Solar battery charger

**hunter63** · 10-21-2009, 10:29 AM

Did a search but didn't find any, so for your consideration.

I have had on of these for a while now, works good and not too expensive.
The company has a lot of different radioes, hand crank, wifi etc.

http://www.ccrane.com/more-categorie...y-charger.aspx

**Top it off - let it idle** · 10-21-2009, 02:27 PM

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.

**TucsonMax** · 10-25-2009, 10:59 PM

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.

I think this is a very smart strategy and I want to try it. About how long does it take to charge a devise? (any devise - you pick, just looking for some idea.) And if there's any other advise you can add on this - I appreciate it.

**Top it off - let it idle** · 10-26-2009, 10:45 AM

The company that makes the solar panels has charging times listed based on panel wattage and device type. But average time is 1 to 4 hours. I was able to charge a cell phone that was down to about 25% charge in 1 hour with a 12 watt panel in good direct sunlight. I was honestly quite surprised and happy. Here's my setup:

http://www.globalsolar.com
(1) 6 watt Sunlinq solar panel
(1) 12 watt Sunlinq solar panel
(1) Car adapter that comes with the solar panels

Google Belkin Micro USB car charger
(1) Belkin USB car adapter

(1) Maha MH-C204FA battery charger
The Maha will charge 4 aaa or 4 aaa NiCD or NiMH batteries. It is lightweight, compact and has some basic conditioning features. Most importantly, the input is 12 volts DC.

Since many devices now charge off of a common USB cord, the micro is a great adapter. It fits completely flush with the car charging adapter that comes with the panel making for a very compact system.

I have two panels simply because I wanted the option to go with a smaller lighter panel when backpacking. Two panels also allows me to connect the two for more wattage.

I purchased my panels from cascadegps.com but prices on the web are so variable I would just spend a little time searching around.

**TucsonMax** · 10-28-2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Top it off - let it idle

The company that makes the solar panels has charging times listed based on panel wattage and device type. But average time is 1 to 4 hours. I was able to charge a cell phone that was down to about 25% charge in 1 hour with a 12 watt panel in good direct sunlight. I was honestly quite surprised and happy. Here's my setup:

Very VERY! hepful, many thanks. This is my next project. I appreciate it.
TM