Keeping Batteries Alive In Deserts

[WillNicholls]

Bit of a problem!

I'm off to Ethiopia in July and we're trekking through the deserts.
I'm taking my camera but puzzled as to how to keep the battery charged.

Are there any solar powered chargers or what?

Thanks.

 

[boyfalldown]

you can buy solar powered AA chargers, so an option may be to use those in a grip. Another option is to buy a solar power inveter and use your normal charger, but I'd be amazed if you want to carry one though - its not really an option they are heavy

eta - the simplest & lightest options though may be just to charge 4 or 5 normal batteries before you go for the trek but how sensible that is depends on how long you'll be away from power and how many pictures you plan on taking

 

[Gel]

There are car chargers for the batteries (see ebay).

Presuming you have a car and are not going by camel.

 

[andrewc]

http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/power-battery_chargers.html

http://www.eclipsesolargear.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?idCategory=4

 

[WillNicholls]

I'll probably get a grip then.

I'm going by horse and foot. LOL. No car chargers.

 

[Dave450]

I'll probably get a grip then.

I'm going by horse and foot. LOL. No car chargers.

Cant wait to see the photos

 

[Arkady]

Awesome kit - very similar to what we use...'away'...
http://store.sundancesolar.com/sobachforni.html

A wee bit pricey, but totally bomb-proof and reliable...

 

[vaizki]

15 years old and trekking through the Ethiopian desert on a horse?

I've wasted my youth! (And too bad I'm deadly allergic to horses)

 

[Arkady]

15 years old and trekking through the Ethiopian desert on a horse?

I've wasted my youth! (And too bad I'm deadly allergic to horses)

Just eat beef instead...works for me...

 

[WillNicholls]

Awesome kit - very similar to what we use...'away'...
http://store.sundancesolar.com/sobachforni.html

A wee bit pricey, but totally bomb-proof and reliable...

Expensive but exactly what I need! :d Thanks. !

 

[mark_farrell]

Dare I suggest it? Film....

 

[boyfalldown]

Dare I suggest it? Film....

my film bodies still need batteries

 

[WillNicholls]

The link for the solar chargers was american. Anyone know of English ones?

 

[Arkady]

English ones cost more - cheaper for you to buy from the US and pay the duty...

Email them your requirements and tell them you're a UK (European) customer - they should be able to sort you out, or point you to a local distributor...

 

[wontolla]

What about THIS one?

 

[Arkady]

What about THIS one?

Not good enough - it needs to power a battery-recharger...

That'd be OK for iPhones, iPods and mobile phones etc, but not a Li-Ion battery charger...

The US compnay I linked to have different models for different camera battery chargers, depending on the voltage required...

Use the wrong sort and it'll either not give enough juice to charge anything, or fry the whole set-up...

 

[wontolla]

Not good enough - it needs to power a battery-recharger...

That'd be OK for iPhones, iPods and mobile phones etc, but not a Li-Ion battery charger...

The US compnay I linked to have different models for different camera battery chargers, depending on the voltage required...

Use the wrong sort and it'll either not give enough juice to charge anything, or fry the whole set-up...

Well at the bottom of the page, they advertise a battery charger! I would hope to use with the panel.

SORRY! Just realised that he would need a dedicated battery charger!

 

[Alastair]

Make sure you keep the batteries warm at night to maintain the charge put in during the day.

Those rollable solarfilm chargers look impressive.

 

[WillNicholls]

Going to be complicated then! Well I'll look into it. Thanks guys