Solar chargers come in various sizes, from compact portable batteries to bulkier solar charger backpacks. The Transport Security Administration (TSA) has approved voltaic solar chargers and batteries for domestic and international flights.
A common concern that many people have is, “Can I take a solar charger on a plane?” The answer is yes, but if they have a battery, they should reside in a carry-on bag and not have more power than 100wH.
These chargers are fantastic for people who are traveling in locations where the nearest power outlet may be miles away because they enable you to charge almost anywhere. Read on for more detailed travel packing, including safely flying with a solar power bank.
Can You Bring a Power Bank on a Flight?
If it complies with the airline’s dimensions and electrical requirements, you can bring a power bank on a flight. There are a few points that you should be aware of before bringing a power bank on a recent flight.
Power banks should only ever be brought on board in carry-on luggage. The reason is that powered lithium-ion power banks could overheat and present a fire hazard. It will be simpler to handle the situation if it is in hand luggage rather than hold luggage!
If your power bank is in the overhead luggage, you’ll have access to it in case your phone or devices run out of battery during the flight. The kind of power bank that you can bring on a flight will depend on the nation of boarding the aircraft. You may contain power banks with a rating of less than 100Wh.
Can You Take a Solar Power Bank on a Plane?
If the individual battery is less than 100 Watt-hours, there is no restriction on the number of spare battery packs that a passenger may bring on a domestic flight safely. All Voltaic batteries fall under this category.
Each nation has its own set of flight regulations, some of which are more stringent than American law. Pack no more than 2 extra batteries per passenger in a carry-on when traveling abroad as a general rule. Additional batteries over 2 per passenger will be confiscated at some international security checkpoints.
Is there a Battery in Your Solar Charger?
This is the first thing you should consider when figuring out if you can bring your solar charger on a plane. A lithium battery may be included in some solar chargers, and the solar panel will charge the battery so that it can be used to power other electronic devices via USB.
Some solar chargers don’t store any of the energy they produce in batteries; instead, they just use USB to charge devices. There are mainly no restrictions on bringing solar panels on a plane. Some lithium batteries are subject to limitations; if your charger includes a battery, find out if it is legal.
What are the Battery Policies of the Federal Aviation Administration?
The majority of solar chargers use lithium-based batteries. Lithium ions flow in a single direction to release electrons to generate power, and then the ion flow changes to recharge the battery. These battery types are susceptible to starting a fire. The Federal Aviation Authority thus offers the following advice.
- To prevent packing electronics with these batteries in your bag, where they are more likely to sustain damage and perhaps even catch fire. They advise packing a lithium battery carefully to avoid accidental damage if it must be transported in checked luggage.
- Lithium batteries that have not been installed are not allowed in checked bags and must be brought on the plane in a carry-on bag.
It seems obvious at this point, but any faulty or damaged batteries should not be brought on the plane in any luggage. Lithium-ion batteries with watt-hour ratings greater than 100 are not allowed in any luggage.
Which Rules Are Applicable to Your Solar Charger for a Flight?
Power banks are treated as spare batteries by the International Air Transport Association and should only be brought in carry-on luggage. Any power bank that is more than 100Wh cannot be brought on a plane without prior authorization, and even then, it cannot be more than 160Wh.
Watt hours are the number of watts supplied per hour; they are useful for comparing battery types. Using an equation, you can determine the number of watt-hours your solar charging is equivalent to. All lithium-based batteries have a nominal voltage of about 3.7 volts. Due to the battery’s 30,000mAh capacity, 30,000/1000 x 3.7 = 111wH.
Therefore, it is likely that you must first obtain approval from the airline in order to bring this specific charger on a plane. Check with the carrier before you fly if you have entered the mAh value for your charger into this equation to avoid having it seized.
What Types of Solar Chargers are Permitted for Use on Airplanes?
In many cases, currently, you can’t take solar battery chargers on a plane. A lot of solar chargers on Amazon advertise capacities of 30,000-50,000 mAh, which is greater than the 100wH limit. We have listed a few portable solar chargers that you could bring on a flight.
- Renogy Solar Bluetooth Speaker & Charger
For a traveler who prioritizes weight and space reduction, this is a great option. The Renology solar Bluetooth speaker is a solar-powered Bluetooth speaker, but it also includes USB ports so you may charge your phone along with other electronic devices.
With a capacity of 5,000mAh, which is roughly 18.5wH, it falls well within the range that is permitted on airplanes. For something so small, the speaker produces really high-quality audio with a lot of bass.
- RAV Power 15,000mAh charger
The 15,000mAh RAV Power sunlight charger works out to an equivalent of about 55wH if you need a little bit more electricity without going over the limit. This charger is dust- and shock-proof, making it ideal for travelers who want to go hiking and camping.
Is It Safe to Travel with a Solar Charger?
Yes, it is safe to travel with a solar charger, but only if the solar chargers are under 100wH in power and have a battery that fits in your carry-on bag. The typical REF Island charger is compact and simple to store.
Simply attach our durable solar chargers to the outside of your bag for maximum solar potential, or tuck them away inside any backpack’s sleeve. We advise keeping your battery-powered charger in a safe but accessible location, such as the front or side pocket of your bag.
The power bank is useful for powering electronics, but some models perform better than others, and not all are intended to work in every circumstance. Since the output voltage is 5V, the maximum allowed capacity is 20000mAh. Therefore, power banks with a 20000mAh capacity or less would be suitable.
Where Do You Place Your Charger During a Flight?
The size of the battery and the solar panel are the main determinants. More sunlight is captured by larger solar panels, which convert sunlight into stored energy more quickly. The larger the mAh or battery size, the more energy is stored in the battery, and the higher the mAh value.
Keep your portable charger out of your checked bags. Remember to pack a handheld phone charger in your carry-on luggage if you plan to bring it on the plane. Keep them out of your checked luggage because doing so is prohibited and may result in your bag not being checked.
Conclusion
You understand the value of having a power bank if you’ve previously been stuck on a long flight with a dead phone! Whether traveling by plane or just sightseeing in a new city, power banks are very useful.
Solar chargers’ lifespan is between one and twelve months, which isn’t too long. Some airlines ask passengers to leave their carry-on bags at the gate. If this occurs to you, keep in mind to take your solar battery out of the bag and into the cabin with you.
There is a good chance that you will be able to bring your solar charger on a plane, but it is best to pack it in your carry-on bag and make sure it complies with the guidelines in this article by checking the settings.
