“Ranger Review: Renogy Phoenix Generator at Sand Flats Recreation Area, Moab UT”
Campground Review:
Famous among mountain bikers, off-road motorcyclists, and 4-wheelers, the campgrounds at Moab’s Sand Flats Recreation Area offer spectacular views of undulating sandstone, dramatic canyons, and the nearby La Sal Mountains. Not to mention, silly quick access to the Slickrock and Porcupine Rim trails (for you mountain bikers). Camping is permitted in designated sites only, and there are over 120 campsites, in 9 loops. But in the spring and fall the campground is typically full Thursday through Saturday, and 85% to full other nights. Like I said, it’s famous.
Campsites cannot be reserved, and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis only. They all have a picnic table, metal fire ring and nearby vault toilets. Sites are limited to 10 people and 2 vehicles per site, and all vehicles must park in the designated areas provided. You will also need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning, as there is none available at the campground. There are no power hookups or RV dump facilities. Be aware that if you are planning on camping mid-May to mid-September daytime temperatures can be in the high 90's to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Many sites are devoid of trees, so bringing your own shade is highly recommended. Additionally, this area sees frequent windy days, with gusts that have the capability of turning un-staked tents into $500 kites.
Now every site in the campground has its pros and cons, but one of the true beauties of this area is that you’re never very far from slickrock, or sand. And that’s largely all kids, or kids at heart, need. A small bag of sand toys, gardening shovels, and about 20 sq feet of sand, and kids can amuse themselves for days. They can be quite torn between going for a mountain bike ride, or just hanging at camp and creating imaginary worlds in the sand. Some sites have a modicum of privacy, while others are perched in the open, and your neighbors could be dirty hippy climbers, or a posse of jeep fanatics. Thus, one must be prepared to experience the broad spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts, but then again, that’s what makes Moab…Moab.
And remember, it's called slick rock for a reason, and follow good Leave No Trace practices, and Don't Bust The Crust!
(Biological soil crusts are alive. They live on top of the sand and consist of cyanobacteria. These crusts stick to the sand and prevent it from blowing and washing away; they absorb water; and they provide food to the plants. Basically, without biological soil crusts, there would not be many plants in the desert)
Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt it is a privilege to be able to test a variety of gear, and on this portion of my extended camping trip, I got to spend 10 days testing the Renogy Phoenix Generator 20W All-in-one Solar Kit tent camping at the Sand Flats Rec area in Moab, Utah. Renogy says “The Phoenix is an all-in-one portable solar power system specifically designed for mobile, off-grid applications and is ideal for emergencies. This compact, lightweight backup generator combines two highly efficient Renogy 10W Monocrystalline Solar Panels and can expand up to 120 watts with additional PVs. The Phoenix can be charged by solar, AC power, or car power.”
As with any piece of equipment, the two base root questions are, “What are my needs?” And, “Does this piece of equipment fulfill that need?” Although Renogy uses the terms “compact,” and “lightweight,” the Phoenix is neither if you’re looking for something to take into the backpacking. At 12.78 lbs, and roughly 16”X14”X4”, this is a car camping, river trip, yurt/hut trip, or tailgating piece of gear. In my mind it is perfect for charging phones, ipads, computers, DSLR cameras, any powering any appliances or gadgets (under 150 watts) that a family (especially one with kids) might take on an adventure where space and weight are not primary concerns. It is also touted as a backup power source in case of an emergency. Thankfully, I have yet to experience such an emergency, but if I had (or when I do), I’m sure I will find the Renogy Phoenix Solar Generator to be a lifesaver.
I charged the replaceable Lithium-Ion battery at home prior to the trip. While it arrived with some juice, it takes about an hour to gain an additional 25% charge plugged in to 110. Recharging with pure solar would be my last option. Renogy claims it will charge in 10 hours under the sun, but my calculations would put it at about two days, especially when you leave camp to hike or ride and have to pack the Phoenix up, (or lock it up?) lest it find a new home while you’re away. Solar, however, is a great way to “keep up” with the draw of charging phones and iPads. Even on an overcast day, the Phoenix was harvesting power from the sun! Pretty cool. I was impressed that a single iPhone charge from roughly 0% to full, used only 3% of the Phoenix’s battery capacity, and was super speedy, around 2 hours! And with 4 USB ports it was nice to be able to charge multiple devices at once. The Phoenix also features a super bright LED light that would be helpful in emergencies.
The Phoenix also comes with 5 cords for a host of AC and DC input and output options. Including one DC to light bulb socket, perhaps to be used for that party atmosphere. The plug areas are inset behind cover plates, which helps with Renogy’s claim of water resistance, but the plate must be open to access any port, negating the water resistance and creating a potential point of breakage in an otherwise robust case. That’s about my only nit to pick. The Renogy company offers a great warranty and great tech support in case you are confused by all of the options. In addition, it is incredibly user friendly. It has a replaceable battery with a 1500 cycle lifespan, that can keep all your devices charged on extended adventures, and, well that’s pretty cool. So if that describes your needs, the Renogy Phoenix will fulfill them.
https://www.renogy.com/the-phoenix-generator-20w-all-in-one-solar-kit/#tab_prd-desc
