PowerFilm AA solar charger review & UK test....

[Martyn]

I see this item as something which can be used in a basecamp scenario. Tie it to the top of your tent for a couple of days solidlly. If your GPS starts with a full charge, you have a couple of days to get a reasonable charge back into the batteries while you run down the second set.

If you're basecamping, why not just carry a boxfull of AA batteries? Or perhaps even get a full size solar charger and do the job properly. Seriously mate, I think on a day like today, you'd prolly need the best part of 4 days to charge 4 batteries. I just dont see it as worthwhile. It does look a bit sick for your 4 panel version though andy. Have you tested it yet?

As far as I can see, solar works when one of two situations come into effect.

1. It works well enough to be convenient.
2. You are so remote that you have little option.

For the UK, it's no1 and I dont think the PowerFilm works well enough to be convenient. But more testing is needed. I asked a lot of it today. I'll try again with more moderate expectations.

BTW, I ordered one of these about a week ago...



That's a 7 watt panel compared to the 2.2 watt panel I tested today. Downside is it's quite a bit bigger and heavier.

[mojofilter]

Is the fag lighter socket on your Landy broken?

[earthman]

I see this item as something which can be used in a basecamp scenario. Tie it to the top of your tent for a couple of days solidlly. If your GPS starts with a full charge, you have a couple of days to get a reasonable charge back into the batteries while you run down the second set.

Yeah, especially if your mode of transport is a motorcycle, you may just have space in a pannier for one that size.

[ANDYLASER]

Mine is the 6 panel one. I started to test it over the weekend. Only got one day outside, then it rained.
I planned to see how many full days to fully charge a pair of Eneloops according to the inbuilt indicator.

[Ren]

If basecamping with a wood stove running virtually 24/7 would be interesting what thermoelectric generators would do

http://www.tegpower.com/index.html

[Martyn]

Yeah, especially if your mode of transport is a motorcycle, you may just have space in a pannier for one that size.

Good point.

[Martyn]

Mine is the 6 panel one. I started to test it over the weekend. Only got one day outside, then it rained.
I planned to see how many full days to fully charge a pair of Eneloops according to the inbuilt indicator.

Ahhh, sorry mate, thought you had the USB version for some reason.

[ANDYLASER]

Did originally, but changed it.
Got a power monkey for USB stuff.

[MeetTheGeeks]

Im not trying to be disrespectful here but I'll ask this because I cant fathom it out.

When out walking all day you cant have a panel charging as its not possible. If basecamping then it would be useful if away for days at a time. Or as mentioned extremely remote locations. (If a vehicle is not with you)

Is the market for this type of gadget quite focused and maybe thats why they are still so primitive right now? I would hope as panels improve and the prices drop better is available. I like the idea. Dont get me wrong, in the Rockies, or wilds of Canada for instance it would be a great addition. I just cant see a need for them here or maybe Im missing something if you are not basecamping?

[SlimJim16v]

I looked at AA USB chargers myself. The charge spec for USB is 4.8-5.2v so 4 fully charged Eneloops will give about 5v for a short time, slowly dropping to 4v. So if these weren't fully charged, they wouldn't charge a USB device for long.

It's also possible that being a 4 AA charger, which could give 6v on 4 non rechargeables, that it may cheaply use a resistor to drop this down to 5.2v, so would work even worse on Eneloops.

Thanks for the test, I was looking at this exact charger myself, so await your update.

[Martyn]

Im not trying to be disrespectful here but I'll ask this because I cant fathom it out.

When out walking all day you cant have a panel charging as its not possible. ....

Yes it is mate.

[Martyn]

I looked at AA USB chargers myself. The charge spec for USB is 4.8-5.2v so 4 fully charged Eneloops will give about 5v for a short time, slowly dropping to 4v. So if these weren't fully charged, they wouldn't charge a USB device for long.

It's also possible that being a 4 AA charger, which could give 6v on 4 non rechargeables, that it may cheaply use a resistor to drop this down to 5.2v, so would work even worse on Eneloops.

Thanks for the test, I was looking at this exact charger myself, so await your update.

Yes, that's what I thought too. But the poor runtime on the torch indicates that there was little charge left in the batteries, but yes it could have been an issue. The charger is designed to run on the higher voltage of alkaline primaries to give 6V @ 2000mAh as you say, so there could be an issue there. As I have the guide 10 charger on order, I'll repeat the test with the iphone when it arrives, using that as the USB adapter. The guide 10 is designed to run on 4 NiMH rechargeables and is designed to charge smartphones from the USB port, so should remove any doubt about the suitability of the electronics with these batteries.

[cbr6fs]

It's fantastic you took the time and effort to do this test and snap the pics, problem is though without data in the way of amps and volts the test seems to be a bit vague.

Ideally you want to measure how many amps the panels are putting out under varying daylight conditions.
This together with a before and after of the batteries voltages will give a good indication of the products usefulness.


An alternative to solar power would be to take a battery out with you and charge from that.
NiMh based batteries will be heavy, LiPo are a lot lighter but they are very sensitive to low voltages and a bit delicate with regards to piercing and puncturing, which if occurs will burn anything around it.
Something this the LiFe chemistry pack would be a great option, as Life is extremely safe and reasonably light.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ePo4_Pack.html

Bit weighty at 519g but it's 8400mAh, i think Iphones are using around 1400mAh batteries or there abouts, so on 1 charge this will give you around 8 full charges.

[careca]

or you could take an npowerpeg

http://www.npowerpeg.com/

since our weather is not suitable for panels

[earthman]

Im not trying to be disrespectful here but I'll ask this because I cant fathom it out.

When out walking all day you cant have a panel charging as its not possible. If basecamping then it would be useful if away for days at a time. Or as mentioned extremely remote locations. (If a vehicle is not with you)

Is the market for this type of gadget quite focused and maybe thats why they are still so primitive right now? I would hope as panels improve and the prices drop better is available. I like the idea. Dont get me wrong, in the Rockies, or wilds of Canada for instance it would be a great addition. I just cant see a need for them here or maybe Im missing something if you are not basecamping?

I'll give you an example/my use, when camping on a long weekend (via a motorcycle) I've experienced low battery/charging problems, thankfully it was only my phone, so no big deal really. I had rigged up a ciggy socket to my bike, primarily to operate an air bed pump also used it during the night to top up my phone, two days of this and not starting/running the engine resulted in a push start from some other friendly campers.

I think the ideal set up is one of these combined solar charger/battery packs, I was set on buying the Brunton, charge it fully at home or whilst riding the bike, use it at night just to top up the mobile, leave it exposed to the sun during the day whilst sitting around the camp. It sounds good in theory doesn't it.

I'm guessing that it's best to keep both the mobile and battery pack topped up rather than wait until they are close to empty before you attempt a recharge.