Solar chargers for DSLR

[Go Wild]

Hello, i have a question if someone can help. I´m going to be out in the field for about 20 days, in Africa, in a zone that i don´t have access to electricity. In those 20 days i will be filming and photographing all the time. So....i have a little problem to solve here. Battery charging...

I have a Canon 1dx mkII and a DJI osmo. I have 2 LP-E19 batteries and 2 Osmo batteries. It´s quite likely that both of the 1dx batteries just last for 1 day. So...I think i need to buy at least one battery more. So, regarding to this, i have 2 questions:

1 - Solar chargers - I think this is going to be one solution, but never used before, so if anyone have some advices about this, I really thank! However...it´s only a solution if i use the battery charger in it, i have seen some options that said that they charge DSLR batteries, but they don´t say what is the connection, most of thems say they have a USB connection to recharge, and that, of course is a not valid solution for DSLR chargers...

I am watching to a solution, the Sherpa 50, with the adiction of wall plug

http://www.goalzero.com/p/149/sherpa-50-solar-kit

Wall plug:
http://www.goalzero.com/p/153/sherpa-inverter-110v

However, this is a US inverter, and i need the EURO inverter...

But....the question is if this works, and if someone have a less expensive possibility...


2 - Despite the necessity of a solar charger, i also going to buy one or 2 more batteries...The question about this is easy: " Does anyone know some third party batteries for 1DX mkII? But good ones.....


Thank´s a lot!!

 

[Don Haines]

Hello, i have a question if someone can help. I´m going to be out in the field for about 20 days, in Africa, in a zone that i don´t have access to electricity. In those 20 days i will be filming and photographing all the time. So....i have a little problem to solve here. Battery charging...

I have a Canon 1dx mkII and a DJI osmo. I have 2 LP-E19 batteries and 2 Osmo batteries. It´s quite likely that both of the 1dx batteries just last for 1 day. So...I think i need to buy at least one battery more. So, regarding to this, i have 2 questions:

1 - Solar chargers - I think this is going to be one solution, but never used before, so if anyone have some advices about this, I really thank! However...it´s only a solution if i use the battery charger in it, i have seen some options that said that they charge DSLR batteries, but they don´t say what is the connection, most of thems say they have a USB connection to recharge, and that, of course is a not valid solution for DSLR chargers...

I am watching to a solution, the Sherpa 50, with the adiction of wall plug

http://www.goalzero.com/p/149/sherpa-50-solar-kit

Wall plug:
http://www.goalzero.com/p/153/sherpa-inverter-110v

However, this is a US inverter, and i need the EURO inverter...

But....the question is if this works, and if someone have a less expensive possibility...


2 - Despite the necessity of a solar charger, i also going to buy one or 2 more batteries...The question about this is easy: " Does anyone know some third party batteries for 1DX mkII? But good ones.....


Thank´s a lot!!

Question number one is, do you have access to a vehicle? That gives you a source of 12VDC that can't be beat....

If no vehicle, consider a folding and/or flexible solar panel, a charge controller, and a 12VDC lithium Ion batter (about 1/3 the weight of lead-acid) and use that to run a small 12V inverter to run your battery charger on....

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Go Wild.
I take it the intention is to leave the solar battery to charge during the day and use that to charge the cameras by night?
Some thoughts, obviously you will need to leave the solar panel in direct sun all day, bear in mind that although most solar panels will work in diffused light the output will be considerably reduced.
Also the panels I have dealt with will shut off completely so need to be in clear light all day, how safe /secure will be the location. (my experience has been with roof mounted solar electricity installation and tree shadows). The panels are made up of smaller cells linked in series and any cell not charging will block the panel, a bit like only having 3 AA batteries in your remote that needs 4!
If you hammer the battery hard one day will 16 hrs of sun be available to you the next day? Is there a bigger panel that you could get to use with this battery to reduce charge time?
On a lighter note, the easiest way out of the inverter problem will be to buy a cheap figure 8 radio lead complete with American plug such as this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252154519739?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&var=550988290206&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Or buy a European lead and cut half of it off (or not if you like long leads) and fit an American plug.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12m-figure-of-8-connector-bare-wired-lead-black-rw66w
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/75a-us-mains-plug-hl17t

I have 3 short (6 or 8 inch) lead setups in my bag,
1off 2 cord on U.K. plug,
1off 1 cord on U.K. Plug
1off 1 cord on U.S. plug

Hope this helps you with your decision.

Cheers, Graham.

 

[retroreflection]

Regarding US vs Euro inverters: you should verify, but I think the Canon charger will work in both systems. Check the information on it, if it says 50/60 Hz 100-240 V, then it is designed to work everywhere. A plug adapter is all you need to go between systems.
Whatever you choose, do a trial run for at least a week before leaving. With plenty of time for plan B if it fails.
Also, many say third party batteries are not worth the risk. I haven't been hurt by them, but the extra cost for good batteries is small compared to this trip.

 

[Go Wild]

Hello, i have a question if someone can help. I´m going to be out in the field for about 20 days, in Africa, in a zone that i don´t have access to electricity. In those 20 days i will be filming and photographing all the time. So....i have a little problem to solve here. Battery charging...

I have a Canon 1dx mkII and a DJI osmo. I have 2 LP-E19 batteries and 2 Osmo batteries. It´s quite likely that both of the 1dx batteries just last for 1 day. So...I think i need to buy at least one battery more. So, regarding to this, i have 2 questions:

1 - Solar chargers - I think this is going to be one solution, but never used before, so if anyone have some advices about this, I really thank! However...it´s only a solution if i use the battery charger in it, i have seen some options that said that they charge DSLR batteries, but they don´t say what is the connection, most of thems say they have a USB connection to recharge, and that, of course is a not valid solution for DSLR chargers...

I am watching to a solution, the Sherpa 50, with the adiction of wall plug

http://www.goalzero.com/p/149/sherpa-50-solar-kit

Wall plug:
http://www.goalzero.com/p/153/sherpa-inverter-110v

However, this is a US inverter, and i need the EURO inverter...

But....the question is if this works, and if someone have a less expensive possibility...


2 - Despite the necessity of a solar charger, i also going to buy one or 2 more batteries...The question about this is easy: " Does anyone know some third party batteries for 1DX mkII? But good ones.....


Thank´s a lot!!

Question number one is, do you have access to a vehicle? That gives you a source of 12VDC that can't be beat....

If no vehicle, consider a folding and/or flexible solar panel, a charge controller, and a 12VDC lithium Ion batter (about 1/3 the weight of lead-acid) and use that to run a small 12V inverter to run your battery charger on....

Hello Don, thank you! Yes, i have a jeep with me and i had also think in that possibility, but would like to add another source of power....I´m going to take at least 2 options in case something fails.

Hi Go Wild.
I take it the intention is to leave the solar battery to charge during the day and use that to charge the cameras by night?
Some thoughts, obviously you will need to leave the solar panel in direct sun all day, bear in mind that although most solar panels will work in diffused light the output will be considerably reduced.
Also the panels I have dealt with will shut off completely so need to be in clear light all day, how safe /secure will be the location. (my experience has been with roof mounted solar electricity installation and tree shadows). The panels are made up of smaller cells linked in series and any cell not charging will block the panel, a bit like only having 3 AA batteries in your remote that needs 4!
If you hammer the battery hard one day will 16 hrs of sun be available to you the next day? Is there a bigger panel that you could get to use with this battery to reduce charge time?
On a lighter note, the easiest way out of the inverter problem will be to buy a cheap figure 8 radio lead complete with American plug such as this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252154519739?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&var=550988290206&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Or buy a European lead and cut half of it off (or not if you like long leads) and fit an American plug.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12m-figure-of-8-connector-bare-wired-lead-black-rw66w
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/75a-us-mains-plug-hl17t

I have 3 short (6 or 8 inch) lead setups in my bag,
1off 2 cord on U.K. plug,
1off 1 cord on U.K. Plug
1off 1 cord on U.S. plug

Hope this helps you with your decision.

Cheers, Graham.

Hey Graham, thank you for the answer! Well, tha plan was to get the solar panel in the top roof of the jeep. It will take at least most part of the day at the sun and when stopped in shadows, will put it at the sun, but most likely, i will have always an option to put it in direct sun (as long as it´s clear sky...)
I understand your answer...well IF i can´t charge completely the battery because the solar panel didn´t get enough energy, i consider to take also a solution to use the car battery. Also, i am planning to take 3 or 4 batteries for the camera, to give a window time of 2 days use, in order to be able to compensate some bad charging day.
The size of the panel is important, i cannot get a big solar panel and it must be easy to transport...So i can´t get one that is faster....Will have to be cautious with this: "Size vs charging capacity"

I will check the lead and see if it fits.

Thankyou very much!

Regarding US vs Euro inverters: you should verify, but I think the Canon charger will work in both systems. Check the information on it, if it says 50/60 Hz 100-240 V, then it is designed to work everywhere. A plug adapter is all you need to go between systems.
Whatever you choose, do a trial run for at least a week before leaving. With plenty of time for plan B if it fails.
Also, many say third party batteries are not worth the risk. I haven't been hurt by them, but the extra cost for good batteries is small compared to this trip.

Hello retroreflection Thanks a lot!

Yes, i think that will not be a problem. However the less adapters, the better!

Regarding to the batteries...well, i do prefer the oficial Canon Batteries. I am considering to take at least 3 Canon, and i was thinking in give a try to some third party batteries, because Canon ones are really expensive. If i could get 4 or 5 Batteries would be great, but it´s dificult considering the price. Let´s see...

If someone knows some good ones please tell!

Thank you all for contribution!

 

[Don Haines]

Hello, i have a question if someone can help. I´m going to be out in the field for about 20 days, in Africa, in a zone that i don´t have access to electricity. In those 20 days i will be filming and photographing all the time. So....i have a little problem to solve here. Battery charging...

I have a Canon 1dx mkII and a DJI osmo. I have 2 LP-E19 batteries and 2 Osmo batteries. It´s quite likely that both of the 1dx batteries just last for 1 day. So...I think i need to buy at least one battery more. So, regarding to this, i have 2 questions:

1 - Solar chargers - I think this is going to be one solution, but never used before, so if anyone have some advices about this, I really thank! However...it´s only a solution if i use the battery charger in it, i have seen some options that said that they charge DSLR batteries, but they don´t say what is the connection, most of thems say they have a USB connection to recharge, and that, of course is a not valid solution for DSLR chargers...

I am watching to a solution, the Sherpa 50, with the adiction of wall plug

http://www.goalzero.com/p/149/sherpa-50-solar-kit

Wall plug:
http://www.goalzero.com/p/153/sherpa-inverter-110v

However, this is a US inverter, and i need the EURO inverter...

But....the question is if this works, and if someone have a less expensive possibility...


2 - Despite the necessity of a solar charger, i also going to buy one or 2 more batteries...The question about this is easy: " Does anyone know some third party batteries for 1DX mkII? But good ones.....


Thank´s a lot!!

Question number one is, do you have access to a vehicle? That gives you a source of 12VDC that can't be beat....

If no vehicle, consider a folding and/or flexible solar panel, a charge controller, and a 12VDC lithium Ion batter (about 1/3 the weight of lead-acid) and use that to run a small 12V inverter to run your battery charger on....

Hello Don, thank you! Yes, i have a jeep with me and i had also think in that possibility, but would like to add another source of power....I´m going to take at least 2 options in case something fails.

Since you have a jeep, use an inverter that plugs into the lighter socket of the vehicle. This gives you a large battery and above all else, simplicity.

Your only worry is draining your vehicle battery. If you can do the charging while the vehicle is in use, no problem. If the vehicle will be parked and turned off, you want to make sure that you do not drain it, so go to an automotive store and look for a solar battery charger, something like http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-40w-folding-solar-panel-0112043p.html#srp , and away you go.....

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Don, Go Wild.
Many inverters for use with cars have a cut off to protect the car battery, I have one which has an 11v cutoff point, the problem is my Vito van seems to have an 11.5v cut off, if the battery is pulled down until the inverter shuts itself off the van will just give a click, not the clunk of a starter trying with a flat battery, just a relay click after the ecu checks the volts.
The battery was by no means flat as it was still able jump start my Triumph which once running was used to re start the van! :
Please don't rely on the cut out protector unless the vehicle is old enough to not rely on an ecu to determine whether it can start!

Cheers, Graham.

Since you have a jeep, use an inverter that plugs into the lighter socket of the vehicle. This gives you a large battery and above all else, simplicity.

Your only worry is draining your vehicle battery. If you can do the charging while the vehicle is in use, no problem. If the vehicle will be parked and turned off, you want to make sure that you do not drain it, so go to an automotive store and look for a solar battery charger, something like http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-40w-folding-solar-panel-0112043p.html#srp , and away you go.....

 

[Don Haines]

Hi Don, Go Wild.
Many inverters for use with cars have a cut off to protect the car battery, I have one which has an 11v cutoff point, the problem is my Vito van seems to have an 11.5v cut off, if the battery is pulled down until the inverter shuts itself off the van will just give a click, not the clunk of a starter trying with a flat battery, just a relay click after the ecu checks the volts.
The battery was by no means flat as it was still able jump start my Triumph which once running was used to re start the van! :
Please don't rely on the cut out protector unless the vehicle is old enough to not rely on an ecu to determine whether it can start!

Cheers, Graham.

Since you have a jeep, use an inverter that plugs into the lighter socket of the vehicle. This gives you a large battery and above all else, simplicity.

Your only worry is draining your vehicle battery. If you can do the charging while the vehicle is in use, no problem. If the vehicle will be parked and turned off, you want to make sure that you do not drain it, so go to an automotive store and look for a solar battery charger, something like http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-40w-folding-solar-panel-0112043p.html#srp , and away you go.....

Good point!

I do this a fair bit at work for field tests..... We throw a 500watt panel on the roof of the truck and run off of a sine wave inverter. We also have a programmable DC cutoff on the radios that shuts down at 12.2 volts.....

My setup for canoe trips is a 30 watt flexible panel, a 9ah lithium ion battery, and a battery charger that runs off of 12VDC. I also bring an AA cell charger that runs of 12VDC for headlamp batteries and such......

 

[Ozarker]

Honda EU1000i generator. $949 or less. No wasting precious vehicle fuel to save your battery while running an inverter. 1 gallon of gasoline will last about 16 hrs. charging batteries. No need for sunlight. Will last for many many years. Super quiet (64db). Very compact. Weighs 29 lbs. Don't have to worry about a solar panel getting crunched. You can also run other things as needed. For a tiny bit more you can get an EU2000i.

As a former truck driver I can tell you the inverters work well. I had a 15000 watt inverter, but the truck had 12 batteries. I still had to simultaneously run the truck while using the microwave.

Just giving you a more versatile option in the case you want to make coffee, run a light at night, power your laptop, etc. A small inverter plugged into a cigarette lighter is not going to run your laptop. You'll blow fuse after fuse. You'd be shocked at how much power it takes to run a laptop. Plugging in batteries to be charged, plugging in the laptop to be charged, etc... unless you'll be driving all day forget it.

20 days in the field with no access to electricity? Honda generator for sure.

Nothing would worry me more than getting stuck in the bush with a dead battery. You could even charge the jeep battery with the generator if needed should your alternator fail.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I would go with a cheap power inverter such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Power-Inverter-DC-12V-to-AC-220V-Adapter-USB-Laptop-Charger-Mobile-Converter-/222310532549?hash=item33c2bd85c5:g:grsAAOSwHMJYIuzV

I have one and it works just fine. Assuming that your Jeep has a battery as small as my little 1200cc Skoda then you can get 15 + charges of one of each of you batteries (that is charge 30 batteries) without even moving the Jeep to re-charge it's own battery. This should cover you for the bulk/all of your trip assuming that you only use the jeep as a charging station without ever driving it! Naturally if you drive the Jeep once a week then charging is forever - well until your fuel runs out!

This assumes that you vehicle has a piddling little battery like my little car - though I expect it's battery will be of somewhat higher capacity than mine!

If you are worried about buying such a cheap solution then buy 2! Always handy to have backup!

 

[Ozarker]

I would go with a cheap power inverter such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Power-Inverter-DC-12V-to-AC-220V-Adapter-USB-Laptop-Charger-Mobile-Converter-/222310532549?hash=item33c2bd85c5:g:grsAAOSwHMJYIuzV

I have one and it works just fine. Assuming that your Jeep has a battery as small as my little 1200cc Skoda then you can get 15 + charges of one of each of you batteries (that is charge 30 batteries) without even moving the Jeep to re-charge it's own battery. This should cover you for the bulk/all of your trip assuming that you only use the jeep as a charging station without ever driving it! Naturally if you drive the Jeep once a week then charging is forever - well until your fuel runs out!

This assumes that you vehicle has a piddling little battery like my little car - though I expect it's battery will be of somewhat higher capacity than mine!

If you are worried about buying such a cheap solution then buy 2! Always handy to have backup!

Unless he wants to power a laptop And keep it charged For 20 days

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I would go with a cheap power inverter such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Power-Inverter-DC-12V-to-AC-220V-Adapter-USB-Laptop-Charger-Mobile-Converter-/222310532549?hash=item33c2bd85c5:g:grsAAOSwHMJYIuzV

I have one and it works just fine. Assuming that your Jeep has a battery as small as my little 1200cc Skoda then you can get 15 + charges of one of each of you batteries (that is charge 30 batteries) without even moving the Jeep to re-charge it's own battery. This should cover you for the bulk/all of your trip assuming that you only use the jeep as a charging station without ever driving it! Naturally if you drive the Jeep once a week then charging is forever - well until your fuel runs out!

This assumes that you vehicle has a piddling little battery like my little car - though I expect it's battery will be of somewhat higher capacity than mine!

If you are worried about buying such a cheap solution then buy 2! Always handy to have backup!

Unless he wants to power a laptop And keep it charged For 20 days

??????!

They could always run the engine occasionally? I assume they are taking the Jeep for more than just decoration of the campsite? I don't think charging a (roughly) 4AH Laptop is going worry a 60AH+ car battery, do you?

 

[Go Wild]

Hello Everybody!

First of all, thank you sooo much for your contributions!! I am starting to have better ideas now of possible options and some things to consider.

First of all, Canonfanboy, yes that honda generator would solve the problems, butt......(there´s always a "but") It is too expensive and it´s quite big to take in the bags...With all the clothes and photo and video equipment...Everything i add it´s a real problem! But i guess the price it´s the biggest issue...

REgarding to the problems i will face....well....about Laptops and energy, and jeeps...For the hole days, the use of the laptot is only to put data into the external drives. That is about 10/15mts a day maximum. I don´t need to use the laptot for anything else than that. I will not edit, and will not see the photos and footage, unless i can!

Regarding to travelling, I will not be stopped in the same place, we will be always chasing spots and animals. This is a Wildlife assignment so the goal is landscaping and a vast numbers of animals. So yes, the jeep will be on use, and we will move until finding a good spot. It´s probable that we stay in the same area for 2 or 3 days, but for sure (unless i have a huge luck that animal come to me...)we will have to search. So the battery power of the jeep is not an issue, and i can recharge during travel time. The main goal of recharging is Camera batteries, we will have 2 laptops so i think we will have enough power for 2 or 3 days in a row without any source of power.

During the time in the field, i will have some moments in civilization! To get fuel and other needs we will be in some citys, the scheduled is we will be in a city from 3 to 3 days.... The only thing it can delay this is if i found some place that is giving great oportunitys and we can delay for one day. In those moments my plan is to charge laptops in a coffe, restaurant or something that can allow us to charge. So, maybe i don´t need something so powerfull like the Honda....Instead, maybe a power inverter could make the job....My real afraid is if i spend the hole 4 batteries in one day and then have a real problem the next day because i could only charge one battery....

Well, but that´s it, i will not need power for anything else than charging the batteries, and i also have that possibility, that after 3 days i will always go in a city to refuel.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts!! And please if you could get me more opinions would be great!!

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi John.
These cigarette lighter powered inverters seem to have terrible power consumption characteristics, I have had charging two 1.3ah DeWalt NiCd with my van drop the voltage below what the ECU considered the start threshold, not down to 11v where the inverter would cut off. I don't know what they do with the power except run a fan to cool the unit and warm up the whole body which is a finned heat sink! ;D

Cheers, Graham.

??????!

They could always run the engine occasionally? I assume they are taking the Jeep for more than just decoration of the campsite? I don't think charging a (roughly) 4AH Laptop is going worry a 60AH+ car battery, do you?

 

[Don Haines]

For data backup in the field, look up the Hyperdrive Colorspace and the Western Digital "passport wireless"

 

[Go Wild]

For data backup in the field, look up the Hyperdrive Colorspace and the Western Digital "passport wireless"

Hello Don! Yes, i know there are better options with direct data backup...However i do have a significant investment in Lacie external drives...so, and because the budget is very limited, i have to stick with it...and carrying the laptop brings some advantages. You always get to see some photos or video footage just to be sure that everything is ok. Without getting too long views because of battery. And laptop is a great thing to have in long airport waits and long airplane travel...So if i´ll take it no matter what, the external drives would be great. Pointing that the external drives i use (Lacie) are mado for this, they are shock resistant, dust resistant and a few water drop resistant (altough not advisable! )

Hi John.
These cigarette lighter powered inverters seem to have terrible power consumption characteristics, I have had charging two 1.3ah DeWalt NiCd with my van drop the voltage below what the ECU considered the start threshold, not down to 11v where the inverter would cut off. I don't know what they do with the power except run a fan to cool the unit and warm up the whole body which is a finned heat sink! ;D

Cheers, Graham.

??????!

They could always run the engine occasionally? I assume they are taking the Jeep for more than just decoration of the campsite? I don't think charging a (roughly) 4AH Laptop is going worry a 60AH+ car battery, do you?

Hello Valvebounce, yes that thing worries me! Because i just cannot take the risk of getting out of battery in the midle of the jungle!! And other thing that worries me is the voltage of that. Is there a risk of getting the batteries damaged using those inverters? Are some inverters safer than others? I am just blind in this....this electrical things are out of my knowledge....Apreciated some help in this. Thanks!!

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Go Wild.
Yes there are high and low quality inverters, just like everything else! The output voltage is fairly well regulated to replicate the voltage of the sales locale, be that 240v (not so much as the uk is supposedly heading to 220v), 220v or 110v. The big difference is in the quality of the AC output, high quality have a very smooth sine wave in comparison to the lower quality having a more square wave output.
The charger has to reduce the artificially created mains power back to low voltage DC to charge the batteries, I have no idea whether the square wave will hurt the charger.
The charger must have AC input as only AC can be used through a transformer to reduce voltage, the reduced AC voltage will then be rectified to turn it in to DC then the internal wizardry of the charger that looks after the battery comes in to play, this part I do not understand. I would imagine, though I don't know for certain, that the charger would protect the battery.

Cheers, Graham.

And other thing that worries me is the voltage of that. Is there a risk of getting the batteries damaged using those inverters? Are some inverters safer than others? I am just blind in this....this electrical things are out of my knowledge....Apreciated some help in this. Thanks!!

 

[Ozarker]

I would go with a cheap power inverter such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Power-Inverter-DC-12V-to-AC-220V-Adapter-USB-Laptop-Charger-Mobile-Converter-/222310532549?hash=item33c2bd85c5:g:grsAAOSwHMJYIuzV

I have one and it works just fine. Assuming that your Jeep has a battery as small as my little 1200cc Skoda then you can get 15 + charges of one of each of you batteries (that is charge 30 batteries) without even moving the Jeep to re-charge it's own battery. This should cover you for the bulk/all of your trip assuming that you only use the jeep as a charging station without ever driving it! Naturally if you drive the Jeep once a week then charging is forever - well until your fuel runs out!

This assumes that you vehicle has a piddling little battery like my little car - though I expect it's battery will be of somewhat higher capacity than mine!

If you are worried about buying such a cheap solution then buy 2! Always handy to have backup!

Unless he wants to power a laptop And keep it charged For 20 days

??????!

They could always run the engine occasionally? I assume they are taking the Jeep for more than just decoration of the campsite? I don't think charging a (roughly) 4AH Laptop is going worry a 60AH+ car battery, do you?

Well, when they are talking about plugging an inverter into a cig. lighter to do so... that's just dreaming for that size of a load.

I'm looking at the bottom of a laptop right now. It takes +19v DC 6.3A, 120W. That is after being stepped up from 12vdc (car battery) to 120v in the inverter and then rectified to the required voltage in the brick on the laptop cord? One loses efficiency at each step in the form of heat. The amp draw increases.

Now you tell me how a cig socket putting 12vdc across the load is going to provide the required 19vdc after passing through the inverter and then the brick on the laptop cord without blowing the snot out of fuses and destroying a tiny inverter hooked to the cig socket? A cig lighter socket isn't going to do the job. PERIOD.

But hey, a guy can get out 20 days in the bush all he wants and give it a go. That's his choice. He doesn't mention a laptop anyway.

As far as your AH ratings go: A battery with a capacity of 1 amp-hour should be able to continuously supply a current of 1 amp to a load for exactly 1 hour, or 2 amps for 1/2 hour, or 1/3 amp for 3 hours, etc., before becoming completely discharged. So yes, a 6AH battery will be very bothered charging a 4AH laptop battery: Just try it at home.

 

[Don Haines]

For data backup in the field, look up the Hyperdrive Colorspace and the Western Digital "passport wireless"

Hello Don! Yes, i know there are better options with direct data backup...However i do have a significant investment in Lacie external drives...so, and because the budget is very limited, i have to stick with it...and carrying the laptop brings some advantages. You always get to see some photos or video footage just to be sure that everything is ok. Without getting too long views because of battery. And laptop is a great thing to have in long airport waits and long airplane travel...So if i´ll take it no matter what, the external drives would be great. Pointing that the external drives i use (Lacie) are mado for this, they are shock resistant, dust resistant and a few water drop resistant (altough not advisable! )

Hi John.
These cigarette lighter powered inverters seem to have terrible power consumption characteristics, I have had charging two 1.3ah DeWalt NiCd with my van drop the voltage below what the ECU considered the start threshold, not down to 11v where the inverter would cut off. I don't know what they do with the power except run a fan to cool the unit and warm up the whole body which is a finned heat sink! ;D

Cheers, Graham.

??????!

They could always run the engine occasionally? I assume they are taking the Jeep for more than just decoration of the campsite? I don't think charging a (roughly) 4AH Laptop is going worry a 60AH+ car battery, do you?

Hello Valvebounce, yes that thing worries me! Because i just cannot take the risk of getting out of battery in the midle of the jungle!! And other thing that worries me is the voltage of that. Is there a risk of getting the batteries damaged using those inverters? Are some inverters safer than others? I am just blind in this....this electrical things are out of my knowledge....Apreciated some help in this. Thanks!!

The inverters come in 3 grades....

The lowest grade (and I recommend to steer well clear of them) are the plain inverter which produces a square wave output. They are VERY inefficient and can damage sensitive electronics. They are the cheapest.

The middle grade are the "sine wave" inverters. They produce a stepped square wave (usually 7 or 9 levels) and are an approximation of a sine wave. The efficiency is better, they are less likely to damage electronics, and cost a bit more. We use them at work in cars and mini-vans to power laptops and the only time we have had a problem with them is once when I left the inverter in the car overnight at -25C and it would not turn on in the morning until it had warmed up.... but somehow I suspect that your trip will be warmer

The best grade are the "pure sine wave" inverters, which produce a true analog sine wave. The good ones will give you cleaner power than your electrical utility, up to 98% efficient, and cost lots of money. These beast are large, heavy, and way too expensive for your needs.... I use them at work, but that is for a permanent installation with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sensitive equipment....

I would recommend one of the sine wave inverters, use it to charge your laptop when the vehicle is moving, or batteries when it is parked. A decent unit will tell you how much current you are drawing and what the battery voltage is...... and try to get one that meets about twice your power requirements.... a really heavy duty one will not have enough of a load to work well.

BTW, As someone who spend a decent amount of the time at work in the field doing tests, and having used dozens of different laptops, I have yet to "blow a fuse" with the inverter for charging the laptop from the lighter socket.... and that includes the lighter sockets in Dodge, Ford, GM, Mazda, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Honda, Lexus, and even a snowmobile! If you have a power hungry gaming laptop, it might be a different story, but with a combination of dozens of different laptops in 30-40 different vehicles I have yet to run into a problem.....

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I would go with a cheap power inverter such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Power-Inverter-DC-12V-to-AC-220V-Adapter-USB-Laptop-Charger-Mobile-Converter-/222310532549?hash=item33c2bd85c5:g:grsAAOSwHMJYIuzV

I have one and it works just fine. Assuming that your Jeep has a battery as small as my little 1200cc Skoda then you can get 15 + charges of one of each of you batteries (that is charge 30 batteries) without even moving the Jeep to re-charge it's own battery. This should cover you for the bulk/all of your trip assuming that you only use the jeep as a charging station without ever driving it! Naturally if you drive the Jeep once a week then charging is forever - well until your fuel runs out!

This assumes that you vehicle has a piddling little battery like my little car - though I expect it's battery will be of somewhat higher capacity than mine!

If you are worried about buying such a cheap solution then buy 2! Always handy to have backup!

Unless he wants to power a laptop And keep it charged For 20 days

??????!

They could always run the engine occasionally? I assume they are taking the Jeep for more than just decoration of the campsite? I don't think charging a (roughly) 4AH Laptop is going worry a 60AH+ car battery, do you?

Well, when they are talking about plugging an inverter into a cig. lighter to do so... that's just dreaming for that size of a load.

I'm looking at the bottom of a laptop right now. It takes +19v DC 6.3A, 120W. That is after being stepped up from 12vdc (car battery) to 120v in the inverter and then rectified to the required voltage in the brick on the laptop cord? One loses efficiency at each step in the form of heat. The amp draw increases.

Now you tell me how a cig socket putting 12vdc across the load is going to provide the required 19vdc after passing through the inverter and then the brick on the laptop cord without blowing the snot out of fuses and destroying a tiny inverter hooked to the cig socket? A cig lighter socket isn't going to do the job. PERIOD.

But hey, a guy can get out 20 days in the bush all he wants and give it a go. That's his choice. He doesn't mention a laptop anyway.

As far as your AH ratings go: A battery with a capacity of 1 amp-hour should be able to continuously supply a current of 1 amp to a load for exactly 1 hour, or 2 amps for 1/2 hour, or 1/3 amp for 3 hours, etc., before becoming completely discharged. So yes, a 6AH battery will be very bothered charging a 4AH laptop battery: Just try it at home.

Err it's 60AH NOT 6! A 6AH battery is what you use in an RC model car not one that you sit in and drive.

"Now you tell me how a cig socket putting 12vdc across the load is going to provide the required 19vdc after passing through the inverter and then the brick on the laptop cord without blowing the snot out of fuses and destroying a tiny inverter hooked to the cig socket? A cig lighter socket isn't going to do the job. PERIOD."

Well yes I am! My inverter actuually supplies 220V AC and mine happily supplies power to my charger when filling a 22.2 V (6S) LiPo charging at 1C (5 amps) and 29.6v (8s) at 4 amps.That should be enough to knacker the cells in your laptop (as they must be charged at less than 1C if you want them to last)! Note this is a fair bit less than the inverter is capable of - but I like to run electronics at less than their ratings. It's been working just fine for 3+ years. This current consumption is within the normal specs for even the cheapest car's in car power supplies (cigar lighters).

"A cig lighter socket isn't going to do the job. PERIOD." Well it does, it has for quite a while and it is serving heavier loads than you specify/need - so yes it does (to quote) "PERIOD". Note this is for European/Korean/Japanese etc cars from VW, Audi, Skoda, GM, Ford - well just all of them, it is just a standard minimum spec.

Naturally you are free to have your own ideas/beliefs, I am just relating what I am actually doing and have been doing for some time. Looking at the OP's needs i suggested a solution that is somewhat more than what they need but costs next to nothing - and I know it works! Try it for yourself, but not at home, as cars muck up the carpet.