Can anyone recommend a flexible solar panel to layout out on the tramp of my TI for charging a 12v gps battery?
Solar Panel
(6 posts) (6 voices)-
AdmiralSnackbar
Memberhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07595K5QS
This is what I used for this year's EC. I am sure there are better panels and I have no way to tell how long it will last but it was economical and kept my GPS running and my battery charged the whole EC.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bones
MemberI have a rigid collector on my AI (for sale) that fits on a narrow haka which is wired to a battery in a waterproof box. (It is designated as a V72 USB Battery & Solar Charger Combo.) I would feel comfortable putting it on a trampoline if it were secured. However, to answer your question, Voltaic has rigid and flexible unit that are capable of charging direct or to a battery then to the gps. I have the battery in between so that I can charge my phone, spot, gps, VHF radio and camp light, as necessary.
This is system has worked well for me in training. Your mileage may vary (YMMV)
Posted 4 years ago # -
BeaV
MemberI get asked about what I did for solar power for my 6-month canoe trip, so I wrote it up to save time. See my review below in italics. The rollable PowerFilm panel is bomb proof. It has grommet holes so attachment is easy. When you're not using it for power generation, you can use it as a mat to stand on to keep sand out of your boat. I was impressed with it. Only area that needs attention is the cable terminal as saltwater will corrode this without protection.
Solar Panel/Battery Pack Review
I spent a lot of time researching the various solar panels and battery packs before my trip, purchased and tried various ones, and ended up using the following for my 6-month trip, To Through and Around Alaska.
Solar Panel- Powerfilm R14
Primary Battery Pack- Goal Zero Sherpa 50
Secondary Battery Pack- Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus
Adaptor Cable- This was needed to be able to connect the Powerfilm panel to the Goal Zero Sherpa.
I lived off of solar power for 6 months in very harsh conditions including salt water and exposure to lots of rain. I needed to be able to charge a GPS, Inreach satellite communicator, VHF marine radio, 2 headlamp flashlights, and 2 cameras. I needed to be able to charge rechargeable AA and AAA batteries and also lithium batteries that required a USB connection and an AC connection.
I mounted the solar panel permanently on the canoe deck with shock cords. On sunny days while paddling I would plug in the Sherpa 50 to the panel to collect and store the sun's energy. At night, safe from weather and rain in the tent, I would plug in the Guide 10 into the Sherpa for charging AA and AAA batteries, or plug in other batteries/electronics direct into the Sherpa with USB or AC connections. This system usually provided enough power and worked great for some time. However, the weak points were that exposure to salt water eventually corroded cable connection and both battery packs were not waterproof. The Sherpa 50 quit working after a capsize that submerged the unit. After this, I hardwired the Guide 10 to the panel and used this as my primary power storage. Eventually this also got submerged and quit working. I was able to get around corroded cable connections by hardwiring wires together.
I was very satisfied with these products but wish the battery packs could be waterproof or I could have found a way to make them so. Hard to keep the battery packs dry when charging on the water with exposure from rain, bilge water, and capsize. The solar panel was bombproof and still works fine.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Deerfly
Membergreat info beav, much needed insight for intrepid soles venturing far off the grid...
The prospect of waterproofing consumer grade electronics is very tough, especialy a gadget with a swiss army knife array of connectors housed in a case that was never meant to be water resistent. My initial thoughts would be to re-house the sherpa it in a pelican case or something similar and create adapter connectors to more water proof external connector(s) provisioned through the pelican case(requires drilling and sealing). That way the sherpa is always protected even if the external connector is compromised outside the waterproof case.
Anyway, great info and food for thought... - eric
Posted 4 years ago #
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