I haven't found any articles on the forum about solar power battery charging systems for kayak trips. I am looking to put one together and have spent a lot of time on the Internet looking.
Does anyone else use solar power chargers on kayak trips for charging AA/AAA, cameras, cell phones, GPS, marine radio etc? If so, did you put it together yourself?
I have seen the website "the Rogue Paddler" where he has built his own system with a 12v bilge pump incorporated into the system. I love this idea and would like to make a system like this with a few changes. The problem is I don't like the storage battery used in it. He uses a 12 v heavy acid filled battery. I know there are smaller battery packs made now for solar panels that are light, small and not filled with acid. These battery packs come built with with the car adapter plugs and USB adapter. This is great but now I wouldn't be able to custom wire my system into the battery like on "Rogue Paddler" with the bilge pump.
If anyone is familiar with any of these systems I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. So far the system I am looking at putting together WILL NOT allow me to incorporate a 12 v bilge pump. Here is what I am looking at:
-Powerfilm R7 solar panel (marine grade 7 watt)
into
-Novuscell 24 battery pack
into
-3 outlet car adapter (this will allow me to charge 3 different things at the same time)
Items to charge off the battery:
-AA/AAA Rechargeable batteries and pack with car adapter outlet
-IPhone (can use car adapter or USB adapter that comes with Novuscell 24)
-Digital camera battery with car charger adapter
-Marine radio battery with car charger adapter
This system will allow me to charge directly to the IPhone, rechargeable batteries etc directly from the solar panel or charge the Novuscell storage battery from the solar panel.
I would probably charge the Novuscell storage battery while paddling during the day then charge the other things, as needed, off the storage battery back at camp.
Thanks and please let me know what you use.