How to make a solar charger.

[scubaseven]

Has anyone made a solar charger that would connect to a USB outlet to charge mobile phones, etc?
Or that would connect to a car cig lighter outlet to charge devices?

What did you use, and how did you connect it?

After something portable. I dont want to actually carry a car battery around with me.

cheers.

[matagi]

You mean something like this?

http://www.todae.com.au/Powermonkey-Ext ... ad-Charger

or this?

http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/shop/f ... r-pico.htm

[Ent]

Jaycar have a $44.95 one that might just do the trick. I have one but they do need good direct sunlight to work well.

Cheers

[scubaseven]

Jaycar have a $44.95 one that might just do the trick. I have one but they do need good direct sunlight to work well.
Cheers

Will check it out, thanks.

[jacko1956]

My 2 bob's worth...
If you read everything written by people who have used solar chargers when hiking you get an overwhelming feeling that while it sounds ideal, the reality is probably still a decade from being what the expectation is.
I'm opting for this instead...
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/3000mah-re ... blue-51968

[scubaseven]

My 2 bob's worth...
If you read everything written by people who have used solar chargers when hiking you get an overwhelming feeling that while it sounds ideal, the reality is probably still a decade from being what the expectation is.
I'm opting for this instead...
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/3000mah-re ... blue-51968

Thats what I was going to hook it up with. Or at least something similar.

I can get a 5w solar panel with two output leads, but no idea about how to connect a USB plug to it.

[ninjapuppet]

Ive tried a power monkey and a steripen solar charger and both were rubbish.

However, Goalzero have been used extensively on very remote expeditions with great success. Ueli Steck & Fred Wilkinson are currently using them to send real live updates about their progress and photos using solar powered goalzero devices
The real downside to them is cost. They're very expensive, because they're market leaders in the field.
check them out: http://www.goalzero.com/

Rather than needing some engineering degree and making yourself one from scratch, that small solar kit might be what you're after for $130

[scubaseven]

Ive tried a power monkey and a steripen solar charger and both were rubbish.

However, Goalzero

I have been looking at one. They look pretty good and have good reviews too.

[Nuts]

There are lots of small solid panel options, not so many flexible ones (but they are around). I don't think its that difficult, small cells packaged conveniently. I guess it depends what your hoping to charge, where, how fast..? Apparently goal zero struggle with iphone4. Lots of power but not optomised output? I have a couple of small panels to play with, not expecting miracles though:

These are the ones i'm trying:

http://www.suntrica.com/ss-w204.php (small flexible 1000ma panel and integrated battery)

http://www.voltaicsystems.com/ (various sizes and separate batteries)

Just with the idea of having 'some' power if all ealse fails..

Last edited by Nuts on Thu 26 Apr, 2012 11:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

[John Sheridan]

If I were to buy a solar charger would would you recommend, from what I read buy a good set of solr cells with a USB out and buy a charger with a USB in to charge whatever battery's you want, AA,AAA, or is that just too simple.

???

Cheers.

[Nuts]

The ones I have and seen have various adaptors or they are available so you can set them up however John. Whatever plug into the battery packs, the two I own have usb out. But yer, it is quiet simple (according to my wikiknowledge..).

Have a look through that voltaic site. You'll see that they have various sizes (starting small if you just need backup and want to keep the weight and price down) depending on whats to be charged and adaptors to suit. There are 00's of similar devices, obviously quality will be better with price.

[Aushiker]

The subject line of this thread in the Australian Cycling Forums is a bit misleading but there is a lot of good discussion about solar chargers and building them buried in the thread. This is a popular topic with cycling tourists as they are more and more using various electronic devices on tours (e.g., GPS, phones, lights, iPads, tablets).

Might be worth a read.

Andrew

[weeman]

I use a hyperjuice 60Wh battery to power all my USB devices. These have a 2.1A USB port so can power all the latest devices including iphone 4, ipads, android tablets. I use it to power my android phone and tablet and it works well.

I also have a brunton solaris 12 solar panel which will charge the hyperjuice battery. A full day in the sun will fully charge the battery. The hyperjuice will charge my tablet 2 times and phone 3-4 times on a single charge so I only take the solar panel when I go on week or longer trips.

[scubaseven]

I use a hyperjuice 60Wh battery to power all my USB devices. These have a 2.1A USB port so can power all the latest devices including iphone 4, ipads, android tablets. I use it to power my android phone and tablet and it works well.

I also have a brunton solaris 12 solar panel which will charge the hyperjuice battery. A full day in the sun will fully charge the battery. The hyperjuice will charge my tablet 2 times and phone 3-4 times on a single charge so I only take the solar panel when I go on week or longer trips.

About $400 all up but looks like a good thing.

I found this on Ebay, but not sure how good it is:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-000mAh-Hi ... 864wt_1165

[scubaseven]

I also have a brunton solaris 12 solar panel which will charge the hyperjuice battery

What outputs, or connections did it come with?

[weeman]

The Solaris 12 has a 12 volt output. It comes with a cigarette lighter socket, battery clamps and some standard dc plugs.

Brunton also do a smaller solar panel with usb output to directly charge devices.

[scubaseven]

The Solaris 12 has a 12 volt output. It comes with a cigarette lighter socket, battery clamps and some standard dc plugs.

Brunton also do a smaller solar panel with usb output to directly charge devices.

I found this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FOLDING-SOLA ... 030wt_1164

About $100 cheaper.

[scubaseven]

I also have a brunton solaris 12 solar panel which will charge the hyperjuice battery.

How do you hook it up to do this?

[scubaseven]

I also have a brunton solaris 12 solar panel which will charge the hyperjuice battery.

How do you hook it up to do this?

I contacted Hyperjuice and their batteries only charge via a power outlet.

[weeman]

I also contacted the hyperjuice store before purchasing and they confirmed it will charge via a 12volt solar panel.

The Solaris 12 comes with the correct DC adapter that fits the hyperjuice charging socket.

I can also confirm the Solaris 12 charges the hyperjuice, as I used these 2 for portable power while in the mountains for 8 days during a TMC in NZ.

[scubaseven]

I also contacted the hyperjuice store before purchasing and they confirmed it will charge via a 12volt solar panel.

The Solaris 12 comes with the correct DC adapter that fits the hyperjuice charging socket.

I can also confirm the Solaris 12 charges the hyperjuice, as I used these 2 for portable power while in the mountains for 8 days during a TMC in NZ.

Sweet, thanks for all the info.

[scubaseven]

I found this one:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20W-Off-Grid ... 7140wt_907

20w and has a 90WH battery as well.

[roodeny]

USB pinouts http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml
for wiring the usb cables .How to make http://www.reuk.co.uk/Solar-iPod-Charger.htm
but i agree with every one you 1. need 50 to 100 Milli amp solar panel . 2 .a way to mount it on the top of your pack so it gets the most sun light possible . 3 multiple outputs . ie . 5v to charge your ipod camera etc and a battery charger for your headlamp , torch , night light etc .. and 4 Ideally a storage battery (ion ) to hold all that power when not charging some thing else . 5 an automatic voltage doubler when the suns not quite up to it but you will still get some charge . 5 it dosn't weigh a lot and is removable from the pack when in camp . PS and water resistant .

Last edited by roodeny on Thu 03 May, 2012 8:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Miyata610]

USB pinouts http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml
for wiring the usb cables .

Short out pins 2 and 3, use a regulated DC DC converter (get one off ebay) and just connect a panel of your choice. Don't bother with a battery.

[roodeny]

Sorry but I'm fussy about recharging battery's .

[Miyata610]

Sorry but I'm fussy about recharging battery's .

You can use USB as a power source, not as a battery charger. Your device needs the electronics to regulate the charge. USB just gives a constant regulated five volts. That's it.