How to Get Electricity while Camping
Reading Time: 11 minutes Camping and wildlife are among the most beautiful things in order to enjoy the beauty of nature from forests and trees, and this helps to restore the relationship and communication with nature, but with that you can also enjoy the modern amenities on a camping trip. Not many campers complain about how to get electricity in order to enjoy the amenities!
For example, your phone and your cameras need to recharge their battery, and you will also need some lights if you want to stay awake for long periods at night. For that, we have listed the best ways to get electricity in order to run your tools and equipment every time you want to go camping.
What to Consider Before Purchasing a Source of Electricity for Your Camping
For the success of the camping trip, your electrical needs must be taken into account, but several factors determine your choice of the source of electricity that you need to use on the camping trip.
How much electricity do you need
It is one of the most significant factors that will determine the energy source you must use, as the amount of electricity and the length of time to stay in the camp are very important.
Before you go camping, check the tools you want to use, especially those that require recharging or operating with electricity and estimate the amount of energy you need.
For example, operating a small water heater that uses 1500 watts so, you need a high electrical power source. Also, if you want to stay in the camp for a long time, you will need a high electrical power source in order to provide electricity for this period of time.
Weight and Size
Heavier sources of electricity have a large capacity to produce electricity. If you plan to spend two days camping, you will not need such electrical sources as we mentioned earlier, the number of days and the type of tools you want to use is the most significant factor in determining the source of electricity you want. If you want to go for long periods, we advise you to buy a large power source, but if you want to go for two days, you need a lightweight power source.
Number of People
When you are camping alone, you will consume a little electricity, unlike if you are camping with your family or friends, you can use the power bank for a single period of 5 days, this power bank will not last for several hours if the number is enormous.
The number of people determines the amount of electricity you want to use and get and ways to save it in order to enjoy camping and use your devices with ease.
Budget
It is not possible to ignore the budget you have or want to spend to go out to the camp. If your budget is limited, you need to take into account in choosing the source of electricity that you will take to the camp. Also, think about the number of days you will stay at the campsite.
If your budget is limited, you can go camping in the commercial camps that provide electric power without the need to provide you with an alternative energy source, and the subscription fees for the electricity source in these camps are relatively cheap.
Resilience/Durability
One of the significant things that you must work with is not to buy a one-time electrical source. When you buy any electrical source, get a source that you can use several times. For example, generators are considered one of the most durable and flexible of these sources, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Yes, the more permanent sources of electricity will cost you a lot, but this means that you should not purchase any electrical source for long periods. In the long run, these sources of electricity are considered to have a longer life.
Features
The specifications of the powered device are also things that should be taken into consideration. If you need electricity to recharge your gadgets, you can just bring a power bank with a USB port to recharge these devices, but if you want to run a large number of devices, you should think of a device with stronger specifications in order to provide a greater amount of electricity.
How to Get Electricity while Camping
After we have learned about the most significant factors that must be available in the sources of electricity that you can bring and obtain while camping. Now, we will learn about the best ways and devices you can obtain electricity for a better camping experience.
Among the most important of this equipment:
Gas Generator
The Gas Generator is one of the most common sources that users think of when they go out to camp, and it is considered one of the easiest ways that can supply the campsite with electrical energy.
But the disadvantage of this method is the loud and annoying sounds that the Gas Generator makes when it is turned on, and the Gas Generator pollutes the air with fumes when it is turned on, and many camps prohibit the use of the Gas Generator, so choose another method, unless you are camping in the wild and outside Camps, you can use it comfortably.
Thermoelectric Generator (TEG)
TEG converts thermal energy into electrical energy that you can use to operate some equipment and tools while camping. TEG generators are more expensive and less efficient than gasoline-powered generators.
One of the advantages of this option is that it can be used in the wilderness and camps with ease, especially when lighting a campfire at night and works by lighting a fire or using coal if you have it. The downside of these generators is the high cost, where the prices of such generators are relativelyhigh.
There are a large number of these generators and many models, there are those that generate from 5 to 12 watts in order to charge mobile phones, operate some light devices and operate LED lights, and there are some models that produce up to 15 watts of energy and store it for later in order to benefit from, Unlike generators that run on gasoline.
Pedal Generator
The Pedal Generator is a very useful option that converts the kinetic energy generated by the small pedals, which are similar to bicycle pedals in order to generate electric power, and it is a great option as the pedals used are small and light enough to be carried with you on a camping trip.
The Pedal Generator works on charging electrical appliances and small appliances that run on batteries.
The disadvantage of this device is that it does not store electrical energy, so you will need to do double voltage in order to obtain electrical energy, but in order to make more use of the Pedal Generator, you can charge the car’s 12-volt battery in order to use it at any time you want.
Many users of the Pedal Generator have reported that it works great and can charge up to 3 items at once such as a cell phone, tablet, and laptop and is less expensive than other generators and can be purchased for a few hundred dollars.
Portable Solar Power Panels for Camping
It is one of the most common ways to get electricity during camping, but when you buy Portable Solar Power Panels, make sure to choose the right product in terms of water resistance. It must withstand harsh climatic conditions, preferably light in weight for ease of carrying and moving it on The areas where the sun resides in order to obtain electric current.
Pros:
- They do not cause any disturbance or noise like electric generators that run on gas and gasoline.
- Providing clean energy that does not pollute the environment.
- The amount of electricity generated by these solar panels depends on the number of panels you own.
- Easy to transport and use while camping and follow the sun in order to generate electricity.
Cons:
- Relying on sunlight to generate electricity In order to solve this dilemma, you can use batteries to store electrical energy for later use.
- The high cost of acquiring and maintaining solar panels.
Car Battery
It is one of my favourite options for many to get electrical power while camping, and in order to get electricity from the battery, all you need is an electrical current adapter that you can plug in the car through the car’s lighter port, in order to convert the DC into AC current that can Use in the operation of several devices.
Pros:
- Ease of using the car battery because all you need to operate electrical appliances is an adapter that converts the electric current.
- Ease of transporting the battery, as it is installed in the car, and all you have to do is just move the car to any place you want and see fit.
Cons:
- Not being able to operate a large number of electrical appliances, you can only operate small appliances.
- Using the car battery for a long time drains the battery, which sometimes makes the car not start easily.
Portable Power Bank
It is an ideal choice for getting electricity in the camp, and it is a better alternative to using a car battery or carrying a heavy battery when you go camping, you can put the Portable Power Bank in your laptop bag with ease and you can easily use it to charge many of your devices Especially for cameras, laptops, and portable devices, because the Portable Power Bank has some USB ports that will help you charge your gadgets.
Portable Power Bank relies mainly on lithium batteries, which are considered the best batteries for storing electric current, and there are a large number of these devices and several models, for example, there is a model with an electrical output from 27AH to 100AH that enables you to charge your devices well for several days and we will review some Portable devices Power Bank in a dedicated article and showcasing the best of these devices.
Pros:
- Easy to use and easy to carry, it can be carried in a laptop bag with ease.
- Provides many capacities up to 100Ah.
- Silent and inexpensive like gasoline and gas generators.
Cons:
- Capacity is limited, but in order to face this, buy high capacity battery banks in order to operate your devices as long as possible.
Wind and Water Turbine
The idea of wind and water turbines is based on the same idea as the Pedal Generator, which converts mechanical kinetic energy into electrical energy, and wind turbines are considered renewable energy sources. The electric current is then generated.
There are several types of these turbines, but the most available in the market for camping reaches 15 watts and comes with several USB ports for charging your equipment and tools.
Pros:
- It is one of the types of renewable energy.
- Does not make noise and disturbance during operation.
- There are no operational costs while camping.
Cons:
- In the absence of strong wind or water, these turbines may not work well.
Safety Precautions When Using Electricity While Camping
Electricity has many wonderful benefits, but it can be dangerous for campers sometimes if it is used incorrectly. Therefore, you must observe safety rules while using electricity, and the most important of these rules:
- Check the safety of the electrical appliances that you will bring for camping, and you should bring some new devices and make sure of the warranty of these devices.
- Bring a fire extinguisher suitable for electrical fires.
- Run the generator first if you are using an electric generator and then start the devices in order to avoid damage to the devices.
- Turn off electrical appliances and electrical sources when you stop using them or when you go out of the tent to go for a walk.
- Make sure that the tent or places where electrical appliances are used are dry, as moisture helps to cause many serious electrical accidents, which can lead to ignition of the tent and endangerment.
- Turn off the electricity sources and turn off the devices during sleep.
- Make sure the lighting fixtures are insulated.
- Use some camping devices so that the effort used in these devices is less than household devices, such as using a camping water heater.
- Do not repair electrical faults yourself, seek help from an electrician.
- Avoid using extension cords to extend electricity from other tents, as it may cause an electrical load and cause fires.
- Store electrical cords neatly wrapped in order to avoid damaging them or causing any accidents.
- If you feel tingling when using electrical tools, do not continue to use these devices.
- If you see smoke or fumes rising, this indicates an overload, immediately disconnect the power supply safely or contact the camp administration.
Conclusion:
Electricity is one of the most important things that you need in daily life and even during camping, and in order to obtain electricity while camping. There are many options for obtaining electricity, and all you have to do is choose what suits you according to the factors that we mentioned above.
In any case, whatever your choice, it is important to ensure the safety of you and everyone with you in the camp. Therefore, you must take care and caution and follow safety precautions in order to avoid falling into any problems or accidents while camping.
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