Re: [Philmont]: Solar Chargers

David,

I have built my own chargers using 'raw' cells and the bare minimum backing;
quite light but quite fragile. I am working on one now for my Sony
Cyber-shot. I am hoping the weight of the small panel will off-set the
weight of at leat one spare battery; if it will provide enough charge. Lots
of figurin' to do. Last year I took three batteries on our trek and had just
enough power to take most of the pictures I wanted. I would have taken more
had I had more power.

Dave

2002...ready to go...again...2003
ol' pack mule mr ball mr dave dave
----- Original Message -----
From: <david.delano@cox.net>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 11:50 AM
Subject: [Philmont]: Solar Chargers

> > your eyes? Maybe, but I'm not seeking approval. I'm guesstimating that
> > the GPS, spare batteries, and a solar charger will be about 2 lbs. And
if
>
> This comment caught my attention. I'd like to hear any info you currently
have on using a solar charger. And, if you do take one, I'd be very
interested in seeing a report on your experience.
>
> Jeff Knoll and I looked into using solar chargers last summer. We found
what looked like a decent one. I think the manufacturer is Brunton, and REI
among others carries them. I think they can charge 4 batteries and hold 4
spares. Jeff and I ended up on separate treks and thus couldn't share a
charger. We didn't think the weight was worth it for one person, so neither
of us ended up taking one.
>
> There were two issues that we came up with. One was weight. We were
taking lithium batteries (which weigh less than recargeables) and calculated
that we could take more than enough spares for the weight of the charger.
>
> The second issue was charge time. It took some digging, but I think we
came up with a figure of two days to charge 4 batteries. If you had cloudy
days, add more time. This would be okay as long as everyone didn't start
running out of battery power at the same time.
>
> Anyway, I don't want to discourage anyone from using renewable energy
sources. I am curious to have any experience reports, or to know if anyone
has any better information than what we had last summer.
>
> David DeLano
> Phoenix, AZ
> Troop 5
> Crew 124
>
>
>
>
>
>
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Fri Mar 28 17:59:18 2003