Solar Chargers

[SurvivorMcGyver]

Anyone got any Ideas on using portable, light weight solar chargers?

I'm in the "woods" alot and do a considerable amount of packbacking and camping and would like to know If can carry on with my vaping while enjoying the great outdoors!

It's has always been nice to pause for a good vape now and then

 

[Mountain Dude]

By the time you get all the gear together, considering the weight and expense (solar cells, charge controller, battery, etc.) you might have just got a Chuck in the first place. Chuck + extra battery or two = a week or more without need for power.

 

[rannox]

There is a video of a guy that made a solar cell phone charger.

Take some solar panels out of old outdoor patio lights, get enough to measure 5v, and connect it to a usb charger.

I dont think it would be that difficult or far fetched.

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

By the time you get all the gear together, considering the weight and expense (solar cells, charge controller, battery, etc.) you might have just got a Chuck in the first place. Chuck + extra battery or two = a week or more without need for power.

Got an Xhaler My friend and plenty of batteries -- not sure they'd last me a month in the bush though. Being the old Boy Scout that I am, and living by what I've learned -- Be prepared -- I'm going for a back-up - the lightest possible set-up (overall) that I can put together.....

Thanks for the recomendation tho.

There is a video of a guy that made a solar cell phone charger.

Take some solar panels out of old outdoor patio lights, get enough to measure 5v, and connect it to a usb charger.

I dont think it would be that difficult or far fetched.

That's pretty much what I was thinking -- there are quite a few Solar Chargers on the open market for I pods and cell phones and other things charged by USB. Seems they take about 10-14 hrs to charge one up -- Could be some that do better {back to googling}

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

Perhaps this would work

Brunton Explorer™ Foldable Solar Panel

Good enough for a passthrough?

Along with this perhaps - http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=603

 

[Dave Rickey]

DX and Amazon have a lot of solar-power USB charger backups with built-in battery storage. DX is going to be a lot cheaper, Amazon a lot faster. Most of them probably couldn't manage the amperage for a direct-drive passthrough, but a battery passthrough or modding them so you could tap the lithium battery inside directly would fill your needs.

--Dave

 

[jxmiller]

If you are in the woods how are you going to get light?

In any case, I am in the process of making a complete borosilicate mod (glass) and thought about placing on the side a magnifying glass that has a perfect focal point on the atomizer coil. That way batteries are optional if you are in the sun. Sun is good.

I am now going to post that idea with details in another thread.

 

[TnA]

SurvivorMcGyver, not sure what model e-cig you are using, but there is a solar power option for the 510. I do not have my hands on one but the manufacturer has been offering it for the past month plus, so some other vendor may already be offering them. As I understand it, it is a solar panel that charges a pcc (all in a single package). What I don't know for fact is if the PCC is wired specifically for the 510 or if it has a usb charge port (which is what I suspect)

So, to answer your question succinctly, yes it can be done. However, you can also buy it instead of making it.

 

[ThaLadyD]

I have a 2000mah solar charger with two USB outputs on it. You can choose from 4.9v, 5.2v, 7.2v, and 9v.
So far, I only use it to charge my pcc, internet tablet, and cell if I'm out for a weekend or something.

It takes 8 hours to charge in the sun, but it's better than nothing if your camping! Also, it'll charge from a wall or car and can be used just as a battery pack. Got it on Ebay for 50 bucks!

 

[virtuetovice]

Here's the cheapest one I could find...

Multi Purpose Portable Solar Charger Phone/Mp3/Mp4/iPod - eBay (item 250539908907 end time Dec-29-09 22:46:03 PST)


*General-purpose solar power quick charge
*Automatically start charging when under sunlight
*Also be charged with USB
*Portable & energy-saving
*Solar panel: 5.5v, 80mA
*High capacity build in polymer battery: 1350mAh
*Output voltage: 5.5V
*Output current: 500-1000mA
*Estimate Charging time when under sunlight : 10-15 hrs
*When under USB : 5 hrs
*Compatible with Digital camera, MP3/MP4, PDA, Cell phone
*Color : Blue, Pink, Sliver, Black
*Size: 94 X 44 x 11mm

The charge time under sunlight is pretty long, but our e cigs aren't too power hungry. As long as it's fully charged when you embark on whatever adventure, it shouldn't take but 3 or 4 hours to top off what the e cig would eat in a day...

 

[KayleePup]

Ok, since I really want to know....I am going to resurrect this thread.

My boyfriend is planning a backpacking trip. We have 510 and eGo batteries. We have pcc for the 510 and of course our USB chargers and 5v PT. What do I look for in a solar USB charger for him to take to make sure to have enough battery power for about a week?

Should I be looking for the 5v output?

TIA
KayleePup

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

Yikes.... that's a hard claim to fame for anyone right now without a lot of added weight (mostly spare batteries) Best bet is to bring the batteries not knowing if the the sun will shine on him and his cell -- that could be a bad thing on a long trek ya know .

I have yet to find one that will keep up with my vape demand and is portable.

Perhaps someone has found a solution -- perhaps a small crank charger??

Bumped for a cause.............

 

[duby]

Apparently I'm a sucker for thread necromancers.

So Cottonpickers over on CPF assembles custom solar panels and USB Li-ion chargers.

FS: Solar Powered & USB Chargers -2 panels added - CPFMarketPlace

They are intended for 14500 to 18650 batteries (Mod bats). The usb output should be fine for a PCC or USB 510 charger. You'll have to use your 510 chargers as his chargers are for button cells.
Each panel he sells has listed outputs and stats.
Size is of course going to be an issue.
You'll need to weigh the amount he vapes vs size, space, viable sunlight, etc.
You should be able to velcro a panel to the top of a back pack with ease, this will at least allow for charging as he hikes.
I just checked, he's out of stock on chargers, but has panels. All you'll need is the panel. Send him an email and check the pricing on panels alone.

As always, solar charging batteries is tricky. Smaller panels have issues when not in direct light. My suggestion is to get as large of a panel as you can travel with.

 

[KayleePup]

Thanks for the info. We will definately take a look at it. Sun should not be much of an issue as they are planning on hiking in the Gila wilderness in New Mexico. We usually have full sun.

KayleePup

 

[LowThudd]

Rebelvapor.com has a solar 510 kit, which can charge batts, as well as run the included sit and go PT. They have the best price at $40. Shipping is fairly quick, but not superb.

 

[KayleePup]

Thanks LowThudd! I think that is what we are looking for. Definately a price worth looking at. Can't hurt to order at that rate.

I knew someone out there had to have one.

KayleePup

 

[capecodjim]

Try the 2 i 1 Crank flashlight / vape mod!! It's even more portable than solar!! You can vape all night long too!! The higher nicotine your mix, the faster you'll charge this baby!!

SurvivorMcGyver... the flashlight still works after the mod too, it's a real survival tool!! Unscrew the atty and you have it in stealth mode!