Portable power is pretty mainstream these days, and the available accessories grow by the day, if not faster. But how about portable power for a campsite with solar charging capabilities? The new Anker Solid C800 Plus portable power station offers that and some other innovative features.

The portable (but not pocket-sized) plug-and-play battery pack is promoted as ideal for campsites, which it is. But there are many other uses; it would be great wherever you need a large amount of portable power. It has built-in ports to power and charge just about any accessory. It has a 768-watt-hour capacity and a 1200-watt output, with 1600W Surgepad technology to never face power limitations.

With 300 watts of max solar input, the battery can be charged up to 80% in 2.3 hours and fully charged in under three hours. For an electrical charge from a standard wall outlet, the C800 has HyperFlashTM technology, allowing it to recharge in 58 minutes.

How long the pack lasts before a charge is needed varies. What do you plug in, and how long does it need to be powered? Running a light while charging a portable speaker and smartphone will take much less from the pack than running a space heater or portable air conditioning unit.

While the unit is rated at 1200 watts, Anker’s SurgePad technology allows it to output up to 1600 watts. So, before heading out to the wilderness, it's a good idea to test the compatibility with what you want to power.

There are 10 output ports that can work simultaneously. They include five standard household AC outlets, one carport 120-watt port (cigarette lighter), two 12-watt USB-A ports and two USB-C ports (100-watt and 30-watt).

The Anker Solid C800 Plus portable power station ($649) measures about 15 by 8 by 10 inches, weighs 20.28 pounds and has built-in handles, making it easy to move around. Underneath the top cover are two camping lights featuring three modes: candlelight, flood light and flashlight mode. When stored in their slots, they will recharge, so they are always ready for use.

Along with the two lights are a multi-use 39.3-inch retractable pole with a magnetic ball on the top to hold either of the lights. The pole is threaded on the bottom to attach to your tripod and even has a slot on the top of the battery to sit in. The magnetic ball head on top unscrews to expose a quarter-inch universal screw, which attaches accessories, including other lights, cameras, and mobile phones, to turn it into a selfie stick.

The Anker app (iOS and Android) allows many features, including remotely controlling the power station, enabling and disabling ports via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and monitoring the power station's remaining power level.

Inside the Anker Solid C800 Plus are 10-year-long-lasting Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, capable of 3,000 charging cycles and included in a 5-year warranty. A smart temperature control system and an impact-resistant exterior ensure the C800 Plus's longevity.

The C800 can be purchased on its own or paired with solar panels. With the Anker SOLIX PS100 Portable Solar Panel, it is currently $698. Separately, the SOLIX PS100 Portable Solar Panel is $299.

According to Anker, this panel will convert up to 23% of sunlight into solar energy, charging your solar generators even on cloudy days. It is scratch- and weather-resistant to last as long as your adventures do.

www.anker.com

©2024 Gregg Ellman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.