Off-grid cabin and laptop solar charging?

[Loa]

Hello,

I'm going to spend a lot of time in an off-grid cabin this summer and I'm trying to figure out how to power my laptop (which is a 2015 MacBook Pro, so no USB-C charging).

There are many solar panels and batteries and inverters on the market, but I'd like to know if anyone here already has a good solar set-up for their laptops.

I'm looking for something light as I'll be carrying it in a back-pack.

Thanks.

 

[0128672]

I don't have any recommendations, but I hope you have a great off-grid adventure!

 

[dawgfang]

Years ago I remember having a mag safe car charger, so it plugged into a cigarette lighter plug. Get that and a battery that provides 12 volts and a solar panel and you're all set.

 

[Valdna]

Hello,

I'm going to spend a lot of time in an off-grid cabin this summer and I'm trying to figure out how to power my laptop (which is a 2015 MacBook Pro, so no USB-C charging).

There are many solar panels and batteries and inverters on the market, but I'd like to know if anyone here already has a good solar set-up for their laptops.

I'm looking for something light as I'll be carrying it in a back-pack.

Thanks.

The easiest, but not most energy efficient way is to get a solar panel + solar inverter with built in battery.
Take a look at this little blog post for example.

Powered by Sunlight — Normal to Nomad

Our life is powered by sunlight. The idea is to combine modern technologies and classic solutions to simplify our lives. One foot in the future, one in the past.

normal2nomad.com

When getting the panels/inverter just check that they are compatible with each other. Also check the output ratings/voltage of the inverter + the plug type.
Then just connect your existing charging block to the inverter 110/220V output and off you go.
It gets a little more complicated if you want to be really energy efficient since the solar panel produces low DC voltage that gets converted to 120/220 AC voltage for your adapter. And your adapter again converts the 120/220 AC back to low voltage DC.. So there are conversion losses, but it is the easyest and most straight forward way to go.
P.S On the cloudy days most of these solar inverters/power banks allow you to top them up via 12V power source also

If your off grid location has variable weather(sunlight) conditions then get a little larger solar panel and inverter battery to cover cloudy/storm days.
[automerge]1593088373[/automerge]

 

[Loa]

Thanks for the infos. I have a general idea of what I need, just not the specific battery / panel. The stuff in the normal2nomad blog weigh in at around 50 pounds and I just can't carry that in addition to the rest of my gear.

I've found plenty of small batteries + solar panels for cellphones that are very compact. The best ones are abble to charge an iPhone about 6 times. Seems to me that there is enough power in there to charge a laptop at least once. But then again, I can't plug my macbook into them...

 

[Valdna]

Thanks for the infos. I have a general idea of what I need, just not the specific battery / panel. The stuff in the normal2nomad blog weigh in at around 50 pounds and I just can't carry that in addition to the rest of my gear.

I've found plenty of small batteries + solar panels for cellphones that are very compact. The best ones are abble to charge an iPhone about 6 times. Seems to me that there is enough power in there to charge a laptop at least once. But then again, I can't plug my macbook into them...

If you have to carry everything on you.
If weight is a concern.
I would get a solar panel with powersupply/controller that provides constant voltage out of your panel.
And use that to recharge your phone and so on.
+chinese 12V to magsafe or usb-c adapter.

The minus side is that those adapters are hit and miss. And you probably can charge only when the sun is out..

Having enough battery juice to charge your laptop atleast once... Is going to be a hassle weight wise.
Maybe you could use just a tablet/ipad + keyboard?

P.S Another DIY solution https://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Solar-Powered-220V-Power-Supply/
I would just use 2-3 larger foldable solar panels and the most efficient 120/220V inverter i could possibly find