NDR - Off electrical grid phone chargers question.

Pete McMiller

Pete McMiller

Well-known member
The past couple of years I have spent more and more time in hunting camps off the electrical grid but still within cell phone range. With the electrical consumption of modern phones it has been a challenge to keep the batteries charged. I thought I would get a reasonably priced solar charger but everyone I see has at least 19% of the reviews in the (1) range.

Just last week while camping I had to turn my phone off for most of the day to conserve the battery then charge it to 30% by running the car - not an option in upcoming elk camp.

Anybody have a cell phone charging system that they really like?
 
I have been interested coming up with a solution also and thought about paring these two to make an <$100 solution for charging devices.

The reviews are good for this solar charger.
http://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Char...5953&creativeASIN=B00OQ0CAW6&ascsubtag=WC5297

and when paired with this external battery power bank you can charge the battery during the day, then charge the phone from the battery in the evening.
http://www.amazon.com/Anker-13000mA...953&creativeASIN=B00BQ5KHJW&ascsubtag=WC17134

Or just get the solar charger and hook phone up directly and it should charge in about 5 hours in good sun, but it seemed easier and more efficient to charge the external battery, then charge phone from it. That would allow you to use the phone during the day and take the phone with you while the external battery is being charged undisturbed back at camp.

I do not own either of these and do not have any real first hand experience with them, but reading amazon reviews for each and the following review, it seemed like a no brainer to me. And based on amazon, the prices are right at the moment.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-portable-solar-battery-pack/
 
I have an Anker Astro E3 External Battery for my Samsung Galaxy S3 and love it. Can get four charges off this system before it needs recharging. It can also charge multiple phones at once. Check out amazon for best price.
 
I "truck camp" a lot during waterfowl season. I just plug my phone in my truck overnight. The small amount of power required to charge my cell phone is a very small drain on my truck battery. I have done this for several years. The cell battery stops drawing power after it is charged.

If I did not have a truck or access to 12 volt power, a solar system sounds like a good idea, but expensive . . .

Miller
 
Thanks James. I tried that on a weekend trip. Drained the car battery and needed a jump. None of my outlets are active unless the ignition switch is on and apparently that draws enough to drain the battery.
 
Nice combo Anthony. More money than I wanted to spend but in the long run it may be worth while. I'll look into it a bit.
 
Thanks James. I tried that on a weekend trip. Drained the car battery and needed a jump. None of my outlets are active unless the ignition switch is on and apparently that draws enough to drain the battery.
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Sounds like you need a new car Pete. Along these lines, why not run a direct to battery hook up with a cig lighter female end attached to it. They make all sorts of these type of solutions.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/381317164947?lpid=82&chn=ps

Or, get yourself a nice Li Ion back up battery power pack. I have one for my ice house that will run 12V LED lights, outside lights, radio speaker, and cell phone for more than a few days. They make these in all sorts of capacities. A good thing to google is security camera back up batteries. Usually low cost and plenty of power. you can purchase these off ebay for less than $10 each. Buy 3-4 and you are good to go for quite awhile.

Or buy an old 12V lead motorcycle battery and lug it along. Small, lightweight (sort of) and reliable. Solar chargers are not reliable IMO and if there is no sun, you are out of luck.

Or how about this. Portable car started back up bttery, LED light, Cell phone chanrger etc...

http://www.amazon.com/Kayo-Maxtar-11000mAh-Portable-Motorola/dp/B00N1WOS6G/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1439311160&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=12v+lithium+ion+battery+pack

Lots of versions of these that cost less. Choose you own flavor

Mark W
 
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Turning the ignition switch, (key on), would definitely be a bad idea. That would activate lots of power draining load and discharge the battery. One of my 12 volt outlets in my truck works all the time, and it specifically is for charging cell phones and laptops.

If you don't have an active 12 volt outlet, consider adding one. Much cheaper that solar etc.

Miller
 
Pete,
you may already know how to close apps on your phone completely, but I've run into 2 folkd in theast couple weeks that were complaining of battery discharge and that was the culprit. Once I showed them how to close all the apps they didn't currently need battery drainage seemed to drop significantly.

I have a cheapo battery pack that works for a single recharge. It was a freebie so the price was worth it :).

Scott
 
Pete,
you may already know how to close apps on your phone completely, but I've run into 2 folkd in theast couple weeks that were complaining of battery discharge and that was the culprit. Once I showed them how to close all the apps they didn't currently need battery drainage seemed to drop significantly.
Scott
Click to expand...

and turn off wifi and Bluetooth. If your phone is constantly searching for something that is not there, battery drain is excessive.

Mark W
 
I have been using an Outdoor Tech Kodiak for the last 6 months. an iPhone 6 gets four complete charges starting at 25% battery left. They are water resistant and ruggedized with the outer shell. I found mine on sale at my local REI store for less than $50.
http://www.outdoortechnology.com/Shop/Portable-Power/

I know some guys that do a lot of serious backcountry photography and they all swear by the goal Zero Guide 10 solar and battery pack for their devices. This system is the minimum they take in their pack. A few have the larger goal Zero systems at the truck for the family volume of devices.

Having killed an iPhone with a cheap ciglighter charger, I will now only use a hard wired inverter with a USB outlet or the battery pack.
 
Interesting you mention the inverter. I have a built in inverter in my car and it seems to charge faster with the
USB plug than the cig lighter charger. Also, the phone charges faster if it is turned off.
 
I have a Black and Decker storage battery/jump start unit that has a USB port for charging phones. I keep it in my rig in case I need a jump. Since a 5 volt 1000mA phone charger draws 5 watts, I don't have serious concerns about it reducing the ability to jump start my car after charging a phone. There are a ton of similiar products that you could get the provide backup to several different scenarios (jump start, phone charger, etc).
 
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A $10 solution. Clip a cig lighter to your car battery and then plug a 12V USB cig lighter adapter in. A cell phone battery won't put a dent in your car battery and the above will prevent you from turning on the ignition and having the car drain it's own battery.
 
That is very odd Pete. My phone will go to 3 days without use on one battery charge. You can get portable battery packs are charging units for under 40 bucks depending on the storage capabilities. As far as batteries by just having a cell phone plugged into it,?? That is ridiculous. Color problem comes if you were very well let's do not work when the key is off but still.
 
Pete,

I have several products from Goal Zero that I use and all are excellent. My new favorite is this one. You can charge your phone from it.

http://www.goalzero.com/accessories-lights

It is an LED light and solar panel, takes a USB charge and gives a USB charge. Lasts a long, long time and best of all has a crank if you really find yourself in a dark place with no power.
[inline Torch250FlashlightGoalZero2.jpg]
[inline Torch250FlashlightGoalZero1.jpg]

I should also mention that you can buy their small solar panels for a very inexpensive price. Browse the site.

View attachment Torch250FlashlightGoalZero2.JPG
View attachment Torch250FlashlightGoalZero1.JPG
 
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I have a couple of he external batteries for my phone, one you can just set your phone on top of after you turn it on and it will charge it(or you can plug the phone in), the other is just a plug in. I will be carrying one of these with me when I am hunting from now on. It takes a while, but either one will give me between 1 and 2 full charges. They are about $20-30, pretty cheap insurance. Two of these will get me through several days without a live plug.
 
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