Solargoods's Blog

I like check my favorite websites and browse my RSS feed reader for updates. It becomes my routine each morning. Typically, after I’ve satisfied my hunger for world news and of course the latest Apple rumors, I still have a strong charge on my iPhone. However, with the release of iOS4, the latest iPhone update, I now stream Pandora in the background while I perform my typical morning routine and this habit has resulted in more battery usage. Previously, one night’s charge would get me through most of the day without any worries, but with my new multitasking habit I now need a midday boost.

This need for extra battery power is not due to the iOS4′s engineering. iOS 4 manages power efficiently and delivers the best possible battery life. And multitasking in iOS 4 doesn’t slow down the performance of the foreground app or drain the battery unnecessarily. The need for extra battery power is because users are now doing more with their iPhones. In my own example, I cited that I now run a music streaming app while I check my favorite websites in Safari.

The solution is to get a portable solar charger for it. Built in 3.7V/1500mAh Li-battery,compatible with iPhone 3GS/3G/2G/1G, the iPhone solar charger comes with an included genuine leather case. Solar charger shealth will produce electric energy so long as it put under sunshine. The compact solar charger features a fan-blade design that allows it to achieve maximum solar area when in use. Just spread out the blades, expose them to direct sunlight either outdoors or affixed to a window, and get ready to take your power on the road.

More info about solar charger at:

https://solargoods.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/buy-iphone-solar-charger-read-this-article-first/

I purchased Palm m505 as soon as I gave away my IIIx. One of the things I never really considered about was that it’s amazing how quickly you can burn through batteries when you use your PDA as an eBook!

Recently, I came across a portable solar charger PocketPal on a website, and was intrigued by the possibilities. I went to the manufacturer’s website to get more information. No Palm Computing devices were listed as compatible with the solar charger, but the output voltage (5V @ 400ma) sounded like it would be sufficient to charge my PDA, so I emailed the company, requesting more information. In response, they offered to send me a sample of their CF101 and CF101A chargers, modified to work with my Palm m505. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to evaluate these devices.

When I received the solar chargers several days later, I was immediately impressed by the quality of workmanship. The folding case is light and sturdy and the solar panels are sealed over with a clear, rubber-like substance that protects them from being scratched by the power cord when the unit is closed and makes the unit virtually waterproof. I certainly wouldn’t recommend immersing the charger in water, but I don’t think that anyone would need to be overly concerned about a few drops of water either. The unit’s small size and weight make it easily pocketable, and an excellent choice for the outdoorsman or anyone who’s looking to travel light. The power cord is about 3 ft. long, which provides enough length to set the solar panels out in full sunlight while leaving your PDA in the shade—another plus.

Now that I had the chargers, I wanted to try them out to see how effective they were. The manufacturer claims that the CF101 can produce 5V of current at 400mA. The CF101A is rated at 7V and 250mA. Given that my Palm m505 displays only 4.4V when fully charged, I figured that either one should be sufficient to charge it with no problem. I decided to test the CF101A first, so I discharged my PDA until I received the first low battery warning. Then I set the charger up on the railing of my upstairs balcony early in the afternoon and propped it up with a block of packing foam. I checked on it periodically to make sure it was positioned properly, and about 1 hour and 15 minutes later, the PDA indicated a 100% charge at 4.4V. I was also able to experiment briefly with my friend’s Palm IIIc. The CF101A produced sufficient voltage to put the unit into charge mode, but we didn’t have sufficient time to test it any further than that, and as I’m not sure how battery capacity and power requirements on the IIIc compare to the m505, I can’t say whether this is a practical solution for that model, but given the performance with my m505’s battery, it’s a good bet that it would work just fine.

The website suggests that the charger will work with a 60-watt light bulb to recharge your device, and holding the solar panels up to a light did produce sufficient voltage to activate the charging circuit in my PDA, but I didn’t try to test this out either because I didn’t want to get the unit too hot and have the plastic melt on me.

I had to wait until the next weekend to test the CF101. Naturally, I expected the CF101 to recharge my PDA more slowly, but the results were unexpectedly disappointing. I followed the same procedure with the CF101 as I had with the CF101A, periodically checking it and adjusting the position of the solar panels so they were always facing the sun. Three hours after I set up the charger, the battery meter on my Palm showed about 1/3 charge and read 3.3V. I left it for about another hour, but when I checked it again, it didn’t seem to have charged any further.

The CF101 and the CF101A may not look any different (apart from the model # printed on the case) but there definitely IS a difference, which becomes immediately apparent once you actually use them. I was favorably impressed by the CF101A, but based on my experience I cannot say the same for the CF101. It is possible that my results with the CF101 would have been better if I had been able to attach it directly to the PDA instead of connecting it through the cradle, but the extra $10 for the CF101A still seems like a much better deal to me. Since the manufacturer sent me the two test units, he has indicated that he now has a connector available for the IIIc only, with more models due in the near future, which will allow a direct connection to the PDA, which would obviate the need to lug the HotSync cradle around with you. If you’re considering ordering one of these, be sure to ask about that option.

More info about solar charger at:

https://solargoods.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/multi-solar-charger-debuts-inosmart/

There’s a portable solar charger named Freeloader Pro, which is capable of powering virtually every electrical device, anywhere in the world, whether on a beach, a mountain, jungle or the Polar ice cap. Freeloader Pro uses its high power solar panels or USB (cable supplied) to quickly charge its internal battery (7 to 9 hours in sunny conditions). Once fully charged Freeloader Pro is capable of delivering enough power to give a mobile phone 70 hours of standby time, 5000 page turns on an eBook or a 100% full charge for a digital camera battery.

Also by switching its multi-voltage switch to 9.5V, the Freeloader Pro is capable of charging power hungry, high voltage devices such as MP4 players, portable DVD players and SLR camera batteries. The metallic push button “Power Halo” indicates how much power is in Freeloader Pro’s battery. Made from tough aluminum and finished in a stylish “piano” black finish, Freeloader Pro is the perfect companion for travelers, journalists, explorers, mobile geeks, and anyone who demands the best.

Included with the Freeloader Pro is the CamCaddy. The CamCaddy is a specially designed adapter that accepts virtually every type of camera battery whether a simple compact digital camera, professional SLR or a video camera battery. CamCaddy suits all sizes of battery (3.2v to 7.9v) using its variable slider bar and adjustable contact pins. Light weight and rugged, the CamCaddy is the ONLY camera battery charger capable of powering virtually all camera batteries.

Solar charger with a built-in Li-ion rechargeable battery

Battery can be charged using solar cells or USB connection

Specially designed CamCaddy can charge almost all camera and camcorder batteries (about 87% of camera models are compatible)

Compatible with iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, current Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Motorola cell phones, PSP, portable DVD and MP4 players, more

Li-ion rechargeable battery capacity: 1600mAh

Solar cells: 200mA premium quality crystalline

Impact resistant, rust free aluminum body

Weight: 6.1 oz (174g)

Dimensions: 5.9″ x 2.5″ x .8″ (150 x 63 x 20mm)

Includes: Freeloader charger, CamCaddy, carrying bag, 10 charging adapters, USB cable, manual

The words green and cool have traditionally not showed up in the same sentence however it is no doubt that the portable solar charger earns both adjectives and is increasingly relevant given that roughly one billion handheld battery-powered devices will be sold from now on. The portable solar charger achieves maximum solar panel area in a minimum of space, captures energy from the sun or a traditional power outlet in its integrated Lithium Ion battery, and will top up the herbs on an Apple iPod, mobile phones, digital cameras, PDAs and portable games consoles with its interchangeable tip system.

Portable solar charger is award winning fan blade design allows it to be folded neatly to the size of a small cell phone. This means portable solar charger is highly portable, making it the perfect travel partner wherever you are going. The full range of portable solar charger is available now from online stores and somewhere else. Guess all units carry a full one year warranty. This is really a very awesome gadget worth owning.

You absolutely know that solar panel, solar battery and solar charger all have closely connection with solar. However, what are the differences among them?

Definition

Solar panel: A solar panel (photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel) is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. The solar panel is used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications.

Solar battery: A device that store power generated from the sun and discharge the power as needed (through an inverter).

Solar charger: It employs solar energy to supply electricity to devices or charge batteries.

 Types

Solar panel:

1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels – Monocrystalline cells are cut from a block of silicon that has been grown from a single crystal.

2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels – Polycrystalline cells are cut from multifaceted silicon crystal. They don’t come from a single piece of silicon crystal, but rather from many different crystals.

3. Thin Film or Amorphous Solar Panels – These panels are not made up of any crystals. They are actually a thin layer of silicon deposited on a substrate or base material like metal or glass.

Solar battery:

1. Golf Cart Batteries

Golf-cart batteries, also used in RVs and boats, are suited for small, privately owned solar systems. These batteries are inexpensive, which makes them great for the average homeowner.

2. Gel

Gel solar batteries are solar batteries that are industrial grade and can handle more discharge cycles.

3. Lead Acid

Like gel batteries, lead acid solar batteries are of industrial quality. However, unlike gel batteries, lead acid batteries have caps through which the user can add water.

4. AGM

Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries are recommended by the freesunpower.com website. AGM batteries get their name from the mat of woven glass (boron silicate) that holds the battery electrolyte. According to the freesunpower.com Web site, these batteries won’t leak and have the advantages of slower discharge and no gas release.

Solar charger:

1. The first type uses internal rechargeable batteries. The advantage of this is that you can let it charge while it is not connected to your device. You can let it sit in the sun and collect solar energy (which it uses to recharge its internal batteries) and once the internal batteries are charged, you can hook up your iPod, cell phone, MP3 Player, GPS device, camera, or whatever it is that you want to recharge. You can also operate your device directly form this portable solar charger if you like.
2. The other type of solar charger is simply a small portable solar panel that can either be folded, or rolled up. This tends to be more powerful and lighter than the previously mentioned type of solar charger. Due to the higher power output, this type of solar battery charger can be used to power or recharge larger electronic devices (such as laptops, radios, small TVs, and coolers).

Brief of solar charger

In the digital age of rich and colorful, digital products are become necessities in our life. When you in the airport lounge, when you travel in the field, when you in the car, when you cannot find a place of power, solar charger offer you the best power protection anytime, let your communication entertainment carefree! When you want to send a gift to relatives and friends, convenient solar charger should be your first choice!

With the development of science and technology, people have mastered more ways of using solar power, solar battery is a kind of ideal for electronic equipment clean energy. However, so far, the efficiency of solar cells into still low.

Solar energy is environmental protection, efficiency energy s to endure.

Of course, we had to use the low efficiency of solar energy is pure, if the case is just take it as a battery charging, power, to actually also is good. So using solar power equipment for outdoor adventure, photography, the player is again appropriate did not pass, if can improve the output charge interface, better support SLR cameras, there will be a bigger market.

Features of solar charger

1. Suitable for mobile phones, digital camera, MP3, MP4,’t a MP5, PDA (PDA), IPC, PSP, radio, portable CD, ipod, mobile DV, GPS, need to recharge products, especially suitable for when you travel in fieldwork, or in the emergency power or environmental protection, solar charger occasions a will help you, make your digital products anytime, let you keep working state of uninterrupted with your friends and family to keep in touch.

2. No matter whenever or wherever portable solar charger may be very convenient for you to charge cell phone battery or other digital products.

3. Environmental protection, energy saving, can use of solar energy for the green environmental protection make your contribution.

4. The appearance is vogue. Its model is portable, concise, small and exquisite, very convenience to carry.

5. With high brightness LED illuminator, far beyond, more than 30 hours of super-long lighting at night, convenient and emergency use.

6. Safe use with charging overcharge protection, prolong your mobile phone battery life, the use of security. Lithium battery has double protection circuit, protection circuit. Intelligent charging function, fast and constant-current constant-voltage and balanced, prolong the built-in rechargeable battery life. Powerful intelligent protection function, and have put, overload, reverse connect, short circuit protection function etc.

The fremont, InoSmart volt multi – 5 – brings new portable solar charger device into market.

The four InoSmart ESx3000 USB port, a small battery night lights and LED flashlight in a compact 3.66 – by 1 inch by a 2.48 – a footprint, weighing less than 6 ounces.

This ESx3000 of rechargeable batteries, lithium 3.7 volt – 22 from backup battery to utilize solar energy, socket, automobile export or USB interface, and rechargeable four devices.

According to the company, 8 to 10 hours of sunshine point-blank place is needed to complete the rechargeable battery, but the unit can start a one hour completely dead, the mobile phone call. A fully charged ESx3000 can completely smart phone, or two forces for five hours, flashlight night light or leadership in 48 hours. A full to a device needs from six to eight hours.

Charging device is adopted, and a standard of hardware locks six inches 12 USB tips for 5-12 volt standard portable devices and a traveling bag.

Now through transport skus in the dealer can open stock, j., and finally swim cap – hooks, counter and floor shows shipment.

According to the sales deputy Wesley brown, “InoSmart committed to sustainable development. A real ESx3000 environmental protection products, and we look forward to All of our packing will be recycled materials in the near future. This is a tough, lasting charger, almost everywhere. This is a fiber must provide consumers with yourself a great perceived value, huge profits. – in – – this is indeed a handful of consumers and retailers, environment.”

InoSmart said units provide 500 and lithium ion battery are replaceable.

The suggested retail is 59.95 dollars.