The crankmonkey can be used to charge gadgets such as mobile phones

News of a new portable charger to help keep your electronic gadgets going in the great outdoors is no wind-up.

Powertraveller’s crankmonkey uses muscle power to provide 5V of top-up juice for devices such as smartphones, GPS receivers and avalanche transceivers.

Powertraveller said: “Designed with lightweight yet robust materials, the crankmonkey is packed full of features and has undergone a series of rigorous testing to ensure it functions fully in extreme climates, harsh environments and terrain.

“The ridged anodised casing provides a secure grip, even if hands are cold or wet and the strong cylindrical design gives the crankmonkey strength and durability to withstand the demands of extreme weather conditions and situations.”

The crankmonkey can generate enough power to switch on a smartphone and make a call in just 2 minutes. 10 minutes of winding the handle can provide up to 6 to 7 hours of light for a Petzl headtorch,
20 minutes of talk time on an iPhone 6, and one hour of cranking will fully charge up a Go Pro Hero 4.

Jerry Ranger of Powertraveller said: “The ability to deliver infinite power independently of mains electricity or battery-powered devices is hugely significant. The crankmonkey could be the lifeline for anybody in need of power in a distressing or emergency situation and this technology finally brings infinite power to the palm of your hand.

“Whether you are part of a rescue team on a mountain or in distress out at sea, just a few minutes of cranking can provide enough charge to revive a completely flat smartphone and enable a potentially lifesaving call to be made.

“The crankmonkey is your lifeline for keeping essential lines of communication open when batteries on crucial electronic kit run out.”

The crankmonkey costs £99 and has 1A output at 5V via a micro USB lead and weighs 346g. More details are on the Powertraveller website.