Mobile phone charging

[headcoat]

I am hoping to do a small tour this year 3-4 days, camping on route. I will use my phone GPS and maybe some music, so the battery won't last for more than say 8 hours at most. What is the best way to charge this, I have looked at wind up ones, or connecting a AA battery, but they don't seem to be too succesful, other alternative would be solar, but in the UK, this won't be too good either.

I am now considering taking spare charged batteries, and plug it in when I can I pub breaks

Any thoughts.

Thanks

 

[upsidedown]

I saw something on the gadget show the other week that suggested that most solar chargers are useless. I think you're on the right lines with the spare batteries. I'm sure a cafe owner's not going to object to you using a socket for 1/2 an hour or so.

Can't really see many occasions when you would need GPS in the UK, pages cut out of a car boot 1:20000 road atlas have enough detail for most of the UK and OS maps are much better than GPS if you're off the roads. Maybe just use GPS as a last resort if you're completely lost.

 

[PpPete]

Most phones will last quite a few days if you dont use them for GPS & music, and only turn on when needed.

if you want permanent GPS go for something like an Etrex that takes AA batteries that you buy anywhere....or just use phone GPS when lost as upsidedown suggests.

Not sure about iPods, but my guess is that battery will be optimised for that kind of usage than a phone battery.

Have a serious look at whether separate devices is really so much of a weight penalty as against spare phone battery and charger.

 

[headcoat]

Thanks for the advice, I should point out that the GPS will be to track/log my route, on Endomondo, rather to helping me find my way

 

[HelenD123]

Where will you be staying? Will it not be possible to charge it up each evening?

 

[Bman]

What about those dynamo hubs that you can use to charge phones etc?

Im sure there was someone on here that wired up their bike....

 

[pshore]

I have a Garmin Dakota. If you are careful it can go 16 hours on AA rechargeables (eg 2100mah). That's two days.

Tips:
Turn off electronic compass. Battery life can be more like 4 hours !
Turn off backlight. You don't need it in the day.
Turn off GPS at long stops.
Keep GPS/batteries warm. Zero celsius is making my batteries fail after 30mins.

 

[roundisland]

I've just brought a Veho Pebble for my tour in May to keep my mobile charged. Used it last night to fully charge my mobile and it still seems there is plenty of juice left in the unit for more charges.

Amazon Veho pebble

 

[Hacienda71]

On the cheap angle, I bought a portable usb power source from Poundland. It takes 4 AAA's so upto 4000mah on rechargeables, not had cause to use in anger yet so may be completely pants. I got it as on longer rides I was concerned that using my HTC for Endomondo and Sat Nav could drain the battery, which lasts for no more than 24 hours when not over used.

 

[andym]

Unless you are planning to go completely off-grid you should be able to find some way to charge a phone: hotel/hostel is easy, if you're camping ask the reception if they'll charge if for you (otherwise there should be socket somewhere but the disadvantage is you'll need to keep an eye on your phone). Otherwise, ask nicely when you stop at pubs/cafes/restaurants.

As a back up I'd recommend the PowerTraveller PowerMonkey/Powerchimp - the same basic principle as the Veho but uses AA batteries. This provides a way to charge AA batteries which you can use directly, or use to charge another device. It works reasonably well - it works fine with iPods which are pretty fussy. It offers the option of using non-rechargeable alkaline batteries to charge your gizmos, but this is expensive and probably only sensible in an emergency - I'd recommend taking some charged up rechargeables.

 

[headcoat]

Thanks for the advice, the Veho looks ideal if expensive for intermittent use. i plan on camping, and probably wild camping so plug sockets will be limited. I may look out for the Poundland bargain, worth a try before i go anywhere. I'll keep you posted on what I get and how it works.

 

[vernon]

What about those dynamo hubs that you can use to charge phones etc?

Im sure there was someone on here that wired up their bike....

That might have been me but i think that I also read someone else's account of how they made their own charger.

 

[delport]

On the maplin website i was looking for something i spotted less than a fortnight ago in the shop.
It was a device i used on my john o'groats cycle trip, i bought mine in argos though maplin i noticed had them at around £3- [asda were seling at just over £4 for the same item], i just placed a rechargeable battery in the device and got 10 hours use out of my mp3 player, the device is for a mobile phone and gives 100 minutes talk time.
Just now i spotted something else on the maplin site
http://www.maplin.co...ModuleNo=227252
this uses windpower seemingly and can be used with a bike, and is very cheap.
quote
The HYmini is a portable, hybrid, universal power unit that stores energy to it''s built in 1200mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery. The HYmini can be charged using wind power, mains power or via USB. It can charge a number of digital devices including MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones. On average, its fully charged battery can completely charge your mobile phone twice. It comes with a clamp for use on your bike, beach wind break poles, boat or car. It is a great alternative to solar for eco powering your devices, especially if there is generally more wind than sun!

 

[scraynes]

I've got a hub dynamo on my bike and will have on my new one (Koga Signature!!) I was looking to solve the same problem and found this:

http://bikeusbcharger.com/

Was about £10 i think - send the guy an email. I think that he had stopped making them, but he may well have some left for sale.

i found it excellent during last year’s touring. It gives a usb port which can be used to charge most things including an AA charger that I've got.

It doesn't need to be a hub dynamo - no reason why it can't be the tyre wall type.

Worth considering a hub dynamo on your next front wheel - very useful and great way to power lights - no worrying about batteries and the modern lights have capacitors in them so stay lit when stationary..

Here is another site I found when I was last looking:

http://www.rad-uk.com/bicycle-usb-charger-complete-version/

Ideal for a winter project - if that's your sort of thing.

The problem with modern phones with gps is the power requirements. I would suggest that even 8 hours is quite optimistic, but also it highlights the difficulty with integrated devices and cycle touring - once the battery goes flat you lose everything - phone, camera, music, gps etc.

It doesn't sound like you'll be too far from human life - maybe you're best bet is just to carry your charger and plug it in whenever you can. I can't imagine anyone refusing you some electric..

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy the freedom of cycle touring.

Spencer

 

[headcoat]

Not sure on the wind thing, good idea but more of a novelty.

don't know much about dynamo hubs, my experience of dynamo is the old lights from the 80's...think its going to be a cheap powerchimp or similar and borrowing powere where i can

I could get this powerchimp Hannah Montanah I don't really think it will match my lycra though