Stower usb charger

[3930dave]

Came across this design not long ago.

FlameStower Portable Camping USB Campfire Charger

Somebody had a recent thread here on left-coast earthquake prep.... but I couldn't seem to find it today to post this there.....

Boiling water is something you'd probably need to do anyway..... if all you need to do is charge a phone, then this would be a good alternative to firing up a generator.

Hikers will appreciate the compact design.

Rgds, D.

 

[boggen]

if unit showed working on a fire pit, it might be a different story. so anyone could toss some logs together start a fire, and place unit over the fire and get some electricity.

this unit more looks like a "tech gadget" for kids, to keep there portable game, or tablet computer charged vs draining a vehicles batteries when out on a camping trip with parents.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd put this into the gizmo category myself. Solar would be more reliable in a true emergency and simply having a good sized rechargeable battery with USB would be easier. Charge the big battery via 12v when the car is running or use solar to charge it.

 

[3930dave]

if unit showed working on a fire pit, it might be a different story. so anyone could toss some logs together start a fire, and place unit over the fire and get some electricity.

this unit more looks like a "tech gadget" for kids, to keep there portable game, or tablet computer charged vs draining a vehicles batteries when out on a camping trip with parents.

They have more than one model. The one shown with a candle/sterno is convenient for something like an apartment.

This one is designed for campfire use:

FlameStower Generation II Portable Camping USB Campfire Charger

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I'd put this into the gizmo category myself. Solar would be more reliable in a true emergency and simply having a good sized rechargeable battery with USB would be easier. Charge the big battery via 12v when the car is running or use solar to charge it.

I like solar pv just fine, so I agree that solar has it's place.

I was originally searching for the earthquake thread as this product fits better into the context of that discussion..... long term disruption. As long as you have vehicle or generator access, then a product like this is more a toy. That said, most people don't store more than 2 weeks worth of fuel, while some less, and others, none.

There are times solar use is limited, esp. in northern winters. If you are hiking, you may want to shelter in a cave - if you are in dense forest, you may not have much direct solar.

If you are hiking out of a disaster area (or, in for that matter), you'd probably want a foldable/rollup solar panel - conventional ones take up too much space, and usually are not designed to be banged around.

So yes, in short "civilized" power outages or glamping, then a product like this is just a gizmo.

It starts to look different in scenarios where cooking/warmth/signal fires are relevant.

Rgds, D.

 

[IslandTractor]

I like solar pv just fine, so I agree that solar has it's place.

I was originally searching for the earthquake thread as this product fits better into the context of that discussion..... long term disruption. As long as you have vehicle or generator access, then a product like this is more a toy. That said, most people don't store more than 2 weeks worth of fuel, while some less, and others, none.

There are times solar use is limited, esp. in northern winters. If you are hiking, you may want to shelter in a cave - if you are in dense forest, you may not have much direct solar.

If you are hiking out of a disaster area (or, in for that matter), you'd probably want a foldable/rollup solar panel - conventional ones take up too much space, and usually are not designed to be banged around.

So yes, in short "civilized" power outages or glamping, then a product like this is just a gizmo.

It starts to look different in scenarios where cooking/warmth/signal fires are relevant.

Rgds, D.

If the world as we know it comes to an end, there will be little use for usb powered devices anyway so I'm content with solar as back up to 12v vehicle charger or generator. If things are so bad that we run out of fuel to keep automobiles running an hour a day to charge the battery, I would expect that whatever the major disaster was to have taken out the cell phone networks too. Unless you are concerned about playing MP3s while the world falls apart, I'd say extreme measures to keep them charged are wasted.

 

[3930dave]

Being a licensed amateur radio operator, I look at cell as just one comms option.... so I have other uses for this tech.

Short of a world-ending event, things will get rebuilt, but it can take a long time. Some people think the left-coast will just slide into the sea; assuming that does not happen - the discussion in the other thread touched on re-supply issues as most roads there run through mountain passes - likely to be massively blocked during a major quake.

After military aid is established, and some time well before things get back to normal, COWS are often deployed into disaster areas:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_on_wheels

They can be placed wherever needed (usually close to military fuel supply and security) for the duration of the event.

I don't walk around day-to-day with a cell phone stuck to my face, but after food/shelter/clothing I see the value of communication in and after an emergency.

We all have different priorities when it comes to most things, emergency prep is no different.

Rgds, D.

 

[Gafn]

If the world as we know it comes to an end, there will be little use for usb powered devices anyway so I'm content with solar as back up to 12v vehicle charger or generator. If things are so bad that we run out of fuel to keep automobiles running an hour a day to charge the battery, I would expect that whatever the major disaster was to have taken out the cell phone networks too. Unless you are concerned about playing MP3s while the world falls apart, I'd say extreme measures to keep them charged are wasted.

USB is not only for charging a cell phone.
You will be having a fire for cooking anyway - so why not make the most efficient use of the energy you will be producing...
And if the world truly goes to chit - there may well be clouds from large explosions blocking the sun for days at a time - solar will not produce much...
The following items are capable of being charged via USB:
1) Water Purifier - SteriPen (USB-Powered Outdoor Gear)
2) Emergency Weather radio - assuming that the world is not completely gone
3) Flashlights
4) Phones have digital compass on them
5) Camp Lantern
6) Lighter - Flameless AC Gears - AC Gears Flameless USB Rechargeable Lighter
7) Batteries Amazon.com: USBCELL MXAA02 AA Rechargable Battery - 2 Cell Pack: Electronics
8) Then there is this Crave's USB-chargeable vibrator doubles as a necklace pendant
9) For cold environment - pocket warmers - Amazon.com: HotPod USB Rechargeable Pocket Hand Warmer with Sleeve (Blue)
10) 2-way walkie talkies
11) Dog training collars - don't want to lose your best friend
12) Game calls

There are many more - but hopefully you get the idea, after all the cooking fire will be going anyway - might as well make use of the energy.

 

[IslandTractor]

Guys, I have worked for years in disaster zones including Indonesia after the 2005 earthquake and tsunami that killed 150,000 and the equally traumatic 2010 earthquake in Haiti that both literally wiped all infrastructure off the map. It was only a few days before help arrived in the worst hit city from unaffected areas and while it took years to rebuild, basics like electricity and fuel and bottled water were made available quickly. To be sure there were some remote areas that did not receive aid for a couple of weeks but I doubt any USB device would have made much difference to them.

It may be nice to fantasize how you will maintain internet access and creature comforts after a catastrophe but from my experience, water, and food and shelter are the necessities and all else pales by comparison. Next, I'd much rather have a tank of propane and first aid kit than any electronic or usb powered device. In a true disaster, as contrasted with a camping trip, even a simple flashlight is a dispensable luxury.

Of course that won't stop marketers from trying to develop USB survival tools and I am sure there is a market waiting to be exploited but frankly it is 99% craptastic junk.

There was life before USB and electricity and when those are difficult to secure in a disaster zone life may be inconvenient but it is remarkable how easy it is to refocus on true essentials and carry on.

 

[Gafn]

Of course that won't stop marketers from trying to develop USB survival tools and I am sure there is a market waiting to be exploited but frankly it is 99% craptastic junk.

There was life before USB and electricity and when those are difficult to secure in a disaster zone life may be inconvenient but it is remarkable how easy it is to refocus on true essentials and carry on.

From what your saying - you would rather depend on someone to provide bottled water to you rather than having two small devices with you - 1) a heat driven generator to charge up your (this can be swapped out for a solar usb charger if preferred) 2) Water purification device(kind of an essential)?

You make it sound as if during a disaster that NONE of the advancements made in technology and portable devices are worth any thing... calling them craptastic junk... seriously the body can go what 3 days without water... from your own post - you stated water might not get you you in a week - so having a way to make sure any water you find can be made safe to drink is a way better option in my opinion. Both devices fit into your basic pants pockets (not to difficult to secure)... and they help to provide one of the requirements to keep your body alive. Like anything else - these are tools that can be used to enhance your ability to remain alive.

I would rather have these two small devices in my pocket - providing a chance to have clean drinking water - than to wait for some government chopper to drop bottled water.

Yes time did exist prior to invention of stuff, with your statement - you would use no technology - why are you using a computer - pen and paper are just fine....