Powertraveller Powermonkey Extreme 12V Solar Battery Charger
Black
- Designed with feedback from outdoor and adventure travel users, Powermonkey Extreme houses a 9,000mAh-capacity lithium polymer battery that can charge most 5V devices
- iPhone® 5 can be charged with a USB adapter (not included; available for purchase from Apple)
- 2 output channels: up to 700mAh via USB and up to 2.1 amps via DC port; auto shut-off function turns the charger off after a device has been fully charged for 2 min.
- Perfect for outdoor and marine use, rugged housing is shock resistant and waterproof for up to 30 min. at a depth of 3 ft.
- LCD screen displays battery level and on/off status; single-touch friction swipe control ensures that the charger can only be turned on once it's connected to a device
- Powermonkey Extreme recharges in 3 ways: via universal wall adapter, the solar panel or USB; solar panel can charge the battery while it's charging a device at the same time
- 3-watt solar panel provides a full charge within 15 hrs. in direct sunlight; maximum power point tracker allows the solar panel to charge the battery in low light
Imported.
| Best use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Charge time (hrs) | (Wall) 7 hrs. / (solar) 15 hrs. |
| External charge | Wall, USB |
| Battery included | Yes |
| Battery type | Lithium |
| Solar cell output capacity | 5V 600 mA (3W) |
| Battery storage capacity (mAh) | 9000 mAh |
| Power output to device (mA) | USB: 5V 700 mA DC: 12V 800 mAh |
| Material(s) | ABS plastic |
| Dimensions | 6.1 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 8.9 ounces |
(16 reviews)
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Sep 6, 2014Disappointing performance
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Apr 7, 2014Does not work with IPhone5I bought this because it said it was compatible with the Iphone/smart phones, and there is not a tip for the IPhone 5. When I contacted the seller, he offered up all kinkds of solutions and ...
Read More I bought this because it said it was compatible with the Iphone/smart phones, and there is not a tip for the IPhone 5. When I contacted the seller, he offered up all kinkds of solutions and adapters that I could try - which was great, but I just wanted this to work without having to buy an adaptor as it's very bulky the way it is. -
Aug 1, 2013Powermonkey ReviewVery Expensive for what you get. While the case, size and external battery are a plus, the small solar array and charge time necessary outweigh the benefits. In regards to the case, becau...
Read More Very Expensive for what you get. While the case, size and external battery are a plus, the small solar array and charge time necessary outweigh the benefits. In regards to the case, because it is "blocky" it is not easy to stash unless ample room is provided in your pack. Once fully charged, the battery does an excellent job charging devices and the 2 amp output is great for high power and finicky devices like Apple products. During personal side-by-side comparisons to both Goal Zero and Joos, the powermonkey came in last place in all categories (charge time, battery power, etc). The pros over the Joos are that is is smaller in form, lighter to carry, and has a faster discharge (if using 2 amp output) but the Joos is less exensive and more "built", picks up non-direct sunlight better but the negative to the Joos is that the Joos is a beast in both size and weight. If money is not a concern, pick up the Goal Zero package for $300 as this easily is the best charging option. The Goal Zero charges quickly, has a larger array, packs into a low profile (flatter) and you can buy an AC charger adapter which is handy. The other benefits to the Goal Zero is that both the Joos and Powermonkey come with a myriad of adapters which on the surface seems great, but you can easily lose these little parts and replacments can be a pain. As most devices today use a standard 5v usb cable, the Goal Zero really is the best way to go, again, at a hefty price. Ultimately, if you are looking for a portable power in a small form factor, this could be a great choice, except you can pick up a better solar array, buy your own external Li-ion battery pack for half the cost and the product with function just as smoothly, but with this you lose the rugged durability and water-proofness the powermonkey provides. On a side note, I had to go through three powermonkeys to find one where the waterproof plastic caps actually stayed down on the battery pack. -
Jul 18, 2013Great product, rugged too.I bought this for emergencies & backpacking. It weighs a pound, so I decided I wouldn't go backpacking with it. Car camping however, is no problem. I also last used it December 2012, & its ...
Read More I bought this for emergencies & backpacking. It weighs a pound, so I decided I wouldn't go backpacking with it. Car camping however, is no problem. I also last used it December 2012, & its mid July 2013, & it still is holding a full charge, being unplugged & not in sunlight all these months. In addition, I got this 12/2012, & it charges from empty to full in Arizona December sunlight in 6 hours. I've used it to charge an iphone 4s, an iTouch, no problem. Also charged my friend's ecig with it, & it did that too. All on 1 charge with mAh left over to do the iphone & iTouch all over again. It also charges portable AA batteries (if you get a small AA battery charger that plugs in it). -
May 19, 2013Solar charging time disappointingMy biggest complaint is how slowly this unit charges using the solar panels. In direct sunlight for 10 hours over two days and got only to 65%. These were clear, bright, SoCal days. My ot...
Read More My biggest complaint is how slowly this unit charges using the solar panels. In direct sunlight for 10 hours over two days and got only to 65%. These were clear, bright, SoCal days. My other disappointment was that the box said a full charge should charge an iPad 1-2x. With a fully charged power monkey, I got about 70% charge on my iPad. I had higher expectations for this unit. -
Mar 19, 2013Edited ReviewI can't figure out how to edit my prior review, but here's an update: One of the adapter tips is the source of my cold weather issues. When replacing the included cable/adapter with my own c...
Read More I can't figure out how to edit my prior review, but here's an update: One of the adapter tips is the source of my cold weather issues. When replacing the included cable/adapter with my own cable the problem went away. -
Feb 20, 2013Problems in the ColdThis was a gift. I waited to review this until I had multiple uses. On this last trip with temperatures in the 20°s it would not put out any power to any of several devices. It would take a ...
Read More This was a gift. I waited to review this until I had multiple uses. On this last trip with temperatures in the 20°s it would not put out any power to any of several devices. It would take a charge from the solar panels just fine, but nothing out. Back home now on the kitchen table it works fine, as it did on a previous, warmer, trip. I intend to leave it outside on the porch in colder weather and see if the problem reoccurs. -
Feb 15, 2013AMAZEDI USE IT TO CHARGE MY SAMSUNG SIDEKICK 4G MY IPOD AND ANYONE ELSES DEVICES THT MIGHT NEED CHARGED WHEN IM AROUND WITH THIS GODLY DEVICE I HAVE CHARGED MULTIPLE DEVICES AT ONCE I HAVE RECHARG...
Read More I USE IT TO CHARGE MY SAMSUNG SIDEKICK 4G MY IPOD AND ANYONE ELSES DEVICES THT MIGHT NEED CHARGED WHEN IM AROUND WITH THIS GODLY DEVICE I HAVE CHARGED MULTIPLE DEVICES AT ONCE I HAVE RECHARGED FROM OUTLETS AMAZED SOLAR PANELS WORK GOOD TOO IT GETS LOW PLUG IT IN TO THE PANELS LET SET FOR A WHILE AND WALAH I CAN CONQUER DEVICES ONCE AGAIN THIS PRODUCT IS GREAT ON MY HIKES ITS GREAT TO TAKE CAMPING AND IT SAVES MY CARS BATTERY MON THROUGH FRIDAY CHARGING MY PHONE WHIL IM WORKING WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE WHO WANTS MUSIC OR PHONES OR I PAD KINDLE DEVICES WHILE HIKING OR EMERGENCY TIMES LIKE POWER BLACKOUTS ITS A LITTLE HEAVY BUT GIVES ME PIECE OF MIND I LOVE HEARING NATURE SOUNDS SOMETIMES HIKING BUT NOTHING BETTER THEN SOME MUSIC WHILE TREKKING SOME MOUNTAINS AND JUST KNOWING THT THE PANELS ARE SUCKING UP SOME SUN WHILE IM DRAINING THE BATTERIES GIVES ME ALOT OF PIECE OF MIND AND I SLEEP RATHER WELL AT NIGHT LOL AMAZING PRODUCT THOSE WHO HAVE ELECTRONICS IT IS PRICEY BUT WORTH EVERY SINGLE CENT AND MAYBE MORE
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Read More Glad we tested this on a car camping trip. Solar panel, even in full sun, did not fully recharge my LG smartphone in 8 hours. Somewhat better performance by charging the battery backup first (took most of the day) and using that to charge husband's Samsung (took about 2 hours). Simply too unpredictable for use on planned extended backpacking in Europe. Not even worth carrying the weight for this low performance.