Small Solar Panel Units
Jan 5, 2022 11:35:28 #
speedmaster
Loc: Kendall, FL
Never did a Grand Canyon float trip so I may be wrong but I wouldn't expect a lot of direct solar light down there other than around noontime, think about it.
If I'm right the best would be to check in advance with the tour operator if there are outlets available and what voltage they are and, even though, I would take a bunch of spare batteries... nothing is so frustrating than losing a great picture for not having available power.
Enjoy your trip
If I'm right the best would be to check in advance with the tour operator if there are outlets available and what voltage they are and, even though, I would take a bunch of spare batteries... nothing is so frustrating than losing a great picture for not having available power.
Enjoy your trip
Jan 5, 2022 12:05:33 #
JFCoupe
Red 6 and KindaSpikey are absolutely correct. I have been on the 'Grand Canyon Colorado River' rafting trip twice. You will have a weight limit and a space limit. You can't bring a large arsenal of camera equipment. At the time, my weight limit was 15 pounds. TOTAL. This includes your clothes, hat, sandals, suntan lotion, bathing suit, eyeglasses, sunglasses, toothbrush, toothpaste, binoculars, etc. At the time, I took my 'Canon AE1', 'Tokina' 28 mm, 'Canon' 100-200 mm, about six rolls of 'Fuji Velvia', UV and polarizing filters and a very small 'Slik' tripod which I used when we beached for the five nights. I also had 1.5 bottles of red wine in a very strong plastic ('Nalgene'?) bottle I purchased from REI. My wife and I had the only wine within 200 miles of the raft. One has to have priorities. But I digress.
In August or September at the bottom of the 'Grand Canyon', the temperature will be over 100 degrees in the shade, and considerably hotter in the sun. I live in Phoenix and the comparison is often made that the bottom of the 'Grand Canyon' is the same temperature as Phoenix. It is true, we can fry eggs on the sidewalk in the summer. This is shown on local TV every year. One does not need much in the way of clothing. You will be on the river, either the upper or lower falls portion. The lower falls are relaxing whereas the upper falls are exhilarating. During either portion of the trip, you will want to marvel at the scenery and take photographs while you are floating. You don't want to have to concomitantly concentrate on your solar collector, making sure it is pointing in the correct direction for optimum solar-collecting performance. You MIGHT be able to mind your solar collector during the lower falls portion of the trip, but definitely NOT during the upper falls of the trip, i.e. Lava Falls, Hermit Falls, etc. But I think you would enjoy your trip more if you did not have to divert your attention to the solar collector. Additionally, the raft is not a stable platform, the collector is going to be shifting direction on you constantly as you go up and down, left and right. Enjoy the ride!
Unless you have a waterproof camera such as made by 'Fuji' or 'Olympus' and possibly others, you will definitely benefit from having a waterproof bag. You are not given ten minutes to prepare for a 'rapid'. You are sometimes given only about two minutes, during which time you have to hide your camera. There were three times when our entire 40' raft was under the surface of the 'Colorado River', albeit briefly. Nonetheless, my camera and film could have been destroyed had it gotten wet. My 'Nikon' binoculars were not waterproof and had to be sent back to 'Nikon' for a cleaning. It is wonderfully exciting being in the 100 degree heat and then covered by a rapid of 50 degree water.
As has been recommended by others, take spare, charged batteries. That is the way to go.
At night you will be in tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses provided by the rafting company. This is not part of your 15 pound limit. Keep in mind there are scorpions and rattlesnakes which come out at night as it is too hot for them to search for food during the hot sunny day. Your bathroom will be set up in a portable enclosure which may be 100 feet or so from your tent. Bring a very good flashlight with fresh batteries. Snakes are 'poikilothermic' or 'cold-blooded' and cannot regulate their body temperature. They have to maneuver in the environment as it suits them. Rattlesnakes do not attack, they warn you with their rattles if you venture too close to them. Thus, the need for a flashlight so you can actively avoid them in the dark as you go to the bathroom. Scorpions are easily visible at night with a UV flashlight. 'Ace Hardware' sells small, pocket size flashlights which have LEDs and UV LEDs built into their switching mechanism. This could be a useful portion of your 15 pounds.
Pre-COVID, there were about 5,000,000 visitors to 'Grand Canyon National Park' each year. Less than 1/10th of one percent hike the canyon to the river or raft the river. You will be one of very few people in the world that will have the privilege of doing what you are doing. ENJOY IT. Relish at the uniqueness of your experience. At the bottom, you will be surrounded by rock formations which are 2,000,000,000 years old. That is half the age of our planet!!! Just cogitate on that for a second. Where else can you go and see and touch something that is two billion years old? This could be a trip of a lifetime. I loved it so much I did it twice. I would love to do it again.
BTW, no one was stung or bitten either time. Some people will get cuts and bruises from tripping and falling on hiking trails, as no one has proper hiking boots for stability, they are too heavy to bring along. You will likely be hiking in water moccasins or sandals. No one fell overboard, and flotation vests are mandatory at all times on the raft, despite the 100+ degree heat. Once while hiking at the bottom of the canyon, in September, the temperature was 109 degrees.
Be careful, use your head and exercise common sense. You will have a fantastic time.
Arca
Red 6 and KindaSpikey are absolutely correct. I have been on the 'Grand Canyon Colorado River' rafting trip twice. You will have a weight limit and a space limit. You can't bring a large arsenal of camera equipment. At the time, my weight limit was 15 pounds. TOTAL. This includes your clothes, hat, sandals, suntan lotion, bathing suit, eyeglasses, sunglasses, toothbrush, toothpaste, binoculars, etc. At the time, I took my 'Canon AE1', 'Tokina' 28 mm, 'Canon' 100-200 mm, about six rolls of 'Fuji Velvia', UV and polarizing filters and a very small 'Slik' tripod which I used when we beached for the five nights. I also had 1.5 bottles of red wine in a very strong plastic ('Nalgene'?) bottle I purchased from REI. My wife and I had the only wine within 200 miles of the raft. One has to have priorities. But I digress.
In August or September at the bottom of the 'Grand Canyon', the temperature will be over 100 degrees in the shade, and considerably hotter in the sun. I live in Phoenix and the comparison is often made that the bottom of the 'Grand Canyon' is the same temperature as Phoenix. It is true, we can fry eggs on the sidewalk in the summer. This is shown on local TV every year. One does not need much in the way of clothing. You will be on the river, either the upper or lower falls portion. The lower falls are relaxing whereas the upper falls are exhilarating. During either portion of the trip, you will want to marvel at the scenery and take photographs while you are floating. You don't want to have to concomitantly concentrate on your solar collector, making sure it is pointing in the correct direction for optimum solar-collecting performance. You MIGHT be able to mind your solar collector during the lower falls portion of the trip, but definitely NOT during the upper falls of the trip, i.e. Lava Falls, Hermit Falls, etc. But I think you would enjoy your trip more if you did not have to divert your attention to the solar collector. Additionally, the raft is not a stable platform, the collector is going to be shifting direction on you constantly as you go up and down, left and right. Enjoy the ride!
Unless you have a waterproof camera such as made by 'Fuji' or 'Olympus' and possibly others, you will definitely benefit from having a waterproof bag. You are not given ten minutes to prepare for a 'rapid'. You are sometimes given only about two minutes, during which time you have to hide your camera. There were three times when our entire 40' raft was under the surface of the 'Colorado River', albeit briefly. Nonetheless, my camera and film could have been destroyed had it gotten wet. My 'Nikon' binoculars were not waterproof and had to be sent back to 'Nikon' for a cleaning. It is wonderfully exciting being in the 100 degree heat and then covered by a rapid of 50 degree water.
As has been recommended by others, take spare, charged batteries. That is the way to go.
At night you will be in tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses provided by the rafting company. This is not part of your 15 pound limit. Keep in mind there are scorpions and rattlesnakes which come out at night as it is too hot for them to search for food during the hot sunny day. Your bathroom will be set up in a portable enclosure which may be 100 feet or so from your tent. Bring a very good flashlight with fresh batteries. Snakes are 'poikilothermic' or 'cold-blooded' and cannot regulate their body temperature. They have to maneuver in the environment as it suits them. Rattlesnakes do not attack, they warn you with their rattles if you venture too close to them. Thus, the need for a flashlight so you can actively avoid them in the dark as you go to the bathroom. Scorpions are easily visible at night with a UV flashlight. 'Ace Hardware' sells small, pocket size flashlights which have LEDs and UV LEDs built into their switching mechanism. This could be a useful portion of your 15 pounds.
Pre-COVID, there were about 5,000,000 visitors to 'Grand Canyon National Park' each year. Less than 1/10th of one percent hike the canyon to the river or raft the river. You will be one of very few people in the world that will have the privilege of doing what you are doing. ENJOY IT. Relish at the uniqueness of your experience. At the bottom, you will be surrounded by rock formations which are 2,000,000,000 years old. That is half the age of our planet!!! Just cogitate on that for a second. Where else can you go and see and touch something that is two billion years old? This could be a trip of a lifetime. I loved it so much I did it twice. I would love to do it again.
BTW, no one was stung or bitten either time. Some people will get cuts and bruises from tripping and falling on hiking trails, as no one has proper hiking boots for stability, they are too heavy to bring along. You will likely be hiking in water moccasins or sandals. No one fell overboard, and flotation vests are mandatory at all times on the raft, despite the 100+ degree heat. Once while hiking at the bottom of the canyon, in September, the temperature was 109 degrees.
Be careful, use your head and exercise common sense. You will have a fantastic time.
Arca
Jan 5, 2022 12:59:06 #
Solar will not work. You will be on the move during the daytime...in a raft. You will be stationary during the night. Because you will be on the move, you can't charge using solar in a moving raft. The other options of charging may be viable...portable battery packs, etc. 'Twer me, I'd get an Olympus Tough or the Fuji waterproof cameras (I have a cheap fuji I use for backpacking and fishing...very nice pics.) Add some batteries to use and hope for the best. I'd also ask the trip operator, ahead of time, if they have a plan for charging devices. Be very judicious of use of power...after all, you will be actively rowing the boat, so not a lot of time for photos. On a multi-day hike, I can get by with two batteries...I see a picture opportunity, turn camera on, take the shot and turn the camera off. It is likely you will fall in the water, as well, so the Oly/Fuji idea would be better for you.
Jan 5, 2022 13:45:43 #
I use a dummy battery with a 16750mAh Power Bank and it lasts several days of shooting or about 5 hours of bulb mode. The combo cost less that one battery.
Jan 5, 2022 16:48:03 #
When you say Float trip, how wet do you expect to get- a lot depends on time of year and height of the river---just so you know what to expect. I would have a good dry bag for insurance. Most companies offer 'car chargers' that will charge 1-2 camera batteries from a 12Volt source. There are many compact Lithium Power banks that carry quite a bit of charging capacity. Extra Batteries, may be the easiest route-- especially if you won't need remote charging again.
You didn't say how long the trip is, or how much is practical to carry. I would call the organizer and ask what is practical for the trip you booked.
If you are going to be at the bottom of the canyon for several days not sure solar would be a reliable option.
Good LUCK
You didn't say how long the trip is, or how much is practical to carry. I would call the organizer and ask what is practical for the trip you booked.
If you are going to be at the bottom of the canyon for several days not sure solar would be a reliable option.
Good LUCK
Jan 6, 2022 09:46:11 #
cytafex
Loc: Clarksburg MA
PV panels are a pain to use on river trips in the Canyon and I have experience. Buy a Battery Pack instead. I've done 11 river trips in the Canyon. Stone Creek Camp at Night Grand Canyon © 2021 Larry Lorusso
Jan 6, 2022 16:14:21 #
cytafex wrote:
PV panels are a pain to use on river trips in the Canyon and I have experience. Buy a Battery Pack instead. I've done 11 river trips in the Canyon. Stone Creek Camp at Night Grand Canyon © 2021 Larry Lorusso
Gloriously beautiful 🖤💫🖤💫🖤
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