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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Battery Banks and Chargers
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| Author | Message Text | ||
| Jaywalker |
I typically bring my Garmin Mini (I don't do tracking so not on all day), my iPhone for the Garmin, photos, and some video, a GoPro and my headlamp which has a 2600 mAh rechargeable battery. I have an older Anker 5200 mAh, and a newer Anker 10,000. I could probably go a week without changing anything with my moderate use, but usually bring the 10,000 just in case. I don't like my phone or Garmin to get below 50%. I also have an older GoalZero solar panel which I took on only one trip years ago and barely used, and a newer Anker 21 watt panel I got 3 years ago for a 3 week solo trip in Canada. On that longer trip I wanted to be able to recharge my 10,000 Anker which I think I did once. Depending on your devices and usage, there is a good chance it will be cheaper, lighter, and easier to carry a battery pack than a solar panel. |
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| kenpark23 |
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| Wes44 |
I'm looking for recommendations for battery banks and portable solar chargers. Durability is key. I'm not always easy on the equipment. I also do a fair bit of backpacking, so weight & size are important considerations. My main need is for longer trips when I carry an InReach and use a phone for the camera and navigation. For work I sometimes use a drone on extended backcountry trips, so more capacity is better, but that might require a different setup. All things being equal, cheaper is obviously better. But I'd rather pay a little more to get the right thing. Any recommendations? Good or bad experiences? |
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| gravelroad |
I’ve never seen any account that recommended relying instead on a solar charger for personal electronics in the BWCA on the basis of actual experience. YMMV, e.g., in the desert Southwest, but it’s too leafy and too cloudy in the Northland. (OTOH, I do use a solar fence charger for my bear fence on BWCA bear hunts, but that’s an entirely different application.) |
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| plmn |
I use my DeWalt USB-C adapter with my tool batteries, but that only makes sense if you're in a tool ecosystem. It's a heavier solution than a dedicated power bank. |
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| straighthairedcurly |
I HATE bringing a solar charging panel to the BWCA. I move sites almost everyday so it just isn't practical. Even if you basecamp, you have to keep monitoring its position and moving as the sun moves past the trees. Just easier to bring an extra powerbank for the same or less weight. On a typical week trip, I bring a 10000 mAh powerbank and have never used it up. But when my husband comes I bring an extra because his phone is a power hog plus he has a steripen and fish radar that need recharging. But even then, we have never even used up 1 of the 10000 ones. I recommend making a list of what electronics you are bringing and then test out how fast they run down. |
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| mr.barley |
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| Blatz |
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| Wes44 |
The advice on calculating device mAh, multiplying by the expected charges, and adding a buffer seems like a solid approach. My main concern after that is durability. I tend to be hard on things. Can folks comment on that aspect of the products you've used/recommended? Has anyone used the Elecom Nestout? It looks promising with solid reviews, but I'm wary since it's a relatively new brand and hard to know if those reviews are real or paid for. The 15,000mAh capacity and ruggedness is tempting. Oddly, the biggest red flag for me is the light add-on. I wonder if it is helpful or the gimmicky equivalent of a cheap compass added to other equipment. |
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| Jaywalker |
Wes44: "Thanks, everyone—this is really helpful, and I’m sure it’ll benefit others too. I was not familiar with Elecom Nestout before but looked it up. Sort of looks like they stuck a power bank inside a surplus military canteen with some padding. The weight of their 10000mAh and an Anker look the same (if accurate), but you pay about twice as much for the durability. I've been hard on my tent, tarp, canoe, paddles, cook gear and even my headlamp - anything exposed to the elements. I've never worried about durability of my Anker. It goes in a slightly padded stuff sack (I think it came with my Toaks pot) along with all cables and gets packed in my clothes stuff sack since I tend to charge up any needed device in the tent. I carried my solar charger in the clothes bag too. I don't foresee the need to charge any device in a rain storm, next to a puddle, or near a rocky cliff, so the added claimed durability of the Elecom doesn't appeal to me personally. It might be great for others. |
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| ockycamper |
Ecoflow River 2 |
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| YetiJedi |
I was gifted an INUI unit a year ago. It weighs 12 ounces and has just over 20,000 mAh, and it's been great, too. I think they sell for $20-$25 which is much less than the Anker. My main uses are for my in-reach and phone which I use primarily for photos. One power bank is easily enough for me for a week. Hopefully, someone else will provide some info regarding drone battery usage. A friend of mine always brings the nitecore brand and uses a lot more power than I do. He thinks they are the best and won't use anything else. Might be worth exploring. |
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| Tryin |
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| plmn |
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