What to use to charge batteries when electricity is not available? (Kayaking/Camping)

[abby1]

I'm a little freaked out because our buddy just invited us to go on a 2 day kayaking trip. I don't want to say no, but I'm thinking about it because I'm only 34 days in and haven't left my house for more than a couple hours at a time. This last week, I have been super bugging for a cigarette. Running to the grocery store, I have my regular set up (Sid & Pro tank II,) and bring my spinner as a back up, with a back up tank...filled with juice...and an extra coil. Oh, and I have a spare charger for the car for the spinner. I'm paranoid that something will happen and I'll be stranded. Anxiety - huge - anxiety over the thought. I like my Smok Sid better than the spinner, but how do I charge a 18650 without electricity? Do I just bring a ton of charged batteries? How do I store them so the humidity doesn't affect them? I'm not worried about flipping my kayak. I can do water proofing. But these are batteries and I'm sure moisture from humidity will not be good. Please...ideas, suggestions!
Thanks!!

 

[amoret]

I'm not sure about what would work for the 18650s (though I know that they make such things as battery cases. For anything USB there are a lot of solar chargers designed for cell phones that would work. Or buy an MVP and be set for two days with nothing to worry about.

 

[abby1]

I'm not sure about what would work for the 18650s (though I know that they make such things as battery cases. For anything USB there are a lot of solar chargers designed for cell phones that would work. Or buy an MVP and be set for two days with nothing to worry about.

Thanks for responding. The cell chargers would work for the spinners (I have 2). I've spent so much on stuff already, I want to try to find another solution. But if buying a MVP is the only way to have an outdoor life, then I'll get it.

 

[yzer]

I have used thin film solar panels to charge 12V batteries on my boat for years. Sure beats running a motor at anchor.

A PowerFilm foldable solar panel in the the neighborhood of 15-20W would probably power the 12VDC input of a Nitecore i-4 nicely. Not cheap, though.

F16-1200 20w foldable solar panel - PowerFilm Solar

 

[amoret]

Thanks for responding. The cell chargers would work for the spinners (I have 2). I've spent so much on stuff already, I want to try to find another solution. But if buying a MVP is the only way to have an outdoor life, then I'll get it.

Well, I really was (sort of) joking about the MVP. I would think that if you have two spinners to use that the solar phone chargers would be the best not too expensive option. I did a search on solar charger on Amazon and pulled up dozens. Good to have on hand for power outages anyhow. I'm planning on getting one before blizzard season hits again.

 

[yzer]

Because I use standard 18xxx series replaceable batteries in my APVs I usually don't bother charging batteries for a two-day trip. I just pack along extra batteries. Lot cheaper than solar charging, too.

Here is a solar USB charging system from PowerFilm.

USB + AA Foldable Solar Panel - PowerFilm Solar

PowerFilm products are first rate. They contract to the military.

 

[yzer]

I have 64 watts of thin film panels on my boat. I have used this to charge house power bateries on the boat which have been used to power my Nitecore which charges my Sigelei batts.

 

[twizted]

http://www.madvapes.com/efest-luc-charger.html

Or

http://www.madvapes.com/trustfire-tr-001-lithium-ion-battery-charger-black.html
And
http://www.madvapes.com/car-adapter-for-tr-001-chargers.html

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[crxess]

You did say 2 days and it sounds like you will have your hands full much of the time.
A couple of extra batteries should get you by easily. Just make sure everything is Hot and ready to go when you are.

 

[edyle]

Good chance there will be some way for usb charging, after all, everybody is going to want to charge cellphones.

So then you just need to have something that charges from usb.

 

[danca90]

Go to your local craigs list, type MVP, and buy one.

 

[abby1]

Well, I really was (sort of) joking about the MVP. I would think that if you have two spinners to use that the solar phone chargers would be the best not too expensive option. I did a search on solar charger on Amazon and pulled up dozens. Good to have on hand for power outages anyhow. I'm planning on getting one before blizzard season hits again.

I know you were (sort of) kidding about the MVP. However, I like the Sid because of the VV/VW and it looks like the MVP is both. I'm looking at the solar chargers now. It's a good idea! Thanks!

 

[abby1]

You did say 2 days and it sounds like you will have your hands full much of the time.
A couple of extra batteries should get you by easily. Just make sure everything is Hot and ready to go when you are.

This is definitely another option. bringing several pre-charged 18650's.

 

[Sgt.Rock]

Batteries and Zip Lock bags. If it was me here's what I would do:

Wrap each batt in it's own zip lock bag with the air squoze out...Rubber band each bag

Put those into another ziplock...

Put that bag inside another one.

Overkill? Maybe, but beats being disappointed!

 

[DaveP]

I vote for the extra charged 18650 batteries for a two day trip. Figure on 8 vaping hours per battery. Two should get you through a day. If you are kayaking down a river, you won't be close to the car, so you can't charge using a 12v cable on your charger.

The down side is that if you flip the kayak in the water, make sure your batteries will float. Keep some air in the ziplock that holds the rolled up zip locks with your batteries rubber banded. Put something bright colored inside the bag like flourescent orange or yellow so you can spot it where it ends up after a spill. Either that or find a way to secure the battery bags inside the kayak. There's no downside like watching your batteries go floating down the river and not being able to find them.

 

[crxess]

*Solar Chargers - Great Idea
Ones that will actually get the job done in short order are Huge and expensive

*Solar chargers - Great Idea
Don't work so well without light - Are you Kayaking at night?

Solar chargers are good for emergency, static position use for replenishing non-critical items. - Reserve Batteries

Pedal generators are the most effective portable charging solution. Still, they are bulky to be lugging around on an excursion.

 

[milescadre]

I know my Efest LUC came with a car charger, so I can charge it virtually anywhere with a vehicle. And if youre kayaking, you really wanna have a jump pack on you for emergencies which usually has a 12v socket (for retaining OBD codes)

otherwise I'm not entirely sure if theres any other 18650 charger alternative for on the go

 

[umanbean]

Four fully charged spare 18650s should easily get you through two days (would me anyway). You're gonna be busy paddling most of the day anyway... an occasional "smoke break" on a sandbar, then vaping around the campsite in the evening.

As long as they're double (or triple) bagged against total immersion, I don't see humidity as being a problem.

Good Luck and have a Blast on your trip!

 

[plant]

Easy...

 

[ImThatGuy]

The Award-Winning Wood Burning CampStove | Order Today

XTAR MC1 Charger