this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2026
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I'm only half kidding. I'm a bit of a prepper and I have lots of powerbanks and devices that charge from USB but besides idling my truck I really had no other way to charge any of them in case of a long-term power outage which seemed a bit of an oversight on my part.

Not like this solves the issue. 30 watts (under ideal conditions) isn't much but it's a start.

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[โ€“] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (5 children)

That's a massive panel for so little wattage.

Look up 25% next time, they maximize the area! N-type's are also great for enduring high temps and weathering high uv.

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[โ€“] Dremor@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This seems quite big for a 30W ๐Ÿ˜….

If that's really an usb A port on the side, my own 25W is basically the size of one of your panels. But mine is 5V only. In theory, it is 2 15W ports (5V3A), but in reality it is more 10W (5V2A) each, when both are used, in ideal conditions.

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B0DMNY4HWV

Got another one which delivers 60W (45W using the PD USBC port), with integrated stand.

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B0DQ8PY91X

(Links are not sponsored)

I also tested for Amazon Vime multiple solar pannel, but my biggest grief with all of them is that they lies about their IP rating. They simply gives the pannel own rating, wich doesn't applies to the connection box. That's not respecting the specs, which requires the whole item to be rated, not only part of it. If one follow that logic, my e-bike is IP68 too (if you take the chassis only and not the electronic bits).

[โ€“] GoatSynagogue@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (66 children)

In the event of an apocalypse basically nothing that you can charge is going to be of any use other than flashlights.

[โ€“] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)

That's a pretty ignorant thing to say.

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[โ€“] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 month ago

Hmm. So let's talk resilience; lighting, battery power tools, refrigeration, Mobility (mountain eBikes, with solar recharging would make for great post apocalyptic transportation), and many more things.

[โ€“] matlag@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Look: I plan solar panels, batteries, and a small TV set, so during the apocalypse, I will have my Netflix shows! And with the right EV, I will be one of the few who can still go to Costco!

You see: I'm ready!!

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[โ€“] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (8 children)

Electric fire starter. Mesh nodes. Walkie talkies. Small computer with offline Wikipedia and Google maps. GPS may still be working for a while, so that would be useful to charge and use. Portable fans. MP3 player or other entertainment device. Camera. Small power tool batteries....

Yeah, in an apocalypse, a small about of electricity would be a luxury.

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[โ€“] busted_Anoose@aussie.zone 5 points 1 month ago (4 children)

You underestimate the amount of digital hoarders out there.

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[โ€“] busted_Anoose@aussie.zone 5 points 1 month ago (10 children)

You can buy a 100ah battery and 200w solar blanket for fairly cheap. its not a terrible idea to be a little bit prepped. Saw a car on youtube the other day that was 8k, had 10kwh battery, range of 150k and had a retractable roof solar panel that gives the car 55km a day of solar generation. perfect for the apocalype. cruise around the wastelands in style.

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[โ€“] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

How much did you pay for that? I might be interested in something similar.

30W is plenty for a smartphone or powerbank. I usually charge mine at sub-20W as not to stress the batteries too much. The phone still charges to full (or 95% to be precise) in an hour. I'm in no rush.

Now if it could do 60W - perfect for all mobile devices. Everything from a smartphone to a laptop or a big handheld console.

[โ€“] MeThisGuy@feddit.nl 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

can it run my mitsubishu wand?

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[โ€“] bahayo@ani.social 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

im always wanted to setup solar panel in mountain to reduce hiker gone missing type stuff

[โ€“] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 6 points 1 month ago

You thinking about setting up a public charging spot in the wilderness? I like that.

[โ€“] Ydna@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

I've been scheming to install panels on my garage roof for a year or so. My biggest hurtle is needing to make space for an inverter next to the circuit panel, but first my hot water tank is installed too close to the panel so it can't pass an inspection until I move it. Which means a ton of new plumbing before u even get to the new stuff. Ugggh

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