Best way to keep the phone charged?

[becida]

I'm looking for the best way to keep my phone charged. I don't have solar yet & I'd rather not run the van every day, I may even go hiking over night.
What can I set on the dash or out in the sun if I'm away that I can use to keep my phone charged...and it really works?
Thanks.

 

[East]

I use this and it works fine. You can even strap it on your backpack to keep things charged when you hike during the day.

 

[minimotos95]

Even though I still have 24/7 grid power since I got my new phone I've been using the USB power bank that matches. It can charge my phone 2-3 times and help run my portable HDD a little. Mine is only 10ah but there's bigger ones available.

I figure a USB power bank may be the best option for minimalists who need a phone but can't be hassled by a full house battery setup, either charge while you drive, off a small solar panel or at a library/coffee shop every couple days

 

[minimotos95]

Just remembered Casey had posted something about a powerbank with built in solar, pretty cool. You can store up power all day then charge your phone when you need, finding link.....

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=3633

 

[cyndi]

What can I set on the dash or out in the sun if I'm away that I can use to keep my phone charged

I wouldn't leave anything out in view, on the dash or in the sun, if I was away.

 

[BC Guy]

Why don't you check eBay for extra batteries (if it takes removable ones)?  I just found 3 batteries and a charger for mine for $12.88.

 

[Seraphim]

Another option is a jump battery - some have the power points for plugging in DC plugs.

 

[Almost There]

Another option is a jump battery - some have the power points for plugging in DC plugs.

If they don't you could always pick up a 12V charger for the phone.

I like my multiple tip one, it meant when I switched phones I didn't have to replace the 12v charger again!!

It also meant that when I had a friend on board with a low phone battery, we just put the right tip on and charged up her phone while we drove!

 

[LeeRevell]

While I normally am able to keep my cellphone charged while driving, I do have this little unit via Amazon:
Anker 2nd Gen Astro E4 13000mAh 3A High Capacity Fast Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8d7as4o3a3_b

It can charge my phone about three times, before needing recharged itself. It fits in a shirt pocket.

 

[SternWake]

A phone battery is rated in mAH, and obviously the capacity of batteries in different phones varies.

However, it must be noted that 1900mAH at 5 volts is not the same as 1900mAH at 12 volts.

If phones were 12v, then it would take nearly 2AH from the vehicle battery to fully charge a completely depleted phone that had a 2000Mah battery, if the phone was turned off, and not actually consuming any energy other than charging the battery.

At only 5 volts the phone's really do not consume very much from a regular 12v battery, and the alternator can easily replace what the phone alone requires from it. It of course depends on how often the vehicle is driven and how often the phone needs to be recharged, but I would not stress depletion of the vehicles battery if ONLY recharging a phone.

http://www.amazon.com/Jelly-Comb-Un...UTF8&qid=1434248422&sr=8-6&keywords=usb+Meter

The above link will show volts, amps and count the mAH consumed from USB devices. It has been an enlightening tool for me. There are some conversion losses in lowering 12.xx volts to 5.0 volts, but they are almost negligible in this usage.

As for how to provide 5 volts, I use these products:
https://www.bluesea.com/products/1016/Dual_USB_Charger_Socket

And in my existing Ciggy plug receptacles products similar to these:
http://www.amazon.com/Compatible-Bl...d=1434341974&sr=8-22&keywords=usb+car+charger

Shorter quality micro USB cables from USB to device being charged, can also reduce charge times due to less voltage drop:
http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Premium...434342154&sr=8-1&keywords=anker+micro+usb+1ft

I've found the shorter cables to be more ergonomic in my Van/usage.

 

[offroad]

I have a battery case on my iPhone. It doubles to triples the time between charges needed. It will charge overnight both the case and the iPhone, if you have a source to do that while you sleep.

 

[highdesertranger]

if you are leaving your phone, just turn it off. it will not self discharge overnight enough to make a difference. use a car charger for the rest of the time. when I am out of range I turn my off regardless and only turn it back on when I need to use it. highdesertranger

 

[offroad]

if you are leaving your phone, just turn it off. it will not self discharge overnight enough to make a difference. use a car charger for the rest of the time. when I am out of range I turn my off regardless and only turn it back on when I need to use it. highdesertranger

Your phone will boost power usage when put of range of a tower. It will keep searching to try and connect. Thus turning it off is a good thing.

 

[gcal]

Harbor Frt has a little solar charger for about $20. It works, but it's not fast.

 

[gcal]

You can get a portable phone charger, charge it off the solar unit during the day, and charge you phone with it any time. A good charger will fully charge your phone at least twice