My wife has a once a week 2.5 hour commute to head office. I thought something like this;

 

https://www.wowcher.co.uk/deal/shop/11362067/solar-power-bank?st_cid=GoogleShopping&ito=GoogleProducts_RevenueMarketing_11362067_Shopping-Existing-Users&gclid=CjwKCAjwscDpBRBnEiwAnQ0HQEL4MPxxALP8HDCJF6fP3Q1zeGtmyB81ftvaho05sd5mPxVSiX1bixoClZMQAvD_BwE

 

being topped up attached to her rucksack could prove beneficial in case of emergencies. 

 

I'm now thinking of fitting something similar to the side panel the retractable load cover runs along on my Octy Scout. 

 

Is there anything untoward I should be aware of if I was to go ahead and do it, or is it just a case of fit and forget? 

 

Many thanks, 

 

Fin 

I have never used one of those, but i have various power banks in rucksacks, carried on pushbikes or in cars and charged. Ones from £10-£30.

The Black Survivor one can charge a iphone a few times and my phone 5 times when it is fully charged.

After trying various locations around the boot with varying degrees of success I've now wedged it between the rear side window and the corresponding sunblind. It may not be pretty, but; 

a) I don't see it from within the car,  so don't care.

b) the sunblind prevents it from rattling against the glass. 

c) it gets charged,  even in Scotland!

d) it's easy to access from there if I want to use it as a phone charger or emergency torch. 

I use a big fold out one to charge a powerbank. Covered me in the alps for 4 weeks.

 

I think a panel connected to a phone might be ok, I'd prefer to blow a battery pack than a phone, in case something bad happened, like it rained.

 

The one I have is similar, but older to this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-PowerPort-2-Port-Charger-iPhone/dp/B012VL20GW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=anker+powerport+solar&qid=1570557667&s=electronics&sr=1-3 

I laid it out on the tent side, hedge, campervan floor. When in full sun it kept everything tip top, then charge phone on bank overnight... 

A cheap tiny solar panel on a power bank is just a token gesture, you might as well buy a quality power-bank and charge it up with a USB rather than some no name rubbish that has a solar panel on it. 

 

Also, having lithium batteries charging in the sun or in a hot car is a good way of shortening the life of the cells. Lithium batteries have an extremely low self discharge current so provided you buy 'quality' you could charge it up and it will still be charged for years. No need for any solar rubbish

Edited 8 October, 20196 yr by SuperbTWM

3 hours ago, SuperbTWM said:

A cheap tiny solar panel on a power bank is just a token gesture, you might as well buy a quality power-bank and charge it up with a USB rather than some name rubbish that has a solar panel on it. 

 

Also, having lithium batteries charging in the sun or in a hot car is a good way of shortening the life of the cells. Lithium batteries have an extremely low self discharge current so provided you buy 'quality' you could charge it up and it will still be charged for years. No need for any solar rubbish

 

You don't by any chance work for the Samaritans or the Macmillan Trust?

 

As I have a number of 'quality' powerbanks scattered around the home and car, the above powerbank would only be used as a last resort, and I was only trying to find a use for it as my wife charges her phone via the power sockets on the train and bus she uses to go to work.

 

 

I'm sorry, it was the Wowcher ad that triggered me I think  Good luck in your solar venture 

 After a recent break up at Gairloch, getting mobile phone coverage will be more of an issue than charging the damn thing!

You only need to go a few miles north of Kirriemuir into the Glens to have no Mobile Phone Network from anyone.

As with many areas further south than that.

 

Edited 9 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot