Originally Posted by
Top it off - let it idle
My strategy for solar is to have a couple of folding solar panels of varying wattage. I have a Sunlinq 6.5 and 12 watt panel. They are 12 volt and come with a bunch of adapters. The most useful is the car lighter adapter. This allows me to charge anything that has a car adapter charger (cell phone, gps, iPod). I found an adapter that plugs into the lighter adapter that charges USB. Many items now charge via a common USB cord. For batteries, I found a battery charger that has a car adapter. This gives me the most flexibility in solar power and battery/device charging.
The Sunlinq panels are non-specific in their use and can be connected together to provide more wattage. They are thin film and are very compact and light when folded. They are designed for all-weather use and have performed very well for me. In direct sun I can charge a cell phone or GPS in the same time it would take to charge at home.
I like this strategy rather than having a purpose built charger that only charges batteries or only charges my phone or iPod. I can also trickle charge a 12 volt battery. I've taken these panels backpacking and like having power generation when off the grid.