OFF-GRID Laptop Charging For #hamradio

Want to get up and running off-grid with your #amateurradio laptop?

Power Accessories:
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[tinwhiskerSC]

For my POTA activations I use a Raspberry pi and a tablet, the tablet can use VNC to mirror the raspberry pi desktop. It works pretty well. I have a single 7ah battery that powers the 5W radio, the pi, and the tablet for 6+ hours at 50% TX FT8 load.

[BaronVonJace]

This makes me wish the nearest microcenter wasn't a twelve hour drive.

[-algodoo-]

Beware, not all barrel plug are center positive, some positive can be at the outside. Check the diagram on the wall wart itself. Also, not all PD charger/battery do 12V, since it is "optional" in the USB Power Delivery specification.

[Will_NWIL]

The Gateway actually isn’t a terrible laptop for basic use. I’ve using for web browsing and it works fine.

[johnk]

Nice response to the last live stream rant 🤣 It's not fast; it's cheap.... and low power

[AZREDFERN]

If you already own an M1 MacBook, they're not only insanely efficient, like working on offline PDF and Word docs for a business week on a single charge. But they also abide by the full USB-C standards (not all USB-C is the same), meaning it'll charge at 3 amps at 5v, 9v, 12v, or 20v. I've even plugged it in to the little classic 10 watt Apple charger, and it will charge at a painful rate. The Steam Deck is also the same way, with the added benefit of being able to install W11 on it, or on a micro SD card. The RPi is the lowest power option, but it takes some work to get a screen and inputs attached to it. Unfortunately, most cheap HTs only like 5v, even if it's USB-C. I'm to the point though where I won't buy an HT now unless it's USB-C and CHiRP compatible. Just so I don't have 15 different cradles and cables and softwares.

[timbookedtwo]

I have been re-charging my laptops off-grid for years. For many laptop models, even Macbook Pros, one can buy a car charger with a cigarette lighter plug that will charge the laptop using the car's 12v battery. I use this type of charger with my off-grid shack 12v system. Some laptops need more than 12v, like one of my lenovo laptops No problem. I use a step-up buck transformer. Similarly I can power my LED displays using a 12v source. As long as the sun shines and my electronics don't fail me, I have power for everything.

[arie]

Multimeter in capacitance mode (2:54) to check continuity, check. 😄

[gregiep]

My Maestro gets here Saturday. So pumped.

[JeremyP-]

I miss my old gateway so much. Dell and HP are crap nowadays

[CampingandHamRadio-WPOT]

My Rockpals 60w and 100w folding panels have USBC 18W QC3.0 18W ports. The Allpowers 140w folding panel has a USB C 60W PD port. Eco Flow River 2 Pro has a 100 watt USB C PD port.

[dan_in_sd]

Josh, I have the Bluetti EB3A LiPo Power Station with its USB PD 3.0 output. Then I just get the PD cable for DELL Laptops and plug right in. There are PD cables made for most laptops. No worries

[lyfandeth]

UPDATE: At some point, the power has been changed to USB-C PD 12 volts, no barrel connector.
And the internal m.2 cellular modem, which could be replaced with m.2 memory, is gone, along with the m.2 socket.

[UserUser-zcfx]

Out of the 3 systems shown here, the Maestro is the more powerful system if you can find one of the V1 and V2 versions which have the LTE module. This gives you an M.2 slot which to install an SSD, which the Gateways do not have. And even though the Gateways have a slightly stronger CPU, they are significantly bottlenecked by the eMMC drive. The difference is likely around 15-20% faster in favor of the Maestro, and if you install Tiny10 or Tiny11, that will likely increase to 20-30% compared to either of the factory Gateways. Also, the keyboard isn't that bad, and is on par with those on the early HP Stream series. If you are using this computer for SDR, then the keyboard is more than adequate. The Maestro also has battery life and capacity equal too or exceeding the Gateways.

[fransahm]

I have a 12V battery in my car and an inverter. It works great and I already have it.

[LJHRalith]

ALLPOWERS SP012 Solar Panel 100W despite not showing it on amazon and their own sales support not knowing about it... the currently shipping models have a USB C PD port as far as i can tell. it charged my iphone up very fast. I haven't tested it yet with laptop charging via usb c and solar but i imagine it could do it if your laptop was low enough draw or was powered off while charging. Panel has only put out about 60 watts when I've been testing but I've only tested a couple of times. During full sun it might get a bit higher, but don't expect the full 100 watts.

[jwfox]

I like that 3 way powerpole splitter. Does anyone have a link to the stl or step file?

[Thunderontheroad]

It’s not 12v but what I have found and what works for me. I use apple either laptop, iPad or phone. I have the Anker 737 it can output and charge up 160watts also has pass through charging.

[dennisschultz]

Is there a link to the laptop power cable?

[brianatthedoor]

Thanks for the great video! I’ve been interested in solar charging for a bit, but haven’t jumped in yet. Film is the way to go. I realize you’re talking about Tx gear, but I’m just delving into SDR and a nice portable package for me is my Android tablet and an older 28k mAh Anker that does USB-B. Looking to add one of those nifty power rolls when I can decide whether to invest in the one with the battery or not. Thinking I might just get the cheaper one and charge up my Anker with it. Of course there’s always HT 🙄