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| We are not amused. |
I don't like to dwell on my restlessness, or the brief episodes of existential WTH I experience on the road. It wouldn't matter where I was, these things would still happen, but I'd be stuck in one place with them. I only mention them because people sometimes think their mental imps will stay behind when they hit the road, only to find they have stowed away in a basement bay. We all still have our work to do.
I have been field-testing my small generator with its plug-and-play solar panel.
The generator is a small, sealed battery plus an inverter. It can be charged with solar, with a 12-volt cigarette-style car port while driving, or with AC from an outlet.
In turn, it charges my laptop (via 12-volt port or AC), all my devices (Nook, phone, wifi devices) via USB ports, and my camera battery via AC outlets. PLUS, it is a car battery jump-starter.
If you need only USB charging, the solar panel has two USB ports on its own and doesn't need the generator/inverter go-between. It is a 27 watt unit, nicely foldable and portable. It could be hung from a backpack to keep your devices charged on the trail.
If you always have ready access to AC, you wouldn't need the solar panel. The combo works well for me.
Overall, I like it. I can keep my laptop charged without running the engine, and I will also be able to use it when I'm stationary and off-grid, like at my cabin. I feel reassured having a jump start ready to go if I should need it on the road.
On the con side, it would be nice to have more capacity (I think it's a 26 Ah battery). Although, if it were much bigger I couldn't carry it.
I look forward to seeing my friend, Betty, on the way back down to Las Cruces (if she'll be at home). I will also be glad to see Annie and David in Truth or Consequences when I pick up the remnants of my possessions from their house. I'll leave something else behind, so there's always a "reason" to stop back by.
Edited October 28, 2014: The Duracell Powerpack shown here is not the unit I purchased. Reviewers say the new model does NOT have solar-charging capabilities, so that's a razzberry and two thumbs down.
7 comments:
Rox, your post re kitty cat, really got to me. Very philosophical stuff. Sniff.
Entertaining as always.
I would really like to hear how you like this new generator and solar panels. sounds like something I could use since it is all small and compact.
Glad you have some good friends to drag you around and take good care of you.
Duck Butts...Ha! Good to hear you like the generator and panels - sounds like they have a lot of options.
Let us know about the piano playing....I may have to break my foot :-)))
Ah yes, ennui. It's been looming for me this summer as well. However, it's not bad enough that I've actually done anything about it. Perhaps in the fall? Or not.
Enough ennui...though it's a great word! Sorta rolls off your tongue like "fugue". That is a really cool power system you've got all coordinated nicely.
Am I the only one who took the time to watch the cat video? I must not get around on YouTube enough (so true) because it tickled me so much I was too distracted to even concentrate on the rest of your post. C'est tout a meme..tres vrais, tres vrais!
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