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Camping has evolved from using raw tools in the wild and is now a much more pleasant and convenient experience. This is largely due to portable power stations for camping that let you use electronics outdoors. There is a wide variety of power stations for camping experiences, but the best power stations for camping are the ones that come with the option of solar charging. Portable solar panels can be attached to the power station for recharging even when you’re far away from a wall outlet. This blog will guide you through the steps of setting up your portable power station with a solar panel for camping.
Just like you pack clothes for a certain number of days on a trip, you can list out which electronics you’ll bring along and how much you’ll use them. Let’s suppose your destination is a bit hot, so it’ll be natural to bring a portable fan with you that you will charge using a camping battery generator. You might have a small 12V refrigerator to keep your drinks cool, and your usual entertainment electronics like a laptop, a handheld gaming device, and your smartphones.
The list of electronics stated above takes around 500Wh over a day. In this way, you can map out your battery usage and prepare accordingly.
You need at least 500Wh battery capacity in your portable camping power supply for one day. With solar charging, you can essentially charge once a day, or have a power station that offers more battery capacity. Having lesser battery capacity means more charges and aster wearing of the power station. Camping power stations with up to 1000Wh of capacity can be carried in the hand. Larger portable batteries have wheels to move them around. Essentially, you have a trade-off between battery capacity and portability.
Even the best portable power station for camping can’t run constantly without running out of power. That’s why it is necessary to manage your usage and keep a schedule for solar charging. You can manage your energy usage by taking turns for heavier appliances and regulate output by not using the heavy load appliances together. For example, using a mini-refrigerator along with an electric grill isn’t a great idea.
Smaller electronics can be charged together, however, and it is much safer as well. Some camping battery generators allow charging while discharging. This means you can hook up your battery to the solar panels and still charge your smartphone, or camera batteries while preparing your power station for the next day’s use.
First-timers need to learn to position solar panels if they want to get the most out of their solar charging setup for their camping power supply. The rule is quite simple, solar panels should be perpendicular to the rays of the sun for maximum efficiency. If your solar panels are positioned to catch the sun rays at a 90-degree angle, they’ll accumulate more power and charge your portable power station faster.
Another precaution you can take is keeping the surface of the solar panels clear. Dust or any other material covering the panel can reduce its performance. You should also clean it carefully, so as to not damage any cells on the solar panel.
It’s pretty obvious that you need a clear patch of sunlight where you can place your solar-powered camping charger station. If you’re camping in an area that has trees and greenery, it is quite possible that your solar panels will be blocked by their shadow at some point. Portability is an important factor here as you can just move the lighter power stations around easily to get maximum sunlight and charging.
The temperature is also another factor that affects performance. Voltage release from portable charging stations tends to be lower when temperatures are high. Experts recommend not to charge and discharge the power station at the same time when temperatures are high.
The compatibility of the solar panel with your portable power for camping is critical for its safety. The input voltage must be carefully read and observed. In case the voltage exceeds the given limit or falls short, the lithium-ion batteries can get damaged easily. Often, it’s best to get the power station’s own manufactured portable solar panels that are definitely compatible with the camping power supply.
Camping with solar power can be a great experience if done right. It gives you a sense of achievement and also makes your camping experience much more convenient. For the most convenient travels, you can check out GoWatts 700 a compact and lightweight 700W portable power station. It can be paired with the manufacturer’s portable solar panels and gives up to five days of usage on a single charge. Get the GoWatts 700 now and Supercharge Your Adventures!
