Portable Charging Products for Your Weekend Road Trip

Even though summer is winding down, there’s still plenty of time to get away for one final vacation. A road trip is a great way to enjoy those last warm days and experience the sights of early Autumn. Our Road Trip Packing Guide will help you find the solar kits, power inverters and wireless chargers you need to help you stay connected during your time on the road.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar power is a great way to charge everything from RV batteries to cell phones and other personal devices while you’re on the road. Solar panels work by converting sunlight into usable energy, which is then used to charge a battery storage system. This can be anything from a portable power station to an RV battery to a battery backup storage system.

Solar panels are rated by the amount of direct current (DC) power they produce under ideal sunlight conditions, which is measured in watts (W). For example, if a solar panel is rated at 290 watts and you are getting 5 hours of direct sunlight per day, you can calculate your total solar output with this equation: 5 hours x 290 watts = 1,450 watt-hours (Wh) or roughly 1.5 kilowatt hours (KWh). If you’re using an RV, travel trailer or popup camper, this solar calculator opens in new window can help you determine how much solar energy you need to power the applications in your vehicle.

Solar Power Solutions Available at Batteries Plus

Batteries Plus offers a number of solar charging options from Go Power! and Goal Zero. All of our products feature monocrystalline solar panels, which are the most efficient and longest lasting type of solar panel. Here are a few customer favorites perfect for road trips.

Go Power! Overlander 190-watt Solar Charging Kit - The largest single panel 12-volt charging kit on the market. Provides 190 watts and 9.3 amps of power charging capability. Includes a 190W solar module, a 30-amp dual-bank, Bluetooth^® PWM solar controller, cables and mounting hardware. Perfect for extended RV trips and dry camping.

Go Power! Duralite 100-watt Solar Kit - Perfect for tent trailers, camper vans and RVs. This lightweight solar kit weighs only 9 lbs, but is capable of storing 100 watts of solar power. Includes everything you need to charge your batteries, including a 30-amp charge controller, cables and an array of connection options.

Goal Zero 50-watt & 100-watt Solar Panels - Made of strong tempered glass with an aluminum frame. These solar panels also feature a built-in kickstand which clicks into place at multiple angles, so you can position your panel to the optimum angle. Pairs with any Goal Zero YETI portable power station.

Goal Zero Yeti Portable Power Stations - Gather and store energy to charge laptops, tablets and phones when you’re off the grid. Can be powered from the wall, from your car or paired with a Goal Zero solar panel to gather solar energy. Each power station is equipped with the latest charging technology, including high-speed USB-C Power Delivery. Available models include: the 200X (187 watt-hour capacity), 500X (505 watt-hour capacity) and 1500X (1516 watt-hour capacity).

Power Inverters Available at Batteries Plus

If you’re going to be using solar power or powering devices directly from your car or RV battery, you’re going to need a power inverter. Solar charging kits and vehicle batteries give off Direct Current (DC) which behaves differently than the Alternating Current (AC) featured in your home. If you try charging a laptop, phone or tablet with DC power, you’ll short circuit the device. A power inverter helps you avoid that by converting DC power to the AC you need to charge your favorite devices. Shop Batteries Plus selection of power inverters online.

Power Banks & Other Portable Chargers

Batteries Plus also has a wide selection of wireless charging solutions.

Power Banks - Our selection of power banks are small, lightweight and perfect for charging your devices when you’re on the go. The Tzumi Slim Pocket Juice series are compatible with all USB devices. The Pocket Juice series features multiple inputs which allow you to charge several devices at once. Plus, they allow you to charge your Qi-enabled devices wirelessly.

Single Use Power Packs - The PawaMini is a small, single-use disposable charger that can easily be stored in a pocket, backpack or purse. They come pre-charged and ready to use right out of the packet. The shell is also biodegradable, making them easy to recycle. We offer two different PawaMini options, one with a lightning/micro adapter and another compatible with USB Type C devices.

Wireless Charging Pads & Stands - We also offer a number of wireless charging pads from Belkin, Ventev and Otterbox. Simply place your Qi-compatible device on top of the pad for easy wireless charging.

Batteries Plus Has Everything You Need for Your Road Trip

If you’re planning a road trip, be sure to visit our Automotive Center and don’t forget to have the battery in your car or truck tested for free at one of our stores. Testing only takes a few minutes, but can save you the hassle of finding yourself stranded on the side of the road. Batteries Plus also offers plenty of additional vacation essentials, such as generators, flashlights, alkaline batteries, light-up pet leashes and collars, booster cables and more.