If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that prepper and survival types are in love with solar. What is not to like? With solar devices, we can use the power of the sun to give us light and to energize our devices, large or small.
Whereas using the sun to power a refrigerator or laptop takes some doing, providing power to a phone, tablet, Kindle or other eBook reader is not only easy, but downright inexpensive. Each month, it seems, I learn of a new device that can be used for this purpose. It just keeps getting better and better.
Today I would like to tell you about the Sunferno Portable Solar Panel and Rechargeable Battery Pack. For simplicity, I call it the Sunferno and with its small, lightweight form factor, it is a fantastic addition to your preps, or as in my case, my EDC.
The Sunferno Portable Solar Panel
I know that I am repeating myself but when it comes to Every Day Carry, size and weight matters. Size matters because your EDC (or daypack or handbag) should be as unobtrusive and compact as possible. And weight? That is self-explanatory. Carting around a 20 pound pack of essentials everywhere is going to wear you down.
For that reason alone, I love the Sunferno. It weighs in at mere 6 ounces which is just about perfect.
The real key to liking something, however, is how it works. Let me explain.
First of all, to best utilize the Sunferno, you need to charge up the embedded battery pack. You can use the included USB cable plugged into a wall adapter. I used the one that came with my iPhone but any similar type of adapter will work. You can also use the USB port on your computer or, if you have one, in your vehicle.
The charging status is noted by a series of blue lights as shown in the photo below. When all 4 lights are lit up, the battery pack is fully charged. Also in the picture is my phone which is currently being charged by the battery pack. I have performed the same operation with both my iPad and my Kindle and they are charge up fine.
So here is the deal. When the energy stored in the battery pack is used up, you can set the Sunferno out in the sunlight to charge it up again. You will know that it is charging because the first LED will be green. At that point, you can plug in your device and either charge it up or use it.
It is as simple as that. But there is more!
Other Useful Features of the Sunferno
There are actually two USB ports on the Sunferno so you can charge two external devices at once. The only limitation is that they do not exceed 5V each which for small electronics and tablets, is not a problem.
Another cool feature is that it has an integrated flashlight. You know me and flashlights – one is none and two is marginal. I need at least three flashlights with me to feel adequately prepared. To turn the LED torch style lamp on or off, all you need to do is hold the on/off button for 2 seconds. Simple.
Finally, the charger starts automatically after connecting a device. It takes about two seconds to recognize and identify the connected device using smart charging technology but then you are good to go.
There is one thing I found confusing until I understood how it worked. (A hit tip to customer support who explained it to me.)
The solar panel will only charge the internal battery up to 25% or its overall capacity (or the first 2000mAh of its total capacity of 5000mAH). This is utilize the solar panel portion of the battery pack an emergency backup charger for those times when no other power source is available.
The Giveaway Plus a Special Offer
By now I am sure you want a Sunferno and so, as usual, I have one to give away to one lucky reader.
In addition, Sunferno has also provided me with a 25% off discount code exclusive to Backdoor Survival readers. With the code BDS25OFF, you can purchase a Sunferno at Amazon.com for $30 instead of $40. I just love a good deal!
The deadline is 6:00 PM Pacific next Tuesday with the winner notified by email and announced on the Rafflecopter in the article. Please note that the winner must claim their prize within 48 hours or an alternate will be selected.
The Final Word
As I mentioned at the beginning, learning to harness the power of the sun is an important part of preparedness. I am thrilled to find that more and more companies are developing and selling solar devices at a reasonable cost.
It is my opinion that along with solar lighting, having some way to power electronic devices should be on everyone’s bucket list. To that end, the Sunferno satisfies both requirements, and at an extremely reasonable price, especially with the BDS25OFF discount code.
It is my understanding the the discount is good for a limited number of uses but that being said, I hope you will also enter the giveaway. This is a good one!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
If you enjoyed this article, consider voting for Backdoor Survival daily at Top Prepper Websites! In addition, SUBSCRIBE to email updates and receive a free, downloadable copy of my e-book The Emergency Food Buyer’s Guide.
Bargain Bin:Â Below you will find links to some of my favorite solar items.
Solar Powered LED Inflatable Air Lantern by Survival Frog
Sunferno Flintstone Portable Solar Panel with Rechargeable Battery Pack: This study solar power pack is lightweight and small enough to be used in an EDC kit. I especially like that it has 2 USB ports. With the Backdoor Survival discount code BDS25OFF, you can get $10 off the purchase price on Amazon so you can shop with confidence.
RAVPower 15W Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports: This compact, three panel, solar charger will charge two devices at once, including tablets, smartphones, Kindles, and even AA/AAA battery chargers. Value priced at about $50. For more information, read: Gear Review: RAVPower 15W Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports
RAVPower® 3rd Gen Deluxe 15000mAh External Battery: Use the sun to power an external battery pack. By doing so, you will always have battery power to spare without being dependent upon electricity. Perfect to have on hand for dark, stormy days, night time, or when you don’t have the time to wait around for a full charge in the sun.
SunJack Waterproof LightStick
SunJack USB Battery Charger for AA/AAA Ni-Mh and Ni-Cd Batteries
SunJack Portable Solar Charger
SunJack CampLight USB Bulb: This 4 Watt USB LED light is bright and ultra portable at just over 3.5 ounces. It is highly durable – shatter, shock, and vibration resistant. Will fully illuminate a tent at night. Power it from any standard USB source – compatible with all USB wall plugs, USB batteries, and laptops.
Maximal Power FC999 Universal Battery Charger: This nicely built charger will charge charge AA, AAA, C, D, N, 9V, Ni-MH, Ni-CD, and Alkaline batteries. It has an LED display so that when you first put a battery in the charging bay, you know whether it is viable for charging or simply bad and ready to go back to the recycle box. See How to Recharge Alkaline Batteries.
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Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials
On sale this month is the Mountain House Flavor Vault Combo that includes both the Italian Pepper Steak and Chicken Fried Rice meals that I recently taste-tested in the article A Taste of Mountain House.
The six tin combo includes the following Mountain House products:
Italian-Style Pepper Steak with Rice
Chicken Fried Rice
Oriental Style Spicy Chicken with Vegetables
Sweet Corn
Pre-cooked Scrambled Egg
Cinnamon Fuji Apple Slices
The sale price is $119.99 for all six – a 35% discount. Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Sale for lots of great deals in both food storage and gear!
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Need something from Amazon (and who doesn’t)? I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here. You still get great Amazon service and the price is the same, no matter what.
Amazon has a feature called Shop Amazon – Most Wished For Items. This is an easy tool for finding products that people are ‘wishing†for and in this way you know what the top products are. All you need to do is select the category from the left hand side of the screen.
The Amazon Top Most Wished For and Best Selling Outdoor Items
Emergency Preparedness Items from Amazon.com
Shop Amazon Tactical – Great Selection of Optics, Knives, Cases, Equipment
Amazon Gift Cards
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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Use code BACKDOORSURVIVAL for 10% off
Stay Connected with the Sunferno Portable Solar Panel and Battery Pack + Giveaway by Gaye Levy first appeared on Backdoor Survival.
Stay Connected with the Sunferno Portable Solar Panel and Battery Pack + Giveaway
Stay Connected with the Sunferno Portable Solar Panel and Battery Pack + Giveaway
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