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Old 09-15-2012, 12:50 PM   #1
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Charge your USB device from a campfire

I'd never heard of this type of product before until I stumbled across it today while searching for MRE jalapeno cheese packets.

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Fire Powered DC Generators
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Able to boil water and cook soup while generating power and charging devices.


link--> Theepicenter.com

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Old 09-15-2012, 12:53 PM   #2
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

Very cool (or should I say hot) idea but at those prices they make solar look really cheap...

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Old 09-15-2012, 10:38 PM   #3
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

It answers the question, "You can get power from many places, but should you?"

OR

"But I don't want stew again!"

"Sorry, daddy needs to charge his iPod."

--------

It's... revoltingly stupid if you ask me. Permanently tying it to a pot. It's ... absurd. Idiotic. Daft.

Really when would you ever need it or use it, except in your home kitchen to impress your hipster buddies? Where would you stow it? What about all those times you want boiled soup but don't need to charge anything?
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Old 09-16-2012, 12:11 AM   #4
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

I really like the idea of harvesting power from unusual/unexpected places. The pots are interesting but, I agree, a little impractical.

Here's another interesting idea/product I've been following the last couple years: http://biolitestove.com/.
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Old 09-16-2012, 12:30 AM   #5
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

My charger is a little bigger...I sit in it and it's called a Sportsmobile.

I guess if I was planning to backpack, having something like those would be a different story.
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Old 09-16-2012, 06:44 AM   #6
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

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Here's another interesting idea/product I've been following the last couple years: http://biolitestove.com/.
The Biolitestove makes a lot more sense than the pot. Biolitestove doesn't require you to keep adding water to create the temperature differential like the pot does.
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Old 09-16-2012, 11:30 AM   #7
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

The Biolitestove thing is really cool and to me makes more sense than the pot to me. If I was back packing or something I would get one of those its a very good idea. I like that it has a fan that helps heat the fire.

One thing I will add is that after all of these years USB is still a good standard for 5volt connections and no end in site.

But in truth when camping I am like daveb I will just use my van for power...



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Old 09-16-2012, 01:40 PM   #8
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

Anyone have any firsthand recommendations on a hand powered (crank, dynamo) USB emergency charger? Wouldn't mind keeping one in the house, one in my travel bag, and one in each of my vehicles.


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Old 09-16-2012, 08:00 PM   #9
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Re: Charge your USB device from a campfire

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Originally Posted by daveb
My charger is a little bigger...I sit in it and it's called a Sportsmobile.
Funny because it's true. I definitely love having a solar panel.

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Originally Posted by Ultrasport12
The Biolitestove thing is really cool and to me makes more sense than the pot to me. If I was back packing or something I would get one of those its a very good idea. I like that it has a fan that helps heat the fire.
I agree. I haven't tried it yet to verify, but another possible advantage is that it seems to cut the smoke output WAY down. Would love to also check out how much heat output it gives.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultrasport12
One thing I will add is that after all of these years USB is still a good standard for 5volt connections and no end in site.
Yeah, amazing isn't it? Who knew. I'm sure the original developers/engineers are still amazed at the life span of the original design.

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Originally Posted by BroncoHauler
Anyone have any firsthand recommendations on a hand powered (crank, dynamo) USB emergency charger? Wouldn't mind keeping one in the house, one in my travel bag, and one in each of my vehicles.
I'm guessing you're talking about something like the Eton Charger that REI carries? Haven't tried one but is inexpensive enough (~$15). It probably takes about a year, or an arm falling off, to get a full charge though.
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