Sun Power

[Globetrotter.uk]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=223086&doy=16m7

Does it come in green?

 

[crazydave]

what I'm after is a panel I can attach to my laptop lid to charge outdoors

 

[Globetrotter.uk]

There's a solar company on the suffolk coast near me

http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Solar_Charger_Notebook_Laptop_Computer.html


Im going to see them next week during the airshow

 

[hiho]

I'm sure I've seen that somewhere else?

 

[crazydave]

I've seen similar - a common one was to use the little toshiba libretto with a sat phone and roll up solar panels dangling from your rucksack

 

[bilko]

Does it need direct sunlight or can it charge from daylight?
With a lot of these solar power things they need to be in direct sunlight.

 

[Mikey P]

The vast majority of soalr panels are ultra-violet (UV) light powered. UV penetrates cloud but is also attenuated by that cloud, or rain. So, solar panels will charge in cloudy weather but not as quick.

The issue, actually, is whether your solar panel is outside, or inside. What do I mean by this? Well, most glass is manufactured with a UV filtration effect - ie, it blocks UV to reduce glare and the sunburn effect. This also means that a portable solar charger will take 5-6 times as long to charge if it is behind a window, even on sunny days.

So, the question is now actually, can I put my solar charging panel outside?

I've been using the Freeloader with a Supercharger external panel (called the 'Globetrotter' system when sold together), which is weatherproof, and it works well. Very Ronseal - the charge timings are just as it says in the manual. However, even with the bigger panel, it still takes much, much longer to charge if it is behind a window.

Freeloader won't charge anything with a battery as big as a laptop's but it will charge my Blackberry, my iPod, and my PSP. I also have the additional battery charger which means I can charge AA or AAA batteries too.

I really like this system but, as I haven't used any of the other makes (like Powermonkey), I can't comment on how it stacks up against the competition.

 

[bilko]

Mikey P
Thanks so much for such a comprehensive answer. I will look into the system you mentioned.

 

[Globetrotter.uk]

I have just spent my allowance and invested in a new Freeloader using my club discount.
The Globetrotter panel from maplins £10 off
and the AA/AAA bat charger from oxfam.

Just needing to make up some adapters.

I now have a smart solar unit with 5 AA rechargeables with a usb outlet and adapter up for grabs.

http://www.boysstuff.co.uk/images/prod_zoom_center/smart_charger_centre_500_10950.jpg

 

[Mikey P]

Cool! Nice one Globetrotter!

Bilko - don't take my word for it - have a look at some of the other systems available too. There's one called the 'PowerMonkey' and there's also one I saw in one of our Forums called 'Recharge4', or something like that. There's a few around, some cheaper than others.

I'd be interested to see what Globetrotter thinks of the Freeloader...

 

[Tiger Eyes]

I just bought a 13w briefcase charger from here http://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/khxc/gbu0-prodshow/SS936A.html, I am bringing it to the moot to charge our lantern and if neededI the kids DS Lite's eventually we will get a 12v battery to run a cooler and top it up with the solar power, There is a bigger 28w version I don't know if thats bif enough for a lappy but it's a lot more money
Does anyone know the cheapest place to get the baterry charging componant as I thought £24 was a bit pricey

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I have just been using the freeloader kit, worked well today, sunny, before the sun hot the car.

Nick