Portable solar panel

[Echo2]

Hey folks......just got it in the mail.....they are from Botach.....on ebay.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261051563869?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Brunton-81-000009-Explorer-Flexible-Solar-Panel-/00/s/NTkwWDk2MA==/$%28KGrHqF,!pME--j2VWqnBP5H98IF8Q~~60_57.JPG

They are on special at $30.....normally they run about $80-$100.

I charged my smart phone Friday.....took about 3.5...4 hours to get to full charge.....partly cloudly.

Next sunny day I'm gonna try my netbook or Kindle.

[Willie51]

Echo, that is a great deal. I picked up 2 small solar charges yesterday for $30. each at a local expo which are about the same size as an Iphone. They will go in BOBs. Also, the ones I bought will charge most smart phones in about 1.5 hours. One is a varible charger- 4.2 v, 5.5 v, & 9 v. But, I want to eventually get one like the one you have shown above.

[Echo2]

What kind did you get.....cause the 2.5 to 4 hour charge time is why I got this one....

I have a couple smaller ones that would barely charge a smart phone in 8 hrs.

[Willie51]

They're obviously Chinese made, but on the box it says FOHS. They look almost like an IPod or something, but as the solar panel face. The one like yours was about $120. I am charging these up today to try them out to see how they work and will let you know. Hopefully, ther're not a piece of crap. :rolleyes:

[Echo2]

so they are the panel with the built in battery?....they work fairly well....the one I was using took about full day in the sun to charge the internal batt.....but it would charge the devices rather quickly.

[Willie51]

Okay, good to know. Both have built in batteries and are charging right now so we'll see.

[The Stig]

Keep us posted on long term testing and evaluation please.

These are.....intriguing.

[Gunfixr]

That's pretty nice. We have a couple smaller ones with a battery, primarily for cell phones, but have yet to really try them.

I'm interested to hear how these work out as well, as we're interested in something larger for the laptops.

[bacpacker]

Same here. I've looked at a few different models of this type set up. I want something to charge batteries, the kindles, laptops, & my ham HT batteries. These portable units have a lot of appeal to me. Can't wait to hear some real life reviews.

[Echo2]

I'm trying to find a USB charger for my laptop...a Dell.

[Willie51]

Okay, while traveling this, I tested out my new little handheld solar chargers. I think one is defective or has a defective adapter for the Iphone plug and one of them worked great for what it is. It charged my Iphone4s in about 2.5 hours. Like I said, I paid $30. for each and they have the built in batteries which makes a big difference in charging time for your device being charged. You can plug them in to 110 outlet for quicker charging of the built in battery or just leave them in the sun. I have the one I used yesterday on the dash charging up again and I will test it out on my Ipad2 and report how well it works.

[bacpacker]

Nice review Willie. 2.5 hours for a phone isn't bad. One test I'd like to hear about if you get to, how long does it take to charge the internal batteries using just solar?

For the money, I think you've done well.

[wingnutx]

I use a 10w panel from PowerFilm, model F15-600 (http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/foldable-portable-remote/f15-600). It puts out 12v that I use to recharge my Android/GPS and run my battery charger.

It folds up nice and small. Output goes to a cigarette-lighter style socket, and then from there I use an adapter that I bought at Frys to power various things. The battery charger has a 12v input in addition to the prongs for a wall socket.

Coleman battery packs also have a 12v input, so it works great with my LED lantern.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/472815_3631565912816_1389034608_o.jpg

[Echo2]

Very cool....do you have a source for the lowest price.

I have the better part of a AAR on the Brunton wrote up....just haven't finished it....this may be my inspiration.

[wingnutx]

Amazon puts them on sale periodically.