View Full Version : Where to recharge batteries?
bigboots
12-30-2007, 17:55
Where do you find it most convenient to recharge batteries when in town for the day (not staying overnight in town). Since just about everyone has to use rechargeable batteries for something, where do you go? Grocery store, laundry mat, outfitter?
Bigboots
john gault
12-30-2007, 18:19
Phone battery you can do just about anywhere, but if you're talking about doing a lot of recharging for multiple types of batteries then it's a hassel. I use rechargeables at home, but not on the AT, because it's too much of a hassel; alkalines work just fine for me on the trail, I use them in my headlamp, camera, radio/disc player
.
P.S. My radio/disc player uses only one battery, I found that when my camera batteries are too low to operate the camera, those "dead" batteries work just fine for my radio/disc player.
bigboots
12-30-2007, 19:16
My camera has lithium batteries. They don't need to be charged that often, but they will need to be once and a while. I did take battery consideration when purchasing the camera, but it was the only one that seemed to be AT proof, Olympus 790. Other than the camera, the only electronics I will have on the trail is my wrist watch and flashlight. No cell phone, CD player, electronic TJ, etc. I feel that the camera is an important part of MY hike and worth the slight battery hastle.
Bigboots
Just a Hiker
12-30-2007, 19:21
Where do you find it most convenient to recharge batteries when in town for the day (not staying overnight in town). Since just about everyone has to use rechargeable batteries for something, where do you go? Grocery store, laundry mat, outfitter?
Bigboots
Don't take this the wrong way, but do you go to your local grocery store or laundry mat at home and just plug in your battery charger? If not, then what makes you think stores and businesses along the AT are inclined to give you free electricity? Hiking groups are trying hard to restore good-will in trail towns because hikers with a sense of entitlement have been hiking into trail towns and want everything for free or nearly free for far too long.
Just Jim
bigboots
12-30-2007, 19:34
Don't take this the wrong way, but do you go to your local grocery store or laundry mat at home and just plug in your battery charger? If not, then what makes you think stores and businesses along the AT are inclined to give you free electricity? Hiking groups are trying hard to restore good-will in trail towns because hikers with a sense of entitlement have been hiking into trail towns and want everything for free or nearly free for far too long.
Just Jim
I understand where you're comming from and completely agree with it. I will only plug iin after talking with a manager or someone in charge. And I will only ask for such privilage at a place where I am doing business.
Bigboots
Just a Hiker
12-30-2007, 19:38
I understand where you're comming from and completely agree with it. I will only plug iin after talking with a manager or someone in charge. And I will only ask for such privilage at a place where I am doing business.
Bigboots
Good luck with your hike!!:)
Blissful
12-30-2007, 21:09
I've charged a cell phone in a restaurant and a laundromat only once where I was a patron (because of when we were able to pick up our charger in the mail). We just did it at hostels and motels.
dessertrat
12-30-2007, 21:14
I've charged a cell phone in a restaurant and a laundromat only once where I was a patron (because of when we were able to pick up our charger in the mail). We just did it at hostels and motels.
I notice that a lot of coffee shops let customers plug in their laptops when using the free wireless-- seems like about the same thing.
If you rent a room for the night I would think you would be entitled to recharge your phone/camera in the room.
Panzer
bigboots
12-30-2007, 21:28
If you rent a room for the night I would think you would be entitled to recharge your phone/camera in the room.
Panzer
True but the question is when you are only in town for the day. Where to go?
Bigboots
I'm toying with the idea of finding a crank charger and adapting it to charge my blackberry while on the trail.
This may be a hassel but I'm also wondering if I could use a solar charger and 4 AA batteries to use this (see below link) for phone charging, it just seems like alot of extra to carry.
http://www.amazon.com/Datexx-Power-Bank-Phone-Charger/dp/B000M8UYDI
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-30-2007, 22:05
Fellows, the discussion of entitlement is now in the sensitive topics area
I think if I needed electronics but wanted to be independant there would two ways to go.
1) solar recharging
2) non-rechargable batteries
I think if I needed electronics but wanted to be independant there would two ways to go.
1) solar recharging
2) non-rechargable batteries
One thing bad about solar charging you got to stop for one day with sun to do it.
I recharge anywhere I can: stores, restaurants, businesses or other folks motel rooms.
I always make sure to ask. I've never had anyone say no.
bigboots
12-30-2007, 23:01
One thing bad about solar charging you got to stop for one day with sun to do it.
You can't just hike with the pannel attached to the top of your pack? I don't know...never used one before.
Bigboots
Bigboots, what types of battery are you recharging?
bigboots
12-30-2007, 23:05
Bigboots, what types of battery are you recharging?
I would assume AA or AAA, but like I mentioned I've never used one before. Maybe some for cell phones, etc???:confused:
Bigboots
SGT Rock
12-30-2007, 23:08
Get one of these: http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=162608&WT.mc_n=93&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=BIZRATE&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=93
Then you can have a back up to charge most any type or rechargable system.
bigcranky
12-30-2007, 23:18
You can't just hike with the pannel attached to the top of your pack? I don't know...never used one before.
Bigboots
The efficiency of a solar charger is drastically reduced when it's not in direct sunlight. As you are most often hiking in the "green tunnel," especially in summer, the solar panel thing won't work as well. Not to say it won't work at all -- but it won't be nearly as efficient.
It would be cool if cellphones had solar panels for auxiliary power.....kind of like solar powered calculators. Maybe the whole back of the phone could be one....just an idea.
JF2
I always asked the establishment if I could pay to charge up my batteries. Most were very receptive and helpful, but some weren't. Do the right thing and respect their decision as to whether or not they'll let you charge your batteries.
Greentick18d
12-31-2007, 10:34
Get one of these: http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=162608&WT.mc_n=93&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=BIZRATE&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=93
Then you can have a back up to charge most any type or rechargable system.
I use that too. It works good - no moving parts.
JF2CBR mentioned a hand crank. I have the "Sidewinder" and it failed on the first attempt at charging in the field. Hasn't worked since. Of course it worked great at home. After that was when I picked up the energizer thing. Weighs like 2oz.
My parents gave my Son a LED flashlight for Christmas that had a plug to charge a cell phone. Something like this could easily be adapted for charging all kings of batteries.
I have several small portable solar chargers that can be strapped to the top of your pack to charge batteries while you walk.
Yes you need some knowledge & skill to fabricate an adaptor for your specific charging needs )or you could go to any local TV repair shop and the guy would do it for you once you tell him what you want.)
To me the solar charger is a better choice then the hand crank generator, I have both and it’s a lot nicer to let the sun do the work. But I do have both options to use if I want.
As far as not having the sun on any one day, that’s why you have backup batteries. Even on a less then perfect solar charging day, you will still get some charging. All you have to do is get a solar panel that puts out 12-volts, a 12-volt panel in shade will still put out enough to charge 4 AA Batteries as they are only 4.8 volts and 6-volts will easily charge them. A 12-volt panel will easily put out 6-volts in the shade. A 12-volt panel will put out 22-volts in the sun with no load, (drops down to the voltage of the battery you are charging when you connect a battery to it. If you buy a good quality solar panel (and not shop for the lowest price) and do some planning as to what voltage you need you will easily be able to keep your batteries topped off without having to hike into and around a town looking for a 110-volt plug.