Corey
OverCamping Specialist
It is a very cool system indeed.
Goal Zero Nomad 13.5 Vehicle Battery Charging Setup
- Thread starter cactusjk
- Start date
expdtnoffroad
New member
The tripods just became available. We are getting them put on our site as we speak.
The tripods will accommodate up to 4 Boulder 30 solar panels.
Please note that we are offering free shipping on all Goal Zero products until August 31st to the lower 48.
The tripods will accommodate up to 4 Boulder 30 solar panels.
Please note that we are offering free shipping on all Goal Zero products until August 31st to the lower 48.
Well, I did not end up taking my computer with me out into the field this summer. I did use the Sherpa 50/Nomad 13.5 set up though. It is a very slick. I was easily able to use it to keep my phones charged, eReader, cameras, etc. I am very pleased. I used the battery pack on the plane so I wouldn't run out of juice for the 12hr flights. Worked great there and I only had to explain it to a security guy once. The Nomad 50 is perfect if all you are doing is keeping small batteries charged. I play with it on my computer and it does get me ~4 extra hours, but only if I start out with a fully charged battery in the laptop. I only ever used the female cig lighter attachment. I didn't try to charge anything from the USB port.
The caveats I noticed. It is solar and you need the sun to charge the battery. DUH!
It would sometimes take 2 days for the 13.5 panels to fully recharge the Sherpa 50. This is in large part due to the fact that the Indian Monsoon hit us and we didn't get that much sunshine. Lots of snow, sleet and rain. I would set up the panels facing south inclined at ~45˚. I was typically gone from camp most of the day so I would not be able to move the panels into an optimal position as the sun moved. One day I was able to set things up on a day with no clouds with about 3 hours of sunshine left. It was able to fully charge the battery from <20% to full charge in that time. I don't find this unreasonable at all and I am very pleased with the performance. I think it is very important to realize that I think unattended real world charging should be gauged at 5+ hours or longer and much less under ideal conditions.
I ended up only have to recharge the system 4 times over 30 days. The panels seemed to be fine out in the weather unattended, but I did stake down the little frame I made for them so the wind would not blow them over. I would keep the battery under my tent fly during the day and out of the weather. The panels survived the trip without anything but common sense packing. I'm very happy with this system and I am glad I purchased it.
The caveats I noticed. It is solar and you need the sun to charge the battery. DUH!
It would sometimes take 2 days for the 13.5 panels to fully recharge the Sherpa 50. This is in large part due to the fact that the Indian Monsoon hit us and we didn't get that much sunshine. Lots of snow, sleet and rain. I would set up the panels facing south inclined at ~45˚. I was typically gone from camp most of the day so I would not be able to move the panels into an optimal position as the sun moved. One day I was able to set things up on a day with no clouds with about 3 hours of sunshine left. It was able to fully charge the battery from <20% to full charge in that time. I don't find this unreasonable at all and I am very pleased with the performance. I think it is very important to realize that I think unattended real world charging should be gauged at 5+ hours or longer and much less under ideal conditions.I ended up only have to recharge the system 4 times over 30 days. The panels seemed to be fine out in the weather unattended, but I did stake down the little frame I made for them so the wind would not blow them over. I would keep the battery under my tent fly during the day and out of the weather. The panels survived the trip without anything but common sense packing. I'm very happy with this system and I am glad I purchased it.
FYI - Goal Zero now has their version of the solar controller listed on their site.
Goal Zero Accessories
Looks good so far. I wish they had both the 4.7mm and 8mm inputs on it together though. I'd use the 4.7mm in the field and then hook up my GoalZero 8mm Extreme charger to it at home for 120v charging without needing to buy a separate battery charger at home.
I'm planning on using this with a Battery Box (MinnKota Trolling Power Center) and Deep Discharge Solar Bat for a portable power center. Not as slick as dual bats or the National Luna PPP but a hell of a lot cheaper and portable for numerous applications.
Goal Zero Accessories
Looks good so far. I wish they had both the 4.7mm and 8mm inputs on it together though. I'd use the 4.7mm in the field and then hook up my GoalZero 8mm Extreme charger to it at home for 120v charging without needing to buy a separate battery charger at home.
I'm planning on using this with a Battery Box (MinnKota Trolling Power Center) and Deep Discharge Solar Bat for a portable power center. Not as slick as dual bats or the National Luna PPP but a hell of a lot cheaper and portable for numerous applications.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I like!
I read over on Mud's Goal Zero thread in their camping section that it was coming out soon.
My current Powerfilm solar panel is used to charge up my starting battery, and also with an adapter cable I got from Jim who sells the Goal Zero stuff I can charge my Extreme ranger 350 battery in the field.
If I get one of these charge controllers, I can not also charge up my 2nd battery.
The only thing hooked up to my backup battery is my Yaesu 857D radio, so having this extra charge controller in the field would be helpful as I think the Yaesu will be getting a workout during long camping trips.
I believe 8 mm is the one I need.
I read over on Mud's Goal Zero thread in their camping section that it was coming out soon.
My current Powerfilm solar panel is used to charge up my starting battery, and also with an adapter cable I got from Jim who sells the Goal Zero stuff I can charge my Extreme ranger 350 battery in the field.
If I get one of these charge controllers, I can not also charge up my 2nd battery.
The only thing hooked up to my backup battery is my Yaesu 857D radio, so having this extra charge controller in the field would be helpful as I think the Yaesu will be getting a workout during long camping trips.
I believe 8 mm is the one I need.
TRegasaurus
Adventurer
For the price of nearly anything Goal-Zero you can buy something much larger. Goal-Zero is a great product if you've got the Benjamin's.
I guess it depends on the product and feature set you want. Yes, Goal Zero MSRPs are pretty high (if not ridiculous). If you shop around though, you can find their stuff at FAR LOWER prices.
Part of what you get with the higher pricing is a well polished and integrated product. You minimize exposed terminals and alligator clips (among other things) and that may be worth it for some. In the highly portable category though, goal zero is a leader.
You can get one of their 30 Watt Panels for $175. Pretty good for how portable that item is...
Love to see other options though.
Thread Resurrection!
The Sherpa 50 has performed great paired with the Nomad 13.5 panels, though I have found that the stated solar charging times to be optimistic. I was able to run my laptop (an old MacBook Air) for 2-3 hours depending on what I was doing. I would leave the set up charging during the day while I spent the day working and so I always was able to work at night for an hour of two if needed without dipping into the laptops internal battery.
Well, my old Sherpa 50 bit the dust just before my summer field season in Asia this past June. Sadly I found this out about 3 days before I got on the plane. I was topping it off for the 12 flight, heard it pop and found it deformed. I called Goal Zero and described the problem. They replaced my old Sherpa 50 with the new version. Sadly it would not arrive before I left as they were on back order. Impressive customer service and I appreciate that they stand behind their products! Thanks Goal Zero!
I needed something, so I went out and got another Goal Zero product, the Guide 10. That thing rocks! I could only add about 30% to an iPad/set of AA batteries, but it kept my phone charged. Funny, I get better cell phone coverage in western China than I do in the western US. The new light wand is fantastic and the recharge times are fairly accurate. I love it. I no longer need to have a huge number of AA and AAA batteries to keep my GPS and headlamps running during a 6 week field season.
I got back to find my new Sherpa 50 waiting for me. I have only used it once during a family camping trip and I love how much smaller it is. I am very happy with Goal Zero products. For the size, I see it as a product worth considering. It may be more expensive than other set ups but I can't take bulky and heavy solar charging systems with me and these work very well for me in challenging climates.
The Sherpa 50 has performed great paired with the Nomad 13.5 panels, though I have found that the stated solar charging times to be optimistic. I was able to run my laptop (an old MacBook Air) for 2-3 hours depending on what I was doing. I would leave the set up charging during the day while I spent the day working and so I always was able to work at night for an hour of two if needed without dipping into the laptops internal battery.
Well, my old Sherpa 50 bit the dust just before my summer field season in Asia this past June. Sadly I found this out about 3 days before I got on the plane. I was topping it off for the 12 flight, heard it pop and found it deformed. I called Goal Zero and described the problem. They replaced my old Sherpa 50 with the new version. Sadly it would not arrive before I left as they were on back order. Impressive customer service and I appreciate that they stand behind their products! Thanks Goal Zero!
I needed something, so I went out and got another Goal Zero product, the Guide 10. That thing rocks! I could only add about 30% to an iPad/set of AA batteries, but it kept my phone charged. Funny, I get better cell phone coverage in western China than I do in the western US. The new light wand is fantastic and the recharge times are fairly accurate. I love it. I no longer need to have a huge number of AA and AAA batteries to keep my GPS and headlamps running during a 6 week field season.
I got back to find my new Sherpa 50 waiting for me. I have only used it once during a family camping trip and I love how much smaller it is. I am very happy with Goal Zero products. For the size, I see it as a product worth considering. It may be more expensive than other set ups but I can't take bulky and heavy solar charging systems with me and these work very well for me in challenging climates.
dmwhiteman
Observer
Bringing this thread back to life. With the newer than 2011 panels. Would it be possible to use a Nomad 7 as a supplemental source? I have seen several 5, 10 and 15 watt solar trickle chargers for car batteries. The Nomad 7 puts out 6-6.5 watts with the solar port. I understand this is in ideal conditions and is in no way meant to act as a life support. I already have the panels and would like to be able to use them to give my house battery a few extra hours of life.