Solar Chargers

[Bravo25]

Hello All
I am looking for recomendations on Solar Chargers. I would like to be able to recharge standard batteries as well as something like my stinger. So I presume it would have to be modified to have some type of output line as well.

Any suggestions on where, or what to llok for?
Any thing to keep in mind when I do look?
Thanks

 

[paulr]

Type "solar charger" into froogle.com.

 

[Brock]

Do you want portable or fixed?

For fixed I would recommend a 50w+ panel, charge controller and 20amp+ 12v battery. Most chargers can use 12v as a power source. I have done this with the 777+, MAHA 124, 204, 401 and the Vanson 1HU.

 

[Bravo25]

[ QUOTE ]
Brock said:
Do you want portable or fixed?

For fixed I would recommend a 50w+ panel, charge controller and 20amp+ 12v battery. Most chargers can use 12v as a power source. I have done this with the 777+, MAHA 124, 204, 401 and the Vanson 1HU.

[/ QUOTE ]

Portable Actually

 

[AilSnail]

I want a light weight portable solar charger too. would like it if it were at least capable of charging 12 series nimh or else a voltage booster for the probably more common 6x lead acid cell chargers. Let me know if you find anything.

 

[Phlack]

This is not what you're looking for, but I'll mention it anyway in case this thread attracts other attention, given the title.

The Solar charger offered by Real Goods (the one with the sealed strip of solar cells (I think 2 columns of 5) with the non-water resistant battery case (capable of charging two batteries) and sells for about $30, is absolute junk. I've tried on numerous occasions to charge a couple of batteries, I've tried all their recommendations, tried charging on the sunniest of days in Florida, and no avail.

Perhaps the more integrated devices work better, but this one was a total waste of money.

 

[motorang]

Re: Solar Chargers :(

I am not much up to date on that topic, but tried at least two solar chargers in the past (for bicycle travelling).

Usually that stuff did work on a direct basis: the more sun is caught, the more power goes into the rechargeables. Only that a postcard-sized piece of solar cell delivers not THAT much energy, so on a good sunny day you may recharge a set of NiMhs with considerable capacity only half full. Plus you never know about the charging state.

My advice would be: Don't.

Better get a light 12V charging device (microcontrolled) plus a spare set of cells. That is about the same weight, and you can recharge your cells whereever a car is handy, within 2 hours time. A solar charger only would make sense if you go VERY remote AND have the time to always adjust the sun angle AND have two days time for one charging cycle ...

Just my 2 cents, maybe there are better devices today. But still the output of solar cells is poor, and you will need 6 Wh to charge a set of 2 NiMh. Plus: excellent weather, cause the solar panels only work good in direct sunlight.

However, since the hunger of the Nr 1 consuming devices (=lamps) dropped that much thanks to LED technology, I do not need to recharge my cells on average trips up to two weeks.

What are you up to? Crossing some desert by foot?

motorang

 

[Doug Owen]

Re: Solar Chargers :(

I just checked, my ten watt panel is two square feet, uses 36 rectangular cells (full coverage). It will deliver near an Amp at almost 15 volts (lead acid bank charging) about 5 hours a day (equiv) *if* aimed right and not blocked. A shadow wide enough to block a single cell 'kills' the panel.

Scale your expectations accordingly.

Doug Owen

 

[INRETECH]

Re: Solar Chargers :(

InReTECH solar-Project

http://www.trimet.org/max/yellowline/stationart/rosequarterart.htm

http://www.inretech.net/projects/trees/ulthm.htm

 

[Bravo25]

Re: Solar Chargers :(

[ QUOTE ]
motorang said:

What are you up to? Crossing some desert by foot?

motorang

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope. Just looking for one for my Emergency Survival Kit.