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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 9:38 PM
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| Might be a bit of a long shot, but has anyone used folding or rolling solar panels on long hikes to deal with camera battery recharging? If so, thoughts? What do you use? |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1603 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 10:25 PM
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| What kind of a camera do you have? A challenge with this idea is that most cameras use Li-Ion batteries and the chargers work off 120v AC. Most of the flexible solar panels that I have seen provide a USB output or charge AA batteries directly. |
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521 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 10:33 PM
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I've looked into that idea in the past and always have come to the conclusion that carrying extra batteries is the lightest and most convenient option.
If you're determined to recharge Li-ion batteries in the field, you could take a small light weight inverter that converts the DC from the panels to 120 vac in order to power your charger. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
459 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 10:35 PM
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| I've used Solio to recharge my iPod only. |
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1058 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 10:52 PM
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| +1 for path finder's comment. I bought two spare batteries for my camera so I don't have to worry about running out. I do use a small solar panel to recharge my GPS watch daily. |
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 canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6773 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 11:00 PM
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| seems most small solar panels only provide very small current, not being enough for a 1000mah 7V batt and up. |
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Poco, BC
Canada
405 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 05:25 AM
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| Not to forget that solar is an all day commitment, not a base camp recharge. You just won't get the needed power from a few hours at the end of the day. |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7095 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 07:54 AM
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| I'd buy an extra phone battery and extra rechargable batteries for camera. Unless you are stationed somewhere remote for a length of time then maybe solar would be a good option. As mentioned it takes several hours to recharge a phone or camera with solar, and is weather dependant, maybe longer. |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 09:08 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Steventy
What kind of a camera do you have? A challenge with this idea is that most cameras use Li-Ion batteries and the chargers work off 120v AC. Most of the flexible solar panels that I have seen provide a USB output or charge AA batteries directly.
Yes, my research turned that up as well. I was looking for something with a wall socket, however I suppose I could get a usb-to-wall-socket converter. More crap to buy.
As to what camera I have, the d5100, using en-el14 batteries.
Thanks for the comments everyone. Looks like it may not be practical. |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6907 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 12:49 PM
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| You could probably get cheaper non-OEM batteries for your camera off ebay. I've gone that route for years with my DSLR batteries and have never had a problem. |
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3504 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 6:01 PM
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| If you decide to go solar, Goal Zero make outstanding solar equipment. Some of it is very expensive, but their entry level gear isn't badly priced and highly rated. |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7095 Posts |
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Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2039 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 6:48 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by path finder
I've looked into that idea in the past and always have come to the conclusion that carrying extra batteries is the lightest and most convenient option.
I looked into two years ago and came away with the same conclusion. |
Edited by - burnabyhiker on 07/10/2012 6:49 PM |
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| gyppo
Intermediate Member
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
746 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 9:35 PM
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I use a solar panel to recharge AA batteries on long trips. My GPS and camera both use them, and I carry a small charger for my video camera. I use 5 watt panel made by a company called powerfilm. It's a folding design that uses 6 flexible panels; folded it's about 8x25cm and can fit in a pack pocket (being flexible) within reason). When open it's about 25x55cm. It will charge 2 AA batteries in a day, which is perfect since my camera and GPS last me about 3 days. When I'm out for the day, something is always charging back in camp. I place it on the tent in such a way that it gets the most direct sunlight possible. It'll charge in light overcast weather too but sunny is much better.
Edit: my solar panel has a 12v cigarette lighter type socket, not a USB connector.
I bought it from Modern outpost, which I think is based out of Vancouver Island. They have a lot of solar and mobile power products that are very interesting.
For basecamp type trips, it makes sense to me. No need to ration batteries, I can have the GPS on more often, I can spend time playing back photos and videos in camp and never have to worry about running out of juice.
The cutoff for me is about 5 days. 5 or less, spares. 6 or more, solar charger. As a bonus, if you're traveling you can use it too.
Benoit |
Edited by - gyppo on 07/10/2012 9:36 PM |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 03:21 AM
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I personally looked into it and was very shocked to learn all the solar panel companies output numbers are very optimistic to say the least.
Will have to dig up the numbers and specs but the output numbers these companies list are for direct sunlight at the equator. Once you start moving away from the equator the panel efficiency drops. As well time of year, weather conditions, etc etc.. And another factor was the panel being directly pointed at the sun.
gyppo has touched on the key component basically you need to leave the panel set up all day. And hope that it gets enough direct sunlight to charge what ever your charging. Which can be a issues for some batteries like LiPo's
The big players that make fordable panels
-powerfilm
-goal zero
Ans spare batteries are a hell of alot cheaper depending on application
quote:
Originally posted by gyppo
I use a solar panel to recharge AA batteries on long trips. My GPS and camera both use them, and I carry a small charger for my video camera. I use 5 watt panel made by a company called powerfilm. It's a folding design that uses 6 flexible panels; folded it's about 8x25cm and can fit in a pack pocket (being flexible) within reason). When open it's about 25x55cm. It will charge 2 AA batteries in a day, which is perfect since my camera and GPS last me about 3 days. When I'm out for the day, something is always charging back in camp. I place it on the tent in such a way that it gets the most direct sunlight possible. It'll charge in light overcast weather too but sunny is much better.
Edit: my solar panel has a 12v cigarette lighter type socket, not a USB connector.
I bought it from Modern outpost, which I think is based out of Vancouver Island. They have a lot of solar and mobile power products that are very interesting.
For basecamp type trips, it makes sense to me. No need to ration batteries, I can have the GPS on more often, I can spend time playing back photos and videos in camp and never have to worry about running out of juice.
The cutoff for me is about 5 days. 5 or less, spares. 6 or more, solar charger. As a bonus, if you're traveling you can use it too.
Benoit
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521 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 07:37 AM
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quote:
I personally looked into it and was very shocked to learn all the solar panel companies output numbers are very optimistic to say the least.
Will have to dig up the numbers and specs but the output numbers these companies list are for direct sunlight at the equator. Once you start moving away from the equator the panel efficiency drops. As well time of year, weather conditions, etc etc.. And another factor was the panel being directly pointed at the sun.
I have a solar panel setup for my home where I monitor power production on a daily basis. What I have found that there are several main factors that determine optimum power output from the panels, assuming of course there is no cloud cover in the sky.
One is time of day. The output will be highest in a 4 to 8 hour span centered around high noon when the sun is at it's highest, and the panels will put out the most when the sun is highest in the sky.
Another thing that affects the output significantly is the temperature of the panels themselves. In summer, when it's warm, I rarely get the rated power capacity of the panels. In winter, when the panels are very cold (ie -10 to -45c) I sometimes get well over the rated capacity, even though the sun is much lower in the sky, than in summer. There are a couple of factors that offset the temperature of the panels, such as the much clearer skies in winter (less haze) and perhaps some increased light due to the snow that may reflect a bit of extra light into the panels. But the main effect is temperature.
The panel ratings are based on 1 kw of energy from the sun per square meter and at a panel temperature of 25 C. Panel temperatures in summer can go to in excess of 50C or even 75C. Panel efficiency drops by .25% for thin film and by .5% for crystalline cells per 1 C rise in temperature.
The tilt of the panels to the sun does not have too much effect on performance unless it's significantly off. That is why many install panels on a roof at a fixed angle (usually close to the latitude in degrees from horizontal).
Small areas of shade on the panel can also have a huge effect, but has not been a factor with my system. |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 08:10 AM
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| Really interesting info. Thanks everybody. |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 11:30 AM
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great info pathfinder,
A number of the characteristics like angle, temperature sun strength vary a great deal depending on the companies brand of panel.
Would be nice to see someone that has done a real life comparison on some of these portable units. But it would be a expensive and difficult job having to compare all the units at the exact same time. To guarantee they all had the same sunlight
quote:
Originally posted by path finder
I have a solar panel setup for my home where I monitor power production on a daily basis. What I have found that there are several main factors that determine optimum power output from the panels, assuming of course there is no cloud cover in the sky.
One is time of day. The output will be highest in a 4 to 8 hour span centered around high noon when the sun is at it's highest, and the panels will put out the most when the sun is highest in the sky.
Another thing that affects the output significantly is the temperature of the panels themselves. In summer, when it's warm, I rarely get the rated power capacity of the panels. In winter, when the panels are very cold (ie -10 to -45c) I sometimes get well over the rated capacity, even though the sun is much lower in the sky, than in summer. There are a couple of factors that offset the temperature of the panels, such as the much clearer skies in winter (less haze) and perhaps some increased light due to the snow that may reflect a bit of extra light into the panels. But the main effect is temperature.
The panel ratings are based on 1 kw of energy from the sun per square meter and at a panel temperature of 25 C. Panel temperatures in summer can go to in excess of 50C or even 75C. Panel efficiency drops by .25% for thin film and by .5% for crystalline cells per 1 C rise in temperature.
The tilt of the panels to the sun does not have too much effect on performance unless it's significantly off. That is why many install panels on a roof at a fixed angle (usually close to the latitude in degrees from horizontal).
Small areas of shade on the panel can also have a huge effect, but has not been a factor with my system.
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1007 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 12:47 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by jd22
d5100
I was going to recommend a battery grip and superlight AA Lithium batteries but Nikon doesn't make AA battery grips for the D5100. Should have bought a Canon  . Yeah, I went there. I guess learning to choose Canon over Nikon is something that comes with age and experience Jon 
Bazinga!
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Edited by - leimrod on 07/11/2012 1:50 PM |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 2:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by leimrod
quote:
Originally posted by jd22
d5100
I was going to recommend a battery grip and superlight AA Lithium batteries but Nikon doesn't make AA battery grips for the D5100. Should have bought a Canon . Yeah, I went there. I guess learning to choose Canon over Nikon is something that comes with age and experience Jon
Bazinga!
Lol, damn you.
In any case, I have seen some third party AA battery grips for the d5100, or the d3100 with a slight filing down of a plastic nub fits the d5100. However, I may just have to curtail my star trail shots for the summer to < 1 hour. Sad sad. |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6907 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 6:52 PM
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My Sony DSLR batteries weigh 78gr each and are good for well over 700 shots. OEM 1650 mAh batteries are $99.00 but I get 2000's off ebay for 15.00 each with shipping included and are as good as the OEM's. I carry 5 or 6 extra's on a week long trip and find that more than adequate.
Sony DSLR's have battery power displayed to the exact percentage point of power that's left.
Boo-yeah! |
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Topic |
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Portable (light) solar panels?
