Most of us cannot leave home without our smartphone even when we are camping in the desert. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your device charged, even in the middle of nowhere, wind, rain or shine.
A USB battery bank
It does not get much easier than charging a USB battery bank at home before you leave. Then you can recharge your iPhone or Android phone as needed during your entire trip. This is great for short trips, overnight camps, or weekend music festivals.
To make sure you have enough charge before you leave, examine the total battery capacity of your device (measured in milliamp hours, as mAh). You should also consider how often you charge your device, though, it is best if you use it as little as possible to store as much juice as you can.
Let’s use the iPhone 11, which has a 3,110 mAh battery, as an example. To charge it once a night for three nights, you would need about 10,000 mAh. While that may sound like a lot, a charger of that size would easily fit in a backpack or daypack.
Something like the Anchor PowerCore Slim 10000 should do the trick. Just make sure you buy a power bank with fast power supply if you have a compatible device.
If you are looking for a multifunctional USB charger, consider a purpose built camping lantern. These light sources are durable, bright, and often include USB ports for charging your gadgets.
Serious about camping and want to charge the whole family’s appliances en power lights like a laptop when you’re away? If so, you might want to invest in a portable power station, like the EcoFlow River series. These larger units start at 100,000 mAh (at 3.7 V) for about $ 550.
Portable solar panels
If you do not want to rely on a battery pack, you do not have a means of charging, then solar panels may be the answer. However, their efficiency depends on a variety of factors, including, how sunny it is, and the wattage of the photovoltaic panels.
The problem with solar panels is that they are largely dependent on the weather. This is why so many solutions designed for charging smartphones and similar devices use multiple panels. For a truly effective solution for solar charging, you need an array of about three panels to charge your phone within a few hours.
This can be a problem if you do not stay in one place. Many hikers choose to hang solar panels over their backpacks to charge while they hike. Of course, this necessarily affects how much direct sunlight the solar panels receive. To make this work efficiently, you need to position your array so that it lies in front of the sun for as long as you want to charge.
Solar arrays that offer about 25 watts of charge should be sufficient for individual use. Amazon reviews on the Nekteck 28 Watt Portable Solar Panel suggest that it can charge a 10,000 mAh power bank in two days from low to full. Another reviewer saw a 50 percent increase in the charge of a smartphone after two hours in the sun.
For best results, pair your solar panels with a large battery bank. Charge when the sun is shining, and when it is not, you should have enough spare juice in your battery pack for emergencies.
Hand crank chargers
Kinetic chargers are not the same as battery banks as even solar chargers. You will not charge your smartphone from low to full with any of these. These are designed for those last occasions when you need to make a phone call, but you are miles away from a wall plug.
They also have quite a price range, from cheap $ 20 hand crutches, up to $ 400 on people driven people. Some offer a raw power output to the USB device of your choice, while others use the crank to charge a built-in battery, which you then use to charge other devices. If you buy one with a battery, you can simply charge it at home before you need it.
At the cheapest end of the market (about $ 20) you will find chargers like the Aivica USB charger with Radio and flashlight. Most products in this price range offer the same limited feature set. It will take you a long time to make a phone call that will last even a minute.
If you want something more capable, a small 30-watt Hand-Crank Generator will cost you around $ 150- $ 250. The better gearing means charging more efficiently, as you trade revolutions per minute for more resistance. Most chargers in this price range also allow you to control the voltage, and many also include features such as waterproof and an all-metal chassis.
If you want the best possible solution and you are not afraid to work up a sweat, the K-TOR Power Box 50 is a pedal-powered generator that can output 50 watts (at 14 volts, up to 3 amps) . This robust, yet portable solution will set you back around $ 375.
Convert running water into electricity
If you want to impress everyone on the campsite, then the WaterLily Portable Turbine is the charging solution for you. For just $ 200, you can convert flowing water into a river or stream into a USB or 12-volt (auto-adapter) power source that charges 24/7.
You can even use the WaterLily to load up with wind, which is perfect if you are not near a water source campsite. The Canadian manufacturer claims that WaterLily can generate about 15 watts and can charge most small electronics at the same rate as a wall charger.
Unlike the sun, a river is a constant source of energy, regardless of the weather or time of day.
The main downside is that you have to be right next to a river with your device to charge it or use a very long, weatherproof cable. This is why it is probably best to use the WaterLily to charge a USB battery bank, which you can then use to charge smartphones and other devices.
If you are particularly powerful, you can also chain multiple 12-volt WaterLily units to double or triple your power output (etc.).
Use your camping stove
Camping stoves allow you to cook a delicious meal in the middle of nowhere. The BioLite CampStove 2 not only boils, but it also converts waste heat into power that you can then use to charge your smartphone. It generates 3 watts (5 volts) of power and includes a built-in USB battery, which you can use to charge devices or turbocharge the stove.
The CampStove 2 uses sticks, wood scrap, and biofuel pellets as its primary fuel source. A heat probe helps remove waste heat, which is then converted to electricity and stored. The battery pack can then charge smartphones or drive internal fans to improve airflow and increase the intensity of the heater.
The BioLite also includes a USB-powered FlexLight, so you can watch at night for cooking. The battery only holds about 2,600 mAh. However, if you cook multiple times a day, it should be enough to keep most smartphones alive with minimal use.
Because biomass is the primary fuel source, the BioLite is a one-piece cooking and charging device. As long as you can light a fire, you can boil water for drinking, baking something and making a phone call.
Use your car
If you are not walking in the desert or camping miles away from your car, you may want to use it as a power source. As long as you have enough fuel, you can run the engine for a short time to charge a phone battery or charge additional devices.
Most modern cars have USB ports that supply at least 5 volts over 1 amp, which is enough to charge your smartphone (slowly). If your car is older, or you have USB ports out, you can also convert a 12-volt cigarette lighter into a charger with an adapter. The Anchor PowerDrive PD 2 will give you a two-port USB charger for about $ 20.
Because this 12 volt adapter consumes much more power (up to 18 watts), it can charge your smartphone much faster. Just do not let the ignition run too long, or you may end up with a dead battery when it’s time to go home.
Stay connected wherever you are
Although camping is about getting away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, most of us cannot completely eliminate it. Limiting the time you spend on your smartphone lets you turn off your mind and conserve the device’s battery.
Has it been a while since you camped? Brush the essential gear you need before you leave.
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