Do those portable solar chargers really work

A

A3@MBB

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The SO is going on a 5 day hiking trip next year and looking at those small portable solar chargers, some with integrated battery pack.
I'm skeptical to say the least.
On some you do actually get some specs, but @ 500mA you will be charging a modern cellphone for hours on end.

Have you used one before? How was your experience and can you trully recommend me a product that will work for at least untill after the hiking trip in April 2023.
 
20000 mah battery pack should be more than enough to get through the 5 days..
 
WAslayer said:
20000 mah battery pack should be more than enough to get through the 5 days..
Click to expand...
Every kg counts in this instance, so lugging a 900g battery along on the trip is not ideal.
But then again, you are sure you will be covered.
 
A3@MBB said:
Every kg counts in this instance, so lugging a 900g battery along on the trip is not ideal.
But then again, you are sure you will be covered.
Click to expand...
At the same time, space is also limited.. the solar panels are going to take up quite a bit more space vs a battery bank..

Do you add a little extra weight and gain/save some space and get guaranteed capacity or do you lose some weight and space for what could be a painfully slow charging experience or barely work at all should there be a cloudy sky one or more days..
 
Do they really need to be in contact 24/7?
If they switch off the phone and only puts it on for 30min in the morning, lunchtime and night it will easily last. Maybe a small battery pack just in case. Chances are there won't be signal everywhere anyways.
 
Last edited:
Yes, all valid points and I agree with them all.
Just need the backing of the experts here to substantiate my case to the SO.
 
I had the Ecoboxx- bought from Takealot.

It didn't really work well.

Would take forever to charge anything, even a cellphone and stopped working after about 5 attempts.

Returned it.
 
A3@MBB said:
Every kg counts in this instance, so lugging a 900g battery along on the trip is not ideal.
But then again, you are sure you will be covered.
Click to expand...
If she loses 900g of body mass before the hike starts, the problem is solved.

Then again, this could make her more desirable to male hikers ... and they would then offer to carry her battery bank on her behalf.

Either way, she will be covered ...
 
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