Posted on 02/28/2014 8:40:58 AM PST by virgil283
My crank up radio has a 'USB' type connector for a phone charger. That's what I would recommend, so check RS or my favorite C Crane for what they have in that line. C Crane has a solar battery charge which I use.
BTW on those wind up radios and flash lights be advised they have an internal battery that you charge when you crank....and that goes bad after several years even if you wind it occasionally....'V'
Actually in this day and age, it is very uncommon. Maybe there are some backroads in Alaska or Montana, for example, where this might happen but people in those parts tend to know better than to put themselves in a dangerous situation during the winter and if they must venture out, they make others aware of where they are going and they will be prepared.
For the average American, there is no real danger or starvation traveling the interstates and the main roads. Yes, it's a very good idea in wintertime for even city drivers to carry an emergency kit in their car that includes a blanket, extra gloves, flashlight/flares, and a small shovel to dig yourself out if you happen to run into a snowbank. However, there is no danger of being stuck for days. Pretty much ever car on the road has a cell phone these days and there are constantly cops patrolling the roads along with all the snowplows and other equipment out on the roads during a snowstorm.
Generally speaking, a stranded motorist will have an emergency vehicle within the hour, be it AAA, a police car or a good samaritan. We've had numerous major snowstorms in the Northeast this year (some 55 million people live here) and I don't think there has been a single case of a stranded motorist dying of starvation or exposure on the side of the road.
Now getting killed on the roadway due to an accident is a whole different matter. If I am stuck on the side of the road, I'd be much more concerned about getting struck from behind by a tractor-trailer or other motor vehicle than not having crackers and cheese handy, believe me!
For that reason, I try to stay off the roads during a winter storm.
Check Amazon. Search term:
handcrank flashlight USB
Eton has one for about $14 that has gotten good reviews. Thing is that the NiCad batteries don’t have a lot of capacity, so handcranking for a few minutes will get you a very short amount of air time. The LED flashlight uses less energy so that lasts longer and it’s easy to crank it back up as the light fades.
I’ve tried three or four brands and all seemed or were pretty flimsy.
Now it could be that some cases might have enough room to squeeze in slightly larger batteres.
My BOB now includes an Instapark Mercury 10 portable solar power supply. 2 USB outlets @ 5v 10 watt max. Nylon case folds up the 2 PV flex panels to a package roughly the size of a 7” tablet. Has numerous loops to aid in hanging. Works well flat on dash. Also has a pocket for cords and holding phone or device. USB outlets are inside the pocket.
I coupled it with a 12000mAh USB battery. Outputs 5v @ 0.5A, 1.0A, 1.3A and 2.1A. I can charge this from the folding solar panels. Got it through Amazon.
These two fit into pocket of my Duluth vest nicely with minimal bulge.
Maybe this is theoretically true but in practice, how many people would ever be in a situation where they had access to liquor that was chilled to -30F!
That should read 3PV panels on the Instapark.
Indeed. Campbell’s Chunky soups are filling, delicious, nutritious, and easy to eat cold (just add a spoon). 9 of them take little space in a trunk, making 3 meals a day for 3 days. Heck, 90 of them fit a trunk easy, a month of food. Don’t underestimate the capacity of a car; make it easy, don’t store “difficult” food if you don’t have to.
Thanks ever so much for the information, Covenator. I appreciate it very much.
I do thank you so much for your reply and tips regarding the question I had about hand crank chargers.
An easy place to start might be to cannibalize the parts from a flashlight or radio. These will be set up to charge 2-4 AA equivalent NiCad or NiMh cells. I’ve not done this experiment my self so don’t have any circuits/schematics handy. I’m gonna go waaaay out on a limb and say you just might be able to find such online.
...No one ever says thanks....but you did... God bless YOU.
LOL! Thanks for the suggestion, Professional Engineer. I suspect you are correct, and I’ll poke around and see what I can find. If you should somehow stumble across any in your travels, it would not hurt my feelings at all if you would be willing to share them! Thanks again!
:-D what an enormously kind thing to say. May God bless you as well!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.