solar panel for bike packing

[wendywoo]

does anyone have a good lightweight solar panel (with out battery) for charging phone etc when bike packing?

[Jdsk]

"Best camping set up for electronics":
viewtopic.php?t=159957&hilit=solar+panel+camping

...

I don't use one because with an appropriately sized USB battery pack I can keep all of the devices charged with occasional connections to mains electricity.

Jonathan

[Slowroad]

I've got an Alpkit solar panel charger but I must admit that I find a big powerbank more flexible. It'll keep my phone charged for a week if I'm careful not to doomscroll on Facebook - which is a good thing anyway - as I don't use it for navigation unless I'm lost or in urban areas, and I take a camera and MP3 player. The solar panel charges at a reasonable rate if in the sun at the right angle, but not if it is at all hazy or cloudy. I'm sure there are better ones available! And I'm sure it'd come into its own in a sunny climate.

[Tigerbiten]

It depends all on how you tour as to how well a solar panel works for you.
If you start each day very early and finish around late lunch-ish then you have plenty of time to charge things from the panel with good sunlight.
That's how used to tour and found my panel useful, I could go for months without needing to find a mains socket.
If you start early and finish late then you miss the best time to charge things, in which case a hub dynamo may be a better bet.

[pjclinch]

We have a solar panel for camping touring. We've found it best to charge a power bank and then use the bank for device charging. It's about A4 size folded in two (so A3 opened up).

I'd put it as "useful supplement" rather than "complete answer", powerbanks can get plugged in at cafe stops, campsite kitchen rooms etc. and are the most useful overall.

Pete.

[Bmblbzzz]

I don't have one, but friends who have them seem to say that, at least in typical UK weather, its usefulness increases in line with the proportion of camping to cycling. If you're setting up camp and staying there a few days, that allows you to keep the panels aligned correctly; whereas when you're riding, they don't contribute much because they're usually not aligned correctly. So if you're spending most of the day riding, everyday, with no camp to return to, they're not much use.

All this would change of course in sunnier climes.

[hamster]

It depends all on how you tour as to how well a solar panel works for you.

And even more importantly where you tour.

[v_perjorative]

I've used a smallish (60cm x 30cm ish) 3 panel folding thing - probably from Amazon
Mounted on the top of the panniers when cycling was fine for keeping the power bank charged (8,000mA I think), when combined with propping up for the evening sun once setting up camp.
Caveats - 10 days, Orkney, in the summer.

[Cowsham]

A post from me a while ago -- will need to make sure it's still working -- will do that tonight -- for up coming cycle trip.

Just tested my new Big Blue solar charger yesterday ( first day with adequate sunshine ) In the evening sun ( around 5pm so guessing sun about 10° -- 15° elevation in March was quite pleasant -- for up here in NI ) it charged up my phone no problem.

I wanted to see exactly how many amps charge the phone was getting so I downloaded the ampere app -- I got about 1.8 to 2 amps which recon is pretty good from the Big Blue since it's top output is supposed to be 2.4amps and that was in evening sunshine.

Just noticed it's on a special offer on Amazon
BigBlue 28W Solar Charger Foldable with Digital Ammeter, Outdoor Solar Powered Charger with IP44 Solar Panels USB-A & USB-C Ports (5V/4A Overall) for iPhone iPad Samsung Galaxy LG and Devices : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo https://share.google/t5OyO5epgSQcsEJBV

[Cowsham]

Argos have something similar but cheaper.
Buy Anker SOLIX PS30 Portable Solar Panel | Portable solar panels | Argos https://share.google/7OroljXOPksXYJMnt

[hamster]

A hub dyno is lighter and the same cost. A big bonus is that it will recharge in the dark and rain.

[Cowsham]

A hub dyno is lighter and the same cost. A big bonus is that it will recharge in the dark and rain.

How are they for water tightness ? ( I live in probably the wettest place on earth -- Northern Ireland )

[hamster]

I never had a problem with my Shimano XT hub dyno over 8 years cycle camping - including a very soggy Hebrides tour! It has the same seal design as other Shimano hubs, and had to contend with the bike being left out in the rain overnight etc.

[Cowsham]

Might be a worthwhile addition for longer cycle jaunts.