Budget power bank and solar panel for a shed?

Rob_B

Rob_B

Rob_B

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I'm looking for a little power bank + solar panel setup to live in my shed to allow me to plug in some LED lights for when I work out in there. It might also be used to power some other outdoor LED lights but one step at a time!

I could just get a reasonably priced and sized portable charger and leave it in there then charge in the house as needed but I thought a lowish power solar panel trickle charging it could work.

From a VERY quick search I can pick up a 99wh (30,000mah) USB only bank + 30w panel for £100.
I know it wont charge fast, I know better things exist but for that sort of price it seems like it'd do the job.

For the £100-£140 range does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
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I bought my dad these for his allotment:
(A little more than what you're wanting to spend, but Anker is top quality)

Anker C300: https://amzn.eu/d/6mocRvc
40W panel: https://amzn.eu/d/8TuOFwN

The panel goes on the south-facing roof of his shed, which can fully charge the power bank in about 8-10 hours.

I also bought him this:
600W travel kettle: https://amzn.eu/d/iqHrCqL which does the job when his Thermos runs low.
 
Hows that panel? Does he get a decent amount of the 40w from it do you know?

The Anker C200 (192wh, 200w but no 3 pin) seems good for £100, plus a panel in the £40/£50 range isnt too far off budget :)
 
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I have the Anker C200. It's a great little thing and very portable. Keep in mind that over winter solar may struggle to keep it charged if the panel is small. Or you could just allow for occasionally brining it indoors to charge if it's not getting enough solar on those few days.

There are actually three similar models:

C200 - 192wh, USBA and USBC only with no three pin. No light.
C300 DC - 288wh, USBA, USBC and "cigarette plug" DC but no three pin. It also has a pop up light
C300 - 288w, USBA, USBC, "cigarette" DC, three pin plug and a fixed light

For your usage the C300 DC isn't a lot more money but has more capacity (possibly useful on shorter darker days again). It also has the pop up light. It's on sale now on Amazon for £150 (it's often on sale so never buy at full price). The full AC version with three pin plugs is often on sale for £180 but it's a little bigger and heavier. The really great thing about these Anker C series units is that they use LiFePO4 batteries which have a much longer charging lifespan that regular litium batteries in smaller power banks. I don't think you'll need it because they can be charged with small USB panmesl, but all three devices have XT60 solar panel input.
 
I'd seen those and was tempted, the C300 with the 3pins can be had for £170 at the moment. None of them seem to work with Anker's own PS30 30w panel as it is only 5V 3A out

I might pick up the C300 (don't need DC) and then look for panels
 
Rob_B said:
Hows that panel? Does he get a decent amount of the 40w from it do you know?

The Anker C200 (192wh, 200w but no 3 pin) seems good for £100, plus a panel in the £40/£50 range isnt too far off budget :)
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Dad's had no complaints, but he has only used it over the summer, so no idea how it will cope with the shorter days/miserable weather.

It runs his radio, charges his phone and boils the kettle to top up his thermos, which keeps him happy as he works the allotment.
 
Rob_B said:
Ordered the C300 AC/DC version for £170, budget already blown.

So now on the lookout for a 30w+ panel :)
Click to expand...
I thought I'd go and find my 40w portable solar panel from the loft and try it on my C200 to give you an idea. Just now at about 1:30pm on a quite bright and warm day, getting the best possible angle to the sun, I was able to charge the C200 at 19 watts using this panel. If you get a 30w then I would imagine in similar conditions just drop approximately 25% off my figure (so probably about 14w).

Keep in mind that it's a clear bright day, there are no clouds above me, the panel is angled well and is not overshadowed by anything. It will obviously be better in summer but a lot worse on a dark winter day. These small portable panels often aren't waterproof (this one says it is but I've not tried it), they usually don't generate as much as the headline figure states, and they usually don't have any sort of stand on them. So you'll often need to prop them up against something. But I hope that gives an idea of what these sorts of panels can do.

 
Cheers. Thats about the efficiency I'd expected.

I'll need to pickup a 'proper' outdoor one as it'll live on the side of the shed and I'm already wondering how the C300 will cope with a freezing shed during winter.
 
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