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SBE
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I think I've decided where I'm going snorkelling next trip but there's no electricity on the island and the place I want to stay doesn't have a generator...oil lamps in the huts and solar power lights for the restaurant.
Charging camera/torch batteries is going to be a wee bit of a problem after a few days and I'd quite like to spend a few weeks there.
As paradise islands of the beaten trail can be a wee bit dull in the evenings, I was thinking of investing in a netbook+DVD or a small laptop too. It would be useful for storing pics and I could watch the odd film or maybe download some books. I MIGHT even write a travel journal, but don't hold your breath Somtam! ;-)
Have anyone tried a portable solar power charger thingy? How bulky are they and how much do they weigh? I want to try and keep my backpack as light as possible.
#1 Posted: 9/7/2009 - 19:38
angfonz
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I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but the solar charger than you are looking for isn't cheap.
There are a few things you need to consider. Do you want something to recharge batteries, or actually power electronics? The latter, called a trickle charge, is more expensive.
In order to charge a laptop you will need a power source with at least 14w (for a standard netbook), and needs to be capable of a trickle charge. Something else you need to consider is that if you want to STORE power, you need another item also - a battery pack. These are readily available from many providers, but make sure its compatible with your panel.
This is the product I would recommend: http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=420 -- It folds up, uses a new and more efficient technology, is water resistant, has a 22w output in direct sunlight, and is capable of the trickle charge you need.
I would recommend using the same company for your battery pack. They really are producing the best product on the market right now, but realize you need a pretty large size for a laptop for a couple hours or a dvd player.
Neither of these products are cheap, and at their 600+ dollar price range I would not buy it from them. I found it at Sierra Solar for half that price when I got mine, and I'm sure they are available on Amazon for about half their list price.
#2 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 10:32
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BruceMoon
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SBE
'Charging camera/torch batteries is going to be a wee bit of a problem " - that's another reason I use a Canon: it has AA batteries, and the Lithium ones last for ages...
If you've got a proprietary brand battery setup, go look at USB/SD plug charger/exchangers to a netbook/laptop. Also, I note in SE Asia, there are run-of-the-mill battery chargers for mobile phones, they may have same for your camera.
'I was thinking of investing in a netbook+DVD or a small laptop too- most new batteries have a reasonable capacity. And, you can also buy 'heavy duty' batteries with a heap of read time.
My hunch is that it may be more convenient to buy plenty of battery back-up and use this wisely than try and carry a surfboard sized solar panel able to meet your possible needs.
Cheers
#3 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 13:10
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BruceMoon
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Oh, SBE, if the accommodation has solar powered lights, would they allow you to trickle feed your batteries during the day? Just a thought.
Cheers
#4 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 13:11
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angfonz
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I assumed that the solar lights were the sort of closed circuit things you get at the hardware store - and I dont think they would let you splice into that.
SBE - You can get a much more reasonably priced solar charger if you dont bring a netbook or dvd player. If you just want it to recharge batteries there are many products under 100 dollars that will fill a built in batter pack that you can plug a phone / mp3 player / camera battery charger into when you get back in the evening.
Hopefully you can find a place that you can put the panel without it getting stolen, because with cheaper units comes less efficiency energy transfer / storage and that equals longer charge times. You would want to be leaving it out on the roof or something while you were out diving.
Here is a good option: https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome/primatepower/solargorilla/ (this will work for laptops)
with its little(cheaper) brother here: https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome/primatepower/powermonkey-explorer/ (this will work for smaller devices)
#5 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 13:45
SBE
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Thanks for your help Angfonz. Seems like the netbook isn't going to be an option then!
If I were an inventor I'd patent a netbook with a solar power panel on the lid! ;-)
#6 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 15:41
angfonz
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Its still a relatively cheap and good idea to purchase one of the smaller units. They take a long time for a full charge, but its better than not having any photos.
The smaller one, linked above, takes a full 18 hours in the sun to complete a charge, though. You'll definitely need to be leaving it out while you're out doing stuff.
Brunton make a lot of good options - browse their website and find what suits your needs - and then order from Amazon or Sierra Solar for better prices. I hear that their rolling solar panels are particularly good.
#7 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 16:43