Another excellent vid. +1 As you point out on your web page, adding a small power bank makes the system easier to use. Also excellent recommendation for a panel. This has become the best of the UA-cam backpacking channels.
It's just a rough comparison of the weight of a power bank vs the weight of solar panels. I didn't include the weight of cables in there but if I did, the chart would look the same, the numbers would just be a bit different.
One day to break even feels a bit overoptimistic from my experience. But i charge a powerbank for practical reasons which pushes the break even further back. Also sometimes devices work not well together with solar panels because the power output changes frequently when they are carried on the back.
To charge 1 device with 2 panels, you can use something called a USB A "power enhancer" or "Y adapter". It's not as efficient though as charging 1 device with 1 panel. Yes, I use a thin shockcord/elastic cord to rig up my panels.
If you bring a power bank on a long trip then you'll need some way to recharge it, and if you are completely off-grid then you are out of luck unless you brought a solar panel or hand crank generator or the like. But if you are going for true ultralight backpacking you won't have much, if anything, to charge or power.
This should not be an “or” if you just use the panel all day to charge your power bank you have the best of both worlds with nominal weight trade for the net upgrade.
On paper, adding a power bank to your solar charging system (instead of charging your devices directly with solar) adds a significant amount of weight and loss in efficiency. In reality, a power bank is usually a critical tool on trips that require a lot of power. Having a solar panel is like having a fishing pole. Having a power bank is like having a fish. Fish are heavy.
Another excellent vid. +1
As you point out on your web page, adding a small power bank makes the system easier to use.
Also excellent recommendation for a panel.
This has become the best of the UA-cam backpacking channels.
Wow! What a cool video! Everything is very detailed and without unnecessary information
I was looking for that kind of video, you are the only one on UA-cam that is talking about ultralight solar panels! Thanks!
Great video, appreciate it how efficently and compact the video is
Well done.
Appreciated.
Interesting! Thanks for the video.
Graph at 2:30 is good but doesn't factor in the weight of cables or the power bank you need to carry to be charged by the solar panel.
It's just a rough comparison of the weight of a power bank vs the weight of solar panels. I didn't include the weight of cables in there but if I did, the chart would look the same, the numbers would just be a bit different.
@@Adventure_Logistics No, it will be offset with different breakevens.
@turkeyphant am i missing something? Both the panels and the power bank would need a cable
I didn't say otherwise. I said the chart was wrong.
One day to break even feels a bit overoptimistic from my experience. But i charge a powerbank for practical reasons which pushes the break even further back.
Also sometimes devices work not well together with solar panels because the power output changes frequently when they are carried on the back.
How did you connect and combine the solar panels?
And how did you keep the solar panels from moving around on the pack? Bungee cords?
To charge 1 device with 2 panels, you can use something called a USB A "power enhancer" or "Y adapter". It's not as efficient though as charging 1 device with 1 panel.
Yes, I use a thin shockcord/elastic cord to rig up my panels.
If you bring a power bank on a long trip then you'll need some way to recharge it, and if you are completely off-grid then you are out of luck unless you brought a solar panel or hand crank generator or the like. But if you are going for true ultralight backpacking you won't have much, if anything, to charge or power.
wow, awesome videos :D
This should not be an “or” if you just use the panel all day to charge your power bank you have the best of both worlds with nominal weight trade for the net upgrade.
On paper, adding a power bank to your solar charging system (instead of charging your devices directly with solar) adds a significant amount of weight and loss in efficiency.
In reality, a power bank is usually a critical tool on trips that require a lot of power.
Having a solar panel is like having a fishing pole. Having a power bank is like having a fish. Fish are heavy.
Legend
Dude, were you in Mexico during your intro?
New Mexico
Only a 5 watt setup.
Don't you use a solar panel with a powerbank?
It depends on the trip. In general, using both a power bank and a solar panel will give your power system the most flexibility.