I've had similar experiences with solar chargers. Picked one up cheap online thinking it'd be perfect for emergencies, but it barely managed to charge anything. I think part of the problem is that even decent solar panels need ideal conditions—angle, cloud coverage, temperature—to work efficiently. In a real emergency, you usually don't have the luxury of ideal conditions.
Battery packs have been way more reliable for me too, especially the jump-starter types that double as power banks. Got one on sale last year, and it's already saved me twice when my old EV's battery dropped faster than expected. Only downside is remembering to recharge it regularly.
Speaking of that, has anyone tried one of those hand-crank chargers? I've seen them around, and they seem practical in theory, but I've never actually used one. Are they worth having around, or just another gimmick?
"Speaking of that, has anyone tried one of those hand-crank chargers? I've seen them around, and they seem practical in theory, but I've never actually used one. Are they worth having around, or just another gimmick?"
Tried one once when my buddy got it as a gag gift (yeah, we're weird like that). Honestly... unless you're training for arm wrestling championships, they're pretty exhausting. You crank forever just to get a tiny bit of charge. Might be okay for absolute last-resort scenarios, but I'd stick with your jump-starter battery packs—way less sweat involved.
I get the skepticism about hand-crank chargers. Had one a few years ago—seemed like a smart, budget-friendly backup at first, but honestly it was more hassle than help. Picture yourself stranded roadside, cranking away like crazy just to squeeze out enough juice for a quick call... not exactly ideal. I eventually ditched mine for one of those compact lithium battery packs that charge your phone super quick—way more reliable and doesn't break the bank either.
But speaking of budget-friendly options, has anyone tried those portable solar chargers? I've seen some affordable ones online, and they seem practical if you're stuck somewhere sunny. Curious if they're actually effective or just another gimmick waiting to disappoint...
I've actually tried one of those portable solar chargers on a camping trip last summer. Here's my quick take:
- They do work, but manage your expectations. If you're picturing your phone charging as fast as it does plugged into the wall, you'll be disappointed.
- They're great if you're stationary and have plenty of sunlight. Mine took a good few hours to get my phone from dead to about 50%. Not ideal if you're in a hurry, but better than nothing.
- Cloudy days? Forget it. Even partial shade really slows things down.
- Durability varies a lot by brand. Mine was pretty rugged, but I've heard stories of cheaper ones breaking easily.
Honestly, I'd say they're decent as a backup to your backup—like, if your lithium pack runs dry and you're stuck somewhere sunny for a while. But if you're looking for something quick and reliable in an emergency, stick with the battery packs you mentioned. They're way less finicky and more predictable... and you won't have to pray for sunshine when you're stranded roadside.
I've never tried those solar chargers myself, but your experience matches what I've heard from friends. Honestly, if you're driving an EV and worried about getting stranded, I'd stick with a solid battery pack or even one of those portable jump starters that doubles as a power bank. They're compact, reliable, and you won't have to chase sunlight around like some modern-day sundial... Plus, they're handy for classic cars too—ask me how I know, haha.
