher solar charging efficiency. With its high-quality panels, recharging using the sunlight is faster. But of course, it is still better to fully charge it using an outlet for a long-lasting power bank.
This solar power bank can also charge two devices simultaneously with its dual USB ports. You can charge yours and your friends phone at the same time without any problem. This power pack is also complete with advanced protection for your battery. It automatically shutdowns when the devices are full to avoid overcharging and overheating.
If you want a power bank to last, then this is an excellent choice. This model makes use of durable, ABS, PC, and silicone materials. It is completely protected, waterproof, and dustproof. With a lifespan of more than 1000 recharging times, this power bank is worth its price.