A new charging solution

VERY interesting! I'm not quite ready to pony up for it at the moment (I might have done it for $79, but that level of investment is full)… but it sure sounds intriguing. Maybe the engineers in the BPL crowd will have an analysis.

Like they said, people have been predicting fuel cells just around the corner for decades

"come in three different colors, “Urban,” “Outdoor” and “Glam”" isn't a good indication this is serious, but…

P.T. Barnum must be turning over in his grave.

–B.G.–

Nothing "alternative" about the fuel source. Whether the juice comes from a coal fired electrical plant or a butane or propane powered mini electrical generator ,its still hyrocarbon powered. At least the electrical grid is partially solar powered.

They act as they they have invented a hydrogen cell or something..

I especially love the use of the generic term "camping gas".

Does that mean its powered by Legume based flatuence?

:)

Camping gas means LPG ((maybe not in the USA…).
Same refill valve as lighters and those camping stove that take the spray can type butane containers.

I hope that it works but it is 1 year away and has an expected life of two years of use.
Not sure what that means.
"We estimate at least 2 years with standard using. We will give 2 years of warranty. You get immediately an exchange unit in a warranty case"
What is "standard" , one refill a week, one per month?

Anyway, it could be Fun,Fun,Fun on the autobhan
( A good example of a mondegreen. That is misunderstood/heard lyrics. The original lyrics
are "Wir fahren fahren fahren auf der Autobahn")
You need to know who Kraftwerk are to get this silly bit.yes , they are still playing…

"Your enduring personal companion..stay connected, with those you love..be relaxed, you have your Kraftwerk with you."

Can you charge a Steripen via USB ?

Yes, you can charge the ultra and freedom via usb.

nm

Off the top of my head, might be competitive with AA Lithium batteries on energy/weight ratio, if you need to carry that much energy for recharges.

More tech details on the Kickstarter page, they’ve already exceeded their $500K goal:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/265641170/kraftwerk-highly-innovative-portable-power-plant

In brief:
160 g empty (5.6 ounces)
200 g full (7.1 ounces)
2 watts output, 10 watts peak – OK for phones and GPS, iffy for iPads and similar that want 10 w continuous.
“11 iPhone charges” or “The energy stored in the fuel are for 1.4 oz (40 g) about 56 Wh”

Recharge from “lighter gas, camping gas or butane”. Probably “lighter gas” (butane in USA) most widely available.
“Renewable” energy if you find sources of renewable gas. eZelleron (makers of Kraftwerk) sells renewable gas, too.

Butane vaporizes around 0 C (32 F), device might have trouble starting or running below freezing.

“Designed and tested according to international regulation for carriage on aircraft cabin (empty and fueled).”

Potentially interesting, but I’ve sworn off Kickstarter projects, prefer to see somebody else test production units to see if the claims hold up.

And the promo video is so stupid I almost dropped the whole thing.

— Rex