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! Battery Type
! Typical Battery Life[1]
! Nominal Voltage
! Weight
! Comment
| 1.5 V
| 2 x 23 g
| Best Weight-Cost-Ratio especially when not carrying a solar panel. Not suitable for recharging.
|-
| Lithium
| 1.5 V
| 2 x 15 g
| Luxury Low-Weight-Option or emergency spares. Do not recharge as these batteries may explode.
|-
|colspan="5"|Not Recommended Battery Types
| 3.7 V
| -
| DO NOT USE! AA sized 14500 Li-Ion batteries have a voltage of 3.7 V what may permanently damage the GPS.
|-
| Zinc-Carbon
| 1.5 V
| -
| DO NOT USE! Zin-Carbon batteries have a much lower capacity, are not cold-resistant and may leak.
|}
*Map: Shows the current location on the maps and permits zooming and panning to plan ahead. This is my most frequently used page.
*Compass: You can select on the map a point an aim for this point using the Compass page. This is useful in cross country terrain and when packrafting in open water. If your device does not have a magnetic sensor (i.e. the eTrex20x comes without compass) then the orientation is only shown correctly while moving.
*Elevation Plot: The elevation plot does not shrink mountains but shows you at least what you climbed and descended.
*Trip Computer: You can select the values that you wish to get shown on this page. We tend to reset the counter daily to monitor our daily advance but you can keep the counter running if you love to see big numbers.
*Sun and Moon: Knowing sunrise, sunset and moon status is useful to anticipate natural light and know your death-line for finding a suitable camp site. Also the calendar is handy when approaching a section end and planning your resupply trip.
===Electrical Energy Consumption===
The actual electrical energy consumption during a long-distance hike depends on the electronic consumers and their use.
A Garmin handheld GPS device has a energy consumption of 1.5 Wh to 2.5 Wh per day if the previously recommended power saving settings are applied. One pair of AA batteries lasts therefore:
*2 x NiMH Rechargeable Batteries (2 x 2.2 - 3.0 Wh): 2 to 3 days
*2 x Alkaline Non-Rechargeable Batteries (2 x 3.0 - 4.2 Wh): 3 to 4 days
|+Battery and power bank specifications
! Battery Type
! Stored Energy
! Weight
! Specific Stored Energy
! Nominal Voltage! Actual Range
! Comment
|-
| colspan="7"|Rechargeable AA Batteries
|-
| AA NiMH Battery| 2.2 – 3.0 Wh 1’800 – 2’500 mAh
| 25 g
| 85 – 120 Wh/kg
| 1.2 V
| 1.4 – 1.1 V
| New quality NiMH batteries have a capacity of 2’000 – 2’500 mAh but over time and with frequent use this drops.
|-
| colspan="7"|Non-Rechargeable AA Batteries
|-
| AA Alkaline Battery| 3.0 – 4.2 Wh 2’000 – 2’800 mAh
| 23 g
| 130 – 180 Wh/kg
| 1.5 V
| 1.6 – 1.1 V
| Alkaline batteries are good for devices with a low power consumption (GPS).
|-
| AA Lithium Battery| 4.5 – 5.25 Wh 3’000 – 3’500 mAh
| 15 g
| 300 – 350 Wh/kg
| 1.5 V
| 1.8 – 1.5 V
| Lithium batteries have the highest specific energy but are more costly.
|-
|colspan="7"| Other Rechargeable Batteries and Power Banks
|-
| Lithium-Ion Battery
| Depending on size
| Depending on size
| Approximately 200 Wh/kg
| 3.7 V
| 4.1 – 3.7 V
| Most devices with build in batteries have Lithium-Ion batteries installed.
|-
| 5000 mA Power Bank
| Nominal 18.5 Wh Effective 13 - 15 Wh
| 120 – 150 g
| Nominal 125 – 200 Wh/kg Effective 100 – 160 Wh/kg
| 5.0 V
| 5.0 V
| USB power banks are specified based on the capacity of the internal Lithium-Ion batteries (3.7 V) and not the output voltage (5.0 V) of the USB port.
|-
| 10’000 mA Power Bank
| Nominal 37 Wh Effective 26 - 30 Wh
| 180 – 240 g
| Nominal 125 – 200 Wh/kg Effective 100 – 160 Wh/kg
| 5.0 V
| 5.0 V
| USB power banks are specified based on the capacity of the internal Lithium-Ion batteries (3.7 V) and not the output voltage (5.0 V) of the USB port.
|}
The only lossless method to “recharge” a depleted device is changing batteries. This is one reason why I prefer a Garmin GPS device over smartphones. A battery change takes seconds and no electrical energy is lost.
In contrast, charging a smartphone or an InReach device with a USB power bank is not lossless. My measurements showed me that only 70% - 80% of the energy ends up in the charged battery and 20% - 30% of the energy is converted into useless heat during the energy transfer process. These losses are unavoidable due to the battery chemistry and the power consumption of the electronics in the power bank and the charged device. This means that a 10’000 mAh power bank with a rated capacity of 37 Wh equals 26 – 30 Wh in your smartphone and InReach. Therefore the effective specific stored energy of a USB power bank with Lithium-Ion batteries (100 – 160 Wh/kg) tends to be slightly lower than the specific stored energy of AA Alkaline batteries (130 – 180 Wh/kg) and not much better than NiMH batteries (75 – 120 Wh/kg). Non-rechargeable Lithium Batteries (300 – 350 Wh/kg) are clearly on top of the list when minimizing weight.
<small>Note: I estimate that about one third of the losses (7% to 10%) occur in the power bank by stepping up the voltage from the internal Lithium-Ion battery (3.7 V) to the USB voltage (5.0 V). The remaining two third of the losses (13% to 20%) occur in the charged device when transforming the USB voltage (5.0 V) into the appropriate charging voltage (4.25 V) for the internal Lithium-Ion battery and by losses in the charged battery itself (internal battery resistance). The rule of thumb is: As warmer your devices become while charging as higher are the losses.</small>
Based on multiple tests I conclude that a good outdoor solar panel has a specific power generation of roughly 20 W/kg. So a panel with a 5 W power output weights around 250 g.
In addition to the solar panel a AA NiMH battery charger is required. I recommend the Goal Zero Guide 10 plus device that weights 64 g. The bonus feature of this device is that it can also be used as a USB power bank by discharging AA NiMH batteries. But the Goal Zero charger comes with the disadvantage that it charges only 4 NiMH batteries together. Alternatively use the EBL USB Quick Charger . The advantage of the EBL charger is that it charges individual batteries (a single battery if you want) and that it charges faster if you have enough USB power (i.e. if you have up to 2 A USB input current in towns or with a bigger solar panel). But the EBL charger can not be used as a power bank. The weight of the EBL charger is with 68 g nearly identical. For more information to these the section about USB AA NiMH chargers USB AA NiMH Battery Charger.
In addition, a sufficiently long Mini-USB cable is required. While charging, the batteries should not be “cooked” in the sunlight or the pocket on the back of the hot solar panel. There the batteries deteriorate quickly.
To charge four NiMH batteries while hiking you need two additional NiMH batteries for your GPS. So you must carry at least six NiMH batteries to have also enough backup power for a series of cloudy and rainy days.
To fully charge 4 depleted AA NiMH batteries with a capacity of 2’000 mAh (4 x 2.4 Wh) roughly 21 Wh are required.
====Bio Lite CampStove====
I recently stumbled in an outdoor shop over a piece of gear that also promises to charge electronics in the outdoors: the Bio Lite CampStove. This stove promises to produce electrical energy using the thermoelectric effect. All you need are small pieces of wood to recharge your gadgets while cooking with fire. Here the link: [https://eu.bioliteenergy.com/products/campstove-2 the link].
This sounds cool? Certainly! But before getting excited let’s analyse it. The manufacturer specification states that the weight is 935 g and that the peak power output is 3 W. So, it would feel like a heavy stone in the backpack and when reading “peak power” I instantly know that I should not expect this output under normal conditions. So, let’s assume that an average power output of 2 W can be maintained over some time. 2 W out of 1 kg of gear means a specific power generation of 2 W/kg.
I can look at this piece of gear from whatever angle and I can’t see under what circumstances it provides a true benefit. Therefore, carrying the Bio Lite CampStove on a hike proves only the inability or unwillingness to analyse. So, for me this is a useless toy for adults that want to play the outdoor guy!
====WaterLily Turbine====
There is another power generator that recently pushed on the market: the WaterLily Turbine. The designers suggest using it in fast flowing rivers or hung up in a tree to harvest wind energy. Here the link: [https://waterlilyturbine.com/products/waterlily-turbine the link].
According to the manufacturers specification the weight is 1.3 kg and the peak power output is 15 W. Again, peak power means that a bit less should be expected. I will assume an average power generation of 10 W for my analysis. With 1.3 kg it’s heavy but with approximately 10 W output it produces more than a trickle charge.
! Item
! Comment
! Luxury Ultra-Light
! Ultra-Light
! Economy Light
! Autarky & High-Power
! Smartphones Only
|-
| colspan="7"|Navigation and Communication Devices
|-
| GPS
| Recommended Primary Navigation Device
| Yes
| Yes
|-
| Smartphone
| Recommended Backup Navigation Device
| Yes
| Yes
|-
| Backup Smartphone
| Second Backup Smartphone if no GPS used
| -
| -
|-
| InReach
| Satellite Communication Device
| Yes
| Yes
|-
| Solar Panel
| A solar panel with an actual 5 W power output is normally sufficient
| -
| -
|-
| AA Lithium Batteries
| Lithium batteries have the highest specific stored energy but are costly
| Yes
| Opt.
| -
|-
| AA Alkaline Batteries| Alkaline batteries are cheaper and easier to find in small resupply towns
| -
| Yes
|-
| AA NiMH Batteries
| Rechargeable batteries minimize cost but slightly increase weight
| -
| -
|-
| AA USB Charger
| Rechargeable batteries require a charger that may serve as power bank
| Opt.
| -
|-
| USB Power Bank
| USB devices are best recharged with a Lithium-Ion power bank
| Opt.
| Yes
|-
| USB Charger
| 220 V USB Charger with Europlug þ and Type L Adapter for Argentina
| Yes
| Yes
|+Navigation Equipment Options (Weight per day)
! Power Supply Option
! Device Consumption! Cost per Day of Navigation
! Weight per Day of Navigation
! Additional Base Weight per Day of Range
! Additional Base Weight
|-
| Luxury Ultra-Light Option GPS & AA Lithium Batteries
| 2 AA: 4 – 5 days
| 1 – 3 EUR
| -
|-
| Ultra-Light Option GPS & AA Alkaline Batteries
| 2 AA: 3 – 4 days
| 0.25 – 1 EUR
| -
|-
| Economy Light Option GPS & AA NiMH Batteries
| 2 AA: 2 – 3 days
| -
| 75 g
|-
| Autarky & High-Power Option GPS & AA NiMH Bat. & Solar Panel
| 2 AA: 2 – 3 days
| -
| At least 475 g
|-
| Smartphones Only Option Smartphones & USB Power Bank| 1 smartphone charge: ≈ 2 days
| -
| -
{| class="wikitable"
|+Navigation Equipment Options (Weight depending on section length)
! Power Supply Options With Non-Rechargeable Batteries
! 4 Days of Navigation
! 8 Days of Navigation
! 20 Days of Navigation
|-
| Luxury Ultra-Light Option GPS & AA Lithium Batteries (In addition, USB power bank for smartphone depending on habits and backup needs.)| 30 g 2 x AA Lithium| 60 g 4 x AA Lithium| 90 g 6 x AA Lithium| 120 g 8 x AA Lithium| 150 g 10 x AA Lithium
|-
| Ultra-Light Option GPS & AA Alkaline Batteries (In addition, USB power bank for smartphone depending on habits and backup needs.)| 92 g 4 x AA Alkaline| 138 g 6 x AA Alkaline| 184 g 8 x AA Alkaline| 276 g 12 x AA Alkaline| 322 g 14 x AA Alkaline
|-
| Navigation Equipment Option With Rechargeable Batteries
| 4 Days of Range
| 8 Days of Range
| 20 Days of Range
|-
| Economy Light Option GPS & AA NiMH Batteries (In addition, USB power bank for smartphone depending on habits and backup needs.)| 175 g 4 x AA NiMH| 275 g 8 x AA NiMH| 375 g 12 x AA NiMH| 475 g 16 x AA NiMH| 575 g 20 x AA NiMH
|-
| Autarky & High-Power Option GPS & AA NiMH Bat. & Solar Panel
| At least 475 g
| At least 475 g
| At least 475 g
|-
| Smartphones Only Option Smartphones & USB Power Bank (In addition, a second backup smartphone required)| At least 120 g 1 x 5’000 mAh| At least 180 g 1 x 10’000 mAh| At least 360 g 2 x 10’000 mAh| At least 540 g 3 x 10’000 mAh| At least 540 g 3 x 10’000 mAh
|}
