solar power options??

DRUSS

WKR
Joined
Mar 6, 2016
Messages
464
Location
nw oregon
i am planning on trying a solar charging setup of some sort this year. currently don't own any. looking at goal zero nomad panel. was wondering what others have used and what are you guys using for battery storage?? i will be using to charge my phone and headlamp.
thanks
 
Joined
May 4, 2015
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85
I will be pairing a Sun tactics solar panel with a Dark Energy battery. Read really great things about both those products.


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Joined
May 28, 2016
Messages
67
I use a PowerFilm 10w panel and some type of external battery. It has worked wonderfully and reliably over the past 3-4 years.
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
348
I will be pairing a Sun tactics solar panel with a Dark Energy battery. Read really great things about both those products.


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I own a dark energy charger and trust me you'll love it. I have a iPhone 6S+ one of the harder ones far as charging goes (use airplane mode it's faster to charge) but the dark energy charger recharged my iPhone 4 full times before beginning to need recharging itself, note I said beginning, still didn't kill it completely after 4 charges.


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Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
2,814
Location
Littleton, CO
I am thinking of trying the BioLite Solar Panel 5 or 5+. Lower weight than I've seen from other options. Seems to have good reviews from what I've seen. I'm looking for something to bring on a fishing trip up to Canada this fall.
 

blackovis

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
297
Location
Utah
If you can find one in stock, I would go with the new Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus.. They re-did the Nomad to take a lot more abuse, and it's extremely light. For storage, I have the Goal Zero Venture 30: Goal Zero Venture 30 Recharger

It's a bit more pricey, but surprisingly worth it. It takes a beating and you can daisy chain it to other chargers which not a lot of chargers will do.
 

Shraggs

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
1,514
Location
Zeeland, MI
I take a miniature cpap machine hunting so I have to have power. I use two goal zero Sherpa 50s and a nomad 20. Last year I used the nomad 13 cause it was lighter, but it has borderline charge to bring Sherpa 50 up with good conditions. The larger nomad 20 can charge almost twice as fast, so in field conditions probability of a full charge is excellent. Nomad 20 is a pound and a half, the 13 is right a pound. For me having sleep apnea it is worth 8 more oz to insure I can power my cpap.

John
 

mcseal2

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
2,676
I really like the Venture 30. It will charge my I phone 5 several times and it works with my MMX-R flashlight also. I used it last night to run a little USB powered fan in my Megatarp while camping and catfishing when the breeze died and I was ready for sleep. I usually can just charge it off the vehicle and throw it in my pack though for my trips, I have a Nomad 13 to charge it but haven't used it much. The Venture 30 works good keeping the Goal Zero lantern topped off through my camping and fishing trips also.
 

kodiakfly

WKR
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
1,399
Location
Kodiak
Just ordered a Venture 30 kit, not having read this. The numbers are good and the weatherproof rating is what sold me. I'll be using it in two weeks for a three day trip and see how it works.
 
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
16
Location
Utah
I take a miniature cpap machine hunting so I have to have power. I use two goal zero Sherpa 50s and a nomad 20. Last year I used the nomad 13 cause it was lighter, but it has borderline charge to bring Sherpa 50 up with good conditions. The larger nomad 20 can charge almost twice as fast, so in field conditions probability of a full charge is excellent. Nomad 20 is a pound and a half, the 13 is right a pound. For me having sleep apnea it is worth 8 more oz to insure I can power my cpap.

John

Ya, I camp with a CPAP too. If I'm packing light I take a Sherpa 100 and a Nomad 20 panel, if not I take the same panel but a Yeti 150. Both work really well. Here's a video I did on CPAP and solar options: Camping Options: CPAP Machine, Battery and Solar from Goal Zero - YouTube
 
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