Kraftwerk - portable power plant

[ethoen]

An alternative to hiking with solar panels?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/265641170/kraftwerk-highly-innovative-portable-power-plant

[Joomy]

Sounds too good to be true, but if it's real I want one. Refills with LPG gas and stores around 20,000mAh at 3.7V (I'm guessing), all for 200g? Incredible.

[Strider]

I think it runs on butane, Joomy. Regardless, I'm not sure what benefit this is for urban users that can just use a rechargeable power bank. Design looks like something off TVSN too.

[Empty]

I think it is a fantastic idea but, as you say, more suited to people travelling off the grid rather than urban based bushwalkers. Certainly there are smaller, lighter and presumably cheaper power packs available that will provide reliable power for several days.

[Joomy]

I think it runs on butane, Joomy. Regardless, I'm not sure what benefit this is for urban users that can just use a rechargeable power bank. Design looks like something off TVSN too.

Well they refer to it as LPG (and they even make it through a reverse process), but is sounds like Butane, Propane, LPG are all usable.

Empty, I'm not an expert but 200g for a ~20,000mAh power pack sounds amazingly light.

[Empty]

No question Joomy but how often would you need 20,000 mAh? I just bought a GoPuck 5 X which is 6600 and it is fantastic. Charges my iPhone 6 up to 5 times and very quickly. It is 177 grams and I consider that too heavy 1 to 2 night walks. Mainly take it on the bike when I go for 3 nights or more.

[Gadgetgeek]

sounds really good, and a good option for longer timeframes. I wonder how good the conversion efficiency is, and how it stacks up against the brunton hydrogen units. Either way, variable gas source is a huge plus over the brunton system.

[Nuts]

If it's a sturdy build it sounds like a great idea, especially if using that sort of capacity.

Iv'e been experimenting with Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Took one on the Overland Track in winter (and 5 times since) and ended with power left over, recharging phone and batteries (AA/AAA/Camera) most nights. The 'anti-gravity' jump-start style draw too much power in their operation but smaller ones for motorbikes- drones.. seem like they'd be a viable (cheaper) alternative to packaged battery packs we've tried over the last few years.They are very light for the capacity.. even so, weight v a/h nothing like as efficient as this (promises).

[icefest]

Iv'e been experimenting with Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Took one on the Overland Track in winter (and 5 times since) and ended with power left over, recharging phone and batteries (AA/AAA/Camera) most nights. The 'anti-gravity' jump-start style draw too much power in their operation but smaller ones for motorbikes- drones.. seem like they'd be a viable (cheaper) alternative to packaged battery packs we've tried over the last few years.They are very light for the capacity.. even so, weight v a/h nothing like as efficient as this (promises).

Don't LiFePO betteries have a lower energy density (Wh/Kg) but a higher specific energy (w/kg) and less wear making them heavier for the same total energy carried? I also thought they were more expensive than a 18650 cell.

[Nuts]

Yes, as I understand it.. a version of that ie. that they have similar efficiency, ion wins (LiFePO4 batteries are dearer?? though their ingredients are cheaper..) Would the potential not still be reflected in listed output/capacity eg:

Voltaic (Ion) 5,5v 600mA 11 Wh 108g
AG (Iron) 5V 2000mA 29. 6 Wh 295g

It wasn't really the point here but I can do some proper testing (edit- somehow..if you are interested in real world figures? (though i suspect you are just looking for a 'win' rather than info?) I doubt there is a lot of difference, the lipo4 seem to hold charge well. There has been mention of poor cold weather performance.. maybe. We got to -1/2c and they were fine.

The AG has a LED torch, 200A & usb circuit and charge indicators inbuilt, it seems they (Lipo4 batteries) are more built and regulated for purpose and the jump starter is sold as a 'Multi-Function Power Supply'. The latest one I have may be a better comparison (or compare 18650 cells.. ) to gas/electric : http://www.hollyhockbatteries.com.au/Li ... tbike.html Expensive?

[Thornbill]

Looks like these guys might have chosen the wrong name for their charger. Must admit, when I first saw the name I immediately thought of the band..........

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/m ... ng-devices

[cams]

Sounds like a pretty cool product. Hopefully it gets all the way through to delivery. There have been some kickstarter projects that have failed spectacularly recently.

[JohnStrider]

No question Joomy but how often would you need 20,000 mAh? I just bought a GoPuck 5 X which is 6600 and it is fantastic. Charges my iPhone 6 up to 5 times and very quickly. It is 177 grams and I consider that too heavy 1 to 2 night walks. Mainly take it on the bike when I go for 3 nights or more.

Do they charge the iPhone 5?