Goal Zero Mobile Kit

[Mally]

Thanks Dangerman. That's a big help. I was already resigned to being without power for days at a time so wouldn't be a big issue if it couldn't cope with everything. Thinking about it, having this would mean I could do away with a phone. One was just gonna be a back up for emergencies should I be out of charge with the other. I also have to look at portability as I'll be on foot mostly, or public transport.
Thanks again.

[dangerman]

If you mount it to your back pack it will collect power whenever you're outside, just make sure you point it at the sun whenever you stop. And if you can, bring some spare eneloop batteries. They're dead handy.

Don't forget that the aaa adaptor only comes with the adventure kit. So you'll only be able so charge aa ones with this kit alone.

[Mally]

Great advice. Thanks again Dangerman. What's eneloop batteries?

[Hamradioop]

take a look here mally http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop

[Mally]

Thanks Hamradioop. Will do

[Mally]

Much clearer now thanks guys. Armed with this information, I should be able to sort something out. Thanks again.

[Blackfriar]

dangerman, I would have PM'd you but I don't have the rights yet.

I was very curious about your DIY Yeti 1250. Do you have any recommended links or tutorials for such a project? I'd love to make something similar for an emergency power back-up, and it would be great if I could make it for less than £200.00. Cheers!

[Hamradioop]

Black friar take a look here a beginners guide can be found here http://www.bimblesolar.com/beginnersguide. and also an American site here http://www.freesunpower.com/tutorials.php


http://www.bimblesolar.com/solar/kyocer ... wwodDEEAcw
120 watt solar PV panel .


Besides the panel you will need cable to connect the panel to the charge controller like this: http://www.bimblesolar.com/extras/6mmcable

a charge controller like this MPPT version http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/mppt/10amppt more expensive and more efficient than pwm charger contollers like this http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/chargers/solar30

and a battery for storage like this http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/batt ... -105AH-12V

Then you will need to decide on the lighting and power take offs you require and also how many batteries.

I would recommend LED Lighting Tape for the best bang for the buck.

or alternatively you can by this system from Amazon, which will provide lighting and a USB charging port. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-grid-lighti ... s=solar+pv

I have no association with Bimble Solar or Amazon but find them convenient sites to link to. I have never used Bimble at all and in fact source my solar Power equipment from elsewhere on the interweb and high street.

[Blackfriar]

Brilliant, Ham. Just had a look at the guide and it seems like something I could tackle. Thanks so much.

[dangerman]

Didn't see this post, sorry. I've not been around for a while.

But looks like you're taken care of. I didn't bother with the full shabango in the end - I just bought a battery and hooked it up to a 4w solar panel that I hand in the window. That keeps it topped up and healthy. Then I bought a 300w inverter that I keep nearby, plus a 12v cig lighter that connects to the battery via crocodile clips. If I ever need to use the battery for anything major, like to keep the freezer runnng or something, I can hook up my 27w foldable solar panel which comes with it's own charge controller.

Bit messy, but does the job.