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Subject Topic: Solar charger for games consoles, mobiles Post Reply Post New Topic
08/7/2012 at 7:24pm
 Location: midlands
 Outfit: Royal Toulous 9 Vango Icarus 6 5m bell
View kate08's Profile View Profile   Reply to kate08 Reply   Quote kate08 Quote  
Joined: 29/7/2009

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Hi - I've had a read of a few topics on here about solar chargers but wondered if I could get a bit more advice.

There seem to be quite a few solar chargers on the market that can charge mobiles, ds's, psps etc. We don't use ehu and the kids have usually flattened the battery in their DSs on the way to campsite so it can lead to fractious kiddies on the way back... I'd like a solar charger then, but prices seem to vary wildly, and do not always match up to the reviewers ideas of the quality of the charger.

So if anyone can recommend a good one, that works for UK level of sunshine, or tell me one to avoid, I'd be grateful!

We do have a car charger, but my sense of direction is useless so the Satnav is always plugged in there when we go anywhere!

Thanks



08/7/2012 at 11:10pm
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View Alfie1966's Profile View Profile   Reply to Alfie1966 Reply   Quote Alfie1966 Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2012

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Have a look at the Power traveller site. I have the Power Gorilla and it really does the job - can give up to 20hrs on mobiles and hand held games. I bought mine from Here as it was the cheapest.
I was planning to get the Solar Gorilla this year, but seemed a bit pointless with the cruddy weather we've been having. This is one of the major problems with using anything solar in the northern hemisphere in general. We seem to be one of the worse in terms of sun hours and that's the reason I went for the Power Gorilla rather than relying on a solar charger.

Do your reaserch thouroughly and check out YouTube for some helpful reviews.

Alfie




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In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~ John Muir


08/7/2012 at 11:34pm
 Location: Leeds
 Outfit: Vango Icarus 500
View nic0's Profile View Profile   Reply to nic0 Reply   Quote nic0 Quote  
Joined: 24/6/2012

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why not get a 4-way multiplug for the car? You can get them in the pound shop (I got one couple of years ago because my nephew wanted to charge DS whilst I used the sat nav).

Bought another last month (similar to below) that also had USB charge socket.



09/7/2012 at 8:17am
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
View birder99's Profile View Profile   Reply to birder99 Reply   Quote birder99 Quote  
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I have a similar adapter to the one Nico shows above. So long as you are aware of the maximum loads you should have no problems. Mine has a total max load of 5A with a max of 4A of the sockets and 500mA off each of the USB connectors. I think mine came from Lidl a couple of years ago. Another option could be to use something like an old TP2 off ebay with a cheap battery. Simply plug in to the mains to recharge or charge when driving from a split charge circuit. Most sites will have battery charging facilities if you ask.

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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'


09/7/2012 at 8:25am
 Location: Malvern Hills
 Outfit: OLPRO Cocoon 4
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The Power Gorilla is fantastic.  If it's just for an IPhone then : http://www.outdoorrascals.com/PWRCell-Mini-p/as001.htm but I'd recommend the Power Gorilla.  Also used the Freeloader alot but didn't find it very effective.


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12/7/2012 at 8:47pm
 Location: midlands
 Outfit: Royal Toulous 9 Vango Icarus 6 5m bell
View kate08's Profile View Profile   Reply to kate08 Reply   Quote kate08 Quote  
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Brilliant advice, many thanks


12/7/2012 at 10:21pm
 Location: Portsmouth
 Outfit: Outwell Vermont XLP 2012
View CampingKales's Profile View Profile   Reply to CampingKales Reply   Quote CampingKales Quote  
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Don't you need sun for solar chargers? 17

But despite my reservations about the use of solar chargers at the moment, some good advice for when summer finally arrives!! Thank you ... we too have a plethera of electronic devices that seem to be attached to our children at times! ...and whilst I wouldn't mind them running out of charge, life will be more peaceful if they don't!!



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The Kale Family Campers

Test 1st camp - June, Witterings
August - 1 week in 'sunny' Croyde at Ruda
August - bank holiday weekend, Boarhunt, Hampshire


13/7/2012 at 7:14am
 Location: midlands
 Outfit: Royal Toulous 9 Vango Icarus 6 5m bell
View kate08's Profile View Profile   Reply to kate08 Reply   Quote kate08 Quote  
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So, I've ordered one of the multiplug thingies for the car, thanks nic0.
Next question - birder99, what is a tp2 and could you explain a bit more about how I might use one?


13/7/2012 at 11:06am
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
View birder99's Profile View Profile   Reply to birder99 Reply   Quote birder99 Quote  
Joined: 24/9/2010

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A TP2 is what caravans used to use before integrated battery lockers were used. It is essentially a big plastic battery box with a build in charger that is easy to carry (subject to weight of battery!) In my younger days we had a split charger socket in the boot of the car and my dad had some sort of plug arrangement so that we simply placed the TP2 in the boot, secured the straps to stop it moving and plugged it into the split charger socket. The other advantage is you can easily charge it from any 240V socket using the built in charger. They are often on ebay for under £30.

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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'



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