Question by Will: What is a decent transportable generator for camping?
I am wanting for generally a miniature generator, anything that I could charge up at an outlet, then go camping and have a bit of energy to, say, run a netbook for a little even though. Nothing above the leading, just a small more comfort.
I looked at solar generators, I didn’t locate a great deal that was overly reliable in that route, but I would like to hear your viewpoint on a beneficial version of that as well.
Thanks,
~~~Will
Greatest answer:
Answer by chris w
you have alternatives, to begin with 1 is a Honda generator the EU2000i it is the most quiet and efficient gas generator for camping wants. Then there is.
Yamaha comes in a close second and there are copycats made in china underneath lots of distinctive names.
Solar energy is prmarly applied to energy up a battery storage method from which you can run an inverter to power up nearly anyhting. Harbor frieght sells the most inexpensive 45 watt system, attach that to a deep cycle marine grade battery and you can run a lap top for a number of hours.
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Query by William Simpson: What variety of Camping Tent and Hiking Backpacks is crucial to you?
I’m going to pick up camping as a pastime. What kind of Camping Tent and Hiking Backpacks is essential to you and how would you recommend going about picking a single?
Very best answer:
Answer by Seth Leung
A tough question. There are so many small details that can make or break a shelter. For me it boils down to thoughtful design.
Excellent excellent tent and waterproof Hiking Backpacks is necessary. Lots of tents have straps that attach the rainfly to the stakes – a thoughtful layout (pioneered by Mountain Hardware, I think) is a a single-handed tightening strap that you pull DOWN towards the ground. A thoughtless style is a strap that requires two hands, and wants to be pulled UP, resulting in a lot of stakes yanked out accidentally.
Mountain Hardware tents all have internal rigging mounts, that means you can tie help lines within the living area that make the tent essentially windproof. Didn’t expense a lot of dollars to add, didn’t add a lot of weight, but a thoughtful style feature that makes a tent great.
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11 Responses to “What is a decent portable generator for camping?”
generators are noisy and smelly — not the sort of thing you want around camp and way overkill for a laptop. There are lots of good solar units at http://www,realgoods.com. They are scrupulous about testing and rating everything they sell. I’ve used their solar portable units to run computers and other instrumentation at archeology field camps — good stuff.
If you’ve got a netbook you’ve got a car. Nobody backpacks a netbook (at least nobody in their right mind). If you don’t have a car adapter for your netbook buy an AC inverter; it plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter/power outlet and gives you a standard 3-prong household outlet to power AC devices. A netbook (or laptop) will need less than 100 watts, and the inverter should provide true sinewave output for best compatibility. Just don’t run your car battery flat.
There are also rechargeable battery packs designed specifically to charge laptops on the go (GoalZero, XPad, Tekkeon, etc…) ranging from $ 75 to $ 200, and general purpose battery packs that have a 12V/DC and 120V/AC outlet (with built-in inverter, such as from Xantrex and others).
Here’s another thought: Just leave the computer at home.
google it or ask the professional person
For small wattage applications such as a netbook, you have a few options for energy:
1] Purchase a larger or multiple battery packs for the computer;
2] Purchase a solar-powered recharger;
3] Purchase a car-dependent inverter to generate electricity from the cigarette lighter;
4] Directly tap the larger storage battery in the automobile for energy.
I have seen backpackers using a small, portable Powerenz solar system and heard favorable reviews from them. However, the cheapest system is currently out-of-stock, according to the web-site. Contact Powerenz and find-out when production is going to be caught-up with demand or see if a distributor has remaining inventory. If you have $ 2,000 to spend on a portable power system, Powernz 150 is your solution.
E-mail: service@powerenz.com
Powerenz
1339 Marietta Country Club Drive NW
Kennesaw, Georgia 30152
More solar systems:
PowerEnz LFP40 Sling Pack is a nice portable solution but the markup is quite high. For a comparable setup, here is a list of items and pricing (retail web):
Bag http://www.yourdefensegear.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MX0423B
Solar Charge Controller http://www.altestore.com/store/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controllers/Morningstar-MPPT-Charge-Controllers/Morningstar-Sunsaver-MPPT-Charge-Controller/p6185/
300W Inverter http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-813-0207-01-Digital-Inverter-400/dp/B001TLY4D8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1268327820&sr=1-1
Battery Charger 10A – 12.8V http://www.batteryspace.com/Smart-Charger-10-A-for-12.8V-LiFePO4-Battery-Pack-Worldwide-use-CE.aspx
60W Folding Panel http://www.amazon.com/F15-3600-Folding-Solar-Panel-Charger/dp/B001QKWTJ8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1268327891&sr=1-7
Battery 12V 40AH http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Prius-Plugin-Conversion-Lithium-Ion-Battery-12V-40AH-/190327408932#ht_2587wt_1135
Morningstar Remote Temperature Sensor http://www.altestore.com/store/Charge-Controllers/Temperature-Sensors/Morningstar-Remote-Temperature-Sensor/p4564/?nav=detail-addon
Check on Harbor Frieght:
“Harbor frieght sells a 45 watt set of panels for $ 249 regularly, $ 199 sometimes but most recently for about $ 149. I put them on my motor home roof to charge an extra battery for my laptop and TV. So: panels, controller and new deep cycle battery cost me about $ 250 and a little of my time to mount it up there and wire it in. ”
You need to add a lead acid battery and inverter.
Look at Chicago Electric solar panel systems.
Addendum:
I just found references to Brunton, 12-watt, flexible solar panels, $ 322 retail, for recharging small electronic devices with a cigarette-lighter adapter. Sears lists a Brunton, 17-watt, foldable solar panel, $ 432.
Many modern campgrounds have water and electricity at each campsite for a small fee.
You will want the quietest generator possible if electricity is not available.
Newer models are generally quieter than the older models and less polluting.
You might look at the Consumer Reports website for recommendations.
Large external frame is what i prefer for backpacking. make it as lightweight as possible. Every ounce counts. Same with tents, you want them lightweight, but still effective to keep moisture out. If you have a local outfitter, I’d go talk with them about choosing what’s right for you. You’re body type can effect what gear will be effective for you and what will be a hassle. They’ll be able to help you out a lot.
The first thing you should consider when choosing a tent n pack is the durability. A lot of people are on the ultra light craze but a lot of that is also ultra delicate and expensive.
Tent – Look for something with at least a 30D material and a 2000 mm waterproof coating. Ventilation is very important. I always prefer a tent with some kind of fly vent that can be adjusted according to the weather. When you are in the tent and it’s all zipped up and closed because of rain (or for privacy), you want something that breaths a bit. Of course you don’t want to carry to much weight, so keep that in check but don’t let that be your decision maker.
Backpacks – I’ve learned to go a size up than what you are expecting. I just like having the extra room if needed. Go to a store that can help you measure your torso size correctly. The right soze makes all the difference. Opsrey packs are some of my favorite, as well as Kelty. Kelty makes some fine, durable packs that are not to expensive.
Whatever you chose to get, get the best quality gear over the lightest weight. You’ll be better off in the long run.
Also, shop around for the best prices, don’t settle for REI (who are by far not the cheapest). Going to an REI or other store is great to check gear out, get advice and get measured. But don’t buy, go home with the knowledge that you got and search these sites for the best prices and deals:
http://www.trailspace.com/
http://www.spadout.com/
Finally, always check to see if this company carries what you want: http://www.sunnysports.com/
They have the best prices and if you find another site selling what they do for cheaper, they’ll beat it by 5%. Good deal, great customer service and free shipping.
Have fun, enjoy and learn as much as you can.
I recently acquired a Hennessy Hammock and have been trying that in place of a tent. The model I have is the Explorer Deluxe Asym with side zipper entry.
This past weekend I had the thing hanging on a couple of trees near a small creak, and one of the trees actually bent out over the stream (which meant one end of my hammock was over water). It had to be one of the neatest campsites I’ve tried out locally, and the sound of the little waterfalls churning so close by was very relaxing.
Some advantages to a camping hammock:
-Portability – I don’t do much hiking, but I think my hammock (when packed) is smaller and much more portable than any tent I’ve used.
-Comfort – If hung correctly (level, centered, and at the right height) is about as comfortable as sleeping on an air mattress with a memory foam pad. But there is an issue with staying warm, which I will touch on in the disadvantages.
-It’s much easier to find a good spot and use in the woods than a tent. A tent would obviously be better if you anticipate on being in an area without any trees or other supports from which to hang a hammock.
-It’s fairly easy and fast to set up. The trick is getting it level, which can be tricky if you’re not on level ground. I had to use a level to get it set up right over the creak, but haven’t had much trouble eyeballing it if on flat ground.
-It makes for a pretty comfy lounge chair from which I can sit sideways in and even swing in. It is best to have it hanging from a couple trees if you plan to do this, as I have found that the straps tend to slip down a little bit from time to time when swinging between a telephone pole and a picnic shelter’s 4×4 post (hanging from smooth surfaces works fine, but some slipping can happen if you swing pretty hard in the hammock).
The disadvantages–
Staying warm can be an issue. I’ve found that my hammock is very comfortable to lounge in during the day as far as staying warm goes, but when it starts to cool down at night – you either need a pretty heavy duty sleeping bag and/or an undercover for the hammock to help hold your body heat against your backside. I have found that it can be rather difficult keeping my back warm in my hammock at night, but I hope to fix this when i get money to go buy an undercover and pad for it. Tents don’t have the same problem since they are not suspended up in the air.
Getting into the hammock and getting situated with your big huge blanket or sleeping bag can be a little trickier than in a tent. But once you get situated and if your back is warm – you will need an alarm clock to wake you in the morning, or you will likely be sleeping in. I was in my hammock for 12 hours the other night and thought it was only like 7 or 8 hours until I looked at my cell phone clock.
Price – My hammock cost about $ 175 with just the hammock and small rain fly. The undercover insulation system I want to get will cost about $ 130, to make a total of about $ 300, which is a bit pricey for a tent. Clark Jungle hammocks are a nice brand with all the bells and whistles, but are a bit more expensive.
Hammock camping is a great option if you plan to be on the move and need portability, but consider that there are some nice tents out there as well specifically for hiking. Do a bit of research on the net and google some camping or hiking discussion boards to get even more info. A lot of it comes down to personal preference coupled with where exactly you want to go and how long you’ll be there.
You need to know whether you are really going backpacking or simply using developed campgrounds with a car. If you use developed campgrounds and a car, then you can go as cheap as possible with heavyweight gear. Alternatively, if you are really getting into backpacking up trails on overnight excursions, then you should plan to spend $ 300 on a tent; $ 150 on a backpack; $ 200 on a down sleeping bag; $ 100 on a sleeping pad; $ 100 on a portable stove; $ 150 on boots; $ 100 water filter; and $ 300 on clothing. That will get you started. Specifically, on the tent, I own three: one Big Agnes Fly Creek ultralight for backcountry, 2 pounds, $ 300; one MSR Hubba Hubba for short backcountry, 4 pounds, $ 300; one cheap car-camp, 8 pounds, $ 50, after $ 10 of seam sealer. My favorite of five backpacks, for overnight trips, is Go Lite Terrono 70 L, which is about the right capacity for you regardless of the brand you purchase. Go to at least one dedicated outdoor gear shop to study what is available and what fits your needs.
You know that is such a general question and since there is so much info out there on the web I defer to the pros at REI,
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/camping#tab_4
Personal choices abound for tents and equipment some folks are almost cult like in their enthusiasm for the junk they got, Top selling car camping gear comes from Coleman, Eureka and Swiss Gear. Top selling backpacks come from Gregory, North Face, Osprey. Top selling back pack tents come from Big Agnus, REI, Kelty just to name a few.
Read the reviews, try before you buy, many places rent camping gear.
My favorite tent that i own is the Heimplanet tent called “the cave”
check it out: http://pocketranger.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/cool-camping-gear-the-cave-tent/