Question What can I do to use a laptop whilst camping, where I can get more than say 4 poxy hours of use?

[Bill745897]

Hi bros

So Im going camping and when I use my laptop I only get an hour ive seen these power packs on amazon and they look like rechargeable car batteries, it seems they only go for about 4 hours?

Then there are solar panels where you need about a kitchen sized solar panel to get it to run.

Then theres a petrol generator and that was said to only run for 4 hours for 1 fuel tank or something

Whats the best solution here?

I can charge from mains and bring it to camp but not very often like once a week so I like to use my laptop alot, how do I get some decent usage

Cheers

 

[kanewolf]

Hi bros

So Im going camping and when I use my laptop I only get an hour ive seen these power packs on amazon and they look like rechargeable car batteries, it seems they only go for about 4 hours?

Then there are solar panels where you need about a kitchen sized solar panel to get it to run.

Then theres a petrol generator and that was said to only run for 4 hours for 1 fuel tank or something

Whats the best solution here?

I can charge from mains and bring it to camp but not very often like once a week so I like to use my laptop alot, how do I get some decent usage

Cheers

Do you have a vehicle? You can use the battery in your car to charge your laptop.

 

[Bill745897]

Hi mate not yet, so I need it for a no car situation for this question

 

[stonecarver]

https://www.amazon.com/Generator-Portable-Emergency-Interface-Household/dp/B0CL4WDFST?gQT=1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK39Y9S...c7f6&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy

You can even make a homemade one with a motor from an off cast treadmill and a proper voltage regulator.

Most people have no idea that when using there treadmill feeding it input power spins the motor BUT removed from the treadmill and independent and you provide the external pully spin the motor than becomes a generator.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Hi bros

So Im going camping and when I use my laptop I only get an hour ive seen these power packs on amazon and they look like rechargeable car batteries, it seems they only go for about 4 hours?

Then there are solar panels where you need about a kitchen sized solar panel to get it to run.

Then theres a petrol generator and that was said to only run for 4 hours for 1 fuel tank or something

Whats the best solution here?

I can charge from mains and bring it to camp but not very often like once a week so I like to use my laptop alot, how do I get some decent usage

Cheers

Why on Earth would someone go to the great outdoors then waste it playing on a laptop? Just how much lower can the collective intelligence go?

 

[SteJBorchard]

I'm sure someone else has probably said it by now but just look up on Amazon or newegg Car DC to AC converters.

Or if you wanna be bad/retro about it get a large UPS like a 400$ one and charge it up before you go. Though you'll probably have to put up with the beeping. 😛

 

[USAFRet]

Or if you wanna be bad/retro about it get a large UPS like a 400$ one and charge it up before you go. Though you'll probably have to put up with the beeping.

Adding 15-20 kilos to your camping gear?

 

[Misgar]

Some modern laptops have batteries that last up to 20 hours. Of course it means spending money, but it's a solution.
https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-laptops-for-battery-life

when I use my laptop I only get an hour

If it's a gaming laptop I'm not surprised. If it's a "normal" laptop and several years old, you might consider replacing the internal battery. After 4 or 5 years use, your battery might be getting "tired".

I've seen these power packs on amazon and they look like rechargeable car batteries, it seems they only go for about 4 hours?

Unfortunately, power = weight. Just think how heavy EV batteries are in a big saloon car or SUV. Maybe half a ton, perhaps more? Your laptop battery probably weighs somwhere between 8oz and 1lb (225 to 450g). If you're taking external batteries to charge the laptop, you'll need 8oz to 1lb of external batteries for each additional recharge.

(Large) Solar panels are an option if you can place them in direct sunlight throughout the day (at a permanent camp site) but if you're back packing, you probably don't have enough area on your backpack for an adequate number of solar cells.

I use this Anker power bank to directly charge my laptops via their USB-C Power Delivery inputs. It outputs 20V at 3.25A for my 65W laptop and 20V at 5A for my 100W laptop. To charge this Anker power bank, I use a standard USB-C power brick or my laptops' USB-C chargers.
https://www.anker.com/uk/products/a1340-250w-power-bank?variant=45307568390308

If you have an older laptop with a cylindrical DC power jack, you can buy a DC-to-DC converter with a 12V car cigarette lighter plug on the input and a 19.5V (or appropriate voltage) DC power jack on the output lead. Much more efficient that wasting vehicle battery power converting 12V to AC mains then back from AC to DC in your laptop charger. Not much use if you don't have access to a vehicle. I keep one of these adapters handy when using my older laptops in the field.

https://www.amazon.com/EliteBook-TouchSmart-Pavilion-chromebook-Notebook/dp/B087X9XBVS?crid=XYPV3ID0L9Y0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.25HjrhcI2BjvF7iMfGI-ThchRsqoW69W0PSkmV91wGWpxV6MjTcS27G4lFxQHjg1Wws6vtgHzo6i8s5wUiCow1R-5Et2vKrEBG32IsNgE7_iy92F513kESX7BPc36pVaaI8vlXgRMBgYdGPkAh-qw_Ojz_vdsLd59zQadABRtbO5KHfODrTGoofIZw9_7jzGkWXlKSn8Q6xU4qgoRchW5QX9DcG90BwRZqeWc6yYGMo.lHfH_EkHCe84RfFt4VA6A2qqFouMG9aywLUp8hIxffk&dib_tag=se&keywords=12v+to+19.5v+car+laptop+charger&qid=1740338676&sprefix=12v+to+19.5v+car+laptop+charger,aps,202&sr=8-4

Why on Earth would someone go to the great outdoors then waste it playing on a laptop?

We can't be certain the OP is playing games when camping. I backup photos and videos on vacation (up to 100GB per day) and sometimes there's no mains or vehicle power available for the laptops. I have enough CF, SD and microSD cards to last 4 to 5 days, but then I need to copy the files and wipe the cards.

 

[USAFRet]

We can't be certain the OP is playing games when camping. I backup photos and videos on vacation (up to 100GB per day) and sometimes there's no mains or vehicle power available for the laptops. I have enough CF, SD and microSD cards to last 4 to 5 days, but then I need to copy the files and wipe the cards.

Nothing in his comment mentioned "games".

Rather..."playing around on the laptop".

 

[stonecarver]

Hi mate not yet, so I need it for a no car situation for this question

you can buy a DC-to-DC converter with a 12V car cigarette lighter plug on the input and a 19.5V (or appropriate voltage) DC power jack on the output lead. Much more efficient that wasting vehicle battery power converting 12V to AC mains then back from AC to DC in your laptop charger.

I think it's just going to be him on foot camping no power grid no car just him nature and a way to power laptop for a week off grid. Though many solutions it comes down to the OP's dedication on getting to his camp site what will provide him the solution.

 

[Misgar]

I think it's just going to be him on foot camping no power grid no car just him nature and a way to power laptop for a week off grid. Though many solutions it comes down to the OP's dedication on getting to his camp site what will provide him the solution.

If that's the situation and there's no mains or vehicle power, I'd seriously consider buying a new laptop, because the existing laptop only lasts for 1 hour on battery. A modern laptop that runs for 10 to 20 hours on its own battery would be much better.

A large folding solar panel, charge controller, DC-DC converter and battery pack to charge the laptop would complete the setup, but adds expense and weight to a backpack.

This might be suitable. It provides two 5V USB ports at 2.4A each suitable for charging USB battery banks, plus an 18V 5A output suitable for charging older laptops. Weight is 4.73lb (2.15kg). Price US $193.99.
https://www.amazon.com/ALLPOWERS-Ch...ry+camping+hiking+travel+,aps,117&sr=8-1&th=1

This 100W solar panel charger isn't suitable if you can't leave it out in the sun for several hours to charge the batteries. If it's cloudy or raining, you'd need to double or triple the charge times. Modern laptops often use USB-C PD charging, not 18/19V, so this solar panel might not be the best option.

I don't think I'd want to lug a heavy laptop (typically 5lb/2.25kg with mains PSU) plus a solar charging system (4.73lb/2.15kg), plus a USB power bank (1lb4oz/0.6kg) on a long hike. That's 11lb/5kg total for laptop + charger.

Perhaps a lightweight tablet would be easier to carry?

 

[SteJBorchard]

I guess using a laptop or gaming computer while your camping is a good reward. BUT Only IF you did a ton of hiking/rock climbing earlier. 😛