The Resourceful Traveler: Sustainable Power Solutions for On-the-Go Adventure

What makes a resourceful traveler? Definitely the skill to assess and fix what’s broken when you’re miles away from human life and conveniences. A good sense of direction, excellent communication skills, and savvy spending might be some characteristics that come to mind, too. Indeed, these are useful traits—regardless of what your idea of adventure looks like. But let’s be honest: when it comes to an off-grid overlanding excursion, an off-road jamboree, or even just a run-of-the-mill family camping trip, there’s a higher expectation of resourcefulness—a certain self-sustainability that comes with sacrificing creature comforts and getting back to basics.

From must-have recovery gear and first aid supplies to Tread Lightly practices and navigation tools, resourcefulness takes on many forms when it’s time to hit the road. So, we’ll be revisiting this topic over the coming months, exploring what those different aspects look like for off-roaders, overlanders, and campers alike. Because, while the pastimes may differ, the products and practices that enthusiasts use to stay safe, comfortable, and sometimes just alive, cross over more than you might think.

For this installment, we’re focusing on sustainable power solutions and how many options can transition from a weekend getaway to a month-long excursion. So, read on and learn how a resourceful traveler unplugs without completely giving up power.

Determine Your Power Needs

“When deciding how to best manage your power needs, you have to first decide how much power you use in a given day,” writes adventure journalist Christophe Noel for Expedition Portal. A rough estimate is fine, as the goal is to lead you to the next, more important assessment: “whether you need the tools to store power or make power.”

You may think to be a truly resourceful traveler, i.e. independent, making power is the way to go. And, it’s true, solar panels have received some excellent PR in the last few years. They continue to evolve in incredible ways, mercifully dropping in price. But, as Noel points out, solar technology isn’t always the most convenient option, especially for those always on the move. Generating your own power takes a significant amount of time, plus proper alignment with the sun. “Not many people have the time or inclination to sit around for hours on end fussing with solar panels,” he argues.

That being said—they still have a place at the table. But it’s important to note that battery technology hasn’t sat idly while solar took off. Portable power packs, compact chargers, and dual battery systems have all evolved as well. And many of them offer affordable and sustainable power solutions for a variety of similar-but-different recreational needs.

Different Volts for Different Folks

Whether you spend a few days a year in a full-hookup RV park, weekends wheeling in the woods, or months on-end exploring the Central American rain forest, there’s a good chance more than one of these power solutions will be useful along the way.

Jump Starts and Small Charges

Let’s start small. Portable jump starters, rechargeable battery packs, and car battery maintenance chargers from companies like NOCO, Weego, and CTEK may not sustain you full-time in the rugged Outback, but they can make sure you aren’t left stranded at that rustic campsite during a family outing or weekend off-road excursion.

Compact and easy-to-use, these items tuck into a glovebox or car emergency kit for convenient peace of mind. The CTEK MXS 5.0 in particular is a useful addition, as it actually charges the car battery according to a built-in automatic temperature sensor, providing routine charging maintenance without overcooking the battery. Remember, a resourceful traveler doesn’t just react to hiccups along the way—they actively plan to avoid them in the first place.

Portable Power Stations

It’s more likely, however, that you’re seeking sustainable power solutions with a little more juice. Something that can power slightly larger appliances like a fridge or heater, but can also charge cellphones, laptops, and GPS devices. In that case, a Goal Zero Yeti Portable Power Station or the new Dometic PLB40 may better suit your needs. Both function like little on-the-go electric generators, with easy-to-read screens and a lightweight, compact design.

Goal Zero power stations come in a variety of power capacities, and can be charged via a wall outlet before you leave, your vehicle’s 12V outlet while you’re traveling, or from the sun via a compatible solar panel when you’re at your destination. Dometic’s new product was designed to run the company’s CFX fridge for a full 48 hours on a single charge. It can handle a variety of other 12V appliances as well, and can also be charged via in-car outlet, solar panel, or AC house power.

Dual-Battery Setup

While a portable power pack may be great for camping, weekend off-road trips, or part-time overlanding, those who take frequent trips or head further off-grid may be looking for a more permanent solution.

We’ve talked about dual battery setups on the blog before, explaining that companies like Genesis Off-Road make complete kits to assist enthusiasts in setting up an on-board secondary source of power. For those foregoing a full kit, REDARC offers Smart Start battery isolators to protect the main battery from excessive discharge while allowing the auxiliary battery to charge up non-essential loads. (It even offers fault detection and LED indication in the case of over-voltage or voltage drop.)

But, while a popular option for many avid overlanders and off-roaders, dual-battery setups are sometimes expensive and complicated to install. Plus, if your engine bay can’t accommodate an auxiliary battery, you’ll have to get creative with some safe and secure remote mounting.

Another option, though, is to simply bring a second battery along. Lightweight and relatively inexpensive, it’s added peace of mind for off-grid adventurers seeking non-permanent power solutions. “Since I run the stock battery setup in my 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, I bring an extra battery for long trips—strapped down and secured properly, of course,” explains Cody Sisson, founder and host of Trailchasers, an online community and podcast (Listen here!) dedicated to the off-road adventures and outdoor fun of average, everyday enthusiasts.

“But part of being a resourceful traveler is researching beforehand where exactly you’re going,” adds Sisson. “I always carry—at all times—a portable power bank that’s big enough for a jump start. But I also always operate on the possibility that I won’t have power. That means, securing an offline map (or printing one), knowing how far my destination is from nearby towns and local gas stations, and having extra water and supplies on hand.”

Solar Panels

As we said, solar technology definitely has a seat at the table when it comes to sustainable power solutions. Even if you can’t justify (or accommodate) mounting large solar panels to your vehicle, they come in so many configurations these days, that you may still be able to benefit from a smaller investment in the technology.

For example, many new portable power packs, like the options mentioned above, come with solar charging compatibility. Pairing the two technologies together, and using your car’s 12V socket as a backup, conceivably gives you an unending supply of power. This is a game-changer for many people who are just getting their feet wet in overlanding, who like to take extended off-road trips, or just want to maintain some creature comforts while rustic camping for the week.

Additionally, many solar panels now come in compact, foldable designs. Again, Goal Zero has an array of options, as does Zamp Solar, Samlex, Nekteck, Anker, and Renology. Many of these are built to withstand bad weather and regular wear-and-tear, ensuring they can stand up to your off-road adventures. And there really is an option for every adventurer—from small 20-watt panels that can recharge your cellphone to 230-watt portable kits that can power your RV appliances.

It’s Not What You Have, It’s How You Use It

“To be successful, you have to be a resourceful traveler. You have to be creative on repairs and recovery techniques, how you pack and where you put your things,” says Mike Hallmark, International Sales and Marketing Manager at Hellwig Products and longtime overlanding enthusiast. “You’re going to get stuck; things are going to break—that’s a fact of life. It’s how you deal with those issues and get out of those situations that’s going to determine whether you continue your experience, or button it up and go home.”

Hallmark may be referring to his fellow overlanders, but in truth, he could be talking about any adventurer. Because, ultimately, being a resourceful traveler is about being prepared and rolling with the punches. So, it doesn’t matter whether your idea of sustainable power solutions constitutes keeping the beer cold or keeping the lights on—it’s YOUR journey. As long as you know your needs, you can plan for the worst and hope for the best.