My #1 solar tool
I get asked all the time: “If there was ONE solar thing you could take and you had to leave everything else, what would it be?”
Fortunately I have an easy answer to that question. It’s the solar powered combo flashlight and radio.
I really like it for a variety of reasons:
- It’s inexpensive but built well for crisis conditions. There is a lot of poorly made crap out there, but this little guy is tough and stands up to a beating.
- The LED flashlight will last a good 1-2 hours with a full charge in the sunlight
- The radio will last 3-4 hours on a full charge with the volume turned down low
- Its very portable and lightweight
In a crisis you’ll likely be without two critical things: power and communications. This little gizmo will help solve two of those issues for around $40.
37 Comments
I need direction badly! I am an 82 year old handicapped widow with not much of a chance for survival under certain disaster conditions, but it isn’t in my nature to just “roll over”. I live in my own home alone in a small town near my daughter who does not believe in “prepping”. I do, and have begun my food bank and medical supplies. I am in deep trouble in understanding anything electronic though. What do I need and where is my “go to” to obtain the items In reading the comments herein, there seems to be an inclination to “crank” items. I have arthritis and am not as physically strong as the average younger person. HELP!!
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Just finished installing 50KW solar system! Switched all lighting to LED, Geothermal house cooling………..emp grid. Bronze low E windows…3 years food supply, enough amunition to protect it all. stored all heirloom seeds , put in under ground well and desalinator.
Kinda bumed the world has not ended yet, I could have been living all this time!
Nice work, Casey!
I have a non-profit company that is set up to help Veterans and their families with information, education, employment and much more. I am presently working with others on a project to provide homeless Veterans and their families a place to live while they get on their feet. There are over 100,000 + homeless Veterans accross the US. We have 11 1/2 acres available for Veterans in the Houston, Texas area and we have a manufacture of the SIP insulated panels and we have 3 floor plans ranging from a 2 bdrm, to a 4 bdrm home. We can manufacture the panels at the rate of 3 homes per day and they can be constructed withing 60 business days. Our goal is to make them as energy and environmentally proficient as possible. At the same time, keeping the cost to a minimum and the home as nice as possible. We want to expand this program once it is established to cover as much of the US as possible. We need funding, ideas, materials and a lot of prayers to be able to get this project completed. Do you have any suggestions or know of anyone who is willing to help out with a project such as this?
I’d like to know more
interested in doing something similar if possible
nate
303.356.6000
I would like to help out any way I can. I live in Vancouver Canada where land is in abundance and regulations not what they likely are in your country. If you have an idea of how we can help the hero’s that end up being duped by the bankers and other corrupted policy makers, I am here to do my part whatever that may be. I am even more frustrated and encouraged to help when I hear that returning vets are being put on a fedral watch list as potential trouble makers for the same individuals they have been duped into risking their lives for, Anyways, whatever I can do to help, I would like to ensure these vets are living well. Bye for now!
Chris W
Have you checked with “Operation Finally Home”? They are building handicap accessible homes for wounded veterans– w lots of donated supplies from companies, lots of volunteer help. They could be a resource for ideas for you. They give these homes to the veterans and families at no cost to them! Started by a veteran himself and it took off w lots of people wanting to help.
we purchased eton microlink fr160 – it has radio – am, fm – weather channels – solor powered – handcrank – led flashlight and cell phone recharge capability for under $30. it’s small and light weight
if cell towers are knocked out, what would be your #1 communication tool?
I agree with those who say they like their hand crank radios and flashlights. I have both and being a Maine’a they had to be from L.L. Bean. Much of my survival gear comes from there. If you’ve never been, you should go.
oopw I mean Patricia. My hubby and I are both ham radio operators. We have set up our radios and communicated across the world wirth them using a battery.
Frank you can communicate via ham radiio, all you need is a power source like solar or a generator.
Sounds good, but I have a different idea… A couple solar panels and a couple car batteries. Along with a couple small (camping) “Benzine” bottles and a camp stove. Coleman is a prime provider of such items.
I want to build a solar generator but I gave all of my purchased materials to my son. Can you resupply me with the plans to build the generator?
Sorry I would like to join today but I was just informed that the Visa Centers are all ‘down’ so I cannot order at this time.Ellen
Reply to Bob Jackson Plano, TX.
Bob, Check out “One block off Grid”. They have some great information about how to work through the solar processes. It helped me understand what else i would need. Hope this reaches you.
Patricia Slocum- Manchester, TN.
Frank,
Nice suggestion, but I have a question to this: What if I want to communicate and not just listen to the news reports? Maybe someone can invent an electrical device that, when used with solar and a small battery, could operate a CB radio or help increase the range of hand held walkie talkies. It is worth consideration, I think. Being able to tell someone where you are and your condition is just as valuable as knowing the weather and news conditions.
Thank you. Patricia Slocum.
All this stuff already exists….just do some research but here’s some ideas to get you started….
Your car can be a generator…just get an inverter and install it in your car….be sure to know what type of AC devices and their wattages so you can size the inverter correctly….
Old Motorola phones (i576) have direct talk even without service…..will need a Sim card though….look on Ebay for these Nextel/Motorola phones and Sim cards…
Midland FRS/GRMS 2 way radios….need license for some GMRS channels…not for DRS channels 8-14…
CB radio…no license required get a good one with an amplified mic, squelch, high power, etc. And don’t forget the antenna setup…can get a base station or one for a vehicle….also hand helds are available…
Ham Radio…..need license but in a emergency whose gonna care….
Solar generators to charge phones, batteries, run Ham gear, lights etc….
Gear will survive a solar flare as long as it’s not plugged in but a HEMP event redundant gear needs to be stored in a Faraday cage for any chance of surviving the 3 pulses; E1, E2 and E3….
Just some ideas the leg work and research is up to anyone serious about surviving……..
I ordered your CD-ROM several months ago. I want to make a solar panel to help with my electric bills. Several other situations have come up and I have not been able to review your material.
There are two questions that I would like for you to answer. One, can you give me an estimate figure on how much money can be saved with using one solar panel, five solar panels, and 10 solar panels?.
Two, please explain what procedure(s) are used when connecting the panel to one’s electricity source.In other words, what other parts or equipment is needed to connect to the home’s electrical
system.
Thank you for providing us with alternative means for making energy in our homes.
Bob Jackson
Plano, TX.
Hi, Frank:
Thanks for the info and I will order the flashlight/radio when I figure out where to do so. What is the range of the radio because my question is will the radio do much good if I am the only one in my community with one? I’m trying to convince my fiance to change to solar power but his house is 50% deferred maintenance so first I have to get solar to the top of his list.
;-}
Solar is ok but I like the hand crank models better. You can charge them when you need them day or night
I have one of these devices mine also
Has a hand crank to charge it takes about
Three minutes and stays charge for several
Hours got it at Sears during the Xmas
Season cost me ten dollars used it several
Times was a good investment
Mine also has a hand crank
Thank you, I live alone in the country , so this is all great info. Love your site.
Everyone should also by a hand cranked flashlight just in case you are hiding in a spider hole with no access to sun light. At least you could see where the spiders are hiding.
Thank you, I live alone in the country , so this is go info. Love your site.
Several years ago, Ocean State Job Lot had a few different kinds of inexpensive solar and hand crank rechargeable lights and radios. I bought a few for myself and family members. One also has a connection to charge a cell phone. They are great for camping. Personally, I prefer to have at least one with a crank, for recharging in the dark. I also have a flashlight that you shake, but I find that the light doesn’t last very long for all of the shaking.
Another good thing to have is a power inverter that plugs into a car cigarette lighter. As long as your car battery is good, and your radio, flashlight, or whatever came with a wall charger, you can plug it in to recharge just about anything.
I have two solar rechargable radios both have a plug for charging my sell phone. The only problem is that if the power does go out for an extended period I would doubt if the cell phones would work as the towers could easily be damaged in any kind of a mass incident. If you purchase a good rugged radio at least you have the NOAH weather chanel and possibly emergency stations that could stay on line to disseminate information.
is there a portable device that will store electricity from a small, portable solar powered screen that will run a TV, a refrigerator, computers, charge cell phones and other communications devices?
Thanks,
David
You are thinking of a solar generator and for all that you want to run, a big one. See the first answer here for thoughts about how to decide what size generator you need.
That is a good idea I’ll have to get one. Thanks
Your little gizmo sounds interesting, but wonder if I have an electric Generator?
Thanks, but how does this compare to the radio that has a hand wind for charging and the flashlight that you shake to charge
The link don’t work
Although it is good to have a broadcast receiver, you can always depend on the broadcast media to LIE TO YOU. To know what is really happening you need a police scanner. These also cover several ham bands, so you get a lot of good intel with a very low profile setup. And these scanners usually can receive broadcast AM and FM. Easily recharged from a small solar panel.
Los Angeles 1992: police scanner informed me of gunfire on the way to where I was going. I made a detour around the area. There was nothing on the news radio about this incident.
The radio is a good idea because it can be transformed into a long range communication system with the right kind of transmitter. Of course the radio would have to be stored in an EMP proof container. The transmitter I envision uses automotive spark coils and is immune to EMP.
One critical post-collapse problem for radio: where do we get lots of copper wire? I don’t know how to make it; do you? And then how do we insulate it?
I’m with Dennis. You cannot always depend on the sun and I have been quite disappointed with the solar items I have purchased. Yes, they work; BUT I CAN control my muscle power and recharge things by cranking or pedaling – I CANNOT control tge sun nor the weather. If I’m going to spend my money on emergency systems – I’d rather put my money where my muscles are than depend upon forces I cannot control. I’d like to read some of your recommendations about these type of products in future articles. Thanks Frank.
Frank I prefer a small unit my daughters bought me for my birthday about four yesrs ago. It has a crank to recharge. I the led flash light can be set to use one three or nine leds. Has a strobe function, an alarm, a radio, and a cord to charge my cell phone. It will last all night if I need it your light is only good for 1-2 hours that’s next to useless when you need sunlight to recharge. I believe the brand name is first response. Thanks hope this is helpful.