Thanks to you, I've got myself the allpower 21W solar charger and I've tested it, it's working perfectly fine. I charged my 65% phone to 100% in less than an hour, about 1400mAH capacity. I get from 3 bar to full 4 bars in roughly 1 hour or so, in direct sunlight. A word of notice, I stay in Tropical country, so sunlight is definitely not an issue. I get roughly 10 hours of sunlight daily. This is highly recommended for outdoorsmen.
Glad to see that you have embraced using a folding solar panel to help keep all your electronics charged up. IMHO this is one area that the weight must be included in my setup. If you ever get lost, injured, etc., you'll have the ability to keep your GPS and Cellphone charged up (I also carry a USB Battery Charger in my gear for my devices that don't have integrated batteries). This way you will either be able to self rescue yourself, or keep attempting to contact outside help in an emergency. The huge bonus is using it in a scenario like I do. I use a palm sized LED Portable Projector and Bluetooth Speaker to project TV Shows and/or Movies on a white sheet in the middle of the woods so everyone in the group can kick back by a camp fire and enjoy a movie before getting some sleep. ;-)
Sintax, I've had an Anker 21watt solar charger paired with a 20kma battery pack (that I added) for two years. So far it's worked great to charge my phone, cameras, etc. I added the battery pack due to noticing the charge going to the phone from the panels wasn't continuous. (The bings from the phone are quite annoying if the charge isn't continuous.) I'm glad to see a manufacturer addressed that issue. It's too bad Allpower didn't make the battery pack removable/replaceable. Rechargeable batteries have approximately a five year life which makes me wonder about the service life of the unit.
Thanks for the video. I just bought myself one of these panels and just one comment, according to the instructions, the built in battery is 10000 mAh. I also was wondering which is the 2A USB port - Is it the red one? I have purchased many Allpowers products recently, and I find them to be of decent quality and well priced.
That 4th light blinking problem is probably because the solar panels can not produce enough voltage to get the 4th bar. That's a common design flaw. Designers should use panels in 4 panel configuration to MAKE SURE that there is enough voltage to overcome the voltage in the LiPO pack. If you plug in a mains supply to the battery pack you will see that the 4th light will light up when charged. You would however need to have circuitry that will discontinue charging when the pack full..or about 4.2 volts per cell. You probably have two cells (or 4 in series/parallel) to give you 8.4 volts fully charged and 3.7 volts per cell or 7.4 volts for the pack. That way getting 5 volts is easy. But the charging PVs might be give you only a total of 8 volts (you want 8.4+) and that's why the 4th bar isn't lit. You have 3 panels and 21 watts so 21/3=7 volts--see what I mean? To do this reliably you need a 4 panel system (regardless of efficiency). And I suspect that each panel is series/parallel since 7/3=2.33 volts so dividing by two would give you 1.17 volts per subpanel. To make a long story longer..2.33 volts x 4 would give you 9.33 volts which is perfect with a little charging regulation circuitry. AND that would give you some margin for less than perfect sunlight. IOW, my suggestion would be look for 4 panel solar chargers (of this variety) for charging a pack reliably. Hey, I did a little checking and here's what you need..if they were still available: goo.gl/sFcsjc
weight is not so critical at group, if you will go you can share one pannel and let it carried one by one so if you are at 4 you will carried it one per four day
I wish they would use white or silver-ish canvas. These things get SO hot in the sun and the black canvas doesnt help. I suggest masking off the cells and applying a light silver spray paint or coat with white gesso paint to the canvas.
Thats not the battery pack, thats the solar/charging interface circuits box. Mine is the newer version with type C port. I have noticed it either charges (solar) or discharges (phone) does not do both!
when you tested it at home I take it you placed it at an optimum angle but hiking I believe you said it was hanging against your pack which is probably not as optimum an angle. great review BTW
+Jim Elliott Yes, that's a great point. At home it was facing straight up, which you'd probably only be able to achieve with one of the panels at most when on your pack.
8000 or 6000 mah? if it's dead can it still charge devices? Can it charge devices at night from battery alone? does it have cloud/night reverse leak diode protection?
also, drop some $$ on a small USB multimeter, it is handy not only to see the real capacity of your batteries, ie. 26000mah rather than the stated 30000, but more importantly it will tell you the actual mah flow rate the panel is operating under each condition, shade, sun, cloud cover etc
sure, they are on amazon, you can find a nice one for about $10 ea and it's worth it. It is really nice to be able to tell your good charging cables from bad. They are not all created equal.
kragseven..... No matter what power bank or wall charger there will be some (even a lot) of power lost to heating . I was comenting on (see part at 09:00) when the math of the 8000mamps where less than 2 iPhones
Thank you someone finally addresses a very pertinent point which people ignore, the energy spent/used to convert and to charger reduces the overall energy available.
In some ways an interesting slternative to GoPower or RavPower. But they are water-resistant, and the charge directly. This business of chargibg a battery which also charges gadgets, may be loosing a lit of power by needing two charge controllers. With the others, you can use any battery you please, and charge it and the gadgets separately. Ask bigclivedotcom to do some real teardowns. Interesting, competitive, but with reservations. Needs that real teardown and measured performance.
Cool rig, but you don't need such a thing if you just turn off your phone. :) I am addicted to my phone, but when I'm in the woods it seldom ever gets turned on. IMO, they detract from the experience, unless it is used to snap a pic. Might turn it on if I get to a high place to send a text or two, take a pic or at day's end for a bit. The only gizmo that gets trail time is a GPS and it can run for 20 hours on two AA's.
In my opinion, the battery is Li-Po. not good. all user need to care in charge or store. Or you will see fire one day. If it required, customer can use external one not included. so sad.
Seems way too heavy and bulky for backpacking but more suited for car camping, picnics, etc. You mention thru hikers, but why would a thru hiker want to carry two extra pounds of stuff? Most thru hikers are more concerned with lessening their load than increasing it.
I'm not a fan of portable solar power chargers... it's not a solution for backpacking; however, while sitting on the beach listing to Spotify and drinking a cooler of beer... maybe. :)
man how can you survive on the trail without a gas powered generator. no thru hiker would we ever carry this. most hikers might carry a barrier pack but most hikers are off the trail every 3 to 5 days. dead are the days of real long distance hiking.
Thats an individual thing. I am setting up for 30day hiking/camping. I know for a fact I will listen to shit ton of podcasts, make pictures, use GPS, use data now and then and I know for a fact that a battery bank or two ain't gona cut it
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks to you, I've got myself the allpower 21W solar charger and I've tested it, it's working perfectly fine. I charged my 65% phone to 100% in less than an hour, about 1400mAH capacity. I get from 3 bar to full 4 bars in roughly 1 hour or so, in direct sunlight. A word of notice, I stay in Tropical country, so sunlight is definitely not an issue. I get roughly 10 hours of sunlight daily. This is highly recommended for outdoorsmen.
I've got the 21Watt version with the 6000mah battery pack. I like it a lot. It takes about 4-5 hours in full sun to charge.
Glad to see that you have embraced using a folding solar panel to help keep all your electronics charged up. IMHO this is one area that the weight must be included in my setup. If you ever get lost, injured, etc., you'll have the ability to keep your GPS and Cellphone charged up (I also carry a USB Battery Charger in my gear for my devices that don't have integrated batteries).
This way you will either be able to self rescue yourself, or keep attempting to contact outside help in an emergency.
The huge bonus is using it in a scenario like I do. I use a palm sized LED Portable Projector and Bluetooth Speaker to project TV Shows and/or Movies on a white sheet in the middle of the woods so everyone in the group can kick back by a camp fire and enjoy a movie before getting some sleep. ;-)
Can you charge your Tesla Model S with it?
at some time there will be small devices that do just that in half an hour..
Sintax, I've had an Anker 21watt solar charger paired with a 20kma battery pack (that I added) for two years. So far it's worked great to charge my phone, cameras, etc. I added the battery pack due to noticing the charge going to the phone from the panels wasn't continuous. (The bings from the phone are quite annoying if the charge isn't continuous.) I'm glad to see a manufacturer addressed that issue. It's too bad Allpower didn't make the battery pack removable/replaceable. Rechargeable batteries have approximately a five year life which makes me wonder about the service life of the unit.
Views and Reviews soi to igles
Thanks for the video. I just bought myself one of these panels and just one comment, according to the instructions, the built in battery is 10000 mAh. I also was wondering which is the 2A USB port - Is it the red one? I have purchased many Allpowers products recently, and I find them to be of decent quality and well priced.
Excellent review, as always. Based on your review, I just may have to buy this asap!
I just got one . Hope it is good. Going off your word Sintax77
That 4th light blinking problem is probably because the solar panels can not produce enough voltage to get the 4th bar. That's a common design flaw. Designers should use panels in 4 panel configuration to MAKE SURE that there is enough voltage to overcome the voltage in the LiPO pack. If you plug in a mains supply to the battery pack you will see that the 4th light will light up when charged. You would however need to have circuitry that will discontinue charging when the pack full..or about 4.2 volts per cell. You probably have two cells (or 4 in series/parallel) to give you 8.4 volts fully charged and 3.7 volts per cell or 7.4 volts for the pack. That way getting 5 volts is easy. But the charging PVs might be give you only a total of 8 volts (you want 8.4+) and that's why the 4th bar isn't lit. You have 3 panels and 21 watts so 21/3=7 volts--see what I mean? To do this reliably you need a 4 panel system (regardless of efficiency). And I suspect that each panel is series/parallel since 7/3=2.33 volts so dividing by two would give you 1.17 volts per subpanel.
To make a long story longer..2.33 volts x 4 would give you 9.33 volts which is perfect with a little charging regulation circuitry. AND that would give you some margin for less than perfect sunlight.
IOW, my suggestion would be look for 4 panel solar chargers (of this variety) for charging a pack reliably.
Hey, I did a little checking and here's what you need..if they were still available: goo.gl/sFcsjc
So when phone is plugged in and panels are out am I using sun for the power and not the battery?
Is the power bank that's included removable? So I can replace it with my larger battery bank without competing for the space in that compartment.
+Enoob No, it's hardwired in.
Thanks.
Good comments from others, but a very infdormative review. Thanks.
Can I charge two phones simultaneously?
Sweet unit and review
weight is not so critical at group, if you will go you can share one pannel and let it carried one by one so if you are at 4 you will carried it one per four day
I wish they would use white or silver-ish canvas. These things get SO hot in the sun and the black canvas doesnt help. I suggest masking off the cells and applying a light silver spray paint or coat with white gesso paint to the canvas.
They are purposely black to concentrate light to the panels.
that doesnt make sense. Black absorbs light, therefore you get heat.
What power bank is recommended to charge off this for more capacity??
Thats not the battery pack, thats the solar/charging interface circuits box. Mine is the newer version with type C port. I have noticed it either charges (solar) or discharges (phone) does not do both!
Literally is the battery lol not all solar panels come with one but this one does
is this product capable of charging the 'All Powers S200 Powerbank?
I have a single panel solar charger that has its own pocket in a new pack I got, I made a video on that one a few days ago
when you tested it at home I take it you placed it at an optimum angle but hiking I believe you said it was hanging against your pack which is probably not as optimum an angle. great review BTW
+Jim Elliott Yes, that's a great point. At home it was facing straight up, which you'd probably only be able to achieve with one of the panels at most when on your pack.
Do you have any disclaimers regarding this product?
+anthony angeles Yes. I would not advise using it as a frying pan.
Theres a identical model bt Rinotuff can you do a comparison
8000 or 6000 mah? if it's dead can it still charge devices? Can it charge devices at night from battery alone? does it have cloud/night reverse leak diode protection?
currently solded at aliexpress is 10k mAh
thanks great vedeo thanks for sharing the details great video thanks
Folks should be aware of a very pertinent point which is, the energy spent/used to convert and to charger reduces the overall energy available.
also, drop some $$ on a small USB multimeter, it is handy not only to see the real capacity of your batteries, ie. 26000mah rather than the stated 30000, but more importantly it will tell you the actual mah flow rate the panel is operating under each condition, shade, sun, cloud cover etc
+tnprime Very interesting. I'll have to check that out, thanks!
sure, they are on amazon, you can find a nice one for about $10 ea and it's worth it. It is really nice to be able to tell your good charging cables from bad. They are not all created equal.
When you change the phone gets hot. That heat is = spent power in heating
kragseven..... No matter what power bank or wall charger there will be some (even a lot) of power lost to heating . I was comenting on (see part at 09:00) when the math of the 8000mamps where less than 2 iPhones
Thank you someone finally addresses a very pertinent point which people ignore, the energy spent/used to convert and to charger reduces the overall energy available.
👍👍👍
In some ways an interesting slternative to GoPower or RavPower. But they are water-resistant, and the charge directly. This business of chargibg a battery which also charges gadgets, may be loosing a lit of power by needing two charge controllers. With the others, you can use any battery you please, and charge it and the gadgets separately. Ask bigclivedotcom to do some real teardowns.
Interesting, competitive, but with reservations. Needs that real teardown and measured performance.
Nice, but too heavy for my backpacking. It would be good to have in a survival situation.
PCT maybe since you'll see a lot of sun there. AT probably not worth the weight since your in the woods most of the time. What I heard.
nice
Cool rig, but you don't need such a thing if you just turn off your phone. :) I am addicted to my phone, but when I'm in the woods it seldom ever gets turned on. IMO, they detract from the experience, unless it is used to snap a pic. Might turn it on if I get to a high place to send a text or two, take a pic or at day's end for a bit. The only gizmo that gets trail time is a GPS and it can run for 20 hours on two AA's.
In my opinion, the battery is Li-Po. not good. all user need to care in charge or store. Or you will see fire one day. If it required, customer can use external one not included. so sad.
Plead read up on the difference between milliamps and milliamp-hours
Yes, I'm aware of the difference. Perhaps I mispoke and forgot to say "hours" at some point and for that I do apologize.
Seems way too heavy and bulky for backpacking but more suited for car camping, picnics, etc. You mention thru hikers, but why would a thru hiker want to carry two extra pounds of stuff? Most thru hikers are more concerned with lessening their load than increasing it.
I'm not a fan of portable solar power chargers... it's not a solution for backpacking; however, while sitting on the beach listing to Spotify and drinking a cooler of beer... maybe. :)
+SHAKER242 Ah, the beach - now there's an excellent application I hadn't thought of. Sounds good to me, and usually plenty of sun to go around.
Noob proof review
Nice pins on the blonde
man how can you survive on the trail without a gas powered generator. no thru hiker would we ever carry this. most hikers might carry a barrier pack but most hikers are off the trail every 3 to 5 days. dead are the days of real long distance hiking.
Thats an individual thing. I am setting up for 30day hiking/camping. I know for a fact I will listen to shit ton of podcasts, make pictures, use GPS, use data now and then and I know for a fact that a battery bank or two ain't gona cut it