BOB solar/dynamo radio battery charger?

[Wyzyrd]

I have a question - my apologies if I haven't dug deep enough to find an older thread -

I'm looking for something that will fit in a backpack/duffel bag, run on sun or hand-crank, pick up at least AM/FM/NOAA weather radio, have a USB power output and charge at least AA/AAA batteries.

(Yes, I want deep-cycle batteries and big panels, too, but that's a separate question - this system needs to be fairly-smal - BugOutBag/vehicle kit-friendly.)

So far, all the commercial products I have found will do some subset, but not all of the 'requirements"

Maybe a commercial radio w/USB and a USB-powered battery charger?

Any suggestions? (willing to solder and kludge things together to make them work..)

[johnjmw]

Cannot help you with the combination, but would you compromise to a solar and crank AA and AAA recharger with a radio with NOAA and AM FM separate? That might be an easier find. I dunno for sure but I thought I'd seen the charger, and the radio crank/solar but not one that would do external batteries and the internal batteries were not much more than watch batteries.
Anyone else?
John

[Wyzyrd]

This one (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=502760) comes pretty close, though a bit gimmicky. I have had more luck finding this type combo than what you described, which was actually my first thought.


edit: format

[12vman]

This (http://heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=power-station-with-pull-crank&PIN=75994&GUID=E8F15C90-CD3D-4100-B5EA-0093AFFAA3A7&DL=IVU2#) is kinda cool. So are these. (http://heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=backpack-solar-battery&PIN=78368&GUID=E8F15C90-CD3D-4100-B5EA-0093AFFAA3A7&BC=10001014&DL=SCH14)

Maybe a combo with the radio you found?

To Add..

This (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47620) battery charger is supplied with a wall wart that puts out 12 v.d.c. I use them here connected to my main battery to charge all of my smaller cells.. (A, AA, C, D)

[1stmate]

Well Wyzyrd, I have to +1 on Don's suggestion on the HF 12v battery charger- works for me!

The item from SG, while gimmicky, looks like it'll fit your bill(?) The problem I've found with gizmos that do a whole bunch of stuff, seldom do any one thing right, or rather, as best as can be done.

I have been fooling around with a small 15w panel & batteries as small as MC ones with acceptable results. Some small solar panels can be had that fold up & could fit in a vehicle BOB. I use a RS lighter plug gadget that steps down the 12v to 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, or 9 vdc; with proper adaptors, you're good for radios, GPS units, cameras, et al. I also have a 120w inverter that can fit in a shirt pocket & delivers 5vdc USB as well as 115v.
Now the small MC battery won't last long on its own, but if running "in the light" it will supply (via the panel) enough power to run & change a lot of small goodies. I run my multi-band radio all day to hear that nasty talk radio we shouldn't be listening to, charge my batteries, & whatever, without dropping the voltage of the 'lil battery under 12.5 volts.
So, it may take some kludging, but it's doable.
Good luck, & let us know how your quest turns out.

Regards,
Jack in NH