Mobile Devices - Solar Charging Solution

So, I have three scenarios in which I would like to be able to charge various mobile devices:

1) While voyaging under sail
2) When backpacking
3) As an emergency power solution if the grid should fail (earthquake, etc.)

Here are some new bits of gear that I ordered today (happily, I was able to cover just about the entire order cost with Citi Visa ThankYou Reward Points, that Amazon now allows you to use to complete a purchase).

Anker 21W 2-Port USB Solar Charger PowerPort Solar 

• "charging speed up to 2.4 amps per port or 3 amps overall under direct sunlight. 21 watt SunPower solar array is 21.5-23.5% efficient, providing enough power to charge two devices simultaneously"
• "Compact size (11.1 × 6.3in folded or 26.4× 11.1in opened)"

[Most Compact 20000mAh Portable Charger] Anker PowerCore 20100 - Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with Most Powerful 4.8A Output

• "Weighs as little as a can of soup (12.5 oz"
• "charge up to 2.4 amps per port or 4.8 amps overall. Recharges itself in 10 hours with a 2 amp charger, phone chargers (generally 1 amp) may take up to 20 hours"

DROK USB 2.0 Digital Multimeter, Ammeter Voltmeter Capacitance & Watt Meter, 7 Modes Multi Tester, DC 3A 12V Amp Voltage Power Meter, Charging System Tester, Fast Charging and Data Sync Dual USB Ports

  

2016-03-06 Sunday Update:

I was able to test the equipment today, in the brief window of sunshine that appeared in Seattle this morning.  I noted ~5.1 volts, and 0.24-0.26 amps, at about 10:30am

Go Curry Cracker - Obamacare, Expats, and Visits Home...

I happened to read about this couple's story today...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3466836/The-couple-retired-30s-world-too.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailus

An interesting posting - and potentially important and useful information for U.S. Citizens that voyage and travel outside of the U.S. for years at a time...
http://www.gocurrycracker.com/obamacare-expats-and-visits-home/

Follow them on Twitter
https://twitter.com/gocurrycracker

Winnie mentions a few articles in her twitter stream too...

• http://www.caniretireyet.com/retirement-health-care-options/

• http://time.com/money/4232605/make-most-of-retirement-health-care-options/

Kill A Watt, Electricity Usage Monitor

I've been wondering how my boat's battery charger was performing - in terms of amps drawn - and so today I dropped by local Frys Electronics store and picked-up a P3 International product, called a Kill A Watt, model P4400 (max current: 15 amps)

My charger (installed in 2014) is a Professional Mariner, ProSport 12 Heavy duty Marine Battery Charger, 12A, 12/24V, 2 Bank Charger...and I've left is disconnected while away from the boat - and I've been wondering what amps it would be drawing if I left it connected while away.

The batteries were showing 11.8 volts when I returned Wed. night - having last visited the boat in July of last year - that isn't too surprising.

Tonight, I have the charger connected, and the Kill A Watt monitor is showing a draw ~2.53 amps (with a little bit of fluctuating, up to 2.6 amps at times).  The battery voltage is showing 12.7, after about an hour)

I'll continue to use the monitor over the next few days - but will remove it before leaving (it isn't a marine-grade piece of harrdware - so, not willing to leave it in place)

I also looked at a few solar panels today (at West Marine and Frys Electronics) - and may install one on Saturday - as a backup battery charging device. A wind generator will be added later this year.  My biggest concern is making sure the bilge pump has power whlie I'm away for long periods of time.

On a side note, this is a decent discussion of battery charge basics
https://www.emarineinc.com/Batteries-Maintenance-101

The Nautical Fiction List - by Johhn Kohnen

This looks like an interesting list, curated by John Kohnen
http://www.boat-links.com/books/nfl/nautfic-01.html#index

better satellite internet connectivity for boats...in the near future?

worth keeping an eye out as more information becomes available...

Redmond antenna startup Kymeta raises $62M from Bill Gates, others
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/01/redmond-antenna-startup-kymeta-raises-62m-from.html

"Kymeta creates a new solid-state way to find and lock onto signals from orbiting satellites, a feat in the past was accomplished only with large, physical satellite dishes. The point of the technology is to bring down the cost of satellite connectivity and make it so portable that a plane, boat or car can connect to the internet."

https://www.kymetacorp.com/kymeta-and-intelsat-complete-industry-first-mobility-tests-for-next-generation-antenna-technology/