rhode74-ga,
It's the new 'Murphy's Law' -- When you most need your cell phone,
that's when the battery's sure to die...with no outlet in sight!
There are several options for charging a phone on the run, and I've
detailed them in my answer, below. I did not include any
build-your-own options since, frankly, I can't see any real advantage
to doing so.
However, if none of the off-the-shelf options suit your needs for
whatever reason, let me know by posting a Request for Clarification,
and I'll be happy to provide some additional information.
Cheers!
pafalafa-ga
===============
Options for charging your cell phone when you're not near an outlet or car:
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/sidewinder.htm
Sidewinder Portable Cell Phone Charger
A wind-up generator that can always provide unlimited emergency cell phone power
This is a small hand-operated generator...turn the crank, and charge up your phone.
PROS: Lightweight, easy to use, affordable, and absolutely the most
reliable source of emergency power. As long as you can crank away,
you can generate a charge. Small flashlight is also built in.
CONS: A minute of cranking gets you about five minutes of phone time,
so for a full battery charge, you can be cranking for a long, tedious
time. Cranking also takes two hands, so if you want to crank while
you're talking, you'll probably need a hands-free phone set-up to do
so.
http://21st-century-goods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=iSunSil
iSun Portable Solar Charger
The name says it -- this uses the power of the sun to recharge your cell phone.
PROS: Works with most phones. You can piggyback multiple units to
get an extra power boost. It's also cool-looking.
CONS: Obviously, only works when the sun is out. Bit pricey, too.
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/phones/cellphonerecharger.htm
Clipper Gear Cell Phone Emergency Battery Recharger
This is a small, inexpensive unit that allows you to use ordinary AAA
batteries to power your phone.
PROS: Four AAA batteries will provide about two full recharges for
your phone. The portability and accessibility of AAA batteries make
this a handy option.
CONS: Only drawback...what if there are no AAA batteries around?
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/cellboost.htm
Cellboost instant battery charger for cell phones
Basically, a generic back-up battery for pretty much any phone
providing about an hour's worth of power.
PROS: Inexpensive and reliable source of power that fits most phones.
CONS: Each battery is one-time use. Not as widely available as,
e.g., AAA batteries.
http://www.smarthome.com/92071.html
Portable Cell Phone Charger/Flashlight Never Needs Batteries or Bulbs
Another hand-crank options...doubles as a flashlight.
http://www.independentliving.com/prodinfo.asp?number=112632&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=7
Portable Winding Charger
...and yet another
http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=206
USB Mobile Phone Chargers
An odd choice, but worth considering. This will allow you to plug the
phone into any device with a USB port, and recharge from, e.g., a
laptop.
PROS: Most computers are USB-enabled these days, and increasingly available.
CONS: What if there's no computer around?
http://www.1800mobiles.com/3-in-1-cell-car-charger.html
MultiFunction Cell Phone Charger: USB, Travel and Car Charger in One
Variation on the USB charge option.
http://www.gotbatteries.com/items.asp?params=batteries/CellPhone/1/NOKIA/5170i/BNH%20610-.6V/CP102
Replacement Cell Phone Battery
Of course, you can simply stock up on a few back-up batteries
(specific to your phone, of course), and have them at the ready when
you need a new power source.
PROS: Probably the best power per weight option, since the battery is
specifically designed for the phone.
CONS: Changing the battery on the run can be a bit of a nuisance.
If you ask me (and you did...sort of), the best of the bunch is this one:
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/phones/cellphonerecharger.htm
Clipper Gear Cell Phone Emergency Battery Recharger
as AAA batteries are easy to stock up on and transport, and should you
run out, they are almost universally available unless you're in the
middle of the woods on a camping trip. And for that situation, you
might also want to have one of the hand-crank chargers, so you can at
least assure yourself of emergency power under any situation.
I trust this list of options will fully meet your needs. But please
do not rate this answer until you are completely satisfied with the
information I've provided. As I mentioned earlier, just post a
Request for Clarification if there's anything else I can do for you.
Cheers,
pafalafa-ga
search strategy -- Google search on [ cell phone portable (power OR charger) ] |
