folding solar panels

[bigvince]

I'm getting serious about my go bag. Can anyone recommend folding solar panels that can be used to charge 12 volts? Like phones, small laptops, etc? Thanks.

[New World Explorer]

Check eBay ...online reviews etc...

Australian eBay offers these babies... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300000mAh-Solar-Panel-External-Battery-Charger-Power-Bank-For-Phone-Tablets-AU/273248605991?hash=item3f9ee2d727:g:6uEAAOSwmUFb~8Jm

[bigvince]

Thanks, Greg. I've seen a lot of similar products on Amazon. I'd prefer something folding that takes up as little room as possible.

[New World Explorer]

1 minute ago, bigvince said:

that takes up as little room as possible.

Then (perhaps?) you loose capacity...smaller one could be useful just for phones, but you have mentioned laptop.

Don't know ..I have to research the subject bit more.

[bigvince]

Thanks. I’m researching as well. 

[New World Explorer]

Foldable... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300000mAh-Solar-Panel-External-Battery-Charger-Power-Bank-For-Phone-Tablets-AU/192124804934?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D26e83186eab9494f912970599e060951%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D273248605991%26itm%3D192124804934&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Vince, 

 

I am also working on my GoBag, trying to improve it.

I had done some research on "solar chargers" and this 1 has the best reviews by some experts who have tested a variety of them. This 1 is a little more expensive ($65) but has more power than most, 28watts, works with Apple/Android, waterproof, and folds up nicely. There is also a 5% coupon on Amazon so this reduces the price a little.  Let me know what you think? Here is the link:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXWCPLC?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAATt6

 

Edited January 5, 2019 by Beggar for the Spirit

[bigvince]

3 minutes ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

Hi Vince, 

 

I am also working on my GoBag, trying to improve it.

I had done some research on "solar chargers" and this 1 has the best reviews by some experts who have tested a variety of them. This 1 is a little more expensive ($65) but has more power than most, 28watts, works with Apple/Android, waterproof, and folds up nicely. There is also a 5% coupon on Amazon so this reduces the price a little.  Let me know what you think? Here is the link:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXWCPLC?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAATt6

 

Looks great, good reviews, but no storage battery sounds like an issue. I'll let you know what I figure out. Rather than using waterproof matches, I used cotton balls and vaseline to create a firestarter kit. Got emergency whistles and many of the other things. Lacking only a few items now.

[bigvince]

33 minutes ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

Hi Vince, 

 

I am also working on my GoBag, trying to improve it.

I had done some research on "solar chargers" and this 1 has the best reviews by some experts who have tested a variety of them. This 1 is a little more expensive ($65) but has more power than most, 28watts, works with Apple/Android, waterproof, and folds up nicely. There is also a 5% coupon on Amazon so this reduces the price a little.  Let me know what you think? Here is the link:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXWCPLC?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAATt6

 

So, I bought this one. It may not have a battery for storing power, but it an charge a power bank which will store power.

Edited January 5, 2019 by bigvince

[New World Explorer]

3 minutes ago, bigvince said:

So, I bought this one. It may not have a battery for storing power, but it an charge a power bank which will store power.

It's huge

Have you seen pictures?

[bigvince]

Folded it's smaller than a sheet of paper: 11.1 × 6.3× 1.3in, unfolded, it is pretty big, but in a situation where I'd need this, saving space won't be the concern.

[Jeanie]

2 hours ago, bigvince said:

Looks great, good reviews, but no storage battery sounds like an issue. I'll let you know what I figure out. Rather than using waterproof matches, I used cotton balls and vaseline to create a firestarter kit. Got emergency whistles and many of the other things. Lacking only a few items now.

Can you tell me about the cotton balls and vaseline for the fire starter kit?  I have been revamping ours and I think I am going a little crazy on it.  I used cotton balls and matches and placed in straws, sealed the ends so that they are waterproof, but didn't use vaseline.  Any advice is appreciated.  I know it is probably extreme, but you never know how fast the waters could flood areas.  

[New World Explorer]

2 hours ago, bigvince said:

Folded it's smaller than a sheet of paper: 11.1 × 6.3× 1.3in, unfolded, it is pretty big, but in a situation where I'd need this, saving space won't be the concern.

I think you can power Millennium Falcon with it LOL 

[bigvince]

18 hours ago, Jeanie said:

Can you tell me about the cotton balls and vaseline for the fire starter kit?  I have been revamping ours and I think I am going a little crazy on it.  I used cotton balls and matches and placed in straws, sealed the ends so that they are waterproof, but didn't use vaseline.  Any advice is appreciated.  I know it is probably extreme, but you never know how fast the waters could flood areas.  

Check this out: https://survivallife.com/diy-fire-starter-cotton-ball/

[Jeanie]

4 hours ago, bigvince said:

Check this out: https://survivallife.com/diy-fire-starter-cotton-ball/

VIncent!  Thanks so much for that.  I actually had no clue that vaseline would help it burn a little longer.  I appreciate the tip.  How do you store yours?  I got my idea off of Pinterest and used a large straw cut into sections and placed materials inside and then sealed the ends.  Is there a better way?

[Meditate!]

On 1/5/2019 at 4:28 AM, Jeanie said:

Can you tell me about the cotton balls and vaseline for the fire starter kit?  I have been revamping ours and I think I am going a little crazy on it.  I used cotton balls and matches and placed in straws, sealed the ends so that they are waterproof, but didn't use vaseline.  Any advice is appreciated.  I know it is probably extreme, but you never know how fast the waters could flood areas.  

I'll check out bigvince's link.. looks interesting:  but as a spark generator i bought something like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGNESIUM-FIRE-STARTER-emergency-fire-steel-camping-bushcraft-survival-striker/361651499168?hash=item54341bf0a0:g:nd8AAOSw~AVYnHU1:rk:7:pf:0

[Old]

 

 

Do you know you can start a fire with an almost dead 9v battery and steel wool. Nextime you change out your smoke alarm stick the terminal end into a wad of steel wool. Poof!

(Likewise don't put your tongue on 9v battery contacts.) 

 

[Jeanie]

5 hours ago, Alan said:

I'll check out bigvince's link.. looks interesting:  but as a spark generator i bought something like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGNESIUM-FIRE-STARTER-emergency-fire-steel-camping-bushcraft-survival-striker/361651499168?hash=item54341bf0a0:g:nd8AAOSw~AVYnHU1:rk:7:pf:0

Thanks Alan.  I had to find one in the US but I was able to find one from Amazon.  Thanks for the advice!