Power supply far into the wilderness

For shorter trips, a spare battery may be enough. For longer adventures, however, you need solutions that make you self-sufficient in terms of power. We've tried most things in battery form and even used a portable wind turbine. However, what we have found to be reasonable to use is solar panels combined with a high capacity battery.

We are monitoring developments in this area as there are several exciting solutions coming to the market. Above all, we are interested in lighter equipment as this basic combo weighs almost a kilo together. Developments in the fuel cell area are also interesting as the sun sometimes goes into clouds.

Solar panel

The Solar Blazt feather 20 is a compact and very lightweight solar panel. It delivers plenty of power and is far superior to all the smaller panels sold as mobile accessories. Although it can be rolled up into a small package and weighs only 482 grams, it can easily power a laptop.

To charge batteries for cameras and other batteries, we use a universal charger from Dörr that can handle most charging needs via a standard cig plug.

Battery

The HET POWER 50 battery weighs 470 grams and charges everything from laptops to video cameras and cell phones. The battery has extremely high capacity in relation to its weight and uses modern Li-Polymer technology. Output is 5-19V, 50W, up to 5Amp. The capacity when used for charging, for example, a smartphone via USB is a full 10,000 mAmp, which corresponds to more than 7 charges of the mobile phone.

The battery is charged via the wall socket or in the car before the trip or via solar panel when in the wilderness.