Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: BernardLanguillier on January 20, 2008, 05:14:46 am
-
Dear all,
I am planning an extended trip in Nepal in a few months from now, and am starting to look for a rugged solution to recharge my batteries on the go.
Solar panels come to mind, but I have no yet found anything really convincing. The idea would be to find something I can fix on the top of my bag pack so as to recharge batteries as I walk.
The camera is a Nikon D3.
Any experience/advice would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bernard
-
Dear all,
I am planning an extended trip in Nepal in a few months from now, and am starting to look for a rugged solution to recharge my batteries on the go.
Solar panels come to mind, but I have no yet found anything really convincing. The idea would be to find something I can fix on the top of my bag pack so as to recharge batteries as I walk.
The camera is a Nikon D3.
Any experience/advice would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168327\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I havnt done a remote trip in the digital age - scary
One thought is that probably the most widely available power source on the planet (apart from the sun) is the 12v car battery
I think you would do your self a favour by getting car chargers for all the gear you can and some pony clamp style clips to hook up with
S
-
I havnt done a remote trip in the digital age - scary
One thought is that probably the most widely available power source on the planet (apart from the sun) is the 12v car battery
I think you would do your self a favour by getting car chargers for all the gear you can and some pony clamp style clips to hook up with
S
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168342\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
a small inverter will do that for you, (12vDC to 110 or 220vAC), they are cheap and lightweigh, one will do for all your standard chargers, you will just need to find a car or truck once week!
-
a small inverter will do that for you, (12vDC to 110 or 220vAC), they are cheap and lightweigh, one will do for all your standard chargers, you will just need to find a car or truck once week!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168344\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
That's unfortunately not an option... I believe that there is not going to be any vehicle around for 2 weeks... the destination is the base camp of the Everest.
Solar is really the best option, just need to find the best implementation for my gear.
Thanks,
Cheers,
Bernard
-
I don't have any experience with these products, but did a little searching around. This link has 5 products specifically for Nikon Battery charging. Hopefully will get you in the right direction
http://store.sundancesolar.com/sobachforni.html (http://store.sundancesolar.com/sobachforni.html)
-
That's unfortunately not an option... I believe that there is not going to be any vehicle around for 2 weeks... [a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168352\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Just cos there are no cars doesnt mean there are no battereis
Ev base camp must be full of satphones laptops et al - bet some one has some big PV panels used to charge a bank of lead acids
I think you need to consider this in hand with you own solar solution for emergencies
ps getting an inverter and then using 110/240 charger is highly innefficient stepping up then down again
SMM
-
To see the level of electronic activiy in this area goog Everest base camp laptop !
eg..EBC Internet Cafe ! (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/south/02/12/everest.internet.ap/)
This is worth a read too..
some blokes blog (http://www.ueverest.com/camp_life.aspx?postId=19)
Especially flash card= good Hd = bad bit..
S
-
Bernard:
No experience with these, but they might be along the lines of what you're looking for...
http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256 (http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256)
Mike.
-
I don't have any experience with these products, but did a little searching around. This link has 5 products specifically for Nikon Battery charging. Hopefully will get you in the right direction
http://store.sundancesolar.com/sobachforni.html (http://store.sundancesolar.com/sobachforni.html)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168371\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks. I also came accross that site, but they only mention support for D200 series camera. Not for the Dx with the larger EN-EL4...
I have contacted them to check whether they can help or not.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Bernard
-
Bernard:
No experience with these, but they might be along the lines of what you're looking for...
http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256 (http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256)
Mike.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168424\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks Mike.
I have contacted them to ask how they propose to connect their panel to the battery charger of the D3... connection is often the problem with these solutions it seems (not specifically Brunton).
Regards,
Bernard
-
This is worth a read too..
some blokes blog (http://www.ueverest.com/camp_life.aspx?postId=19)
Especially flash card= good Hd = bad bit..
S
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168402\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks, interesting link.
I was aware of the limitation of HDs above 10.000 feet but this article is an interesting real world confirmation!
My current plan is to by a SSDs or to buy a few 16GB cheap CFs, just trying to find a cheap enough option. CFs will probably end up being the best compromise between price, weight and need to energy. A wallet will always require power etc...
Cheers,
Bernard
-
I have used HD all the time over and sometimes way over 10,000 ft. and never had a single problem. Bernard, though it is true that going from 12v to 115 then down to whatever the charger uses is inefficient energywise it is still a ver easy and practical solution. I have been in the Amazon jungle for weeks with a 5D and 4 bats and an inverter and charged my batteries every now and then I approached a small community where there was a small PV panel. If you turn your rear LCD screen off and other stuff you might not really need like IS or VR when shooting with not so low speeds, will give you huge savings in energy.
Though I have never been in the Himalayas I could be pretty sure base camp should have plenty of energy solutions. If you have some means of carrying a little extra weight I would definitely carry some type of 12v small battery something like 4-7amp and that could give some extra charges. Also take the smallest inverter you can find that still caters your charging needs. I got around pretty well with a 60watt automotive inverter last time that cost me like 30 dollars or so. It has an automotive 12v jack and you have to make yourself a cable that can connect it to the battery terminals.
Another pretty good solution depending of the camera you are using is buying a good amount of camera batteries. 5D batteries are small and when wisely used last a lot. Low temperature inefficiencies are something you are probably taking into account already.
Check this site: http://www.gaiam.com/realgoods/ (http://www.gaiam.com/realgoods/), maybe they have something.
What a nice trip, good luck.
-
I have used HD all the time over and sometimes way over 10,000 ft. and never had a single problem.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168482\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Sergio,
I am sure you are familiar with MTBF. Nobody is saying that HDs will crash for sure above 10.000 ft, just that likeliness of a crash is much higher, meaning that the MTBF decreases a lot. I have also used my Epson 2000 at heights up to 12.000 feet without problems in the past, but how many times can you be lucky?
As far as I am concerned, I am not willing to take the risk this time. The whole purpose of the trip is to photograph. Relying on a key hardware element that is known to have a chance to fail would be poor judgement IMHO.
Bernard, though it is true that going from 12v to 115 then down to whatever the charger uses is inefficient energywise it is still a ver easy and practical solution. I have been in the Amazon jungle for weeks with a 5D and 4 bats and an inverter and charged my batteries every now and then I approached a small community where there was a small PV panel. [a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168482\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks for the advice, I'll consider that.
Though I have never been in the Himalayas I could be pretty sure base camp should have plenty of energy solutions.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168482\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
The base camp probably has, but we will not spend much time there and that will be after about 2 weeks in the mountains, after the interesting part of the trek actually. Besides, the expeditions that camp there are typically large commercial enterprises with controlled budgets, I don't know how friendly they are to hikers in need of juice, but I don't want to take the risk of being turned down. Autonomy is key and this is why I am looking for a good solar solution.
Another pretty good solution depending of the camera you are using is buying a good amount of camera batteries. 5D batteries are small and when wisely used last a lot. Low temperature inefficiencies are something you are probably taking into account already.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168482\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Well I will most probably cover this with my Nikon D3 precisely because of its excellent autonomy and good resistance to cold weather, but I know that opportunities will be plenty and would find it sad to be limited half way through because of energy concerns.
Thanks for your advice.
Cheers,
Bernard
-
A further thought OT
Using the D3 you can shoot to both Cfs at once
This can give you instant back up
You should then give one of these set to someone else if you get robbed/lose your bag whatever
---
For power you may also want to consider wind or wind up - both of these work overnight
wind (http://www.nif.org.in/battery_charger)
windup (http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/wind-up-multi-mobile-charger/index.html)
(not there I would suggest)
-----
I am convinced you want to avoid stepping up and then stepping down
Maybe you will have to get a D3 charger and break it open and do some testing about volts in is actually required
good advice to avoid chimping, AF etc
----
Also check this..
Digital Camera battery (http://www.digitalcamerabattery.com/) have two solar solutions for thier batteries nb the polymer one is unnafected by cold
---
And of course the best back up ever.. is here : ) (http://www.nikonimaging.com/global/products/filmcamera/slr/1980-1984/fm2/)
S
-
Bernard, check these flexible solar panels
http://store.sundancesolar.com/powulflexthi.html (http://store.sundancesolar.com/powulflexthi.html)
or even better:
http://store.sundancesolar.com/porosepoposo.html (http://store.sundancesolar.com/porosepoposo.html)
-
Bernard, check these flexible solar panels
http://store.sundancesolar.com/powulflexthi.html (http://store.sundancesolar.com/powulflexthi.html)
or even better:
http://store.sundancesolar.com/porosepoposo.html (http://store.sundancesolar.com/porosepoposo.html)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168536\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks. I had already contacted them to check whether they had something directly plugable into a D3 charger, but they don't...
Cheers,
Bernard
-
One thought is that probably the most widely available power source on the planet (apart from the sun) is the 12v car battery
I think you would do your self a favour by getting car chargers for all the gear you can and some pony clamp style clips to hook up with
S
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168342\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
He's travelling by backpack - you're suggesting bringing along a car battery in the backpack!
Andy
-
He's travelling by backpack - you're suggesting bringing along a car battery in the backpack!
Andy
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=169027\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
No. Im suggesting that unless he gets extra triple remote (which he may be) people who live in huts usually use Photovoltaics (solar panels) or wind for power
how do they do this
thay have the renewable source charge a (or a bank of) lead acid batterie(s) typically in poorer countries car batteries - it no good using solar for your lighting without beingable to store it till its dark
So if you have a 12v hookup then your OK
I understand the OPs situation they may not work due to extra remoteness or the mountain politics (but then dollar bills are light and will sort the politics)
Incedentally you talk about the weight of a lead acid - well carrying energy is heavy (hense no almost electric cars on the market) so even a pile of D3 batteries for an extended trip would be heavy
the lightest fuel is petrol or parafin (and also possibly for sale up there)- which brings me onto another idea - I wonder if there are any superlight petrol generators with engines the size of a remote control car !
Having done extended remote trips in the era of film I am genuinely interested in this subject
My own thoughts so far are
-to get a 'digital camera battery' (no D3 version yet?) , thier solar charger and also a 12v charger for same with clamps attached
-Also to get a custon D3 charger without the transformer fabricated by a tech geek that runs off 12V or whatever th output of the DCB is
-And to take an FM2
A further thought. Solar only works in the day - wind works 24/7 so anovernight wind charge could be preferable
(before I was stupidly pulled into photography my career was going to be in low tech engineering for the third world BTW - far more lucrative)
SMM
-
These guys might have a solution you can use:
http://www.humanedgetech.com/shop/home.php (http://www.humanedgetech.com/shop/home.php)
If you have Sherpas to carry most of your gear, consider simply buying a lot of camera batteries and take those along. I don't know if you can get generic batteries for Nikons like you can for Canon, but if so, it's usually cheaper and lighter to simply bring a lot of batteries than it is to pursue solar panels or other options.
-
Dear all,
I am planning an extended trip in Nepal in a few months from now...
Regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168327\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Sorry, I can not add anythning about your energy problem but I would like to say that I AM JEALOUS. If I was twenty years younger I would be trying to go with you
Tom
-
No. Im suggesting that unless he gets extra triple remote (which he may be) people who live in huts usually use Photovoltaics (solar panels) or wind for power
SMM
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=169176\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
The thought had caught me as funny, though I expected you hadn't actually meant that.
It would be interesting to know how much energy is needed to charge a type of battery, how efficient the charger is, and so on. Then we would know how much propane, liquid fuel, or other source is needed per charge.
A flexible solar panel would be the lightest to carry, but how many hours of clear sky is needed to charge on battery.
Wonder if anyone has written up those experiments?
I did look around and fuel cells seem to be too expensive or too new to be the single power source to depend on.
Andy
-
I searched for this some time ago in another forum, but now can't find the results .
I remember there wasn't much enthusiasm for using solar recharging on trek.
Someone in this thread suggested trying to recharge in villages. My experience is that on many treks, you don't allways camp near a village, which means you may not have enough time to do a recharge. It would be different if you were saying in lodges, they may have *some* electricity from solar or a generator.
Even for long treks I relied on batteries and this worked out fine so far, even for a period of three weeks. I computed the number of shots I'd expect to take [based on previous experience and the card capacity], and made a rough estimate of how many batteries I'd need.
You are probably limited in the weight you can take, but I'd look into this option.
BTW: someone in this thread suggested using the dual slots in the D3 for your file back-up. Seems like an excellent idea to me.
-
I just spent two weeks in Iraq, didn't know what the charging possibilities would be (they were actually pretty good) and so took three batteries along for my D3. I did recharge, but it wasn't absolutely necessary. I took several hundred shots, raw+jpg, and may have used the equivalent of one whole charge. I think the lightest solution for you might be to take as many batteries as you think you'll need, and then add one or two. If you're actually trekking for two weeks (that is, spending most of the daylight hours moving, rather than shooting) I can't see you using more than two or three batteries, unless it's really cold. If it's cold...that's another problem. You might need to rig something to carry the batteries close to your body...Under normal conditions, though, two batteries would get you probably at least a hundred shots a day, for all fourteen days. Add what you need to that...Or, you could send me a few hundred dollars, and I'd fed-ex you a perfectly good F5...
I also took 32 gigs of memory, and didn't get close to using it. Left the photos on the cards as my "backup" to my laptop.
JC
-
Bernard:
This may be a stupid question, but are you going to be making day trips from one base camp, or traveling every day? The reason I ask is that solar panels obviously only work with daylight, so unless you can leave the solar panel somewhere to charge things while you're out making photographs, its not going to be a lot of use to you. I don't know how long it takes to charge, say a D3 battery from a solar panel, but it may be longer than you want to sit around and wait. Just a thought...
Mike.
-
Bernard:
This may be a stupid question, but are you going to be making day trips from one base camp, or traveling every day? The reason I ask is that solar panels obviously only work with daylight, so unless you can leave the solar panel somewhere to charge things while you're out making photographs, its not going to be a lot of use to you. I don't know how long it takes to charge, say a D3 battery from a solar panel, but it may be longer than you want to sit around and wait. Just a thought...
Mike.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=169661\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
We'll be moving almost every day.
The thing I was considering was to find a way to stick the panels to the outside of my day pack so that it works while I am walking.
All in all though, I am slowing getting to think that taking additional batteries is in the end probably the better option. I will probably in fact be lighter and it is true that the D3's batteries are outstanding.
Thanks all for your kind feedback.
Cheers,
Bernard
-
I will probably in fact be lighter and it is true that the D3's batteries are outstanding.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=169668\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
But will they LOSE thier charge
Maybe test some in the fridge
S
-
Bernard.
Extremely long shot. But a few years ago, a backpack manufacturer, Dana Design used to make external pockets that you would attach to the outside of their packs that had solar panels on the outside. The idea of course would be that you would be recharging electrical things as you hiked.
Dana Design was located in Bozeman, Montana and eventually sold (out) to K2, which cheapened the packs by the way, but that's a different story.
Anyway, the Dana Gleason started another company. The long shot is you email him and ask him there are any still available.
Good luck. I did an eight day solo backpack trip this fall carrying a Leaf A75 on a Mamiya 645 in the Sierra Nevada Mts of California. On day four I awoke to this. Battery life was indeed a problem.
http://www.mysteryranch.com/site/ (http://www.mysteryranch.com/site/)
-
Bernard:
Another possibility - a backpack with solar panels 'built-in' so to speak:
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/ (http://www.voltaicsystems.com/)
Mike.
-
Thom Hogan has an article on how to charge things in the wild ....
http://www.bythom.com/solar.htm (http://www.bythom.com/solar.htm)
-
Thanks, good timing on Thom's part.
The main problem remains that there seems to be no such DC chargers available for the batteries of the D3 as we speak...
Cheers,
Bernard
-
Nikon's omission of a 12V charger is amazing considering the photojournalist appeal of the camera.
there may be a work-around, but i'd not want to take it on a trek without a lot of testing - backpack fire not nice
-
Nikon's omission of a 12V charger is amazing considering the photojournalist appeal of the camera.
there may be a work-around, but i'd not want to take it on a trek without a lot of testing - backpack fire not nice
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170807\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I have a small inverter that I carry in my car which converts 12v to 110, with standard outlets, so you can plug any device into it without adapters. It's one piece, and plugs directly into the "cigarette lighter" outlet, with a standard mains-type plug on the other side.
JC
-
I have a small inverter that I carry in my car which converts 12v to 110, with standard outlets, so you can plug any device into it without adapters. It's one piece, and plugs directly into the "cigarette lighter" outlet, with a standard mains-type plug on the other side.
JC
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170817\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
John,
This could be the solution. Any idea:
1. Where you bought it from?
2. How heavy it is?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Bernard
-
good idea - Bernard, i suggest you just search for inverters with outpus (watts or volt-amps) slightly higher than the battery charger. The trick will be to find one small enough as the current requirement of the charger should be pretty low.
-
just did a quick search, and there are several lightweight, cheap 50W (should be plenty for charging, but check charger) inverters - buy a couple and try them before you leave
-
the issue with these inverters may be efficiency as they're intended to plug into a car which is a very high current source
see if the solar panel manufacturer has any recommendations
-
i did a search for enel4a battery charger and found a 3rd party ac-dc charger
Google is amazing
-
i did a search for enel4a battery charger and found a 3rd party ac-dc charger
Google is amazing
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170868\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Care to share the link?
Thanks,
Cheers,
Bernard
-
i googled "en el4a ac dc charger" and got several links - fotoconnection.com - looks like a legitimate seller, the brand appears to be CTA
there are a few sellers with at least one other brand
someday i'll learn how to paste links, but in this case you're better off googling
-
i didn't check specs, but it says "rapid charger" which is a red flag on current draw - means if nothing else that the solar cells will have to charge a battery that can supply enough current to the charger - may still end up with a relatively heavy battery to drive the charger
no charger specs on the site
-
Dear all,
I am planning an extended trip in Nepal in a few months from now, and am starting to look for a rugged solution to recharge my batteries on the go.
Solar panels come to mind, but I have no yet found anything really convincing. The idea would be to find something I can fix on the top of my bag pack so as to recharge batteries as I walk.
The camera is a Nikon D3.
Any experience/advice would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bernard
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=168327\")
Hi Bernard...maybe you know about this already, maybe someone has mentioned it in this thread (i didn't read all the replies) but i came upon this info on thom hogan's site and thought it would interest you...
[a href=\"http://www.bythom.com/solar.htm]http://www.bythom.com/solar.htm[/url]
-
I'm hiking the PCT(Pacific Crest Trail) this year with an olympus had some of the same concerns except I can get out about once a week. I am just going to carry extra batteries, but I fly radio controlled aircraft also, and there are plenty of somewhat light weight 12 volt chargers for lithium batteries, most cameras use a 2 cell lithium rechargable, but lighter still would be a car charger since it has one output voltage setting and fairly low input requirements in most cases.
Get any generic flexible solar charger that will recharge nimh or nicads probably will do 4 at once due to voltage constraints. I'm assuming your not going solo as I am so if 3 in your group carried a solar charger on top of their pack you wil have 12 charged cells to provide 14.4 volts. Most of the light weight chargers only charge AA cells but you can easily solder your own packs of cells. you will need to experiment to see if this is sufficient at low temps(note: specialty cells for rc motors can be discharged rapidly). Except car batteries are really more like 13 volts so you may need a resistor for cheap and dirty or a voltage regulator to connect to the car charger, I would probably test with 12 cells and see if the voltage and temperature are still reasonable before trying to regulate voltage.
I could easily make something like this work with a few hundred dollars in parts. I believe the weight to power ratio would probably not be worth it unless you could set up a large flexible panel in the sun during the day and hike only in the evening through early morning ie. night hike. But it would need to be tested in cold weather. The solar panels should be fine, except for power out put needed for your requirements. If your hiking how do you make sure your panel is receiving optimum sunlight? Will you be able to set the panels in the sun for the better part of the day? Instead of AA you may need sub C or larger so a larger panel but the batteries voltage/amperage testing would take time. Also you would have to determine how many days in a row you may have no sun? (weather related). How many Batteries per day will you need to recharge? How large a safety margin you want vs weight you would want to carry? possibly might be lighter to just carry a bunch of spare batteries.
Heres a company that makes what your looking for but in no way would the backpack actually work for a 3 week trek and from the reviews I've seen it is kinda short on power, And you still need the car charger.
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/ (http://www.voltaicsystems.com/)
I remember seeing an article a few years ago about a backpack design that creates energy from the up and down movement of the pack, I cant find it now and don't believe it was ever produced commercialy. Theres also someone playing with a knee brace generator.
I know you probably want a solution but I dont believe its praticable at this time. My base weight clothes, sleeping bag, back pack, stove, etc is under 13 lbs. Add food, water, camera gear im up to as much as 35 to 40 lbs. for 6 to 7 day sections Ounces matter to me and spare batteries make more sense. Sounds like a fun adventure have a great trip.
-
Dear all,
I am planning an extended trip in Nepal in a few months from now, and am starting to look for a rugged solution to recharge my batteries on the go.
Solar panels come to mind, but I have no yet found anything really convincing. The idea would be to find something I can fix on the top of my bag pack so as to recharge batteries as I walk.
The camera is a Nikon D3.
Any experience/advice would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168327\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hello Bernard,
I can not help you with solar panels but for trips like this I use a product called "PIXO C2" to charge my batteries for my Canon. Mine came with a cable for normal electrical sockets but also with a cable for 12 V car adaptor - cigarette ligher. I do not know if it will also charge the batteries of your camer but one can find out I guess.
Sigi
-
Thom Hogan has a recent post on his web site regarding this topic. FYI
-
Bernard,
check out this site:
http://www.powermonkey-explorer.com/ (http://www.powermonkey-explorer.com/)
It might be a solution for you.
Sigi
-
Bernard
Any progress report - have you been yet ?
------------------
I had the pleasure of photographing Pen Hadow (http://www.penhadow.com/) last week
I tried to extract some info from him
He was a little cagey and busy and I was trying to take pictures to a national paper deadline so the conversation didnt go too far
This is what I gleaned..
-Some batteries dont take charge in the cold
-He has some expensive and specialist custom made chargers on his kit to equalise input voltage at 12v and are very efficient
-Lots of battereies !
(a side note : being a dumb ass I left my wallet in his office, kindly he tried to take the time to send it back to me but ended up flying to LA with it in his luggage ! He was then kind enough to Fed Ex it back to me from LA to the UK - what a nice chap - a bit embarrasing for me being in front a bloke for who losing kit could be fatal I am sure - luckily I am so tight that I can live without a wallet for a week)
SMM
-
Hello Bernard,
Peter Grote has taken some amazing pictures in the Himalayas with a Betterlight and a Pano/Wide View Camera Adapter. At the 2006 Betterlight conference he showed us his pictures and spoke about the photography conditions and equipment preparations. He spoke in some detail about the solar panels he was carrying, as well as the weather conditions. He is a very straightforward guy and would be able to tell you more directly. Unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced his email address. I have his postal address and telephone number, which I can PM if you like. Or you could ask Mike Collette at Betterlight, who would have Peter's email address.
Cheers,
Kumar
-
Dear all,
I am planning an extended trip in Nepal in a few months from now, and am starting to look for a rugged solution to recharge my batteries on the go.
Solar panels come to mind, but I have no yet found anything really convincing. The idea would be to find something I can fix on the top of my bag pack so as to recharge batteries as I walk.
The camera is a Nikon D3.
Any experience/advice would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=168327\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
My experiences as a amateur radio operator (ham) with everything solar for powering radios in the back country brings me to believe what you need is a flexable solar panel of aproximatly 8-12 watts in output used in conjunction with a selectable voltage converter that has selectable outputs to match the voltage of your camera batteries (or very close such as the 9.6v setting for my 8.3v canon Li-Ion batteries). The cable that exits the converter as a rule has various connectors that may be of no use to you as they will not match the contacts of your batteries, however a couple of small alligator clips will get around this problem. I have used a flex 12v solar panel on my backpack charging my 9.6v Li-Ion battery packs for my portable transcievers and other electronic gear while backpacking. Mountain Equipment Co-Op carries some nice roll-up panels that attach to your backpack for this purpose.
Jerry
-
Hello Bernard,
here is the link to Peter Grote as mentioned in a reply:
http://mastersofphotography.com/index.php?...ntpage&Itemid=1 (http://mastersofphotography.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1)
sigi