Solar Power on The Go

How will you power your devices like your cellphone, gps receiver or
radio when you're on the move?  A solar charging kit is a great option
as components have gotten smaller, lighter and cheaper.  You can buy
kits like the Goal Zero Guide 10 solar panel which comes with everything
you need to keep AA and AAA batteries charged, or you can build your own
system to meet your specific needs, we'll look at both options so you
get an idea of some different options.

Let's look at 3 components of mobile solar charging:

Collection.
Storage.
Distribution.

Store bought ready to go:

We'll start out with the Goal Zero Guide 10 solar kit which retails for
about $100.00.  It comes with the Nomad 7 solar panel, a rechargeable
battery pack that holds 4 AA or AAA batteries.  4 AAA batteries are
included and you can purchase additional batteries separately.  Also
included are a 12v DC adapter and a few other cables.

Here are both sides of the kit, there are 2 panels which fold to close
like a book, and zipper together.

We have the panel for collection.
The rechargeable battery pack fills the role of storage.
The rechargeable battery pack is also used for distribution.

One note about this kit, the battery pack can be recharged via the solar
panel, A/C or DC power, so there is some overlap on a few of these
concepts.

This is the power connector block which is connected to the panel.

There are a quite a few different ways to use this kit, one is by using
the solar panel to charge a battery pack of AA or AAA rechargeable
batteries.  This connection is made with the included (unfortunately)
proprietary cable.  You can also recharge the battery pack via A/C
using, unfortunately, a USB mini cable, not a standard micro USB cable.

Once you charge your rechargeable battery pack, you can do 2 things,
take the batteries out of the battery pack and place them into a device,
or connect a USB cable to the battery pack and charge things directly
from the battery pack, like a cellphone.

You can also use the 12 volt auto adapter cable, plugged directly into
the power block on the panel, to power/charge 12 volt devices.  This
setup skips the storage role as it is only powering devices.

You can also plug a USB cable directly into the power block on the
panel, and charge any USB devices.  This setup skips the storage role as
it is only powering devices.


There's an example of an available product that fills all the roles of
mobile solar charging, the kit including batteries weighs .4 lbs.  

Self Built Kit

Let's see one made from individual parts and pieces, it consists of a solar panel, a solar charge controller, a 12
volt auto adapter and all the necessary cables.

For collection, we have a Powerfilm Solar brand rollable solar panel,
model R15-600.

Specifications:

   Rated Power (Pmax): 10 Watts
   Operating Voltage (Vmp): 15.4 Volts
   Operating Current (Imp): 0.6 Amps
   Weight: 1.0 lb
   Dimensions: 11.5" x 4.25" x 4.25" (Rolled), 11.5" x 38" (Unrolled)

You roll it up and keep it closed with a velcro strap, it's light,
waterproof, and very packable.

   

   

   

This setup skips storage, but can send power to any battery pack, like
the one from the Goal Zero, for storage if desired.

Distribution is handled by the solar charge controller.

This is a Powermate Technology model PSC-A15. solar charge controller.
It takes the input from a solar panel and regulates the output voltage.

Specifications:

   Charge Load Current: 15A
   Automatic Charge Voltage: 12VDC/24VDC
   Maximum Charging Voltage: 14.7V for 12V systems, 29.4V for 24V
systems
   Maximum Discharge Voltage: 10.5V for 12V systems, 21V for 24V
systems
   Maximum Solar Panel Power: 180W @ 18V for 12V systems, 360W @ 36V
for 24V systems
   2 selectable modes
   LED mode indicator and audible alarm for warnings
   Recommended wiring: 8-10 AWG
   Aluminum heat sink
   Size: 5.51" x 3.54" x 1.42"
   Weight: 210 grams (7.4 oz.)

   

There are a few different way to connect things up.  The solar panel has
a connector on it that can accept different cable attachments, one of
which has the solar panel connector on one end, and bare wires on the
other end.

   

   

If you look on the top of the solar charge controller, you will see 2
connector holes on the left hand side at the bottom, with a small icon
for a solar panel.  Those connectors accept the the solar panels bare
wire output leads.

There are 2 other sets of connector holes on the solar charge
controller, the middle one has a battery icon.  This connection provides
output voltage and can connect directly to a car battery for example.
This will allow you to keep a car battery charged or even recharge it
over time, directly from the sun.  Part of what a solar charge
controller does is provide overcharge and reverse charge protection.
Once a battery is fully charged, the solar charge controller will stop
any current from backing up from the fully charged battery, back into
the panel and destroying it.

   

One of the other connectors that plugs into the solar panel connector is
a female auto socket adapter.  That will allow me to plug in a 12 volt
auto to USB adapter and charge or run devices directly from the solar
panel.

   

   

   

The voltage coming from the solar panel when it's placed in direct
sunlight is around 15.5 volts. The 12 volt auto to USB adapter I'm using
has built-in voltage limiting, so it will lower the 15.5 volts from the
solar panel to 5.5 volts for USB automatically, and not damage my
devices. I like this adapter because it can also plug into A/C by
flipping down the prongs.

Since the solar panel is only rated for .6 amps, I will add a second
solar panel in parallel to this system.  My rechargeable battery pack
draws 1 amp when charging 4 batteries simultaneously.  With both panels
connected I can charge my batteries with the 12 volt auto connector from
my rechargeable battery pack.

   

The panel and all of its accessories roll up and store inside of a 4"
diameter pvc pipe.  I bought the 4" pvc pipe, one solid end cap, one
internally threaded end cap and one threaded screw end cap.

   

   

Hopefully you got some worthwhile information from this article, feel
free to post questions/comments.

Comms

Communication is paramount in todays world. Without it we would be pretty isolated. Let's flash forward to a moment when an event occurs and all communications as you know it are cut off. You are at work and your family is at home. How will you let them know you are well, or find out if they need help. Well, you won't. Cel towers will become overloaded within seconds with emergency calls and complete Yahoos telling someone in Peoria that something has gone wrong and that the should turn on the TV to watch it live on CSPAN.

There are several major ways we communicate in todays world. Wired telephone which is rapidly becoming a thing of the past but is actually a pretty darn reliable method of communication even if the power goes out. Reason being your telephone runs on a 52 volt DC battery bank at your local telephone company hub close to your home, as long as you have an old school telephone without any electrical gadgets attached, you're good to go. Because of redundancy there are overlapping battery banks and telephone lines which can support each other if one gets cut off you will still be able to make and receive calls.

We also use cel phones, which as previously stated a fragile method because the network can become jammed and towers themselves can be knocked out. Email and texting are slightly more reliable if you are using a wired internet connection, but then it will require electricity to run the infrastructure and if the shit hits the fan there won't be any electricity to make those devices work.

So what is left? Radio communications are a pretty reliable form of communication, and HAM operators have been coming to the rescue for years when emergency services have fallen short. What is it I mean by this? Well Police, Fire, Medical Rescue as well as Coast Guard and other emergency personnel all have their own frequencies, meaning Burbank Fire cannot speak with the Northridge Police. In fact no department can actually speak to another. So when we have a wildfire or an earthquake, HAM radio operators come together (who are previously trained) to assist and bridge the network between departments.

Beyond this there are many HAMs who are just hobbyists and will come to the aid when needed. In Louisiana during Katrina it was HAMs who would communicate to the Coast Guard choppers telling them where people were trapped on rooftops and needed to be rescued.

In the event of an emergency HAMs will create Nets which are used to pass messages from operator to operator until messages can be delivered and in some cases messages will then be hand delivered to people who are not HAM operators.

So why HAM and not some other form of communication?

There are some options for using smaller radios if you are within a certain range of your house, like blocks or miles depending on the terrain. Simple two-way radios bought at a big box store can be used without the need for licensing because they fall into the "Family Radio Service" category. They are simple to use and have preset frequencies set up in channels. Often they are either rechargeable or run on AA batteries. The problem with these is they have a very limited range and only preselected frequencies giving the operators no choice of bandwidth.

In the 70's you may remember the CB radio. This was pretty good until the limitations of the technology came into play. There is a very specific bandwith in which these radios can transmit, they are only allowed to use up to a certain amount of power for transmission and have a maximum size antenna. So it is only good for a certain distance. This type of communication also requires a license from the FCC.

For the cost of a CB or General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) license you can get a HAM license which is far more flexible and costs $15. The exams are run by volunteers and the license is good for 10 years without any renewal fee. These radios have the advantage of running higher power and their range can be extended by purchasing after market antennas. Amateur radios can range in price from $50 to over $500, HAM radios are a little like cars, there's a model and a size to fit in most budget and needs. Below is the model I have, the Kenwood TH-F6. It runs about $350 and is a tri band 5 watt radio.

There are testing centers in most every city across the country and are usually offered weekly. You can find a local testing center at www.arrl.org. Here in Southern California we have the advantage of having two incredible instructors: Norm and Naomi, a married couple who teach out of the Lost Hills Sheriff's station. They can be contacted through their website: www.hamclass.goodkin.net. They offer classes and tests quarterly and their website offers study guides and sample test questions. The advantage of going to Norm and Naomi's class is that you arrive at 9am and study all day learning what is required to pass the exam, at 3pm you take the test and by 4pm you know if you passed. It's a great class and it's where I took my test.

Once you get licensed you are able to transmit on a wide variety of frequencies. In Southern California we have a repeater system called PAPPA which allows you to connect with people from Tijuana to Santa Barbara and from Los Angeles to Arizona. You're able to speak with people from all over and share information. With an antenna and a car kit I'm able to use my handheld in my car or take it with me to work. It provides up to the minute communications even when systems go down.

Ten Essentials

Ever since I was a youngster the ten essentials had been ingrained into me. From before graduating from the National Outdoor Leadership School  to working at REI to backpacking on my own as an adult I have always followed the list of the ten essentials. Knowing this list is the basis for everything I pack in my 72 Hour Bag and my backpack when going out on an excursion. Here is the classic list created by the Mountaineers back in the '60s. 

Classic Ten Essentials

1. Map
2. Compass
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra clothing
5. Headlamp/flashlight
6. First-aid supplies
7. Firestarter
8. Matches
9. Knife
10. Extra food

Since the '60s this list was pretty much the staple for planning a trip, but things have evolved from the days when Yvon Chouinard was doing summit ascents. So REI came up with a more updated list to reflect newer technology and modern methods of hiking. As recent as the mid 1990's you wouldn't go backpacking with a pack weighing less than 50 lbs and wearing leather hiking boots. Today, Ultralight backpacking and Fast Packing are very popular. With a fully packed pack as light as 12 lbs and people wearing trail running shoes we are able to reach out further into wilderness areas and cover more distance. Because of this here is an updated 10 Essentials list from REI which covers needs in a slightly more philosophical way- classifying essentials as systems, not items. Notice number three, Insulation, instead of Extra Clothing. Only you know what you are going to be doing and it is up to you to be responsible and figure out what level of insulation or gear you'll need. Each System has redundancy which is very important.

List found on the REI website:

Updated Ten Essential "Systems"

1. Navigation (map, compass, GPS) 
2. Sun protection (hat, loose shirt, sunglasses and sunscreen) 
3. Insulation (extra clothing, layers and weather gear) 
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight/extra batteries) 
5. First-aid supplies Adventure Medical Kits Weekender Medical Kit
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles) Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 Scout
7. Repair kit and tools for stove, duct tape, multi tool
8. Nutrition (extra days worth of food)
9. Hydration (extra water bottle, filter, iodine tabs) 
10. Emergency shelter (tent, tarp, bivy, emergency blanket) Adventure Medical Kits Thermal Bivvy SOL

Here's the thing with everything I write about. There are the rules and knowing the rules are paramount for survival. But only you can bend, break and rewrite the rules for your individual needs. Most accidents and tragedies don't happen because of one major event, they happen from a series of small blunders - "death from 1,000 paper cuts", so know full well that these ten essentials can prevent that, tread carefully when bending these rules.