Voltaic Solar Charger-A Review

In any of my posts with a picture of my Pack Mule you may have noticed solar panels strapped across the mule's back.  This is a Voltaic Fuse 4 Watt Solar Charger, from Voltaic Systems, Inc.

I got this handy little system as a way to recharge my phone, GPS, MP3 player, GoPro, and batteries in situations where I don't have an outlet to use at the end of the day. Since getting it I have begun to buy only devices (such as bike lights) that I can charge using this little guy.

The Fuse is two solar panels and a battery attached to a carrying case that is designed to attach to any Molle style backpack which use a series of clips and straps to attach accessories, or (as in my case) use the included 3/4" straps and clips to strap it to most anything else.  I strap it across my pack mule for trips where I use the trailer, and I strap it to the bike's rear rack or to the rack bag when I commute.  It comes with a set of USB adapters that one uses to attach their device to the battery or panels to recharge.  If the adapter needed doesn't come standard, Voltaic sells adapters for damned near anything that you might need to charge, though the USB adapters that come with most thing these days will work without an adapter.

I love this thing, and have used it quite a bit, mostly to charge my phone and MP3 player, but I also have a USB battery charger for rechargeable batteries that I have used with it.  I even use it at home where there are plenty of USB ports and electrical outlets--I just like the idea of not using fossil-fuel power when I can.

The Fuse battery in its case

The fuse is quite an ingenious idea.  The case is large enough to carry small electronics (like phones, and GPS units) without being heavy or ungainly.  It zips open like a 'clamshell' and has a couple of small mesh pockets to hold adapters and devices.  You can keep the device being charged zipped securely inside while its charging or, by running the charging cord though a small opening on the back of the case, charge the device outside the case so you can see and hear it while it charges.

Keep in mind that this is a solar charger, so it won't speed charge things at the same rate as plugging the device in, but it will charge your devices fully overnight, or while riding or hiking (given enough sunlight) in places where plugging into the grid is not an option, and can give you some quick talk time when needed.

What I really love about the Fuse charger is its versatility.  The battery can be charged with the sun, it can be charged from an outlet (with an outlet adapter), and with a separate adapter that Voltaic sells (and I bought) it can be charged from the lighter/power outlet in your car.  You can use the solar panels at home, on the road, on the trail, and just about anywhere else the Sun shines.  And you can charge the battery and a device at the same time separately, or charge a device from the battery while charging the battery.  You could even charge two devices at the same time by plugging one to the battery and one separately, though anytime you do more than one thing at a time the charge is lower (and therefore slower) for each device since the available power is being shared.

Voltaic says the case is waterproof, and I have no reason to doubt this claim, but I have yet to test it by exposing the case to rain, so I can't vouch for it one way or the other.  The design of the case and zippers does inspire confidence that it could be used safely in the rain.

Voltaic offers one smaller and several larger charger systems if the Fuse is less than or more than you would need, but for my use this guy is perfect.  One note: if you plan on using such a system to charge larger devices such as a laptop, Voltaic recommends using a larger system since the power needs are greater.  The larger systems use a larger battery and more panels and can still be used for smaller devices like phones, GPS units, MP3 players, etc.  Voltaic has a set-up for charging just about anything, and even sell backpacks with the charger already attached.  They are well worth a look if you are in the market for a portable solar charging system.

Burley Nomad-Rolling Pack Mule

Now that I have pulled it around for a couple of hundred miles on the road, some bike paths, one gravel road (which google maps listed as paved), and even a short stretch of sidewalk, I feel ready to give a more detailed review of my Nomad.



My Nomad and Steed on the Road

Since I'm not really sure where to begin, I will review the Nomad on points I've seen addressed elsewhere: stability, rolling resistance, tongue weight, and wind resistance; as well as on a few other points that were important to me: capacity, visibility, footprint/tracking, and 'user friendliness.'

Stability- Simply put, this trailer has been very stable.  When I bought it I had no intention of using the Nomad off-road, and haven't. On the surfaces where I have used it-- prepared surfaces--no single or double-track trails, and one hard-packed gravel road, the trailer has been very stable. Potholes, bumps, shoulders, and transitions (small curbs, and sloped path to street transitions) have all played their part in the commutes and longer trips that I have used this trailer on and none have given me cause to think the trailer was going to flip or slide off the road pulling me with it. 

However, I am pulling the trailer with a road-style bike so I don't hit obstacles with as much abandon as I might with a mountain bike.  I am also used to where the trailer is in relation to my surroundings, and as such am careful with what the wheels might be hitting.  The trailer does bounce a little when it rolls over things at speed, so hitting something fast and hard with one wheel could theoretically flip the trailer, but based on my experiences so far, this would have to be one hell of a hit.  The worst thing I've hit so far was a flattened raccoon carcass that I couldn't dodge due to traffic and the poor critter did no harm aside from a little goop on the wheel and bottom of the cargo bed.

Rolling Resistance- This subject seems to come up a lot in single vs double wheel debates, and while I haven't pulled a BOB around for comparison, I can say that once I get the Nomad rolling I hardly know it's there.  The most weight I've pulled with it so far was around 45 lbs, and I couldn't really feel the trailer pulling on me once I get moving. On take off, up hill, and stopping I can feel the trailer, but it seems to me that this is a matter of gravity and the push/pull effect that any trailer causes, and the effects are countered with use different gearing and braking pressure than I use when riding without the trailer.

Tongue weight- According to the Burley site the Nomad transfers 10% of the weight in the trailer to the attachment point on the rear wheel of the bike thereby having a negligible effect on bike handling.  I have found their claim to be fairly accurate.  The one test I did came up with about 15% transfer, but it wasn't overly scientific.  I weighed a loaded trailer then put the end of the tongue on a scale set at the same height as it attaches to my bike and a 42lb trailer transferred just under 6 1/2 pounds to the scale.  In actual use these measurements would fluctuate due to how the trailer was loaded, and physics--when going down hill the trailer would transfer more weight to the wheel, and it would transfer less weight when going up.  Regardless of the actual transfer ratio, there is significantly less weight on the rear wheel and frame of the bike than there would be if all the gear were in panniers.

Wind Resistance- Now here's a point that I can definitely speak to.  On my first real trip with the Nomad I had some steady 20 mph head and cross winds, with gusts that were definitely stronger.  These winds played hell with me, in that I had to do a bit of walking because it was simply too dangerous to ride, but I never noticed any problems with the trailer being thrown around.  Due to the shape of the trailer I am sure it resisted the wind to a point, but even when the winds where bending the flag pole quite a bit to the side I never felt the trailer trying to pull me. 

Anti-Loss Device

One note on the flag:  I had read a review of the Nomad wherein the reviewer mentioned losing his flag to high winds, and since it just sits in a pocket instead of being mechanically attached I can see how this would happen (this setup would also allow easy theft of an unwatched flag).  With this story in mind I used an extra computer mounting band cinch-knotted around the flag-pole and wrapped around the cross-bar knob of the trailer (see picture) to help keep the flag where I put it.  Enough force could still rip the flag free, but it would need to be an extreme amount.

Capacity- So far, I have used my Nomad to carry groceries, used it to do some local Christmas shopping, and to haul the recycling, tools for work, and supplies/gear for short tours.  Not once have I wished I had more room for stuff. And, If I did for some strange reason want more room in (or rather, on) my trailer, I could always get the cargo rack attachment for it.  The only downside I can see of the Nomad's cargo capacity would be the potential for carrying more than I need to, but this is more of a self-discipline issue than a cargo-capacity issue.

Visibility- With the color, the reflective piping, reflectors, lights, and flag this guy is more visible than my bike and I are.  I have yet to feel that drivers have failed to see me whether it was dark or in the full light of day.  This was a concern of mine given the idiocy of a lot of Indianapolis drivers.  While the trailer's visibility hasn't diminished the idiocy it has certainly made me even more visible when I'm pulling it, and in some cases made people a little more careful around me--these are subjective observations, so may all be in my head, but I feel safer so they are a good thing.

Footprint/Tracking- This issue comes up a lot in reviews and questions about the Nomad.  When considering the Nomad, a lot of people (myself included) seem to feel that its two-wheel design and width would cause problems.  So far I haven't had issues with this. The trailer with wheels and quick-releases is  a hair over 26" wide.  It sits 2" off center with 12" going to the bike's right, and 14" to the left.  Since my handlebars (which are centered) with mirrors are 31" wide the trailer rides within my footprint and tracks right along with me--if my bike can go through a gap the trailer will too.  You do have to pay more attention to where you are in relation to curbs and such on your right, but I found this a quick learning process. I did have to learn to be a bit more careful on turns since the trailer adds to my overall length, but this hasn't been an issue since I got used to the extra length, and I would think this to be the case with any trailer.

For people without such a wide cockpit, if you figure around 18" for road bars and 29" for mountain bars the trailer will fit into the width of the mountain bars with 1" on the left and 2" on the right.  On the road bike the trailer will be 5" wider on the left and 3" on the right.  While you would have to learn to stay farther from curbs and other obstacles on your right, the width difference on your left is not such a big thing since a car passing within five inches of you would probably take you out with its mirror anyway.  And like I said, drivers seem to be a bit more careful around the trailer.

User-friendliness- This would seem to be a purely subjective subject, but some of my observations may fall into areas that match other people's questions.  First off it's easy to load.  With the detachable divider inside and the design of the cover this trailer is easy to organize and pack.  There are rings attached to the outside of the sides of the bed for using cord or bungees with overflow, and there are full length mesh pockets on the inside for small items.  I like the open trunk feel of the cargo bed as opposed to the duffel bag style BOB bag because it allows me to organize things.  Granted the Nomad is not waterproof due to its design, but I use stuff sacks anyway for organization so this isn't a problem (there are even drainage holes in the cargo bed for when water does get in).  While I haven't used the trailer in a full on deluge, I have pulled it in light rain and through puddles and have yet to get any water inside it.

The trailer attaches to the bike easily and securely whether it's loaded or not, this I really like.

The only user issue I could see with the Nomad is security of the contents when unattended.  When I use it for errands it doesn't have anything in it when it's unattended so this isn't an issue.  However, when I'm on the road and make a stop somewhere for food or a nature break there is the possibility of someone stealing something from inside the trailer.  This possibility applies to panniers, or other trailers as well, and with simple precautions like parking in visible areas and next to windows it is no different than just parking a bike anywhere.  As for securing the trailer itself I use an extra cable with my lock to secure the wheels to the trailer and my bike which is in-turn secured to something else.  This might not be adequate for long term security (such as overnight), but when I am using the trailer I am not in situations where I am away from the trailer and its contents with its being out in the open for long periods.  The longest periods I have left my rig or just the trailer unattended was during hikes and sight seeing rides while on tour, and I just locked it/them up next to the park office and the attendant gladly agreed to keep an eye on it/them.  In these cases there was more chance of my tent being stolen.

As for Burley's customer service I haven't had any dealings with them so I can't say anything about it one way or the other, but since I bought my trailer at REI which has excellent customer service I figure I will deal with them if the need arises.

So, overall, I would say I am very happy with my investment in the Nomad and am looking forward to discovering new uses for it and using it often for some time to come.

Catastrophe and Triumph--My First Trip

So, almost everything changed in the plans for my after Turkey Day ride.

I wasn't able to get my friend's TNF tent because he had lent it out to someone else.  I changed destinations--twice.  Had a start-stop-start all over beginning.  And didn't sleep in a tent until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Gear--

As I said, I couldn't get the 4-season tent I had planned on.  Since I still didn't have the funds to buy the tent I want this almost killed the trip long before it began, as there was no way I was going to try to camp in sub-freezing weather with my Hubba-Hubba.  The HH is a great tent when it's warm out, and one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a cycling or backpacking tent, but it is almost all mesh.  My son and I spent the night in it once in February in Ohio, and while we were nice and toasty in our bags, the act of getting out of the bags in the morning was pure misery.




Room for Me and my Pack mule

Being the stubborn old fart that I am I came up with a compromise.  I used an Ozark Trail 9 x 7 tent that I had bought on a whim for car camping.  I used some velcro-tape and blue tarp material to close off the roof vents and whah-lah--4-season(?) tent.  Not ideal but it worked.  The tent weighs around 9 lbs so I was hauling the equivalent weight of the VE-25, although without the quality.  And, since it is a four-person tent there was room to put my Nomad inside.

Aside from the tent, the rest of my gear list was easy:  sleeping pad, sleeping bag, jetboil stove, clothes, food, medicines, bike maintenance, first-aid, etc. The bike performed as planned with no maintenance issues other than a lose kickstand bolt, and the trailer was the perfect little pack mule:  I will review it separately as it deserves its own post.

As for the route; well that changed before I got started, then again later.  Instead of going to Brown County State Park, I opted instead for a trip to Turkey Run State Park.  This decision grew out of a concern for my ability to climb hills towing a trailer full of gear.  Brown County is all hills, which makes it great for mountain biking, but also worried me in terms of my fitness.  Turkey Run however is in corn-country and the route to and from there is flat.  Since both parks are about the same distance from home (60ish miles) I decided I had better try flat ground for my maiden voyage.

So, Black Friday arrives.  I wake at 5 AM and leave the house at 6:30 fully confidant and excited about my trip.  I left early so I could ride in relatively low traffic until I cleared the city--this part of the plan worked perfectly, I had absolutely no problems with the idiocy I normally face when riding through Indianapolis.  The problems arose once I cleared the heavily populated part of my route.

You see, I had checked the weather, but not all of it.  All I was worried about was temperature, and precipitation.  Once I hit the wide open spaces of corn country I quickly discovered that my big enemy was not temperature or rain as I had the right clothing to protect me from both.  No--my big enemy was the wind.  10-20 mph headwinds gusting to 25-30 mph, to be precise.

I tried fighting the wind for quite a while, but they were unrelenting and brutal.  I had to get off my bike and walk for several stretches because the winds were pushing me back harder than I could pedal forward, or they were hitting me from the side pushing me off the bike.  My speed was averaging less than 5 mph.  After six hours and just over 30 miles I turned back, out of fear of being caught out after dark in unfamiliar territory in a 15 degree wind chill.

As I turned around I felt a horrible sense of defeat and was getting quite depressed, but the ride became a lot easier.  With 20 mph tailwinds I was able to coast for long stretches of road doing 10 mph with no effort other than sitting up and holding the handlebars; it was like sailing on a bike.  The thirty mile stretch that had taken 6 hours to cover one way took just over 2 hours the other.

During the two hour return trip I decided that I would try again with a different route, and destination.  So, after a few hours looking at maps (and wind forecasts) I opted for a ride to Mounds State Park which is only 45 miles from my back door.

This time things went great.

Once again I was up at 5 a.m., and out the door into the cold pre-dawn by 6:30. The route I chose kept me off of all the busy roads here in Indianapolis,  and on bike trails or country roads for most of the trip.  So, once I worked off the initial chill, the ride was quite pleasant.  The only city roads I really had to deal with were through Anderson, IN. 

I would like to take some time here talking about Anderson.  I was a little worried about going through the heart of this small city, due to its having a popular horse track and casino.  But I found out that my fears were extremely unfounded.  The drivers in Anderson were some of the most considerate that I have ever had the pleasure to ride around.  Despite my taking some of the major streets and going right by the local mall on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, I had no problems with impatient or dangerous drivers.  In fact the drivers took great pains to give me room, and I never once felt like I was in danger.  Kudos to Anderson.

Camp Cold and Lonely

As for the park, it was an interesting place.  It is named for the 2,000 year old Native American earthworks which are at its center, and are quite interesting, as it s believed that they were for astronomical observances.  As it was quite cold and well beyond the 'normal' camping season I had the campgrounds to myself, except for a small herd of Whitetail Deer who roamed around the grounds taking no real interest in the lone guy sitting by his tent cooking dinner.  In the picture at right you can see just how deserted the campground was.  (My tent is the little blue dot left of center)  There was even a short bike trail around the small airport to the north of the park.  Once again--kudos to Anderson.

My Steed and Pack Mule

All in all this trip went as planned and served its intended purpose, which was to be a test of my equipment, my legs, and my heart.  In each case everything performed as well as or better than I had hoped.  And I am already planning my next excursion, as I am now quite hooked on this touring thing.

Next time though--I will pay very close attention to ALL of the forecast.