RE: [Paddlewise] solar battery chargers

Hi Bob,

I haven't looked into solar chargers, but I do carry a very small gel cell
12V battery with me. (YT4L-BS - about $35) This thing is tiny (about the
size of a 6V lantern battery). I've run my GPS (GPS III) for over 24
continuous hours without a problem, and it powers my bilge pump fine. The
battery was still running my GPS after a day, but I no longer needed it on,
so I turned it off. I have no idea how long it will really last. I would
caution I haven't had it in salt water though. I'm not sure what would
happen if suddenly immersed in salt water. Fresh water hasn't been a
problem. I outfitted the kayak with an exterior grade power jack from
Wal-mart (glorified car cigarette lighter receptacle) so other electronic
items can be used as well.

The GPS was the main reason for this since my GPS can eat up 4 alkaline
batteries every 8 hours. The bilge pump and other electronic accessories
were a side benefit.

Woody


-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Bob Tellefson
Sent:	Monday, January 11, 1999 7:14 PM
To:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subject:	[Paddlewise] solar battery chargers

<snip>

Are any of you using solar battery chargers on extended trips?  Do they
make sense for a paddler, or is it more practical to just take a bag of
batteries along?




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