More and more people are beginning to realize that as part of a survival plan, they cannot give up the use of electronic devices.
In the past, smartphones, GPS and other small electronic devices were seen as cumbersome in stressful situations, mainly because they relied on electricity, which meant that if there was no power supply, or in the long-term survival In some cases, they may be of no use at all.
Thanks to the development of modern technology, electricity use has become more and more convenient in different environments and situations.
As an outdoor and emergency power supply, the hand-cranked charger and the solar panel are both very convenient power tools, and they are both excellent tools for survival purposes.
As an outdoor sports enthusiast, do you know which one to choose is more suitable for your needs?
1. How a hand-cranked generator works:
A hand-cranked charger works exactly the same way as a wind turbine or a hydroelectric dam, although the handheld scale is much smaller, both cutting magnetic lines by turning the turbine. generates electricity.
These turbines have been connected to a rechargeable battery so that the electricity generated is not wasted and is stored by the rechargeable battery, which can then be used to power your electronic devices.
2. The main difference between hand-crank chargers and solar panels:
Hand-crank chargers were born far earlier than solar panels and have been used to charge battery packs for many years.
If you don't have a battery to store electricity, it is relatively difficult and unrealistic to directly use an hand generator or to provide power.
Solar power, on the other hand, is useful for those who can get a few hours of sunlight each day.
If the power is large enough, you will be able to power and charge various devices at the same time.
Below, let’s take a look at the five main differences between these two tools:
1. Hand-crank power chargers often have add-ons, such as radios or clocks.
This is because they are often used for survival purposes or by people living in very remote areas. Just imagine, without cell phone coverage, radios would become an important part of life.
2. Solar power generation does not require any physical effort. Unlike hand-cranked systems, the solar panels only need to be placed in the correct position. The only thing
needs is to move the solar panel to ensure that it is as perpendicular to the sunlight as possible for optimal power generation efficiency.
3. The hand-operated charger does not require any fuel source except for the rotation of the handle.
You can use them in sunny, rainy or snowy days, sunlight is not a factor.
4. As long as the sun comes out, solar panels can continue to be used.
If you have a solar charger that includes a battery pack, you don't have to worry about running out of power as long as there's sunlight.
The hand-cranked charger needs to be turned continuously for a long time every day.
5. Portable solar panels are generally lighter than hand-crank chargers, making them more suitable for backpacking and camping.
3. Advantages and disadvantages of hand-cranked generators:
1. Advantages of hand-cranked generators:
The biggest advantage of hand-cranked chargers is that you don’t need to consider the weather and don’t need sunlight. It can be used no matter where you go. All that needs to be done is to keep cranking the handle with your hand, and the battery pack is constantly charged.
Another point is that hand-cranked generators currently on the market generally integrate radios, flashlights and other functions, and these functions will come into play in emergency situations.
The newly designed hand-operated generators currently on the market generally contain a rechargeable power supply below 1000mAh, which can charge your mobile phone and other devices directly through a USB cable without the need for a converter.
rechargeable source has at least two charging methods: USB charging and hand-crank charging.
2. Disadvantages of hand-cranked generators:
If you often use a hand-cranked charger, you will feel exhausted after a while.
This is also the main complaint among users. For some people, this low level of power generation efficiency may not be worth it.
Especially when considering the relatively high power consumption of some electronic devices, manual power generation may not be the best option.
The capacity of the battery pack inside the hand-crank charger is very limited because it cannot generate high-power electricity through hand movements. This is different from windmills or hydroelectric power. You do not have enough strength and endurance to maintain stable charging.
Hand-cranked chargers that integrate functions such as radios and flashlights must have a battery pack for usability reasons. Therefore, they are generally heavier than solar panels, which increases the cost of backpacking and other outdoor activities. weight.
4. Advantages and disadvantages of portable solar panels:
1. Advantages of portable solar panels:
Over the past few years, portable solar panels seem to have become the darling of camping and hiking, and they are more reliable than ever. , more durable and more efficient, and the efficiency of photoelectric conversion to continues to increase, but the cost continues to decrease. This is undoubtedly a popular and mature technology sign.
The biggest advantage of portable solar panels is that as long as they are placed in the sun, you don't have to worry about them.
You can also hang a portable solar panel on the back of your backpack while hiking so you can get power while walking.
Because their designs are very compact, some also use foldable flexible film solar materials, making them more convenient to carry.
In addition, the portable solar cell is lightweight, durable, and will not overheat.
2. Disadvantages of portable solar panels:
But solar chargers have their limitations. The power they generate and the intensity of the current they generate depend largely on the surrounding weather conditions.
They will not generate electricity at night and will be significantly less efficient on cloudy or cloudy days.
If it is not outdoors in sunny weather, it is almost useless. This is also the biggest shortcoming of portable solar panels.
Of course, some solar panels are designed to use ultraviolet rays that pass through clouds, but even so, in rainy weather, you can only get about 20% of the maximum power generation in a day.
5. How to choose:
Hand-cranked generator and portable solar panel, are both excellent survival tools. each has its own advantages and disadvantages. As for how to choose, the key depends on the actual use environment.
Solar panels are better if you have access to sunlight throughout the day, while a hand-crank power charger is more practical as a survival emergency reserve if you are indoors.
For long-term hiking and crossing, most people will choose portable solar panels. Many portable solar panels are specially designed for outdoor use. They are designed to be sturdy, durable, dustproof, shockproof, and waterproof. They are very suitable for daily power supply and emergency situations outdoors. .
Of course, in outdoor activities where you don’t need to consider weight, having both types of equipment is a more secure preparation.
Hand-crank chargers are more commonly used to power electronic devices with weak currents, and are suitable for use as emergency power sources in emergencies. Prepare this kind of hand-crank charger with integrated radio and flashlight for your family, in case of natural disasters, When wars, unrest, etc. come, you can better understand the latest weather changes and related hazard information in your area.
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