Wireless Charging system for phone/camera/gps in back country

[WapitiBob]

WapitiBob
When set to your instructions it uses the 110 as external power but does not charge the Li battery pack. FYI if you are not aware the normal 110 cord and 12V car charger plug into a different port that is not USB but is round.

well crud, I was hoping that would work.

 

[Iron Mike]

Thanks for trying WapitiBob!

Thanks tttoadman
I kindave figured it may not work but held out hope. Guess I am going to have to carry in batteries. I guess you could possibly charge up some rechargable AA but they dont seem to last.

 

[coastalarms]

If that juicebar charges a Rhino an Anker certainty will. The beauty of the Anker is the output amperage is regulated to be no more than the input capacity of the item being charged.

I guess I wasn't clear. I've used the juicebar for charging cell phones and cameras, not the Rino. The Rino's input voltage is too high for the usb. I've used the cig lighter charger in the truck. I just bought a second cig lighter cord to cut and see if I can somehow maybe use some Anderson Powerpoles so I have one standard connection for power for everything.

 

[coastalarms]

Here is what I was able to accomplish with a goal zero guide 10.
The guide 10 has a 12V plug in that goes from a small plug to the car style receptacle.
I plugged the car charger and the "charge clip" that Iron Mike speaks of to the receptacle.

The guide 10 battery pack could never trip the charge mode by itself. with the battery pack on and in 95deg direct sun, I was able to charge my rino for about 15% and that was it. It appeared to charge quickly, but the charge system needs to be pretty bad ass to charge the giant battery. The people at Garmin told me that is why they have never messed with supporting a solar charge system. They felt like it would take so long to charge it with a small system, no one would be interested.

By the time I hillbillied up this system, it added so much bulk and weight it wasn't worth it.

I am still waiting for the techies to find a good system, and I will be a happy camper.

wow, so much for my previous post. I would have thought that the guide 10 would have enough of an output to get it done. Sounds like the best option is to go with the Garmin AA battery pack and run that off solar.

 

[Iron Mike]

wow, so much for my previous post. I would have thought that the guide 10 would have enough of an output to get it done. Sounds like the best option is to go with the Garmin AA battery pack and run that off solar.

Well okay guys since we may be back to square one, any good suggestions for a USB AA battery charger to run off solar or an Anker battery pac?

 

[coastalarms]

The Goal Zero charger goes for about 40 bucks. Watson makes really good chargers as well. I use them for all my AA Enloops that I use in flashes. I got curious so I checked and Watson also makes a USB charger for AA's...and its only 20 bucks! I haven't used it, but every other Watson product I have has worked without any problems. I get them from BH Photo.
If you already have a solar panel with a USB output then either should work fine. If you dont, I would probably just get the Guide 10 package. They are about $100 on Amazon.

 

[Iron Mike]

Thanks Coastalarms
I already own the instapark solar and the anker. I looked at the guide 10 but felt this was a better route. Also didnt realize I wouldnt be able to charge the Rino. Any suggestions on great double A rechargeable batteries?

 

[coastalarms]

Eneloops 2000maH are my favorite.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=eneloop

They seems to hold a charge longer than any others I have tried. They have a really good power curve. They just last. And at 2000maH, its a lot of juice.
Also, its makes sense to try and standardize all your gear so that it all takes the same type of battery and AA's can just about do that.

 

[TimberJunkie]

Hey all. I posted this question about two weeks ago and it gave me so much info, I really had to look into what I wanted out of a charger. Ended up going with the Anker from Amazon. Cost 29.99 for a 13000mAh battery. I drained my phone to 2% battery and plugged in the Anker backup battery. Charged to full battery in less than 2 hours and did that 3 times. The 4th charge made it to 44% when it stopped charging. Pretty good stuff.

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[amoor983]

I gave up my GPS and just take my Samsung with ONXMaps. I turn on airplane and battery save mode, dim the screen and shut the phone off at night. It will last about three days this way. An external battery like mophie should add a couple to several more days.