Charging batteries, electronics

[Rob]

What does everyone use for keeping their electronics charged up?  Anyone use solar?  In the future I plan on doing a long tour, with lots of days without access to grid power.  I've been doing some research and have even bought a few products that I think I'll be able to use.  I found these Instant cell phone chargers from Energizer called Energi To Go.   They're less than 2 oz and have different attachments for different phone/devices. 



I have a Moto Q smartphone that uses mini USB, so I bought the one for Mini USB from batteries.com for 6.99.  It says that it will give you 9 hours of talk time on a GSM phone with one set of batteries.  So I'm thinking it'll fully charge it at least 2 times on a set of batteries. I haven't done any tests yet...While at that website, I also noticed they sell larger batteries with a bigger cover to fit my Moto Q for only 15 bucks.  This way I'll have more capacity, and I can keep an extra charged battery as backup.  And then I always have the Energi to go to charge them back up.

I plan on using a Garmin 705 so I can also charge that up with this same unit.

I have a pair of Oakley ORokr bluetooth sunglasses that can also be charged up with this unit since it uses mini USB.

Speaking of Mini USB, The NiteRider MiNewt Mini USB may be able to get charged with this, not sure though...

I'm going to bring an 80gig video Ipod, unfortunately they didn't make an attachment to charge that.  They do however make a standalone battery charger for the Ipod.  I found that on ebay for 20 shipped.  It's less than 2oz., and works as advertised. 





I'm going to use rechargeable batteries, so I found this One hour charger that's very compact and light.  The 15 Minute charger has a very heavy adapter plug and both the charger and plug are bulky. So I figure you'd just take a 2 hour break in town to load up 8 batteries.  Seems worth the wait to not have the added weight and bulk of the 15 minute charger.


The other source of charging available is Solar.  I've seen some lightweight solar rolls that are supposed to be pretty good, but I haven't really done too much research yet on them to know if it would make sense to use it.  I guess you'd only need it if you were doing reallly long stretches off the grid...I think the Solio Solar Charger would probably be the best choice because of the built in battery.

[ScottM]

I just charge stuff in town, but my trips are usually at most 3 days between towns, so it works OK.

I have one of those brunton solar AA/AAA chargers, but haven't actually carried it on a trip yet.  I usually bring a compact AA wall charger similar to what you're showing here.  On shorter trips (3-5 days) I usually can get away with no charger, just spares.

I know people have had good success running the Edge 705 with a 4xAA 'charger.'  I believe DaveH, for example, just leaves it attached to the Edge, with the batts hanging under the handlebar.  Gets 50+ hours or so, IIRC.

Good topic.

[Rob]

Cool, so it looks like this is the charger he is using.

http://www.gomadic.com/garmin-edge-705-emergency-aa-battery-extender.html

[dave54]

The same discussion on another site:



http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3717

[Rob]

Thanks for that link Dave.  Really puts it into perspective what those solar chargers are good for...not much. 

I think for 3-5 day trips it makes sense to just bring spare Lithium batteries instead of a battery charger.   

[sendoodoo]

I recently used the Solio Classic www.solio.com on a 7 day bike tour in Baja to keep my digital camera and iPhone running.  It will usually charge a couple of things pretty well so I bet it will keep a Garmin 705 running quite awhile.  Bummer is that it can take 2 days of sunshine to recharge... unless you come across a power outlet somewhere.

[Rob]

I'm on my first bikecamping trip right now, camping at Millard Campground in the Angeles National forest.  The Energi to go is charging up my Moto Q and Im getting EVDO internet right here in my tent.   

Awesome

[ScottM]

I'm on my first bikecamping trip right now, camping at Millard Campground in the Angeles National forest.  The Energi to go is charging up my Moto Q and Im getting EVDO internet right here in my tent.  

Awesome

Ha!