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Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

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Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#321

Post by ics »

wkat4242 wrote: post #319
ics wrote: post #304

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I started doing it as a kid in order to break my reliance on side sleeping and help general posture. These days I'm less strict but benefit from being able to find a comfortable position anywhere. I'd recommend not resting your head on a pillow but using firm cushioning under your neck; that will very slightly lift and relieve pressure from your head and keep head/neck/shoulders adequately separated. A straw cushion…

What's bad about side sleeping? Just wondering.

Probably more health zeitgeist of the '90s than any real concern. Your bed, body type, and sleep style might make one more appealing than the other.

I was a restless sleeper though and had/have extreme difficulty getting to sleep often; learning to sleep on my back helps. Expressed another way, if my brain says I have to be on my side for comfort, and I have to achieve comfort to sleep, then if that comfort isn't achieved no sleep for me. Getting my brain to accept "and now we lie down for sleep" without thinking about comfort let me be actually comfortable in more positions/settings.

Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#322

Post by mattmaroon »

bmicraft wrote: post #310
mattmaroon wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think they really just do it because generally everything you will connect to the battery, for the most part, will be using the same voltage, and it’s just easier to do your math and in your head. Remember, most people can’t just calculate a 20% tip in their head without having to think about it for a while or use an app. Also, in this particular instance, phone batteries are measured in miliamp hours, so it makes…

That's wrong, if they only specifiy Ah, then they usually imply cell voltage (3.7V avg.) and not the 5V you're drawing over USB. Even if you assume you're charging a phone with that, you first need to subtract 25-40% total losses. And then consider that phone batteries are LiHV with 3.85-3.9V nowadays.

That’s a fair point. I guess I’m thinking of 12v world, like I experience in my RVs and food trucks, where the battery powers everything and it’s all 12v.

Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#323

Post by invalidator »

numpad0 wrote: post #277
invalidator wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a technical reason for it: the voltage sags when the battery is discharged quickly. Ah is relatively constant, but Wh decreases significantly with faster discharge rates, so it can't specified as a single figure.

That's a bit cursed mental model tbf... The voltages of batteries, in the first place, is function of state of charge. 100% = 4.2V, 0% = ~2.7V, 50% is 3.7V(by volume or something. 2.7 is also technical absolute minimums, cutoff voltage is usually more like 3.2V. Please don't abuse the battery in the ranges between 3.2 to 2.7V, let alone below). Charge/discharge current capacity is constant throughout, at least so bat…

> The voltages of batteries, in the first place, is function of state of charge.

It's also a function of the rate of discharge. Have a look at this:

https://marsen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Panasonic-N...

All that space between the black and green curves is energy being lost to internal resistance.

Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#324

Post by invalidator »

eru wrote: post #185
invalidator wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a technical reason for it: the voltage sags when the battery is discharged quickly. Ah is relatively constant, but Wh decreases significantly with faster discharge rates, so it can't specified as a single figure.

Is that because of internal resistance of the battery, or some other effect?

Yes, it's due to internal resistance.

Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#325

Post by DynamicStatic »

ics wrote: post #303
14 wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you stay warm camping in near freezing conditions? I think pads are more so for insulation to the ground then comfort. Yes they add comfort but a cold ground will suck the heat out of you so fast. How would you describe your typical tent bed time set up?

Setup is just a thin rain mat, tent, sleeping bag, and inside dressed mostly in wool. If traveling with a parka and it's clean/dry, I might wear it inside but suppose it could be laid underneath as a pad. With colder but not sever temperatures coming up I might give that a try and see what difference it makes.

Probably works as long as you don't have to sleep really cold. I slept with a pad with good R rating on snow, froze my ass off anyway.

Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#326

Post by DynamicStatic »

bobsmooth wrote: post #166
exabrial wrote: post #80

> Ultralight culture seems a little nuts to the uninitiated. I prefer "Durable, but as light as possible", not the other way around. Most ultralight gear breaks after a few uses or when it is mishandled in anything-less-than-perfect conditions, which, happens a lot outside.

I think people that do long distance hiking are a little nuts but to each their own.

Best thing I've done in my lifetime.

Re: Why your outdoorsy friend suddenly has a gummy bear power bank

#327

Post by DynamicStatic »

jauntywundrkind wrote: post #46

Nitecore is somewhat accepted as the best lightweight battery, but they aren't cheap. 10Ah battery is $60, 5.9oz. the 20Ah is 10.2oz and $100. Unlike the Hasbro, it comes close to its rated specification. My backpacking trips have definitely not needed 20Ah. For two or three nights I can usually get by with a 5000mah, if I shutdown at night and frequently use airplane mode. And my phones are usually getting on, don't…

I've made it with 10Ah as well but carrying cameras and such it is nice being able to charge stuff up and also have battery enough to power my headlamp at night. I can understand why people want more charge.
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