Solar USB Charger

Kit, Clothing, Tools, etc
Lemne
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:44 pm

Solar USB Charger

Post by Lemne »

What should I be looking for in a solar usb charger. I'm on a budget but don't mind paying in something is way above all the others, just rather not :/ I'm looking to charge up a couple of phones occasionally, a power bank and some rechargeable batteries. I'm looking but there are so many out there I am going boss eyed!
jennyjj01
Posts: 3429
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:09 pm

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by jennyjj01 »

Lemne wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:54 pm What should I be looking for in a solar usb charger. I'm on a budget but don't mind paying in something is way above all the others, just rather not :/ I'm looking to charge up a couple of phones occasionally, a power bank and some rechargeable batteries. I'm looking but there are so many out there I am going boss eyed!
I have something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trswyop-26800m ... r_1_4_sspa
About 20 quid

In times of plenty, it IS A POWER BANK and it can be charged from mains or the car, and once charged, it is your standby charger for phone or tablet. The solar (trickle) charge feature is incidental in good times: I leave mine on my car parcel shelf, so it's always full, but I could just as easily plug it in to charge it. If SHTF, the solar panels would be the primary energy source. A bit slow to solar charge, but ideal for off grid.

With mains power readily available, there doesn't seem much of a market for solar chargers for AA cells but lots for USB devices. I understand there's a lot of innefficiency in using USB voltages, but when the energy is free, it strikes me as the way to go.

Source... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trswyop-26800m ... r_1_4_sspa charged from the sun
Use to charge AA cells inside one of these*... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Now I've said it.... I really should test it.

[edit] interesting: It will charge the built in 3v cells, but NOT aa cells. As well I found out now.[/edit]
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Yorkshire Andy
Posts: 8735
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:06 pm

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by Yorkshire Andy »

Im a stand alone kit man seperate solar panel as they are bigger I got one similar to the below from Lidl the other year it works ok .. once one power bank is full you can then charge another

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50W-Sunpower ... 0935.m2460
If your roughing it, Your doing it wrong ;)

Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine
medwayman
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:46 am

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by medwayman »

71L0NECjHcL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
If you are looking for a half decent one I would stick with the names:-

Aukey or Anker (yep do type careful!!) they are a bit more on the price range but very worth the extra few quid
Yorkshire Andy
Posts: 8735
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:06 pm

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by Yorkshire Andy »

medwayman wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 5:16 pm 71L0NECjHcL._AC_SL1500_.jpgIf you are looking for a half decent one I would stick with the names:-

Aukey or Anker (yep do type careful!!) they are a bit more on the price range but very worth the extra few quid

You pays your money your right....


Welcome to the forum medwayman can you please pop to the new members section and introduce yourself

http://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=9
If your roughing it, Your doing it wrong ;)

Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine
medwayman
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:46 am

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by medwayman »

Been away for abit but did day hi to on and all in the newbies bit

http://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/view ... =9&t=17057
Yorkshire Andy
Posts: 8735
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:06 pm

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by Yorkshire Andy »

medwayman wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 6:03 pm Been away for abit but did day hi to on and all in the newbies bit

http://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/view ... =9&t=17057
My apologies I missed that one :oops:
If your roughing it, Your doing it wrong ;)

Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine
medwayman
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:46 am

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by medwayman »

nah probs
jansman
Posts: 13623
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by jansman »

Yorkshire Andy wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 6:46 pm
medwayman wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 6:03 pm Been away for abit but did day hi to on and all in the newbies bit

http://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/view ... =9&t=17057
My apologies I missed that one :oops:
Don't worry Andy,I do that frequently! :lol:
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.

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Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.

Me.
Lemne
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:44 pm

Re: Solar USB Charger

Post by Lemne »

Thanks for the replies. Lots of good info. Will the solar panels work in day light or does it have to be strong sunlight. Am just wondering whether it's worth buying one at this time of year or waiting to Spring. Sorry if that's a stupid question :/