Are there any hand cranked battery chargers that aren't garbage?

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

I want to get some kind of hand-cranked charger for my Bug Out Bag that can:

 

- Charge a smart phone battery in less than 5 hours and can put out power at a rate that isn't best measured in femtowatts.

 

- Isn't made completely out of plastic. Well, ok, maybe the kind of plastic that glock frames are made out of, but not the kind of plastic that silly straws are made out of.

 

- Has a body and a crank handle big that are big enough for size large adult male hands to actually hold as opposed to "pinch".

 

- Doesn't have hello kitty or pokemon characters on it. Dolphins are ok.

 

- Have at least some of the funds I use to pay for it eventually find their way to an American citizen's paycheck.

 

Does such a thing exist?

[Vlad G 345]

Have you considered a solar charger? Something like the Goal Zero Guide 10?

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

Have you considered a solar charger? Something like the Goal Zero Guide 10?

 

I have, and as much as I like that option I'd also like to be able to charge something if it happens to be all overcast and rainy - you know, like after a hurricane or something.

[ogfarmer 138]

if your not aware of this site you will find like minded folks and get your answers

 

http://www.survivalistboards.com/index.php

[ogfarmer 138]

this one has good reviews https://www.freeplay...rge-12v-charger

 

http://www.survivali...d+crank+charger

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

this one has good reviews https://www.freeplay...rge-12v-charger

 

http://www.survivali...d+crank+charger

 

Thanks - will look into it more closely although I'm immediately not a fan of all the opaque plastic (which screams "brittle crap" to me).

 

This one is looking interesting (and made in the US):

 

http://www.k-tor.com...rank-generator/

 

http://youtu.be/98jwzMLupNE

[Displaced Texan 11,748]

Thanks - will look into it more closely although I'm immediately not a fan of all the opaque plastic (which screams "brittle crap" to me).

 

This one is looking interesting (and made in the US):

 

http://www.k-tor.com...rank-generator/

 

http://youtu.be/98jwzMLupNE

 

I have a friend who has one of these and likes it. It's on my list of things to buy.

[kahout 0]

Also consider stocking Lithium-manganese dioxide (Li-MnO₂) batteries as they have a very long shelf life. The right voltages or combination can be used to charge or as primary batteries.

[jonfoxx 4]

 

- Doesn't have hello kitty or pokemon characters on it. Dolphins are ok.

 

 

Please let me know where you've seen these, I could put my kid to to work during the next hurricane power outage!

[Vlad G 345]

I have, and as much as I like that option I'd also like to be able to charge something if it happens to be all overcast and rainy - you know, like after a hurricane or something.

 

I get that, but consider how much power you get for the time you are willing to crank vs how much power you'll get even on a overcast day with 6-8h of solar exposure. I say let nature work for you instead of burning possibly precious calories. Also, you don't have the risk of breaking a handle.

 

Or better yet, have both, and a pile of batteries, and a generator, and a fast charger you can run from your car, and a inverter for your car.