I'm in the market now to start going solar with a few things. Before I get into the details, I just want to remind myself that survival doesn't need electricity other than my brain activity. Batteries fail, generators run out of gas, so on and so forth. I'm just trying to stay somewhat powered for awhile when the lights go out. There's a lot of posts and topics on the issue. So let me dig in.

I recently got a Solio Classic 2 for the cell phone. It has a USB (~5V) output. What are some more ways, besides a cell phone charger, I can use this little guy? I'm thinking low power applications like powering a flashlight or a radio receiver. Any thoughts (or schematics ) for wiring something like that up?

Next application would be my comms. I'm a ham operator so I love to still be able to talk when the cell towers die. This came in handy twice so far (#1 Virginia earthquake, #2 Hurricane Sandy). I was able to call for help for others and myself if I needed to and stay in the know by using my vehicle radio and handheld. Now, this is where I want to get comms-wise. I would like to solar power a QRP (low power) station. Here's the catch: man-portable and 5 watts out. I found a great transceiver. The MantiZ FX-2 looks to be the station of choice. It's two band and has close to the power out I want. I'm sold but now I want to power it. It takes 9 to 13.8 volts. I immediately think car battery when I see the 13.8 but car batteries aren't man packable. The little square 9 volts wouldn't have the amps to allow full power operation and would probably last 5 mins at the most. I also thought about using my 12v drill batteries to power it. I think they would but can I solar charge those? And what would the setup look like? Other than that, I've looked at 12v sealed lead-acid batteries that are small enough to be carried in a pouch or backpack and seem like they would do the trick also. I'm almost 100% sure they can be recharged with a panel. I'm just new to the solar arena and need some good info. What panel wattage/voltage to what amp/hour? How do all these terms relate?

2nd comms plan is to take my IC-7000 all-mode "mobile" radio with 100w out and put it in a pelican case with a motorcycle or car battery. I know car batteries can be trickle charged so that solves that problem. This obviously isn't a man-packable solution, more of a bug-out vehicle solution. I feel more comfortable knowing how to setup the IC-7000 with the car battery and trickle charger than I do with the smaller QRP station since I know the IC-7000 is a mobile radio (even though right now, it's my base station). This probably sounds dumb but hey, better to ask and find out than to not and be in the dark. The man-packable batteries and chargers just baffle me. I don't know what to match up.

Solar charging regulators? Are they a must?

In review, the Solio Charger charges the iPhone twice over and works great. Fully charging it, using the panels, takes about a whole day of good sun.

Anybody have any experience with the solar AA battery chargers? That's probably the solar solution to the flashlights and radio receiver previously mentioned. Thanks for any input. It's greatly appreciated. I'll take pics and post once I finish with the QRP setup. ... -.-

.--. ... I've read posts about wiring up a house for solar and going completely off the grid right now. Message received and thanks for all the great info. I'm drooling. That's just a dream right now as I'm still an apartment dweller.

Two options come to mind immediately: A USB reading light would give you a little bit of light and a very long runtime. Another option would be a flashlight that recharges via USB. I backed the Hexbright on Kickstarter and I'll write a review here once I get it.



I charge the HTs regularly. My primary HT is a Kenwood TH-F6A, and I have two of the 4000 mAh aftermarket batteries for it. One of those, fully charged, gives me a great deal of operating time.



That looks very cool. I don't know Morse, so I'd need to power something capable of PSK31 as well.

Yaesu has the FT-817ND, which is an all-in one solution for man-portable QRP, and comes with a battery pack. At 9.6V and 1400mAH, it's clear that you don't need a hulking big car battery to operate. Perhaps you should look for something in that capacity range?

this is a repost of my AA powered equipment, but you may get some ideas... the AC to USB charger (right side) works pretty well with the Guide 10 pack of Sanyo Eneloop 1600mAh cells.. it is 850mA and a 1A is available...the Guide 10 pack charges with a USBmini in from any source and is regular USB out



this is the rest of the AA charging options... the SCH 808F controller charger is 12vdc and 120vac... I use the 12v female battery tap to power my digital portable TV and 12v fans if necessary...

A Solar Battery with Solar Charge Regulator

A Lightweight Folding solar Panel (30W)

Total weight for both is around 10 lb and may be a solution for both Comms plans. The battery should have the ability to power your IC-7000 & 100W transmitter for about 2 hrs before being recharged using the solar panel, which would take around 12 hrs in good sunny weather.

Those Solio Classic 2 are fairly new. The first version were very poor workmanship and the solar capabilities were far from what claimed. Perhaps this version is better?

Are you planning to use this solar charge at home or in a BOB where you might be on foot? If on foot, finding 10 hours to charge the battery and under idea sunlight conditions would be difficult. This would be okay if you were stationary and could remember to turn the device into the sun every couple of hours.

In regards to the SLA batteries, I have a 12 volt 5Ah battery. These type batteries are good for light duty recharging such as for flashlights, phones etc but need some care so that they are neither over or undercharged. Also their weight does not lend themselves to be carrying in a backpack and when on foot. Also keep in mind that at some point, this battery will also need to be recharged and a Solio type charger is not enough.

If you are looking to learn more about batteries, solar panels etc, I have found these 2 websites to be invaluable with my research.

Batterystuff.com

Battery University

Thanks Les, chaos, AFLM and teslin. Great information. I appreciate the pics and links. Will definitely be referring back to this post as I accumulate my gear and as it comes to fruition.

Les, the GoalZero Guide 10, I believe that's what's in the pic, I looked it up. It seems legit for charging batteries. I may have to add that to my solar array for that reason. I also see the Nomad 7 panel. I have a few questions about that. The 12v outlet is what interests me. Am I wrong in guessing it could trickle charge a car battery? Would it take forever (> 1-2 days) if it had the ability?

I like the portability of the Nomad 7 (handled one at REI). How long does it take to charge the double A's?

The QRP station...Here's what I've virtually assembled so far to power it. Station specs: 9-13.8v, unknown amperage but it does send almost 5 watts to the antenna.

Solar Panel: Nature Power 18 watt (may change to Nomad 7 if it can charge the SLA's below)
Charge Controller: Sunforce 60120
Battery (x2): 12v 7ah

I don't want the station to take up a whole backpack. Let's try to get it into a backpack compartment or a BOB compartment. I also may be thinking wishfully with having 2 of the SLA batteries. I'll probably have to trim back to one. Advice? Experience? All welcome.

As a matter of fact, I wonder since the Nomad has a DC out, could I use it to charge, not only the AA powerpack but also the SLA's I linked to. That would be awesome. I'm going to go read Teslin's links. AFLM, awesome product. I will bookmark for when it comes time to Pelicanize the IC-7000. Thank you.

.--. .../For anybody else in the QRP radio market, check out these CW paddles.

I have a Goal Zero package-Guide 10 + and the Nomad 7 panel. So far, I have just tinkered with them, but I have been able to fully charge Eneloop AA, taking about five hours for fully depleted batteries. I think it will e a useful means of providing power for flashlights, GPS,, cell phones, and the like. I probably won't take it backpacking. It would be much lighter to simply carry an appropriate number of lithium AAs.

But when the Big One discombobulates my home sweet home, I will pull the GZ out of the wreckage and acquire some electrons. The specter of extensive earthquake damage also dissuades me from erecting a large solar panel....

For much the same reason, I am jaundiced about generators. the stockpiled fuel necessary to run them is likely to become just another ignition point for the fires that so often accompany major earthquakes.....

Neither the Goal Zero Guide 10 nor the Nomad 7 panel will charge a car battery. These devices put out less then 1 amp which is not enough to hold a car battery at a steady voltage, let alone charge the battery.

as Teslinhiker points out, if the panel puts out the advertised 7 Watts.... divide by 12v and you get about .6A or 600mA...it would probably work as a float charger, but wouldn't be that practical for a 12v auto bank... you might take a look at the Powerfilm line for a flexible higher output panel

http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/portable-remote

Those Powerfilm's are expensive once you get up into the higher wattage outputs...

Thinking about this more, if the OP is looking for something to use in case the car battery discharges, he is better off looking for a battery jump pack. These are reasonable in price and like the jump pack like I have, it is multi-functional as it has 12 volt accessory power and USB outlets. The caveat is that they are too big for a backpack if one were to head out on foot, but these jump packs really serves a better overall purpose not only in a vehicle but also at home.

Most of what you want to do is not difficult. if you have a general or better license, it is all within your skill range. You just need the details. However I am wondering about your initial assumptions.

I have done a lot of disaster work, Katrina and more. The first question is who do you want to talk to and why? During most disasters, the HF bands are like a major contest or field day. I would not want my only comms to be 40/30m QRP. Especially CW only. Unless you have a specific comm plan that will work under those conditions.

This is especially true if you intend to back-pack the rig. Space and weight will be very precious. I have thought about this for several years and tried various options. What I want is a good general coverage receiver and a good commercial/ham vhf/uhf HT rig with assorted accessories. Actually I carry two dual bands. I won't go into details about my choice, just playing the devils advocate here. I also have a FT-857d in a box, but that is another story.

But that is me. You obviously have other needs. I am curious as to how you intend to use the radio you mentioned. Neat rig though, and I would love to play with it. However is just does not seem to me to be appropriate for the intended use.

Oh, all my Ht's are USB charged. I have been living off the grid for more than 15 years now so we can talk about that later.

Not trying to be picky... just curious about your intent.

Nomad

Forgot to add a link to hfpack. It is THE source for manpack radio. Mostly green (military) but also a huge and very knowledgeable group of QRP and hi tech battery folks.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hfpack/join

Nomad

You could reduce the weight and size of the SLA battery buy building your own Lithium Ion Battery from individual cells such as these Genuine 18650 Panasonics.

Just place 4 cells into a battery holder to get a voltage between 16.8V (fully charged) to around 12V when depleted.

Just use a DC-DC regulator (adjusted with 12v output) and a 18650 Battery Holder /box/switch/fuse/lead out with the appropriate connector to the QPR station. You could even add LED Voltage Metering to measure the battery status before the DC-DC regulation stage or even after with a simple switch!


This would give you around 48Whrs or around 8 hrs (93% effiency with the DC-DC regulation) use before recharging the batteries in a conventional 4 station charger like the Nitecore Intellichager i4 (which itself will take a 12V Auto line in and also has NiMh AA/AAA charging capabilities)

You could do the same with 4 18650 LiFePo4 cells instead without the DC regulator as the maximum/minimum voltage out would vary between 13V and 11.5 Volts. But you would only get a realistic 3-4 hrs use for a slightly heavier battery.

Additional Individual cells could also be carried in spare battery cases and could even be used in other devices such as flashlights etc.