Solar charger for laptop and cameras
Submitted: Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 09:56
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MrBitchi (QLD)
Been asked by a work colleague about a solar charger to charge a camera, phone, laptop etc for remote use in the Philippines.
Any one got any good suggestions?
Reply By: ben_gv3 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 12:02
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 12:02
The biggest solar panel, reg, battery that's feasible for transport etc...
What are the power load requirements of the camera, phone, laptop and more importantly the "ETC" you mentioned.
Is your friend in the jungle and hence doesn't have lots of sunlight??? Does it have to be man-portable etc?
There's a lot of questions that needs to be answered before an accurate response can be made.
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Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 12:05
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 12:05
Don't have a lot of definite answers but it has to be man (girl) portable, charge a phone, GPS and laptop for starters.
Generally she's in a village environment.
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Follow Up By: susan l - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 13:38
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 13:38
Don't have a lot of definite answers
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Reply By: Stevesub1 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:24
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:24
One of these
http://www.todae.com.au/Products/phonesolarchargers/voltaicconvertersolarbackpack/ will keep an iPad/phone/camera going if you are careful with energy management. You should be able to fully charge one devcie per day when the sun is out.
It will not do a laptop but maybe maybe a Netbook. Depends on how much each device is used.
Stevesub
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Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:28
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:28
I saw that one but it may not have enough grunt. About double that power in the same format (backpack piggyback) would be good.
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Follow Up By: Stevesub1 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:32
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:32
I have one and the battery will charge an iPad,. Phone or camera. Takes a day in the sun to re-charge the battery. No good for anything with more current draw.
Stevesub
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Follow Up By: ben_gv3 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:32
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 14:32
4 watts of power isn't a lot from the solar panels. I think it would have to be in full sunlight.
I think to be man (girl) portable you'd be lucky to lug around anything bigger then a 30W panel
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Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 15:00
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 15:00
They also sell
this 25w panel that folds up. May be an option, just need to find out what connectors it will run..
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Follow Up By: ben_gv3 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 15:56
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 15:56
What's her budget? That roll-up 25W panel is $599 :-0
I think buying 2 x 20W panels and using a hinge to make a suitcase-style panel might be a viable solution. Probably cheaper too. Also, e.g. a 20W monocrystalline is about 60cm x 30cm so can be carried... a little bulky but manageable if you really need the power.
As she's going into the boonies will she need to power radios, comms equipment as
well?
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 16:02
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 16:02
Ahh a laptop usually needs about 15v at 5A thats 75watts ( some use up to about 90W). It usually takes about 3 hours to charge if you have a full 60watts of solar capacity.
So for safety you would need 100W to charge and run the above IF you have a MPPT charger. 130W if not.
Then you can only run the laptop for a few hours after sun down.
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Follow Up By: ben_gv3 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 16:08
Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 16:08
Not exactly man (girl) portable though.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 at 10:22
Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 at 10:22
True, but Laptops do suck power.
Maybe the the OP can get a netbook, look for one with low power consumption and work backwards from there
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