Charging electronics on the AT

[bear-trek]

How easy is it to charge electronics on the AT? Not expecting to be able to in shelter, but wondering how difficult it is to keep a device charged. I am bringing an IPhone to listen to books on occasion and make checkin calls/texts with. Does anyone have experience with solar chargers if power isn't readily accessible?

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this.

Bear
NOBO 2014 starting March 19th

[michaelosborne]

I don't think you would have too much luck with a solar charger, rather look into an external charging device such as the NewTrent products. I use the iTorch and can get 2-3 full charges on my phone with that. You won't need to rely on that too much if you put your phone on airplane mode and turn the brightness down the battery should last until your next town stop.

[Oak88]

I don't think you would have too much luck with a solar charger, rather look into an external charging device such as the NewTrent products. I use the iTorch and can get 2-3 full charges on my phone with that. You won't need to rely on that too much if you put your phone on airplane mode and turn the brightness down the battery should last until your next town stop.

I agree with the above, I got around 2 charges with the iTorch, charging my Iphone. I do suggest Verizon as your carrier.

[RedBeerd]

You may find some outlets in the shelters.

And I second what's mentioned above. Airplane more and dim everything. Phone should easily last in between resupplies. Keep it warm at night. The cold drains them quickly. Solar charges probably don't help much on the AT. But I've noticed the big flat chargers work the best..YMMV....

[2ndCharter]

I've been eyeing the new Brunton hydrogen reactor. A bit pricey but could be a great solution if someone at home can recharge and send them out to you. I've yet to inquire if the laded ones are USPS approved so YMMV.

[mudsocks]

A cheaper device with approx the same capacity of the NewTrent options is the Kmashi 806. I've used both and both work well.

[CELTIC BUCK]

How about leaving all that crap at home and learning from nature ; listen to the night and mornings around you. Talk with people and dogs; bring a book or poems; what a concept get off the damn grid.

[Matthew82]

How about leaving all that crap at home and learning from nature ; listen to the night and mornings around you. Talk with people and dogs; bring a book or poems; what a concept get off the damn grid.

Or stay on it if you prefer.

[Tim Causa]

How about leaving all that crap at home and learning from nature ; listen to the night and mornings around you. Talk with people and dogs; bring a book or poems; what a concept get off the damn grid.

DEFINITELY talk with the dogs

[Son Driven]

How about leaving all that crap at home and learning from nature ; listen to the night and mornings around you. Talk with people and dogs; bring a book or poems; what a concept get off the damn grid.

AMEN! I enjoy being off the grid. I only used the camera function of my iphone while on the AT, however while in resupply mode I used other functions. Hike your own hike, and if you choose to fill your mind with off trail stuff, it is not my concern.

[Wise Old Owl]

AMEN! I enjoy being off the grid. I only used the camera function of my iphone while on the AT, however while in resupply mode I used other functions. Hike your own hike, and if you choose to fill your mind with off trail stuff, it is not my concern.

You are old....

[rocketsocks]

You are old....

...and wise.

[Different Socks]

How about leaving all that crap at home and learning from nature ; listen to the night and mornings around you. Talk with people and dogs; bring a book or poems; what a concept get off the damn grid.

Other than wishing to have my tunes and pocket digital camera, I agree with you.

[double d]

How about leaving all that crap at home and learning from nature ; listen to the night and mornings around you. Talk with people and dogs; bring a book or poems; what a concept get off the damn grid.

excellent idea,but most people go into withdrawl from lack of cell phone use while on any long distance trail.

[Happy44]

im bringing a small solar charger that i can just throw on the back of my pack and charge when i hike! its 1 of my 3 luxury weights, i got it on sale for 22$ so if craps out i can just toss it and charge every fews days in towns!

[Wise Old Owl]

im bringing a small solar charger that i can just throw on the back of my pack and charge when i hike! its 1 of my 3 luxury weights, i got it on sale for 22$ so if craps out i can just toss it and charge every fews days in towns!

Most phones need 700ma to 1amp for reasonable charging. I suggest you test it at home with measurements before and after, A few phones will not accept solar charging...and I hope you kept your return paperwork. Roughly the latest generation panel needs to be as large as 8x10 and anything less would be toying around. There is a lot more detail here if you use the search feature.

[jjchgo]

i brought my easyacc 12000 on a cabin trip last weekend. it kept my tablet charged the entire 4days there, the 16 hour round trip car ride and random people charging their phones.

[Tim Causa]

One thing I definitely do not recommend is the Solio Bolt. You will never be able to charge the thing and with an I phone 5s I don't even get a full charge out of the internal battery.

[jdc5294]

In my thru I had a 4S which I used as a music player for on average about 50 hours in between charging at hostels and hotels. Had it on airplane mode whenever I wasn't in town and I don't think it ever died on me when I was out. Having one of those external battery packs might be a good idea but I never needed it. From what I saw the solar chargers rarely worked. Also I never ran into a shelter with power, not once. I guess I was staying at the wrong ones.

[mtntopper]

In my thru I had a 4S which I used as a music player for on average about 50 hours in between charging at hostels and hotels. Had it on airplane mode whenever I wasn't in town and I don't think it ever died on me when I was out. Having one of those external battery packs might be a good idea but I never needed it. From what I saw the solar chargers rarely worked. Also I never ran into a shelter with power, not once. I guess I was staying at the wrong ones.

What? No electric power at the shelters on the AT. Dang it. Guess I will thru the PCT and use those shelters.