Portable / Solar power for plane camping

DigitalpilotnmDigitalpilotnm
in General Discussion

Hi,

I am going to attend OSH this year its been 20 years since I've been there :(

Flying an Aztec with a couple of students, plan to camp in the N/S 40

Was thinking that a portable power back that uses solar would be good to keep devices charged, etc

What is the groups wisdom / thoughts / recommended product(s), etc ?? Would also apply for when I go back country and camp with one of the planes.


Thank you

Comments

  • jacobsjajacobsja

    This comes down to a requirements question, so will leave the sizing aspect out. There are also far too many options for actual solutions ranging from DIY to commercial, so will leave these out of the thoughts as well. No matter what the solution, just make sure there is a feature which will prevent shorting of the battery leads when the system is not in use.

    For energy storage, my go-to is LIFePo4 as it is the least likely chemistry to go thermal runaway. BMS is a must for any solution though.

    If this project is just for charging mobile devices, might consider seeking out a used power pack that has a lead acid battery (the kind that somebody might use to jump start their car) and swapping the lead acid battery for a LIFePo4 of the same size. I have actually gone this route and it is working rather well. If charging the power pack from something other than solar with a charge controller, make sure to get a charger which is able to use a profile for lithium batteries.

    At the risk of insulting, reminder that the solar panel's charge capacity rating dependent on optimal position and 100% sunlight. So, downward adjust the expected numbers accordingly. Related, might also need a charge controller.

    When doing the math of sizing for the battery capacity and solar array's wattage, reminder that the system will have some losses in it (ie: converting from 12v to other voltages, or converting from DC to AC), so factor these numbers into the requirements.


    Another path, or possibly a parallel path, is getting a few small power banks which are specifically for mobile devices. Here is an example:

    https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Power-Charger-Flashlight-Splashproof/dp/B07FDXDB3W/

    There are two common downsides to the power bank path. Storage battery is something other than LIFePo4 (read: higher risk of thermal runaway) and the solar array (commonly) only charges the storage battery to 50% SoC. The only way to get the storage battery to full SoC is via an external USB charger (which kind-of defeats the utility).


    There are also backpacks with flexible solar panels built into the unit which are specifically designed to charge portable devices. Here is an example:

    https://www.amazon.com/ECEEN-Backpack-Charger-Tablets-Speakers/dp/B06WVGP8ZX/

    I have zero experience with these items even though it looks like a useful idea.

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