Nomadinexile
New Member
*Edit* My needs have now changed. I am currently seeking 3 charges for 3 AA's and 3 charges for 1 Nbl4 760mah 3.2 volt.
If I can support this off an 100Ah LifePo4, I think I have it locked down. But can I? Thanks everyone! ryan
Hello everyone. Sorry if this post isn't within the scope of this site. I have no idea where to go, as my needs are not something they train people for at Electronics stores, and all I am getting everywhere is blank stares.
I am taking a self-supported bike trip from Austin, TX to Death Valley, CA to take pictures and video of arachnids, mostly scorpions. I am planning on releasing on photo's, video's, and information gained for free online. This is not a commercial trip. It's a journey of love for our natural world, and my attempt to share it.
I have a long framed bicycle from Kona, called the Ute. It has a large platform similar in size to 3 skateboards end to end, on the back to put a solar panel on. I need to buy a laptop or net book, and a video recorder, and the solar stuff, for around $1000. I plan on filming for 2-3 hours a day. I want to take 100-200 digital 6mp photos a day. And I also have to be able to charge 3AA batteries every day for my black light flashlight which makes their exoskeleton glow at night. I need to have approximately 1 hour of computer time a night as well to work on blogs, upload vid/pics off of memory, and record any important observations I see as well. I plan on having access to AC outlets once a week, or once every two weeks, depending on where I am at. I need the computer to be able to email, go to websites, use word, and upload/download photos and video. The only video editing I plan on doing is taking time off the front or end of footage. I don't need any special software. Just able to view and edit length.
I don't need a disk drive either I don't think.
These are some of the problems I am running into:
1. Solar chargers advertised as "laptop chargers" are either A. Too expensive B. They are underpowered, and will
only work with certain brands/batteries, and still take a long time, or the charge isn't strong enough to even be
noticed by the computer, let alone charge it.
2. I don't know enough about electricity and electronics, and so I'm not really sure how much energy I even need.
3. Even if I get something that is capable of charging the computer in a reasonable time, I still have to buy converters and special adapters to charge AA batteries and video recorder as well. And again, will it have the juice?
I have a million things and ideas spinning through my mind right now, and I'm pretty good and lost about this. However, I do think I found a couple of options that I just might be able to pull off, and I am wondering if I am barking up the right tree here. Can you help me figure it out?
Option1: Regular cheap microsoft based laptop or net book, sony handy cam type video recorder, and this:
Xantrex Technology Inc. - Mobile Office - XPower Powerpack Solar - Product Information
Questions: That solar panel is small. Most of the energy for this device will come from charging in wall outlets once a week or so right? Would this device store enough for my needs for One week if it gets full sun all day? Two?
Option2:Linux Ubunto based computer that runs 4 hours off 8AA's. And video recorder that needs 2AA's. **broken link removed**
**broken link removed**
And I can get two of those military grade folding chargers that charge 4 AA's in 7-8 hours. That should be close.
Any help is appreciated. Any advice. I am completely lost and need it. If this is the wrong place for this, any ideas on where to go? Thanks, sincerely, Ryan Nomadinexile@hushmail.com
If I can support this off an 100Ah LifePo4, I think I have it locked down. But can I? Thanks everyone! ryan
Hello everyone. Sorry if this post isn't within the scope of this site. I have no idea where to go, as my needs are not something they train people for at Electronics stores, and all I am getting everywhere is blank stares.
I am taking a self-supported bike trip from Austin, TX to Death Valley, CA to take pictures and video of arachnids, mostly scorpions. I am planning on releasing on photo's, video's, and information gained for free online. This is not a commercial trip. It's a journey of love for our natural world, and my attempt to share it.
I have a long framed bicycle from Kona, called the Ute. It has a large platform similar in size to 3 skateboards end to end, on the back to put a solar panel on. I need to buy a laptop or net book, and a video recorder, and the solar stuff, for around $1000. I plan on filming for 2-3 hours a day. I want to take 100-200 digital 6mp photos a day. And I also have to be able to charge 3AA batteries every day for my black light flashlight which makes their exoskeleton glow at night. I need to have approximately 1 hour of computer time a night as well to work on blogs, upload vid/pics off of memory, and record any important observations I see as well. I plan on having access to AC outlets once a week, or once every two weeks, depending on where I am at. I need the computer to be able to email, go to websites, use word, and upload/download photos and video. The only video editing I plan on doing is taking time off the front or end of footage. I don't need any special software. Just able to view and edit length.
I don't need a disk drive either I don't think.
These are some of the problems I am running into:
1. Solar chargers advertised as "laptop chargers" are either A. Too expensive B. They are underpowered, and will
only work with certain brands/batteries, and still take a long time, or the charge isn't strong enough to even be
noticed by the computer, let alone charge it.
2. I don't know enough about electricity and electronics, and so I'm not really sure how much energy I even need.
3. Even if I get something that is capable of charging the computer in a reasonable time, I still have to buy converters and special adapters to charge AA batteries and video recorder as well. And again, will it have the juice?
I have a million things and ideas spinning through my mind right now, and I'm pretty good and lost about this. However, I do think I found a couple of options that I just might be able to pull off, and I am wondering if I am barking up the right tree here. Can you help me figure it out?
Option1: Regular cheap microsoft based laptop or net book, sony handy cam type video recorder, and this:
Xantrex Technology Inc. - Mobile Office - XPower Powerpack Solar - Product Information
Questions: That solar panel is small. Most of the energy for this device will come from charging in wall outlets once a week or so right? Would this device store enough for my needs for One week if it gets full sun all day? Two?
Option2:Linux Ubunto based computer that runs 4 hours off 8AA's. And video recorder that needs 2AA's. **broken link removed**
**broken link removed**
And I can get two of those military grade folding chargers that charge 4 AA's in 7-8 hours. That should be close.
Any help is appreciated. Any advice. I am completely lost and need it. If this is the wrong place for this, any ideas on where to go? Thanks, sincerely, Ryan Nomadinexile@hushmail.com
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